State Park Technician

State of Iowa; Harlan (IA); On-site; USD 40,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) seeks a State Park Technician to help manage Prairie Rose State Park in southwestern Iowa. The role involves hands-on maintenance of facilities and landscapes, outdoor duties, and public interaction at a premier park near Harlan.

Responsibilities include grounds and facility upkeep, equipment operation, ecosystem management, public engagement, and basic administrative tasks. A full-time position with competitive benefits and state employment protections.

Qualifications

• Must reside within 30 road miles of the work location.
• Driver's license required upon hire; CPR/First Aid and pesticide applicator certifications within six months; chain saw safety and defensive tactics certifications within the first year.

Responsibilities

• Facility & Grounds Maintenance: keep offices, restrooms, campgrounds, and shelters clean and in good condition; mow, trim, and repair trails.
• Equipment Operation: safely operate tractors, mowers, power tools, and boats.
• Ecosystem Management: assist with controlled burns, habitat improvements, and invasive species control.
• Public Engagement: represent DNR at events and assist visitors for a safe experience.
• Administration: assist with fee collection, data management, and supervise seasonal aides.

Job description

Only applicants who meet the Minimum Qualification Requirements and meet all selective requirements (listed below) will be placed on the eligible list.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) encourages all applicants to upload a current resume and cover letter to their online application.

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 one of Western Iowa's premier outdoor destinations.

Located in the scenic rolling hills of southwest Iowa near Harlan, Prairie Rose State Park offers the opportunity to build a career surrounded by one of western Iowa’s most attractive outdoor recreation areas. The 422-acre park is centered around a beautiful 218-acre lake and provides year-round opportunities for camping, boating, fishing, hiking, swimming and outdoor recreation.

Prairie Rose features approximately seven miles of multi-use trails winding through restored prairie, wooded areas and scenic lake views. The park also includes two campgrounds, camping cabins, a swimming beach, boat ramps, fishing jetties, playgrounds, picnic shelters and other recreational facilities that welcome visitors throughout the year.

As a State Park Technician, you will work under the direction of the Park Manager to ensure our facilities and ecosystems are maintained to the highest standards. 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 ability to work outdoors and withstand physically demanding work such as stooping, bending and routinely lifting up 50 lbs.
• Obtain, within 12 months and maintain a commercial pesticide applicator license.
• Understand and follow written and oral instructions and effectively communicate technical information; attention to detail.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with management and other DNR staff; capacity to adjust to change, work under pressure or difficult situations without undue stress, ability to work independently as well as a team member in solving problems and improving service delivery.
• Must demonstrate initiative, customer service and team orientation, and display high standards of ethical conduct; position is full‑time position and as such, requires regular attendance.
• Trains staff and volunteers to perform tasks.

Critical Job Competencies

The ideal candidate demonstrates strong core values of Accountability, Integrity, High Productivity, Team Player, Customer Focus, Interpersonal Skills, Communication Skills, Common Sense, Self‑Management, 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 DAS website for more information.
• Flexible work schedules (as approved by the supervisor).

Comments

The successful candidate must reside within 30 road miles of the work location in accordance with the Parks, Forests, and Preserves Bureau travel policy. This position requires obtaining and maintaining a valid driver’s license upon hire. Additionally, the incumbent must obtain CPR/First Aid and pesticide applicator certifications within the first six months, and chain saw safety and defensive tactics certifications within the first year of employment.

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.

Ensure you are kept up-to-date on the status of this position by checking your email regularly for emails from [e-mail]. This is a system generated email from the DAS application system and it may be sent directly to your Junk/Spam folder.

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.

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.

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.

For additional information, please click on this link to view the job description.

• 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.