Park Maintenance Foreman

South Dakota State Government; Pierre (SD); On-site; USD 29,000 - 37,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement benefits

Paid holidays and vacation

Job summary

South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks is seeking a Park Maintenance Foreman to oversee maintenance operations across Lake Herman State Park, Walkers Point Recreation Area, and surrounding sites. You will lead conservation technicians, seasonal crews, and volunteers, planning daily, weekly, and long-range tasks to keep facilities safe and functional.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong leadership, project planning, scheduling, and the ability to coordinate with contractors and the public.

Qualifications

• Strong leadership experience supervising maintenance crews and volunteers.
• Ability to prioritize multiple projects and long-term plans.
• Experience coordinating with contractors, vendors, coworkers, and the public.
• Proven track record in training and retaining quality staff.
• Ability to make well-reasoned decisions about projects, schedules, supplies and equipment.
• Adaptability to changing conditions and high-use recreation environments.
• Willingness to learn and teach department policies and regulations.

Responsibilities

• Lead and assign work for maintenance staff, seasonal crews, and volunteers.
• Plan daily to long-range tasks to keep facilities safe and functional.
• Oversee remodels, repairs, and construction projects across the district.
• Coordinate with the District Supervisor on progress and needs.

Skills

Leadership

Project planning

Communication

Mentoring

Decision making

Adaptability

Training staff

Education

Driver's license

Pesticide applicator license (preferred)

Job description

Job ID: 36957

Agency: Game Fish & Parks - Division of Parks and Recreation

Location:Madison, SD Lake Herman State ParkSalary: $21.41 - $26.75/hr, depending on qualifications

Pay Grade: G

Closing Date: 08/25/2026

Working for the South Dakota Game, Fish, & Parks is not only a job, but it is about working together with colleagues, customers, landowners, and partner organizations to ensure that our state's outdoor heritage lives on for the next generation. Our atmosphere empowers professional success and team building, while fostering relationships to build a culture focused on our four strategic plan goals: habitat and access, asset management, customer service, and operational excellence.

The Park Maintenance Foreman

supports the District in managing maintenance operations for Lake Herman State Park, Walkers Point Recreation Area, Lake Thompson Recreation Area, six lakeside use areas, and eight public water access sites. This position provides hands-on leadership for all facility, grounds, and infrastructure maintenance across the district.

The Foreman leads and assigns work for two permanent Conservation Technicians, seasonal maintenance crews, and volunteers. Responsibilities include planning and balancing daily, weekly, monthly, annual, and long-range tasks to keep park facilities safe, functional, and well-maintained while responding to visitor needs, historic preservation requirements, aging infrastructure, and the demands of remote locations.

This position oversees and implements remodels, repairs, construction projects, equipment operation, and district-wide grounds maintenance. The Foreman manages project priorities, supply purchases, equipment assignments, and crew scheduling, and ensures clear communication with the District Supervisor on progress, timelines, and emerging needs.

The Madison area offers abundant outdoor recreation opportunities, with three glacial lakes located just a few miles from town. Madison provides a small-town atmosphere while still offering essential amenities for housing, groceries, and everyday shopping. Additionally, Sioux Falls is only 45 minutes away, offering convenient access to larger-city services and attractions.

Must be able to work outdoors in all types of weather and conditions. Must be able to do manual labor including heavy lifting and strenuous physical activity at times.

This is a full-time position with the Game Fish & Parks. For more information on Game Fish & Parks, please visit https://gfp.sd.gov/ .

Licenses and Certifications:

Valid drivers license. Ability to obtain Commercial Pesticide Applicators license, Wildland Fire s 130/190 and Wildland Fire red card.

The Ideal Candidate Will Have:

• Strong leadership experience in supervising maintenance crews, seasonal staff, and volunteers.
• Proven ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects and long-term maintenance plans.
• Experience coordinating with contractors, vendors, coworkers, and the public.
• A track record of training, and retaining high-quality staff.
• The ability to make well-reasoned decisions related to projects, schedules, supplies, and equipment.
• Adaptability to changing conditions, unexpected maintenance needs, and high-use recreation environments.
• The candidate should have a strong desire to learn the Department of Game, Fish & Parks' policies, rules, and regulations, and be able to effectively teach them to volunteers, staff, and the public.

Knowledge of:

• plumbing;
• electrical systems;
• carpentry;
• HVAC;
• landscaping;
• tree care;
• equipment operation (including tractors, loaders, skid steers, and related attachments);
• familiarity with facility remodels, repairs, and new construction processes.

Skills:

• project planning, task delegation, and crew supervision;
• troubleshoot systems, and perform repair work;
• safely operate and maintain a variety of heavy equipment and tools;
• strong communication skills for interactions with staff, contractors, and park visitors;
• managing supply inventories, vendor selection, and purchasing decisions.

Ability to:

• balance short-term needs with long-range maintenance planning;
• assess project priorities and adjust schedules as needed;
• train, mentor, and support both permanent and seasonal employees;
• respond quickly to emergencies or unexpected maintenance situations;
• maintain safe working environments and ensure compliance with agency standards;
• safely operate and maintain a variety of heavy equipment and tools.

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 here . This position is a member of Class A retirement under SDRS.

South Dakota Bureau of Human Resources and Administration

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

http://bhr.sd.gov/workforus

'An Equal Opportunity Employer'