State Parks Deputy Director of Stewardship

State of Indiana; Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 84,000 - 102,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Paid leave

Free Parking for most positions

Job summary

The State of Indiana seeks a Deputy Director of Stewardship to lead natural resources, cultural resources, and interpretive programs within the Department of Natural Resources in Indianapolis. The role oversees staff, budgets, and partnerships, coordinating with state and federal agencies to advance conservation and public engagement.

ESSENTIAL duties include directing staff, managing resources, guiding public communications, and shaping long-term strategic plans for parks, wildlife, and

Qualifications

• Extensive knowledge of agency and/or organizational program(s) and business practices.
• Extensive knowledge of State programs, public policy, and program evaluation.
• Ability to develop and measure program outcomes.
• Ability to create and maintain strong working relationships with key public and private government and business leaders.
• Ability to identify problems, determine accuracy and relevance of information, and use sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives and to make recommendations.
• Ability to work with internal and external customers to assess needs, provide assistance, resolve problems, and satisfy expectations.
• Outstanding interpersonal skills with the ability to build relationships, establish credibility, and influence leaders at all levels.

Responsibilities

• Direct staff, funding, and activities related to natural resources management in the division.
• Direct staff, funding, and activities related to cultural resources management in the division.
• Direct staff, funding, and activities related to interpretation of natural and cultural resources, facilities, and park operations in the division.
• Direct staff, funding, and activities related to volunteers, friends groups, and a variety of partnerships.
• Participate in budget planning, monitoring, and funding decisions for the Division.
• Coordinate and communicate guidelines and actions related to grants and funding requirements.
• Participate in personnel management for the division including recruiting, hiring, training, and performance management.
• Direct the planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of web and social media efforts for the division.
• Coordinate marketing efforts to drive revenue and expand experiences for the division.
• Provide site changes oversight for facilities on park and reservoir properties and plan facility improvements.
• Review publications and campaigns prior to final publication and distribution.
• Direct contracting for services, printed materials, media services, and partnerships.
• Prepare written or oral public statements and FAQs for changes or issues.
• Facilitate the division's five-year strategic planning process and report progress to leadership.

Job description

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State Parks Deputy Director of Stewardship

Date Posted: Sep 15, 2026

Requisition ID: 483943

Location: Indianapolis, IN, US, 46204

Work for Indiana

Begin a fulfilling career with the State of Indiana by joining one of the largest employers in the state, offering a range of opportunities across 60+ agencies. At the state, you'll find competitive compensation, a robust benefits package and a commitment to work-life balance. Most importantly, you'll have the chance to make a real and measurable impact on the lives of Hoosiers across Indiana.

About the Department of Natural Resources (DNR):

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources protects, enhances, preserves, and wisely uses natural, cultural, and recreational resources for the benefit of Indiana's citizens through professional leadership, management, and education.

Role Overview:

• Direct staff, funding, and and activities related to natural resources management in the division, including but not limited to management of invasive species, management of nuisance wildlife, reservoir crop lease management, wetland management, wildlife surveys, research, division training, and other natural resources related conservation activities.
• Direct staff, funding, and activities related to cultural resources management in the division, including but not limited to coordination with DHPA for compliance with state and federal historic preservation laws, archaeological and historical research and education, division archives management, and division training.
• Direct staff, funding, and activities related to interpretation of natural and cultural resources, facilities, and park operations in the division.This includes general day-to-day programming, special events, wayside signage, nature center exhibits and operations, interpretive planning, social media, brochures, and online resources related to the division and its facilities, services, programming, and history.
• Direct staff, funding, and activities related to volunteers, friends groups, and a variety of other partnerships for the division.
• Participate in budget planning, monitoring, and funding decisions for the Division.
• Coordinate and communicate guidelines and actions related to the division's involvement and requirements with state, federal, or private grants.
• Participate in personnel management for the division, including recruiting, hiring, training, retaining, performance management, disciplining, leadership development, and other aspects of human resources as needed, in particular when it relates to interpretive naturalists, assistant managers for wildlife, and other areas requiring expertise in the areas described above.
• Direct the planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of web and social media efforts for the division (division level and properties).
• Coordinate marketing efforts that drive revenue and expand experiences for the division in cooperation with Indiana State Park Inns, the DNR Division of Communications, other DNR Divisions as appropriate, and the Indiana Destination Development Corporation (IDDC).
• Provide oversight of the site change process used to develop new facilities or modify existing ones on state park and reservoir properties, and participate in design and planning for facility improvements and new trails and other facilities.
• Guide or participate in the planning for and review all publications, large-quantity distribution letters, newsletters, news releases, brochures, and social media campaigns prior to final publication and distribution.
• Direct contracting for professional services, printed material, media services, and partnerships for the division, including video production, public opinion surveys, publication printing/distribution of materials, friends groups, exhibits, or in other needed areas.
• Prepare written or oral public statements for department and division director and topical FAQs for significant changes or issues involving the division.
• Facilitate the division's five-year strategic planning process, monitor and document completion of action items, and report on that progress to agency leadership and the public as appropriate.
• Other duties as assigned.

The salary for this position traditionally starts at $93,002.00 but may be commensurate with education and work experience. Use our Compensation Calculator to view the total compensation package.

A Day in the Life:

The essential functions of this role are as follows:

• Review and evaluate organizational effectiveness, goal determination, and strategic planning, etc., makes recommendations for improvement.
• Develop and coordinate plans and policies, resources, and mission as well as goals, vision and expectations of agency or program.
• Provide guidance to agencies and the public regarding applicable laws and rules.
• Supervise subordinate personnel including hiring, determining workload, and delegating assignments, training, monitoring, and evaluating performance, and initiating corrective or disciplinary action.
• Monitor agency or program budget including revenues, expenditures, and budget projections.
• Communicate with news and other media. responds to media questions or requests in an appropriate public relations manner.
• Coordinate with other government officials on planning issues (i.e. federal and/or state agency directors, etc.).
• Coordinate, review and evaluate the use of appropriate controls and standards for the agency.

The job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities and activities may change or be assigned at any time.

This position is exempt from overtime compensation for additional work hours which may be required to complete essential functions or other assigned work. Exempt employees may work more than 75 hours in a pay period without additional compensation and must report a minimum of 75 hours per pay period of work hours and/or paid leave taken to receive their base biweekly salary.

What You'll Need for Success:

Individuals in this role should minimally be able to articulate or demonstrate the following:

• Extensive knowledge of agency and/or organizational program(s) and business practices.
• Extensive knowledge of State programs and resources, public policy, and program evaluation.
• Ability to develop and/or measure program outcomes.
• Ability to create and maintain strong working relationships with key public and private government and business leaders.
• Ability to identify problems, determine accuracy and relevance of information, and use sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives and to make recommendations.
• Ability to work with internal and external customers to assess needs, provide assistance, resolve problems, and satisfy expectations.
• Outstanding interpersonal skills with the ability to build relationships, establish credibility, and influence leaders at all levels.
• Make sound, well-informed, and objective decisions. Perceives the impact and implications of decisions.
• Ability to identify problems. determine accuracy and relevance of information, and to use sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives and to make recommendations.

A degree is not required.

Individuals should have the ability to perform essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation.

Supervisory Responsibilities/Direct Reports:

This role may provide direct supervision for one or more staff members.

Benefits of Employment with the State of Indiana:

The State of Indiana offers a comprehensive benefit package for full-time employees which includes:

• Three (3) medical plan options (including RX coverage) as well as vision and dental plans
• Wellness Rewards Program: Complete wellness activities to earn gift card rewards
• Health savings account, which includes bi-weekly state contribution
• Deferred compensation 457(b)account (similar to401(k) plan) with employer match
• Two (2) fully-funded pension plan options
• A robust, comprehensive program of leave policies covering a variety of employee needs, including but not limited to:
  • 150 hours of paid New Parent Leave and up to eight weeks of paid Childbirth Recovery Leave for eligible mothers
  • Up to 15 hours of paid community service leave
• Combined 180 hours of paid vacation, personal, and sick leave time off
• 12 paid holidays, 14 on election years
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Group life insurance
• Employee assistance program that allows for covered behavioral health visits
• Qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
• Free Parkingfor most positions
• Free LinkedIn Learningaccess

The State of Indiana is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to recruiting, selecting, developing, and promoting employees based on individual ability and job performance. Reasonable accommodations may be available to enable individuals with disabilities to complete the application and interview process as well as perform the essential functions of a role. If you require reasonable accommodations to complete this application, you can request assistance by contacting the Indiana State Personnel Department at [e-mail] .