Park Ranger Jobs

The Department of Natural Resources encourages all applicants to upload a current resume and cover letter to their online application.
Are you looking for an exciting and rewarding career that blends law enforcement and conservation? If yes, we are seeking applicants for Park Ranger vacancies at Lake Manawa State Park in Council Bluffs, Iowa and at Stone State Park in Sioux City, Iowa. As a Park Ranger, you will provide state park law enforcement, interpret laws/code, manage park resources, and maintain park facilities.
Other major functions of a Park Ranger include:
Law Enforcement

• Maintains knowledge of current enforcement techniques and equipment and ensures staff receives training.
• Patrols park boundaries; deals with encroachments.
• Coordinates and trains six-month enforcement personnel.
• Completes paperwork including incident reports, accident reports, TORT claims, citations, court documents, and other reports as required.
• Regularly patrols trails to ensure compliance with trail rules; addresses off trail riding issues as required.
• Establishes and maintains law enforcement schedule and network to adequately cover assigned area.
• Coordinates with other enforcement agencies.
• Provides public safety programming about enforcement and public safety.
• Attends training sessions to maintain certification and provides information to staff.
• As a peace officer, enforces Code of Iowa by patrolling uneven terrain on foot in assigned area in all weather conditions to ensure visitor safety, security of state property and facilities, and orderliness within public use areas.
• Arranges special patrols to accommodate special high-use periods and special events.
• Assists park visitors with problems and requests for help.

Park Operations and Maintenance (equipment used, physical requirements)

• Completes paperwork including monthly reports, planning documents, playground inspections, budgeting documents, and other reports requested by District Supervisor.
• Assists District Supervisor with day-to-day direction of natural resource aides and volunteers assigned to area.
• Provides staff safety training.
• Performs park maintenance, preventative maintenance, and construction tasks in various environments and in all weather conditions; moves loads weighing 40 pounds or more across long distances.
• Maintains trails to ensure public safety and resource integrity.
• Ensures safety of general public and staff.
• Coordinates prescribed fires to manage park resources.
• Ensures accessibility compliance.

Public Relations, Information, and Education

• Promotes, oversees, and interacts with local Friends Group as required.
• Plays an active role with division interpretive programs and seasonal naturalists.
• Makes public appearances to promote state park system, recreational safety, and natural resource management. Responds to media as requested.

Essential Functions

• Effects arrests, forcibly if necessary, using handcuffs and other restraints; subdues resisting suspects using maneuvers and weapons and using hands and feet and other approved weapons in self-defense.
• Endures verbal and physical abuse when confronted with hostile suspects and other people encountered in antagonistic environments; acts ethically even under pressure or in stressful or difficult situations.
• Communicates effectively with staff, management, and state and federal agencies; uses PC-based software to prepare reports and complete tasks.
• Operates and maintains equipment and tools to maintain buildings and landscapes; moves loads weighing 40 pounds or more across long distances; works in all weather conditions and in various environments.
• Performs searches of people, vehicles, buildings, and large outdoor areas by feeling and detecting objects, walking for long distances and on uneven terrain, detaining people, and stopping suspicious vehicles and people.
• Loads, unloads, aims, and fires handguns, shotguns and other agency firearms under stressful conditions justifying use of deadly force.
• Regularly work outdoors in all weather conditions and withstand physically demanding work with some strenuous labor.
• Trains staff and volunteers to perform tasks.
• Applies technical knowledge to competently manage parks independently and with minimal supervision.
• Gathers information during investigations by interviewing and obtaining statements from victims, witnesses, suspects, and confidential informers.

Critical Job Competencies
Accountability, Integrity, High Productivity, Team Player, Customer Focus, Interpersonal Skills, Communication Skills, Self-Management, Computer Skills, Technical Skills (law enforcement/park management).
What You Get From Us:

• Insurance benefits that start the first of the month following 30 days of employment.
• A competitive pay plan and rewarding work.

(Premiums can start as low as $34/month for single coverage.

• Employee Discount Programs (vision, cellular, fitness, recreation, season passes, travel, counseling).
• Separate vacation and sick leave accruals that start on the first day and can roll over annually.
• Optional deferred compensation (457/401A) plan with employer match.
• Nine paid holidays/year.
• Professional training opportunities.
• Iowa Public Employee Retirement System (IPERS) retirement package with employer match.
• Family friendly and professional work environment.

The starting salary for new state (Executive Branch) employees is expected to be at the base of the pay range. Additional salary increases may occur after the first six months, and then annually (if applicable). The State’s total compensation package features an outstanding set of employee benefits that are worth about 30% of your total compensation. Visit the DAS website for more benefit information.
These positions require Iowa residency within thirty miles of the respective park office (or within 20 miles in order to drive the assigned, state-owned vehicle home).
These positions require the successful candidate to obtain and maintain Certified Law Enforcement Officer certification through the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy.
These positions require the successful candidate to possess and maintain a valid Iowa Driver’s License.
For more information about DNR Employment Opportunities and position specific notices, please visit the DNR Employment website.
The State of Iowa is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.
Iowa DNR Mission:
To conserve and enhance our natural resources in cooperation with individuals and organizations to improve the quality of life in Iowa and ensure a legacy for future generations.

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Benefits
The state offers paid vacation, sick time and holidays, a defined benefit retirement plan, health, dental, vision, and long-term disability insurance along with flexible spending accounts. For more information, please visit the executive branch employee benefits website.
The State of Iowa is committed to providing an outstanding employment experience. Check out this Benefits Beyond the Paycheck brochure (Download PDF reader).