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

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

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) consists of over 850 employees that are dedicated to protecting Iowa’s natural resources and providing citizens with recreational opportunities to enjoy. The Iowa DNR’s mission is 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. If our mission aligns with your personal core values and goals and you want to work alongside committed and passionate coworkers, then you should consider the Iowa DNR as your next employer.

We currently have two State Park Technician positions open at Blackhawk State Park in Lake View and Union Grove State Park near Gladbrook. The team at Blackhawk State Park also manages satellite areas at Storm Lake Marina and Twin Lakes State Park. Likewise, Union Grove State Parks is operated with Pine Lake State Park as a complex. More information on these parks can be found on the Iowa DNR’s website.

This Park Technician is responsible for maintaining park facilities and property and interpreting park resources under the day to day direction of the Park Manager. Primary duties include facility and equipment maintenance, grounds maintenance, and public outreach.

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 $56/month for single and $187/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 - legal, financial)

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. 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).

What We're Looking for in You:
Describe in your application how you demonstrate the Critical Job Competencies (below), can perform the majority of the Essential Functions, and have education/experience transferable to the Job Description. Applicants are encouraged to upload a current resume and cover letter to their online application.

Duties & Responsibilities:
The Park Technician maintains facilities and equipment at a State Park under the direction of the Park Manager. This includes, cleaning and maintaining offices, service building, restrooms, shower & restroom buildings, heating and cooling systems, water and wastewater systems, campgrounds, shelters, lodges, cabins and camping cabins, docks, roadways, playgrounds, and fences. The Park Technician operates and maintains all assigned equipment safely and correctly. This includes trimmers, saws, power hand tools, pumps, mowers, tractors, ATV's, trailers, boats and motor vehicles.

Under the direction of the Park Manager, this position also maintains all public use areas in a clean and orderly condition. The Park Technician participates in the management of vegetation, wildlife and fish populations through the use of controlled burns of prairie and timber areas, vegetation plantings, pruning, habitat improvement and/or construction, and removal and control of invasive species. This position maintains a multi-use trail system in a manner that ensures both visitor safety and the integrity of the resource. Given these responsibilities, the Park Technician must obtain pesticide license and maintain certification.
All State Park employees are responsible for engaging in public outreach, both in their assigned Park and offsite, to promote the state park system, recreational safety, and natural resource management. Therefore, the Park Technician will be expected to respond to media as requested; play an active role with division interpretive programs and seasonal naturalists; promote and interact with the local friends group as required; and work collaboratively with the local chamber of commerce and other economic development groups that play a role in promoting the area.

The Park Technician also patrols within the assigned area to ensure visitor safety, security of state property and facilities, and orderliness within the public-use areas as a six-month officer. This includes assisting park visitors with problems and their requests for help, attending regular training sessions on enforcement subjects to maintain knowledge of enforcement techniques, and completing paperwork related to enforcement, and other reports as required.

Finally, the Park Technician has some administrative duties typical of a State Employee. These include assisting with the completion of written reports; collecting information for attendance, budget, area, fuel, incident, payroll and cash reports; collecting fees in accordance with DNR policy & procedures; and assisting with work assignments for natural resources aides and volunteers.

Essential Functions

OR

Benefits
The state offers paid vacation, sick time and holidays, a defined benefit retirement plan, health, dental, vision, and long-term disability insurance along with flexible spending accounts. For more information, please visit the executive branch employee benefits website.

The State of Iowa is committed to providing an outstanding employment experience. Check out this Benefits Beyond the Paycheck brochure (Download PDF reader).