Park Caretaker; Seasonal

Overview

“It is my dream job!”, “Who wouldn’t want to spend their summer at the beach!” and “I feel like what I’m doing makes a difference.” These are just a few comments that we hear from our park employees. Working for Ottawa County Parks is not only fun, but it also helps to develop a positive work ethic, build customer service skills, and learn basic land and building management skills.

Whether you are entering the workforce or have recently retired, working at Ottawa County Parks might just be the place for you!

This role involves working under the direction of a Parks Supervisor to perform general labor tasks related to the cleaning and maintenance of parklands, repair of buildings and grounds, and improvements to the park. The duties also include setting up and dismantling rental areas for specific events, opening buildings and/or grounds, and monitoring events for groups. The incumbent of this role will be required to enforce the established rules of the Ottawa County Parks & Recreation Commission based on specific guidelines.

This is a part-time or seasonal, limited-benefited position working up to 40 hours per week. Must be available for day, evening, weekend, and holiday work hours. The position will start mid-May 2026 and work until early September 2026 (Labor Day). The ideal candidate will have the ability to interact positively and constructively with the general public and co-workers, have a willingness to learn, and proven dependability.

No prior experience is necessary.

Worksites available (Click on each park to learn more about the park and location):

• North Beach
• Kirk Park
• Tunnel Park
• Olive Shores
• Ottawa Beach Marina
• Hager Park
• Windsnest
• Kouw
• Connor Bayou
• Grand Ravines
• Grose Park
• Park Operations Center

• Provides general labor required for the cleaning and maintaining of public areas, restrooms, hallways, kitchen areas, grills, and fireplace(s) in assigned facilities including but not limited to washing windows, unplugging drains and toilets, changing light bulbs, snow and ice removal, and trash, recyclables, and litter collection.
• Helps visitors purchase motor vehicle permits at the pay stations or on their mobile devices.
• Sets up and tears down rental areas for specific uses and events and, opens the building and/or grounds and monitors events for groups.
• Responds to specific requests by park patrons.
• Operates a variety of commercial mowers, edgers, and other turf and grass maintenance equipment.
• Operates landscaping machinery as needed including tractors, chippers, and other equipment.
• Trims trees, removes downed trees, and chips accumulated brush.
• Checks and/or changes fluids and filters; lubricates moving mechanical parts; checks batteries, tire pressure, and tread wear; and performs other preventative maintenance for park vehicles and equipment.
• Performs trail maintenance including surface maintenance and tree trimming/removal.
• Paints buildings, various park fixtures, and signs.
• Inspects, identifies, repairs, or replaces damaged, deteriorated, or obsolete signage, structures, features, landscape forms, and park fixtures.
• Operates a variety of power tools such as saws, drills, sanders, routers, etc. for repair and improvement of park facilities.
• Transports equipment from park site to park site.
• Performs other duties/functions as assigned.

Must be 16 years of age or older, graduation from high school or GED preferred. Applicants under the age of 18 must be able to provide a work permit, which requires permission from a parent or legal guardian.

The following lakeshore county parks can employ 16- and 17-year-old candidates:
North Beach Park, Kirk Park, Tunnel Park, Kouw Park, Olive Shores Park, Windsnest Park, Ottawa Beach Marina, & Rosy Mound Natural Area.

Depending on the needs of the specific park location, some applicants will be required to be 18 years of age or older to operate certain equipment and park vehicles. Employees will report to a designated primary work site/park each day. As part of their duties, they may be required to travel to other park locations during their shift and operate a county vehicle on public roadways.

Licenses and

Certifications:

A valid…