Conservation Foreman

State of South Dakota; Fort Pierre (SD); On-site; USD 61,349,000 - 76,760,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid holidays

Vacation and sick leave

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Retirement benefits

Job summary

State of South Dakota's Department of Game, Fish, and Parks seeks a Conservation Foreman to lead maintenance across Oahe Downstream Recreation Area and 10 secondary locations. You will organize daily and weekly tasks, schedule a team of staff and volunteers, and ensure records are kept for all work performed.

Ideal candidates will have strong knowledge of facilities maintenance, CDL being highly beneficial, and the ability to adapt to changing priorities while ensuring safe operations near water

Qualifications

• Experience coordinating maintenance staff and directing daily work across multiple park locations.
• Ability to schedule up to 12 seasonal employees and up to 15 volunteers.
• CDL is highly beneficial; pesticide & weed applicator certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead maintenance activities for a large park district and oversee staff scheduling.
• Organize work assignments for Conservation Technicians and seasonal staff.
• Maintain clear records of work completed and ensure safety standards.
• Coordinate across facilities including campsites, lodge, boat ramps and OHV areas.

Skills

Staff management

Scheduling

Leadership

Outdoor work

Record keeping

Safety training

Education

CDL

Noxious Weed Applicator

Job description

Job ID: 37445
Agency: Game, Fish, and Parks
Location: Ft. Pierre, SD
Salary: $21.41 - $26.75/hr, depending on qualifications
Pay Grade: G
Closing Date: 09/30/2026
This is a Full-Time position with the Department of Game, Fish, and Parks. For more information on the Department of Game, Fish, and Parks, please visit https://gfp.sd.gov/.

The Conservation Foreman at the Oahe Downstream Recreation Area is the lead worker for maintenance activities in a large park district that consists of the main park at Oahe Downstream RA and 10 secondary park locations north on the Oahe Reservoir. Areas possess a number of facilities including 294 campsites, camping cabins, lodge, comfort stations, boat ramps, fish cleaning stations, an Off-Highway Vehicle Area (OHV), an archery range, and a rifle range. This position should be able to organize and schedule staff to perform daily and weekly work at all these areas and facilities and maintain clear records of work completed.

Candidate should be able to work at a number of outdoor park locations throughout the year and be physically able to meet the challenges of the job on and off the water. Candidate should possess the ability to be flexible and change in work direction with the district changing priorities. Candidate should be able to schedule and organize work assignments for a Conservation Technician and up to 12 seasonal employees and up to 15 park volunteers.

Licenses And Certifications

CDL would be highly beneficial. SD Dept of DANR Pesticide & Noxious Weed Applicator. Candidate should possess or be able to obtain within 6 months of employment.

The Ideal Candidate Will Have

A good working knowledge of equipment, facility and grounds maintenance and the ability to effectively and efficiently direct the daily work assignments of the district's maintenance staff.

Knowledge Of

• equipment operation;
• repair and maintenance;
• plumbing;
• basic electrical trouble-shooting;
• janitorial cleaning;
• carpentry;
• welding;
• concrete work;
• landscaping;
• tree planting and grass seeding;
• operation of region's aerial lift for tree pruning;
• chainsaw operation;
• repair and maintenance;
• tree, shrub and grass identification;
• general facility and grounds maintenance and other forms of district and regional equipment operation and maintenance.

Skill To

• perform routine plumbing repairs and trouble-shooting;
• perform minor electrical repairs;
• oversee and perform the janitorial cleaning of park facilities;
• perform basic carpentry and welding repairs and new construction;
• load and unload equipment that is transported throughout the district;
• skilled equipment operator of loaders, commercial mowers, small tractors, skid steer and attachments to large trucks and trailers;
• operate dump trucks;
• order supplies and materials.

Ability To

• operate a variety of equipment in varying environments;
• meet the physical requirements of the outdoor work environments;
• train others on the safe and proper operation of equipment and facility cleaning;
• assign tasks to others and maintain clear written records of work completed;
• prioritize work tasks and staff assignments;
• communicate effectively with park users and staff;
• diagnose and repair vehicles and equipment.

This position is eligible for Veterans’ Preference per ARSD 55:10:02:08.

NCRC: If you possess a National Career Readiness Certificate, please submit the certificate with your application. For more information on how to acquire a National Career Readiness Certificate contact a South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation Job Service Office. A certificate is not necessary to be considered.

The State of South Dakota does not sponsor work visas for new or existing employees. All persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete an Employment Eligibility Verification, Form I-9. The State of South Dakota as an employer will be using E-Verify to complete employment eligibility verification upon hire.

The State of South Dakota offers $0 premium employee health insurance option plus eleven paid holidays, generous vacation and sick leave accrual, dental, vision, and other insurance options, and retirement benefits. You can view our benefits information at https://bhr.sd.gov/job-seekers/work-for-state-government/. This position is a member of Class A retirement under SDRS.

South Dakota Bureau of Human Resources

Telephone: [phone] Email: [e-mail]

http://bhr.sd.gov/workforus

"An Equal Opportunity Employer"