Park Manager

Job Title: Park Manager — Pine Lake and Union Grove State Parks The Department of Natural Resources seeks a motivated individual to manage Pine Lake State Park in Central Iowa and Union Grove State Park in Tama County. The successful candidate will have a high degree of independence, manage park operations, and contribute to the stewardship of public lands enjoyed by thousands of visitors each year. Responsibilities Assist the District Supervisor in daily administration and operation of the park, including supervising staff, recruiting, hiring, and training seasonal and temporary employees. Manage contracts, procurement activities, budgets, and prepare monthly financial reports. Maintain accurate inventories of park property, supplies, tools, equipment, and other assets. Support the implementation of the park’s resource management plan by planning, coordinating, and performing maintenance, preventive maintenance, and construction projects. Conduct regular inspections of park facilities and amenities to ensure visitor safety, accessibility compliance, operational functionality, and protection of natural resources. Serve as a representative of the Department by participating in public outreach activities, responding to media inquiries, and promoting the state park system, recreation safety, and natural resource stewardship. Assist in the development and delivery of interpretive, educational, and volunteer programs. Enforce applicable Iowa DNR Administrative Rules related to parks, boating, and fishing, complete incident reports, citations, and maintain law‑enforcement equipment. Essential Functions Manage parks by applying technical knowledge and experience. Maintain power tools and equipment commonly used to maintain buildings and landscapes. Apply knowledge of principles, theories, and practices of parks and recreation and resource management to daily work. Perform work both in office environments and outdoors in a variety of extreme weather conditions. Train other professional staff, technical workers, and volunteers to perform duties; develop and foster teamwork. Communicate verbally and in writing with DNR staff, management personnel, other state and federal agencies, groups with diverse audiences, other employees, and volunteers; facilitate public meetings and presentations to diverse stakeholders. Perform work independently with minimal supervision and achieve consistent results; ensure projects are organized, tracked, and completed timely. Carry heavy loads (40 lbs.+) across great distances and operate a wide variety of motor vehicles. Use PC‑based software to complete work; administer budgets and track expenditures; use spreadsheets to create, modify, and manipulate data. Critical Job Competencies Accountability, Integrity, High Productivity, Communication Skills, Project Management, Team Player, Interpersonal Skills, Computer Skills, Self‑Management, Customer Focus, Technical Skills (park management, mechanical). 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. Separate vacation and sick leave accruals that start on the first day and can roll over annually. Nine paid holidays per 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). Comprehensive benefits package valued at approximately 30% of total compensation. Special Requirements Commercial Driver’s License (must obtain within first six months of hire). Pesticide license (must obtain within 1 year of hire). Maintain/Obtain valid driver’s license (must obtain upon hire). CPR/First Aid certification (must obtain within first six months of hire). Chain Saw Safety Certification (must obtain within first year of hire). Defensive Tactics training (must obtain within first year of hire). Selectives 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). Natural Resources (6 months’ experience, 12 semester hours, or a combination of both in one or not more than one of the following mandatory fields: Ecology, Environmental planning, Soil conservation, Biological sciences, Waste water treatment, Forestry, Engineering related to natural resource areas, Outdoor recreation planning, Physical sciences, River basin planning, Geography, Wildlife management). Minimum Qualification Requirements Graduation from an accredited four‑year college or university with a degree in park and outdoor recreation, natural resource management, biological sciences, hospitality management, or public administration, and experience equal to one year of full‑time work in park operations. Five years of full‑time work experience in park operations. A total of five years of education and/or full‑time experience, with thirty semester hours of accredited college coursework in park and outdoor recreation, natural resource management, biological sciences, hospitality management, or public administration equating to one year of full‑time experience. Current, continuous experience in the state executive branch including three years of full‑time work as a Natural Resource Technician 1 or 2, Park Ranger, or Conservation Officer. Additional Qualification Requirements Must obtain mandatory certificates, licenses, or endorsements within a specified period after hire, as determined by the appointing authority: Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) and endorsements; Must obtain mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory Equal Employment Opportunity Statement The State of Iowa is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. The State of Iowa participates in E‑Verify and complies with federal Right‑to‑Work laws. #J-18808-Ljbffr