Park Keeper II

Dakota County; Minnesota; On-site; USD 52,000 - 82,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

Pension with employer contribution

Eleven paid holidays

Job summary

Dakota County is seeking Park Keeper II to maintain and enhance park grounds, trails, and facilities. You will lead staff on projects, perform routine maintenance, and participate in winter ski trail grooming and snow removal across county parks.

The role requires a certificate or equivalent experience in grounds maintenance, plus a valid driver’s license and 3 years of related work. Opportunities exist at Lebanon Hills and Spring Lake parks with comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• One year certificate/degree in Grounds Maintenance, Natural Resources, Landscape; Horticulture, Design and Construction, Park Maintenance, Architecture, or a closely related field.
• Two years of grounds maintenance experience, such as turf maintenance, tree care, forestry, landscaping, snow removal, building and trail maintenance.
• Equivalent combination of education and experience to total 3 years in grounds maintenance, etc.
• A valid driver’s license and ability to obtain Class A CDL within first year.

Responsibilities

• Maintain park grounds and facilities, including trails, turf, trees, plantings, and structures.
• Lead park staff and temporary workers on assigned tasks and projects.
• Groom cross country ski trails and perform snow removal in winter.
• Operate fleet vehicles and power tools; train staff in safe operation.
• Perform routine and high-skill maintenance and repairs to buildings and facilities.

Skills

Grounds maintenance

Tree care

Snow removal

Trail maintenance

Equipment operation

Team leadership

Driver's license

Public works coordination

Education

Grounds maintenance certificate

CDL (preferred)

Tools

Outlook

Word

Excel

Job description

POSTING TYPE: Open competitive
DEPARTMENT: Facilities Management
HOURS: Full-time
PREFERRED HIRING RANGE: $52,326 - 65,408/year
FULL SALARY RANGE: $52,326 - 81,760/year
LOCATION: Various throughout the Dakota County Park System
UNION: None
CLOSE DATE: 4:30 pm on Monday, October 12, 2026

What You’ll Do

The Park Keeper II position is responsible to maintain, enhance, and expand our Park and Facility grounds. Staff do routine maintenance and highly skilled project work on our trails, turf, trees, plantings, hardscape, fences, decks, camper cabins, bridges, and picnic shelters. This position is also responsible to serve as a lead person over other Park and temporary staff on tasks and projects. In the winter months Park Keeping staff are responsible for grooming cross country ski trails and snow removal in County parking lots, access roads, sidewalks, and trails.

The Dakota County Parks system is a growing, thriving natural resource-based park system with over 2.8 million visitors annually. Our park system includes 6 parks, 5,500 acres of premiere park land and 66 miles of scenic regional greenways.

We are currently recruiting to fill two full-time positions, working out of the Lebanon Hills Park in Eagan and Spring Lake Park in Hastings.

Who We Are

Dakota County is Minnesota’s third largest county and home to more than 400,000 residents. We strive every day to achieve excellence public service, with a focus on four values: Service, Integrity, People, and Innovation.

Dakota County aims to create an environment that is welcoming and inclusive of diverse people, backgrounds, and experiences. Our goal is to have a workforce that is reflective of the communities and individuals we serve. We promote an equitable and culturally aware work environment where everyone can be their authentic selves.

• One year certificate/degree in Grounds Maintenance, Natural Resources, Landscape; Horticulture, Design and Construction, Park Maintenance, Architecture, or a closely related field.
• AND
• Two years of grounds maintenance experience, such as turf maintenance, tree care, forestry, landscaping, snow removal, building and trail maintenance.
• OR
• An equivalent combination of education and experience to total 3 years. Experience must be directly related to grounds maintenance experience, such as turf maintenance, tree care, forestry, landscaping, snow removal, building and trail maintenance
• AND
• A valid driver’s license and ability to obtain a Class A commercial driver’s license within the first year of employment.

Preferred Experience

• Commercial driver’s license
• Minnesota Tree Inspector Certificate
• Minnesota Chemical Applicators License
• Completed training and/or degree focused on grounds maintenance operations, to include but not limited to turf management, pesticide and fertilizer application, tree care, and landscape design and maintenance.
• Computer skills with the ability and experience to use Outlook, Word, and Excel.

* Pursuant to Dakota County Policy and Procedures this position is designated as Safety Sensitive.

These examples do not include all possible tasks in this work and do not limit the assignment of related tasks in any position of this classification. Regular attendance according to the position's management approved work schedule is required for all positions.

• Responsible for implementing tree maintenance/management programs including work such as: trimming, removals, and stump grinding.
• Responsible for performing landscape improvements including work such as: planting trees and shrubs, seeding, laying sod, grading, and site restoration.
• Responsible for snow plowing County parking lots, access roads and greenways using truck plow combinations, UTV', and/or tractor. After hour and weekend snow removal will occur during snow events.
• Responsible for maintaining turf areas, including tasks such as: mowing, over-seeding, aerating, pesticide application, and fertilizing.
• Responsible for maintaining access roads, trails, parking lots, utilities, retaining walls, bridges, and other infrastructure.
• Performs routine and higher skilled maintenance, repairs, and construction to buildings, structures and facilities.
• Act as lead person, when assigned, over employees at the same or lower grade level, overseeing and performing miscellaneous tasks and projects.
• Operate fleet vehicles such as: trucks, tractors, skid steers, trailers, plows, and UTV' to perform daily duties.
• Safely and proficiently operate all power tools, light and heavy equipment, and vehicles.
• Assist with training employees in safe and proficient operation of power tools, light and heavy equipment, and vehicles.
• Assists Fleet Management Department with the repair and maintenance of County vehicles and equipment.
• Assists in emergency situations as directed.
• Performs other maintenance tasks as apparent, necessary or assigned.

• Knowledge of practices, functions and procedures for higher skilled parks maintenance, repairs, and construction tasks.
• Knowledge of State and Federal D.O.T. laws and regulations relating to the safe operation of motor vehicles and truck trailer combinations.
• Ability to operate County Fleet vehicles such as: truck trailer combinations, truck plow combinations, tractors, and ATV equipment.
• Knowledge of safety rules, regulations and practices.
• Knowledge of daily and routine maintenance requirement of power tools, vehicles, and equipment.
• Knowledge in the maintenance and management of turf grass, shrubs, and trees. This includes the identification of trees, diseases, measures of control, and proper use of fertilizers and pesticides.
• Knowledge and ability to implement landscape and facility projects which require skilled construction techniques and applications.
• Ability and skill to operate power tools, vehicles, light and heavy equipment in a proficient and safe manner.
• Ability to perform heavy manual labor tasks requiring strength and coordination.
• Basic ability to read, understand, and implement construction drawings.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision, set priorities, and organize multiple work tasks.
• Ability to work in a team environment and effectively lead other staff, contractors, and/or volunteers.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Knowledge and ability to work on a computer to complete basic work tasks such as: create & send emails, open & modify word or excel documents, and perform basic internet searches. Basic to intermediate knowledge of Outlook, Excel, Word and the internet is desired.

Work is performed indoors and outdoors in all weather conditions and calls on the ability to perform strenuous physical tasks on a daily basis. The posture and movement requirement for this position are: sitting, walking, bending/stooping, twisting on a frequent basis and reaching forward and push/pulling of objects on a continuous basis. Position requires repetitive/constant bending of the arm and frequent grasping of hands. Work tasks require frequent lifting and carrying up to 24 pounds and occasional lifting up to 74 pounds. Driving is required for this position and staff must have the ability to use a variety of mowers, tractors, pickup trucks, ATV', UTV', and boats.

Exposures may include, but are not limited to changing weather conditions, uneven and/or slippery surfaces, dust, dirt, oil, grease, solvents, fumes, noise and all hazards associated with an equipment repair shop. Position requires sensory demands of hearing, speech, near & far vision, tactile, and spatial perception. Equipment used but not limited to include: hand and power tools, shovels, sledgehammer, post hole diggers, weed whips, ladders, wheelbarrows, personal computer, personal safety equipment and any of a large list of light and heavy equipment.

Since this is a safety sensitive position, the candidate must successfully pass a DOT drug test and DOT exam if offered the position. “Safety-sensitive position” means a position, including any supervisory or management position, in which impairment caused by drug, alcohol, or cannabis use would threaten the health and safety of any person as defined in Minnesota Statutes. Contact the Human Resources Office (651-438-4435) if you are in need of a full report of physical and occupational demands of the Park Keeper position.

Benefits

• Comprehensive and affordable medical, dental, vision, and other benefits
• Excellent work-life balance
• Generous paid time off (accrual rate starts at four weeks per year)
• Eleven paid holidays each year
• Pension with a generous employer contribution

Selection Process

• You submit an online application that includes supplemental questions
• We assign you a score based on your qualifications
• Top scoring candidates are referred to the hiring manager for interview consideration
• We conduct background and reference checks before hiring