Park Maintenance Technician

Location: Lake City, SD (Fort Sisseton State Park)
Salary: $19.74 - $23.49/hr, depending on qualifications
Full-time position with South Dakota Game Fish & Parks.

About the role

The Park Maintenance Technician at Fort Sisseton Historic State Park is one of ten permanent staff in District 1, which includes four parks, seven lakeside use areas, and twelve public water access areas. These areas provide year-round recreational opportunities such as camping, lodging, historical interpretation, programming, picnicking, beach-going, boating, fishing, hunting, multi-use trails, and disc golf.

Fort Sisseton Historic State Park hosts active programs and festivals highlighting historic, cultural, and recreational aspects. The Technician will lead building and grounds maintenance and help facilitate park events, reporting to Fort Sisseton.

Responsibilities

• Assume lead role in facility maintenance and management of all current facilities at Fort Sisseton Historic State Park, including:
  • Historic structures and grounds
  • Comfort stations, park shop buildings, cold storage buildings, park offices
  • Camping cabins, campsites, playgrounds, dump stations, vault toilets, picnic shelters
• Perform electrical work, plumbing, carpentry, construction, and concrete work
• Direct and inspect work of seasonal staff to ensure facilities are clean, sanitized, and available for public use
• Maintain cleaning equipment and chemicals, inspect facilities for safe operation, and ensure accessibility
• Prepare facilities for safe winter storage and reopen them in the spring
• Operate, maintain, diagnose, and repair equipment such as mowers, tractors, skid steers, trailers, sprayers, UTVs, golf carts, small engines, and various implement attachments
• Keep accurate service records and logs for all equipment repairs and service
• Assist with construction and maintenance of hiking and multi-use trails, turf and grounds, campsites, and tree care (planting, pruning, maintenance, removal)
• Perform landscaping, construction projects, herbicide and insecticide applications, snow removal, fencing, and signing
• Operate specialized equipment and power tools
• Act as lead worker for seasonal and volunteer staff, ensuring proper orientation, training, supervision, and safety standards
• Maintain a positive working environment for all staff
• Assist with preparation of vehicle and equipment reports, Fleet and Travel work orders, weed spraying records, electrical maintenance repair records, and Material Safety Data Sheets
• Complete safety inspections, monthly service inspections on lift stations, and regular inspections of geothermal systems
• Work outdoors in all weather conditions and perform manual labor, including heavy lifting and strenuous physical activity

Requirements

• Valid driver’s license
• Background in maintenance fields with knowledge and experience in:
  • Grounds maintenance
  • Equipment maintenance
  • Plumbing, electrical, welding, and carpentry
• Knowledge of:
  • Operation, maintenance, and repair of tractors, skid steers, loaders, implement attachments, large commercial mowers, weed eaters, chainsaws, and other specialized equipment
  • Diagnostic and repair methods for vehicles and equipment
  • Safe operating guidelines for equipment
  • Herbicides, pesticides, insecticides, methods and rates of application, safe use and handling, and proper operation of spraying equipment
  • Seed and fertilizers
  • Janitorial and sanitation procedures, chemicals, materials, and supplies
  • Fence building, landscaping, carpentry, plumbing, painting, and electrical repair
  • Record keeping and report writing
  • Supervising and directing work crews
• Skills to:
  • Work outdoors in all weather conditions and varied terrain
  • Lead crews and perform as part of a team
  • Operate diverse machinery, equipment, and tools
  • Perform hard physical labor and lift heavy objects
  • Maintain historical accuracy in building and grounds maintenance
• Ability to:
  • Communicate and collaborate with park manager, district supervisor, and district foremen
  • Operate a variety of vehicles and equipment, including manual transmissions and boats with outboard motors
  • Use a variety of hand tools
  • Provide on-the-job training to employees
  • Assign tasks, organize projects, and communicate effectively with park users, coworkers, and the public
  • Perform basic maintenance and custodial work (e.g., replacing light fixtures, basic plumbing, painting)
  • Read, follow, and communicate verbal and written instructions

Benefits

• $0 premium employee health insurance option
• Eleven paid holidays
• Generous vacation and sick leave accrual
• Dental, vision, and other insurance options
• Retirement benefits (Class A retirement under SDRS)