State Park Technician

State of Iowa - Executive Branch; Gladbrook (IA); On-site; USD 38,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Iowa Department of Natural Resources is seeking a State Park Technician to maintain Union Grove State Park, including its 110-acre lake, trails, and facilities. The role emphasizes hands-on outdoor work and interaction with park visitors to ensure safe, enjoyable experiences.

Under the Park Manager, you will help steward trails, habitats, and park infrastructure, supervise seasonal aides, and contribute to conservation efforts while engaging with local communities and partners.

Qualifications

• Two years of full-time experience in facilities maintenance or related field.
• Commercial Driver's License or endorsements may be required for certain positions.
• Certification related to pesticide application or water systems may be required for certain positions.

Responsibilities

• Maintain offices, restrooms, campgrounds, shelters, and trails.
• Safely operate tractors, mowers, power tools, and boats.
• Conduct habitat improvements, prescribed burns, invasive species control, and habitat restoration.
• Represent the DNR at public events and assist visitors for a safe experience.
• Assist with fee collection, data management, and supervision of seasonal aides and volunteers.

Skills

Facility maintenance

Equipment operation

Ecosystem management

Public engagement

Teamwork

Communication

Tools

Tractors

Mowers

Power tools

Boats

Job description

Job Description

At the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR), we are dedicated to conserving and enhancing our natural resources in cooperation with individuals and organizations. Our goal is to improve the quality of life in Iowa and ensure a lasting legacy for future generations. We are seeking a passionate and dedicated State Park Technician to join our team and help us manage Union Grove State Park, a premier outdoor destination. Union Grove was established in 1938 and is a picturesque park in Tama County centered around the 110-acre Union Grove Lake. The park features a scenic dam and waterfall, wooded landscapes, and a mix of prairie and pine plantings that support diverse wildlife and habitats. Union Grove offers a variety of recreational opportunities, including hiking on scenic trails, fishing for species such as bass and crappie, boating, camping, and wildlife observation. Visitors frequently enjoy the park's quiet, natural setting and accessible outdoor amenities, making it a popular destination for both day use and overnight stays. Visitors can enjoy a wide range of outdoor activities, including camping, boating, fishing, hiking, and swimming, along with trails that highlight native plants and wildlife. The park also serves as a central gathering place for community events and offers a peaceful setting for recreation and relaxation in northwest Iowa.

As a State Park Technician, you will work under the direction of the Park Manager, stewarding a vibrant 282-acre haven featuring a tranquil 110-acre lake, scenic waterfalls, and miles of shaded hiking trails to ensure our facilities and ecosystems are maintained to the highest standards. Whether you are helping visitors make lasting memories at our campgrounds or preserving vital local habitats, your work will help maintain and preserve central Iowa's access to public lands. This is a hands‑on role perfect for those who love working outdoors and engaging with the public.

Key Responsibilities

• Facility & Grounds Maintenance: Keep offices, restrooms, campgrounds, and shelters clean and in excellent condition. Maintain landscapes through mowing, trimming, and trail repairs.
• Equipment Operation: Safely operate a wide range of equipment, including tractors, mowers, power tools, and boats.
• Ecosystem Management: Perform vital conservation work such as controlled burns, habitat improvements, invasive species control, and pesticide application.
• Public Engagement: Represent the DNR at public events, collaborate with local "Friends of the Park" groups, and assist visitors to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.
• Administration: Assist with fee collection, data management (attendance and budget), and the supervision of seasonal aides and volunteers.

Essential Functions

• Operate and maintain power tools and equipment commonly used to maintain buildings and landscapes; work outdoors and withstand physically demanding work such as stooping, bending and routinely lifting up to 50 pounds.
• Understand and follow written and oral instructions and effectively communicate technical information.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with management and other DNR staff; work independently as well as a team member in solving problems and improving service delivery.
• Train staff and volunteers to perform tasks.
• Maintain trails, a variety of facilities, park grounds and a variety of large and small equipment used for maintenance work.
• Manage invasive species, conduct prescribed burns, and restore native habitats.
• Operate motor vehicles and a variety of large and small equipment to conduct facilities and ground maintenance and habitat restoration/natural resource management.
• Provide public education programs related to parks or conservation.
• Perform work outdoors in a variety of extreme weather conditions.

Critical Job Competencies

Accountability, Integrity, High Productivity, Team Player, Customer Focus, Interpersonal Skills, Communication Skills, Common Sense, Self-Management, and Technical Skills (park management).

What You Get From Us

• A competitive pay plan and rewarding work.
• Insurance benefits that start the first of the month following 30 days of employment. (Premiums can start as low as $64/month for single and $210/month for family coverage).
• Separate vacation and sick leave accruals that start on the first day and can roll over annually.
• Nine paid holidays/year.
• Iowa Public Employee Retirement System (IPERS) retirement package with employer match.
• Optional deferred compensation (457/401A) plan with employer match.
• Professional training opportunities.
• Family friendly and professional work environment.
• Employee Discount Programs (vision, cellular, fitness, recreation, season passes, travel, counseling)
• The State's total compensation package features benefits that are worth about 30% of your total compensation. For a list of additional benefits, please visit the DAS website for more information.
• Flexible work schedules (as approved by the supervisor).

Special Requirements

• Possess and maintain valid Iowa driver's license.
• Required to live within travel requirement as outlined in DNR Park Bureau policy.

Salary and Compensation

The starting salary for new state (Executive Branch) employees is expected to be at the base of the pay range. Additional salary increases may occur after the first six months, and then annually (if applicable). The State’s total compensation package features an outstanding set of employee benefits that are worth about 30% of your total compensation. Visit the DAS website for more benefit information.

https://www.iowadnr.gov/places-go/state-parks/all-parks/union-grove-state-park

DNR Application Tips

For more information about DNR Employment Opportunities and position specific notices, please visit the DNR Employment website.

The State of Iowa is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.

E-Verify and Right to Work

The State of Iowa participates in E-Verify, a federal program that helps employers confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. Within the required timeframe, new hires will be verified through the E-Verify system to ensure authorization to work in the United States. The State of Iowa also complies with the federal Right to Work laws, which protect employees' rights to work without being required to join a labor organization. For more information, please visit www.e-verify.gov.

Iowa DNR Mission

To conserve and enhance our natural resources in cooperation with individuals and organizations to improve the quality of life in Iowa and ensure a legacy for future generations.

Selectives

914 Park and Recreation Management

6 months’ experience, twelve semester hours, or a combination of both in the operation and/or maintenance of parks or park recreational services. May have commonly been served at a national, state, or county park level.

Minimum Qualification Requirements

The equivalent of two years of full-time experience involving facilities maintenance in plumbing, electrical, and/or heating and cooling, or semi-skilled or technical work in a biological, horticultural, conservation, or natural resources program;

OR

An equivalent combination of education and experience substituting 30 semester hours of college level course work in a biological or natural resources program for the required experience.

Additional Qualification Requirements

• Certain designated positions in this job class require applicants to obtain: a Commercial Drivers License and endorsements; and/or certification as a water and wastewater system operator within a period of time as determined by the appointing authority at the time of hire.
• Certain designated positions require the employee to be certified by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship as a Pesticide Applicator within a period of time as determined by the appointing authority at the time of hire.