State Park Technician

Full 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 two of Western Iowa's premier outdoor destinations.

About the Parks

Lake Manawa State Park: A 1,529-acre recreation hub in Council Bluffs, Lake Manawa is one of Western Iowa's most popular spots for power boating, swimming, and fishing.

It features a modern beach, seven miles of paved trails, eight miles of unpaved mountain bike trails, and the largest ADA-accessible playground in the state.

Wilson Island State Recreation Area: Located near Missouri Valley, this 544-acre area is known for its dense cottonwood stands and peaceful atmosphere.

It offers spacious camping, fishing access to the Missouri River, and five miles of multi-use trails that transform into a winter wonderland for snowmobiling and cross-country skiing.

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

• 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 physically demanding work that requires stooping, bending and lifting/carrying up to 50 pounds.
• 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, 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.

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 annually thereafter (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 information about benefits.

College or university students who are pending graduation in May of 2026, with a Bachelor’s Degree in a natural science, are eligible to apply for this position.

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.

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.

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

Qualifications

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;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.

Additional Information

• 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.