Only applicants who meet the Minimum Qualification Requirements and Selective Requirements (listed below) will be placed on the eligible list.
The Department of Natural Resources encourages all applicants to upload a current resume and cover letter to their online application.
Do you thrive in the outdoors, enjoy leading people, and take pride in creating exceptional experiences for the public? The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is seeking a motivated natural resource professional to serve as the next Park Manager at Gull Point State Park.
If you are looking for a career where no two days are the same, where your work directly impacts Iowa’s natural resources, and where you can see the results of your leadership every day, this could be the opportunity for you.
Located along the shores of West Okoboji Lake in Milford, Iowa, Gull Point State Park Complex offers some of Iowa’s most scenic outdoor recreation opportunities. The complex is known for its beautiful lake views, camping, boating access, hiking trails, and vibrant tourism community in the Iowa Great Lakes region. This is an exciting opportunity to live and work in one of Iowa’s premier outdoor destinations while helping preserve and enhance the visitor experience for thousands of guests each year.
What You Will Do:
As Park Manager, you will oversee the daily operations, maintenance, public safety, and natural resource stewardship of the park complex. This position offers a unique blend of leadership, hands-on field work, public engagement, and natural resource management.
Key Responsibilities:
- Assist the district supervisor with day-to-day administration of the state parks, including managing park employees tasks and workloads, hiring & training of seasonal/temporary employees, managing contract and procurement of goods, services, and rentals. Overseeing the park budgets, monthly reporting, revenue, receipts, and inventory of all property, supplies, tools, and equipment.
- Work to achieve the long-range goals of the park resource management plan by planning for and performing park maintenance, preventative maintenance, and general construction work to maintain the integrity of facilities and equipment. This will include regular inspections of multi-use trails, natural areas, concession operations, playgrounds, boat ramps and docks to ensure public safety, accessibility compliance and resource integrity.
- Represent the Department at public appearances and media requests to promote the state park system, recreational safety, and natural resource management. Assist with creating and implementing interpretive and volunteer programs as required, including interactions with local agencies and stakeholder groups to promote park activities and maintain connections to surrounding communities.
- Ensure the safety of park visitors, security of state property and facilities, and orderliness within public use areas by answering questions and through the enforcement of Iowa DNR Administrative Rules related to parks, boating, and fishing. Attend regular training sessions on enforcement subjects to maintain knowledge of enforcement techniques, equipment proficiency, ensure enforcement related incident reports and citations are properly completed, and law enforcement equipment such as radios and duty belts are properly maintained.
What We’re Looking For
We’re seeking an individual who is:
- Passionate about natural resources and outdoor recreation
- Self-motivated and able to work independently
- Skilled in leadership, communication, and problem-solving
- Comfortable balancing office administration with hands-on field work
- Dedicated to public service and visitor experience
- Adaptable in a fast-paced, outdoor environment
Why Join the Iowa DNR?
A career with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact while working in Iowa’s most treasured natural spaces. Employees enjoy rewarding public service work, professional development opportunities, and the chance to help conserve Iowa’s outdoor resources for future generations.
Residency Requirement
The successful candidate must reside within 30 miles of their assigned state park in accordance with DNR Park Bureau policy.
If you’re ready to combine leadership, conservation, and outdoor recreation into a rewarding career, we encourage you to apply and become part of the team at Gull Point State Park Complex.
Essential Functions
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Manages parks by applying technical knowledge and experience.
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Maintains power tools and equipment commonly used to maintain buildings and landscapes.
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Knowledge of principles, theories and practices of parks and recreation and resource management.
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Performs work both in office environments and outdoors in a variety of extreme weather conditions.
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Trains other professional staff, technical workers, and volunteers to perform duties; develops and fosters teamwork.
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Communicates verbally and in writing with DNR staff, management personnel, other state and federal agencies, groups with diverse audiences, other employees, and volunteers.
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Facilitate public meetings and presentations to diverse groups of stakeholders.
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Performs work independently with minimal supervision and achieves consistent results. Ensures projects are organized, tracked and completed timely.
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Utilize fiscal skills to administer budgets and track expenditures; create, modify and manipulate spreadsheets. Use PCbased software to complete work
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Carry heavy loads (40+ lbs) across great distances and operates a wide variety of motor vehicles.
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:
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A competitive pay plan and rewarding work.
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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).
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Separate vacation and sick leave accruals that start on the first day and can roll over annually.
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Nine paid holidays/year.
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Iowa Public Employee Retirement System (IPERS) retirement package with employer match.
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Optional deferred compensation (457/401A) plan with employer match.
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Professional training opportunities.
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Family friendly and professional work environment.
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Employee Discount Programs (vision, cellular, fitness, recreation, season passes, travel, counseling)
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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.
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Flexible work schedules (as approved by the supervisor).
Comments
Special Requirements:
1. Obtain and Maintain a Commercial Pesticide Applicator License (must obtain within 1 year of hire)
2. Defensive Tactics Training within 1 year of hire in order to complete minimum qualifications to perform job duties as a Seasonal Patrol Officer
3. Chain Saw Safety Certification (must obtain within 1 year of hire)
4. CPR/First Aide certification (must obtain within first six months of hire)
5. Maintain/Obtain valid Driver's license (must obtain upon hire)
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 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.
Ensure you are kept up-to-date of this position by checking your email regularly for emails from [email protected]. 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 Work
The 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.
