Park Technician
Back to Job List| Posted | 08/12/2026 |
|---|---|
| County | Poweshiek |
| Location | Montezuma, Iowa |
| Salary | $46,000 - $49,000 |
Description
Poweshiek County Job Description
Position: Park Technician
Reports to: Director
Department: Conservation
Revision date: August 2026
General Summary A Full-Time/Non-exempt Position, this employee is responsible for park maintenance at Diamond Lake and natural resource management on county wildlife areas. Under general supervision of the Director, this employee plans and implements grounds maintenance practices for purposes of recreation and conservation, facility maintenance, camper registration, and park patrol. This employee will assist with plans, development, and coordination of resource management plans and implementation on all county conservation areas. Weekend, holiday, and evening work will be required.
A. Essential Functions (may include, but not limited to the following):
1. Develops and coordinates resource management plans and implementation on all county conservation areas, and coordinates field operations with the Director and other County Conservation Staff.
2. Assists with the Board’s safety programs, equipment inspections, and coordination of training for all department personnel. 3. Assists in the department purchasing functions, including cost analysis of materials and supplies for all field operations.
4. Plan and execute the maintenance of park facilities and grounds to ensure they are kept in an orderly, function, and sanitary condition. Will remove and dispose of trash on all county conservation areas.
5. Supervises and participates in capital improvement projects, including land acquisition and development, and new construction of recreational facilities.
6. Maintains and operates large and small equipment, including all department owned vehicles, tractors and implements, commercial mowers, no-till drills, tree planters, tree spade, chain saws, pruners, and a wide variety of power hand tools.
7. Assists with prairie grass establishment, maintenance, seed harvest, and prescribed burns. Acquiring an S-130 and S-190 certification will be required.
8. Participates in fish and wildlife management on public and private lands including: general forestry practices, tree planting, weed control, pruning, culling trees, tree identification, planting food plots, wood duck nesting structures, Canada goose roundups, bluebird nest structures, fisheries monitoring, creel clerking, and construction of fish habitat.
9. Patrols the campgrounds at Diamond Lake and enforces the Conservation Board’s rules and regulations. Collects fees for use of park facilities, keeps records of receipts, requisitions supplies and equipment, and prepares reports as required.
10. Provides a safe environment for park users and administers First Aid in case of accidents. First Aid and CPR certifications required. 11. Maintains daily diary, including job site, functions, and hours. Maintains records of vehicle and equipment maintenance, pesticide/herbicide applications, scientific collections, and employee training.
12. Operates personal computers, spread sheets, desk-top publishing applications, Pictometry, PowerPoint applications, digital cameras, scanners, etc.
13. Will help maintain and further develop the county’s web site and will provide written media for the local papers and social media sites pertaining to environmental topics, programs, and activities of the County Conservation.
14. Will participate in continuing education programs, keeping current with new developments in the conservation field and continuing professional growth.
15. Will work with local conservation groups, chapters, or associations in Poweshiek County. Creating partnerships with these groups to continually improve our county’s natural resources on public and private land.
16. Will research and write grants to supplement the county conservation budget for various conservation related projects.
17. Will help maintain and clean office areas, shop areas, and the meeting facilities (Foster Center).
B. Physical Demands Walking, standing, lifting, carrying, bending, climbing, seeing, and able to use hands to manipulate tools is all required in the maintenance operation of the parks. Driving pickups and tractors with manual transmissions, hearing, and speaking to communicate with the public and other staff members will be required.
C. Cognitive Demands Ability to think for oneself to carry out maintenance operations in a safe and efficient manner, and able to think and act professionally in situations dealing with emergencies or enforcing park rules and regulations. Knowledge of various natural resources fields, such as wildlife, fisheries, forestry, and park management, and able to apply that knowledge for practical use in the field, and able to communicate that information to help educate the public.
D. Work Environment and Equipment Most of the work outside can be in all types of weather (rain, sun, wind, snow). Operating noisy equipment such as tractors, mowers, small engines, and power tools will be common. Work in maintenance shops operating saws, drills, welder, torches and a variety of other power and hand tools will also be common. Types of equipment commonly used would include self-propelled commercial mowers, grass trimmers, chain saws, tractors with loaders, oxygen/acetylene torches, all types of hand and power tools, pickups, dump trucks tree spades, tree planters, tree bars, drip torches, rotary mowers, native grass seed drills, jon boat and motors; equipment trailers, 3 pt. blades, disc, harrows, UTV, various sprayer units; 3 pt. post auger; personal computers, spread sheets, desk-top publishing applications, ArcView GIS, PowerPoint applications, digital cameras, scanners, copy machines, telephones, calculators, MS word programs, and MS excel programs.
E. Supervision of Others This individual will help supervise seasonal workers, volunteers, and community service workers.
F. Entry Qualifications Minimum requirement - completion of an Associate’s degree related to the conservation field or a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university in wildlife biology, natural resources, park management, or related field, and two years’ experience in the natural resource management field. Individual must possess a valid driver’s license and must possess or acquire an Iowa pesticide applicators license and CDL. All applicants must be U.S. citizens and must become residents of Iowa upon appointment and be able to obtain a valid Iowa Driver’s license. Must be at least 21 years of age but not more than 65 years of age, on date of appointment, and cannot have a criminal record. This individual is required to pass a pre-employment physical, drug screen, and complete a Job Placement Assessment (JPA).
G. Other
1. Marginal functions of this position that are incidental to the performance of the fundamental job duties have been excluded from our job descriptions.
2. All requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.
3. This job description in no way states or implies that the description includes every duty to be performed by the employee occupying the position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by the Conservation Board or Director.
I have carefully read and understand the contents of this job description. I understand the responsibilities, requirements, and duties expected of me. I understand that this is not necessarily an exhaustive list of responsibilities, skills, duties, requirements, efforts or working conditions associated with the job. While this list is intended to be an accurate reflection of the current job, the Employer reserves the right to revise the functions and duties of the job or to require that additional or different tasks be performed as directed by the Employer. I understand that I may be required to work overtime, different shifts, or hours outside the normally defined workday or workweek. I also understand that this job description does not constitute a contract of employment nor alter my status as an at-will employee. I have the right to terminate my employment at any time and for any reason, and the Employer has a similar right.
Poweshiek County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the County will consider reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages prospective employees and incumbents to discuss potential accommodations with the Employer.
Qualifications
2 year college accreditation in conservation or related field, or the equivalent of. Must be able to lift 50lbs and work outdoors through seasonal weather conditions. A strong and independent work ethic is necessary.
To Apply
Email resume, cover letter, and references to Director, Tylor Nelson at tnelson@poweshiekcountyiowa.gov
Call for more information.
More Information
