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.

• 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.

• 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.

Accountability, Integrity, High Productivity, Communication Skills, Project Management, Team Player, Interpersonal Skills, Computer Skills, Self‑Management, Customer Focus, Technical Skills (park management, mechanical).

• 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.

• 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).

• Park and Recreation Management (6 months’ experience, twelve semester hours, or a…