State Park Technician

About the role

The Department of Natural Resources seeks two State Park Technicians to manage Gull Point State Park. Located in the Great Lakes region, Gull Point is a premier outdoor destination with a rich history and diverse recreational opportunities.

Responsibilities

• Keep offices, restrooms, campgrounds, and shelters clean and in excellent condition.
• Maintain landscapes through mowing, trimming, and trail repairs.
• Safely operate a wide range of equipment, including tractors, mowers, power tools, and boats.
• Perform vital conservation work such as controlled burns, habitat improvements, invasive species control, and pesticide application.
• Represent the DNR at public events, collaborate with local "Friends of the Park" groups, and assist visitors to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.
• Aid in fee collection, data management (attendance and budget), and the supervision of seasonal aides and volunteers.

Essential Functions

• Maintain trails, a variety of facilities, park grounds, and a variety of large and small equipment used for maintenance work.
• Manage invasive species, conduct prescribed burns, and restore native habitats.
• Operate motor vehicles and a variety of large and small equipment to conduct facilities and ground maintenance and habitat restoration/natural resource management.
• Provide public education programs related to parks or conservation.
• Perform physically demanding work that requires stooping, bending, and lifting/carrying up to 50 pounds.
• Work outdoors in a variety of extreme weather conditions.

Critical Job Competencies

• Accountability
• Integrity
• High Productivity
• Team Player
• Customer Focus
• Interpersonal Skills
• Communication Skills
• Common Sense
• Self-Management
• Technical Skills (park management)

Special Requirements

• Maintain/obtain valid driver's license.
• (Must obtain within 6 months of hire) CPR/First Aid certification.
• (Must obtain within first year of hire) Chain saw safety certification.
• (Must obtain within first year of hire) Defensive tactics training.
• (Must obtain within 6 months of hire) Pesticide applicator certification.

What You Get From Us

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

Comments

The successful candidate must reside within 30 road miles of the work location per the Parks, Forests and Preserves Bureau travel policy. This position requires obtaining and maintaining a valid driver’s license upon hire. Additionally, the incumbent must obtain CPR/First Aid and pesticide applicator certifications within the first six months, and chain saw safety and defensive tactics certifications within the first year of employment. 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).

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.
• 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.

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.