Park Maintenance Specialist

LC Nature Park; Indiana; On-site; USD 23,000 - 28,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PTO

Sick leave

Paid holidays

Job summary

LC Nature Park is seeking a Park Maintenance Specialist to join the Stewardship Team. You'll help maintain buildings, grounds, equipment, trails, and park infrastructure while supporting conservation and visitor safety. The role involves hands-on work outdoors and flexibility with a seasonal schedule.

Responsibilities include routine maintenance, equipment operation, habitat restoration support, and helping prepare the park for events. A valid driver's license and physical fitness are required.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Experience in maintenance, landscaping, construction, or related fields.
• Mechanical aptitude and willingness to learn new skills.
• Ability to safely operate maintenance equipment.
• Valid driver’s license with clean record.
• Ability to lift at least 50 pounds and work outdoors in varied weather.
• Strong work ethic and ability to work independently or in a team.

Responsibilities

• Perform routine maintenance on park buildings, trails, fences, and signs.
• Maintain visitor amenities; keep park clean and welcoming.
• Conduct seasonal maintenance including mowing, snow removal, and leaf cleanup.
• Operate park vehicles and equipment; log maintenance records.
• Assist habitat restoration and land stewardship projects.
• Prepare park for events and educational activities.

Skills

Mechanical aptitude

Machinery operation

Outdoor work endurance

Safety awareness

Teamwork

Problem-solving

Education

High school diploma

Tools

Hand and power tools

Maintenance equipment

Safety equipment

Job description

Pay: $17-20/hour

Benefits: This position will be eligible for PTO, sick leave, and paid holidays.

Hours: This position follows a variable seasonal schedule, generally working 10-20 hours per week from November through March (flexible) and up to 35 hours per week from April through October, based on operational needs.

Reports To: Stewardship Director

Position Summary

The Park Maintenance Specialist is a hands-on member of LC Nature Park’s Stewardship Team responsible for helping maintain the park’s buildings, grounds, equipment, trails, and infrastructure. This position performs a wide variety of maintenance and operational tasks that keep the park safe, functional, and welcoming for visitors while supporting conservation and stewardship efforts.

No two days are exactly alike. One day may involve mowing trails or repairing a fence, while another may include servicing equipment, preparing facilities for an event, assisting with habitat restoration, or constructing a new park improvement. The ideal candidate enjoys working outdoors, solving problems, learning new skills, and takes pride in caring for the park.

Key Responsibilities

Buildings, Grounds and Infrastructure:

• Perform routine maintenance and minor repairs to park buildings, restrooms, trails, fences, gates, signs, and other infrastructure.
• Help maintain visitor amenities to ensure the park is clean, safe, and welcoming.
• Perform seasonal maintenance including mowing, trimming, snow removal, leaf cleanup, watering, and other grounds maintenance tasks.
• Assist with maintaining maintenance logs, equipment service records, and supply inventories.
• Assist with habitat restoration projects, invasive species management, native plantings, and other land stewardship activities as needed.
• Support general stewardship projects and assist other team members as priorities change throughout the year.
• Work collaboratively with the Stewardship Team and assist other departments when operational needs require.
• Help prepare the park for public programs, volunteer workdays, field trips, and special events through setup, cleanup, parking preparation, and facility support.

Equipment Operation & Management

• Perform routine inspections, cleaning, fueling, lubrication, and basic preventive maintenance on park vehicles and equipment.
• Identify equipment issues and communicate repair or servicing needs to the Stewardship Director.
• Operate heavy equipment such as bobcats, tractors, trailers, mowers, seed drills, and the Park’s Safari Cart.

Qualifications:

Required:

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Experience in maintenance, landscaping, construction, agriculture, parks, groundskeeping, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of experience and training.
• Mechanical aptitude and willingness to learn new equipment and maintenance skills.
• Ability to safely operate or learn to operate tractors, mowers, utility vehicles, and other maintenance equipment.
• Basic understanding of safety regulations and compliance standards.
• Ability to use common hand and power tools safely.
• Ability to lift at least 50 pounds and perform physically demanding work outdoors in varying weather conditions.
• Valid driver’s license with an acceptable driving record.
• Strong work ethic, reliability, and ability to work independently while also contributing as part of a team.
• Good organizational and problem-solving skills.

Preferred:

• Experience with basic carpentry, plumbing, electrical, welding, or mechanical repairs.
• Experience working around livestock or wildlife.
• Knowledge of native ecosystems or natural resource stewardship.

Physical Aspects of the Job

This position will require bending, stooping, walking long distances across rugged terrain and prolonged standing. This position involves daily exposure to sun, heat, dust, and animals, including wild animals and those maintained at the park.

• Physical ability to respond appropriately to situations requiring first aid. Must be able to assist guests in an emergency (fire, evacuation, illness, or injury).
• Lift and carry up to 50 pounds.
• Frequent outdoor work in varying weather conditions.
• Walking on uneven terrain, lifting, climbing ladders, bending, kneeling, and operating equipment.
• Occasional exposure to dust, mud, insects, loud equipment, and large animals.
• Flexible schedule required to support seasonal operations, weather events, emergencies, and occasional evening or weekend activities.

Certifications and Licenses

• Valid driver’s license with a clean driving record preferred.
• First Aid/CPR certification preferred or willingness to obtain.
• Preferred- proof or operators or trades training