State Park Technician Jobs

Only applicants who meet the Minimum Qualification Requirements and meet all selective requirements (listed below) will be placed on the eligible list.

The Department of Natural Resources encourages all applicants to upload a current resume and cover letter to their online application.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) consists of over 850 employees that are dedicated to protecting Iowa’s natural resources and providing citizens with recreational opportunities to enjoy. The Iowa DNR’s mission is 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. If our mission aligns with your personal core values and goals and you want to work alongside committed and passionate coworkers, then you should consider the Iowa DNR as your next employer.

We currently have a State Park Technician position open at Wilson Island State Park in in Missouri Valley, Iowa. Wilson Island is a peaceful recreation area located along the Missouri River. The area encompasses 544 acres abundant with wildlife. The area is vivid with history as Lewis and Clark once camped along this stretch of river themselves back in 1804. This area has a busy boat ramp to provide access to the Missouri River for fishing and pleasure boating alike. Wilson Island has a 42 site campground which is available seasonally from April 15 to October 15 each year.

What We're Looking For In You

Describe in your application how you demonstrate the Critical Job Competencies (below), can perform the majority of the Essential Functions, and have education/experience transferable to the . Applicants are encouraged to upload a current resume and cover letter to their online application.

Duties & Responsibilities

The Park Technician maintains facilities and equipment under the direction of the Park Manager. This includes cleaning and maintaining offices, service buildings, restrooms, shower & restroom buildings, heating and cooling systems, water and wastewater systems, campgrounds, shelters, camping cabins, docks, roadways, and fences. The Park Technician operates and maintains all assigned equipment safely and correctly. This equipment includes trimmers, saws, power hand tools, pumps, mowers, tractors, ATV's, trailers, and motor vehicles.

Under the direction of the Park Manager, this position also maintains all public use areas in a clean and orderly condition. The Park Technician participates in the management of vegetation, wildlife populations through the use of prescribed fire in prairie and timber areas, vegetation plantings, pruning, habitat improvement and/or construction, and removal and control of invasive species. This position maintains a multi-use trail system at the state park in a manner that ensures both visitor safety and the integrity of the resource. Given these responsibilities, the Park Technician must obtain pesticide license and maintain certification.

All State Park employees are responsible for engaging in public outreach, both in their assigned Park and offsite, to promote the state park system, recreational safety, and natural resource management. Therefore, the Park Technician will be expected to respond to media as requested; play an active role with interpretive programs and seasonal naturalists; promote and interact with the local friends groups as required; and work collaboratively with the local chamber of commerce and other economic development groups that promote the area.

The Park Technician also patrols within the assigned areas to ensure visitor safety, security of state property and facilities, and orderliness within the public-use areas as a six-month officer. This includes assisting park visitors with problems and their requests for help, attending regular training sessions on enforcement subjects to maintain knowledge of enforcement techniques, and completing paperwork related to enforcement, and other reports as required.

Finally, the Park Technician has some administrative duties typical of a State Employee. These include assisting with the completion of written reports; collecting information for attendance, budget, area, fuel, incident, payroll and cash reports; collecting fees in accordance with DNR policy & procedures; and assisting with work assignments for seasonal staff and volunteers.

What You Get From Us

• (Premiums can start as low as $54/month for single and $180/month for family coverage).
• Iowa Public Employee Retirement System (IPERS) retirement package with employer match.
• Separate vacation and sick leave accruals that start on the first day and can roll over annually.
• Nine paid holidays/year.
• A competitive pay plan and rewarding work.
• Family friendly and professional work environment.
• Employee Discount Programs (vision, cellular, fitness, recreation, season passes, travel, counseling - legal, financial)
• Professional training opportunities.
• Optional deferred compensation (457/401A) plan with employer match.
• Insurance benefits that start the first of the month following 30 days of employment.

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. 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).

Essential Functions

• Must demonstrate initiative, a customer service and team orientation, and display high standards of ethical conduct.
• Capacity to adjust to change, work pressures or difficult situations without undue stress.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with management and other DNR staff.
• Train staff and volunteers to perform tasks.
• Understand and follow written and oral instructions and effectively communicate technical information; attention to detail
• Operate and maintain power tools and equipment commonly used to maintain buildings and landscapes. This requires the ability to work outdoors and withstand physically demanding work such as stooping, bending and routinely lifting up to 50 pounds.
• Work independently as well as a team member in solving problems and improving service delivery.

Critical Job Competencies

Communication Skills (written/oral), Interpersonal Skills, Customer Focus, Integrity, Self-Management, High Productivity; Flexibility, Accountability, Team Player, and Computer Skills, Technical Skills (park management and maintenance).

Applicants must meet requirements of DAS Selective Certification #914 Park Management, which requires a minimum of 12 semester hours, six months experience, or a combination of both in the area of park and recreation management. Applicants are encouraged to attach a Resume/Cover Letter to the online application to aide in confirming that they meet this requirement.

The successful candidates must be able to obtain the following:

• CPR/First Aide certification (must obtain within first six months of hire)
• Pesticide License (must obtain within first 12 months of hire)
• Chain Saw Safety Certification (must obtain within first 12 months of hire)
• Defensive Tactics training (must obtain within first 12 months of hire)
• Possess and maintain valid driver’s license

Normal hours are 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday in non-peak season, hours and shifts vary during the DNR recreational season.

Positions are required to live within travel requirement as outlined in the DNR Park Bureau Policies.

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. The DNR invests into their workforce through diversity, equality, justice, inclusion, and accessibility. Join us on our journey to becoming a role model for public service nationwide!

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.

Selectives

914 Park and Recreation Management

6 months’ experience, twelve semester hours, or a combination of both in the operation and/or maintenance of parks or park recreational services. May have commonly been served at a national, state, or county park level.

Minimum Qualification Requirements

The equivalent of two years of full time experience involving facilities maintenance in plumbing, electrical, and/or heating and cooling, or semi-skilled or technical work in a biological, horticultural, conservation, or natural resources program;

OR

an equivalent combination of education and experience substituting 30 semester hours of college level course work in a biological or natural resources program for the required experience.

For additional information, please click on this link to view the job description .

Additional Qualification Requirements

• Certain designated positions in this job class require applicants to obtain: a Commercial Drivers License and endorsements; and/or certification as a water and wastewater system operator within a period of time as determined by the appointing authority at the time of hire.
• Certain designated positions require the employee to be certified by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship as a Pesticide Applicator within a period of time as determined by the appointing authority at the time of hire.