Bureau Chief – Parks/Forests/Preserves

Full Job Description

This is a non-merit position with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

Positions in this class are exempt from the screening and referral requirements of the Iowa Department of Administrative Services – Human Resources Enterprise.

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

BUREAU CHIEF – PARKS/FORESTS/PRESERVES JOB DESCRIPTION

This is a non-merit position for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

Positions in this class are exempt from the screening and referral requirements of the Iowa Department of Administrative Services – Human Resources Enterprise.

To be considered, interested applicants must upload a cover letter and resume to the Attachments section of their application of this position.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is seeking a visionary and collaborative leader to serve as the Bureau Chief of the Parks, Forests and Preserves (PFP) Bureau.

This leadership position reports directly to the Division Administrator and provides strategic oversight and operational direction for the Parks, Forests and Preserves (PFP) Bureau.

In this position, you will lead a dedicated workforce of approximately 99 employees through 6 direct-report managers.

Bureau Statistics:

• Annual operating and capital budget of ~$22M.
• Conservation Oversight of:
  • Over 50K acres of State Park land;
  • Over 40K acres of State Forest land; and
  • Over 10K acres of State Preserves land.
• The bureau manages the state’s ATV, Snowmobile, and Trails programs.
• Annual oversight of facilities supporting over 13.5 million annual visitor days and over 750K campers.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership & Policy Development:

• Establish goals, strategies, and performance measures for the Parks, Forests and Preserves Bureau consistent with the DNR strategic plan.
• Develop annual operation and capital spending plans, tracking expenditures to ensure budget targets are met.
• Serve as an effective member of the division management team, working collaboratively with other bureau chiefs.

Operational Oversight & Personnel Management:

• Directly supervise 6 District Supervisor positions and oversee all bureau personnel practices, including hiring, promotions, and performance reviews.
• Lead the operations and programming for Iowa's state parks and recreation areas.
• Ensure Position Description Questionnaires (PDQs) are regularly updated to reflect organizational needs and required competencies.

Representation & Stakeholder Engagement:

Engage with stakeholders, including Iowa State Park Friends groups, the National Association of State Park Directors, and the County Conservation system.

Foster partnerships with private individuals and companies to achieve conservation and recreation goals.

Represent the Department at various PFP meetings and functions, requiring both in-state and out-of-state travel.

Essential Functions

• Maintain a broad knowledge base of DNR program policies, operation abilities and regulatory requirements.
• Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing with constituents, legislators, governor's staff, DNR staff,

management, personnel and other state and federal agencies.

• Manage organization and operational problems and develop timely and economical solutions.
• Establish program objectives or performance goals and assess progress toward their achievement.
• Read and interpret complex federal and state laws, rules and regulations.
• Travel in and out of state to represent the Department and State of Iowa at various PFP meetings and functions

Critical Job Competencies

Accountability, Budget Management; Collaboration/Planning; Communication Skills; Critical Thinking; Customer Focus; Integrity; Leadership; High Productivity; Interpersonal Skills; Problem Solving; Team Player; Self-Management; Strategic Planning; Supervisory Skills

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).
• Opportunities for hybrid telework (as approved by the supervisor).
• Workout/Gym facilities available onsite at 6200 Park Ave.

Comments

The starting salary for new state (Executive Branch) employees is expected tobe 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.

For more information on Iowa’s State Parks, please visit: https://www.iowadnr.gov/places-go/state-parks.

For more information on Iowa’s State Forests, please visit: https://www.iowadnr.gov/places-go/state-forests.

For more information on Iowa’s State Preserves, please visit: https://www.iowadnr.gov/places-go/state-preserves.

Ensure you are kept up-to-date of this position by checking your email regularly for emails from info@govermentjobs.com. 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 WorkThe 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.

Requirements

450 Natural Resources
6 months’ experience, 12 semester hours, or a combination of both in one or in a combination of more than one of the following: • Ecology • Environmental planning • Soil conservation • Biological sciences • Waste water treatment • Forestry • Engineering related to natural resource areas (dams, sanitary engineers, etc.) • Outdoor recreation planning • Physical sciences • River basin planning • Geography • Wildlife management

AND

058 Budgeting 6 months’ experience, 12 semester hours, or a combination of both in preparing, analyzing budgets; and providing advice/technical assistance with cost analysis, fiscal allocation, and budget preparation.

Qualifications