Park Technician

Socket.dev; Newport News (VA); On-site; USD 21,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

The Mariners’ Museum and Park in Newport News, VA is seeking a Park Technician to maintain Noland Trail and park trails, support on-water programming, and manage weekend rentals. This full-time, hourly role offers $17.50 per hour plus a comprehensive benefits package.

Responsibilities include trail maintenance, safety briefings, equipment management, and guest assistance. Valid first aid/CPR/AED certifications and a willingness to work outdoors in varying weather are required.

Qualifications

• Interest in and care for the outdoors.
• Hold or obtain valid first aid, CPR, and AED certifications.
• Strong communication, organizational, and task-prioritization skills with an adaptable, collaborative, and safety-first mindset.
• Ability to safely, properly, and efficiently operate vehicles, equipment, 2-way radio systems, and tools, including operator’s maintenance required.
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment.

Responsibilities

• Health and Sustainability: Maintain trails and paths to park standards, ensure guest safety, prevent erosion, and perform minor repairs to structures.
• Educational Programming: Set up, inspect, repair and store kayaks and waterfront gear; provide safety briefings and basic paddling tips.
• Wellness and Recreation: Operate rentals and reservations, manage check-outs/check-ins, and support weekend programs.
• All other duties as assigned.

Skills

Outdoors interest

First aid CPR AED

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Safety-first mindset

Team work

Independent work

Education

High School degree or equivalent

Job description

Description

The Mariners’ Museum and Park is home to one of the nation’s largest privately owned and maintained parks featuring a 550-acre public treasure with the scenic 167-acre Mariners’ Lake and the award-winning five-mile Noland Trail. Free and open to all, the Park offers a unique setting for walking, hiking, running, recreation, and reflection among rolling woodlands and beautiful lake views.

Our mission is to connect people to the world’s waters through our shared maritime heritage. The Park brings that mission to life through experiential outdoor programs, including kayaking, canoeing, fishing, hiking, navigation, and mindfulness. These experiences advance our commitment to Conservation, Research, Access, and Value while creating meaningful, engaging, and accessible opportunities for the community.

The Park Department is seeking a Park Technician to help care for this special place and support the programs that bring it to life. This full-time, hourly, non-exempt position offers $17.50 per hour plus a generous benefits package.

Duties

• Health and Sustainability: Maintaining the health and sustainability of the Noland Trail, and all other Museum trails and paths. This is done through:
  • Maintaining all Trails and Paths to the standard set forth in The Noland Trail Maintenance Manual. This includes:
    • Maintaining guest safety through:
      • Painting exposed tree roots
      • Creating clear pathways using a backpack blower to remove debris
      • Removing hazardous debris from trails, bridges, buffer zones, and communal spaces
    • Reducing erosion by:
      • Keeping trench drains free of debris
      • Repairing erosion damage as needed to maintain safety
    • Adding clay, sand, and stone dust to trails and paths using hand tools and motorized equipment
    • Performing minor repairs to wooden structures.
• Educational Programming: Engagement at the student and community level through on-water programming. Executed through:
  • Equipment and Gear Management: Set up, clean, inspect, repair, and securely store kayaks, paddles, life jackets, and waterfront gear; perform routine hardware/hull maintenance, track inventory, and report damaged equipment promptly.
  • Participant Assistance and Education: Provide friendly pre-launch safety briefings, basic paddling tips, and waterway overviews; assist guests with proper lifejacket fitting, boat sizing, launching, and landing.
• Wellness and Recreation: Engaging the community outside of educational programs. Executed through:
  • Weekend programming and rentals: Operate point-of-sale systems for rental programs, tours, and retail; check in reservations, manage walk‑up equipment rentals, and track check‑outs/check‑ins to ensure timely returns.

All other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Interest in and care for the outdoors
• Hold or obtain valid first aid, CPR, and AED certifications
• Strong communication, organizational, and task-prioritization skills with an adaptable, collaborative, and safety-first mindset.
• Ability to safely, properly, and efficiently operate vehicles, equipment, 2-way radio systems, and tools, including operator’s maintenance required
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment

Education and Experience

• High School Degree or equivalent required
• Experience in customer service, outdoor/recreational programming, education, museum volunteering/internships, basic tool usage, or paddlesports (e.g., American Canoe Association, lifeguard, or water rescue training) is preferred.

Conditions of Employment

• Valid Division of Motor Vehicles Vehicle Operator’s license with a good DMV record is required.
• Must be able to pass a background check and drug screen before employment.
• Must be able to work outdoors in various weather conditions/extremes.
• Must be able to work holidays and weekends as needed, in the event of emergencies.