Park Ranger/ Natural Resource Technician

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Posted 05/29/2026
County Boone
Location Madrid, Iowa
Salary $48,000-$55,000
Deadline 06/29/2026

Description

Position: Under general supervision of the Director, serves as a peace officer under the provisions of Chapter 350 of the Code of Iowa. Responsible for enforcing Conservation Board rules and natural resource laws, maintaining a safe environment for the public, and protecting public lands.  Oversees the daily maintenance and operation of Swede Point Park, Grant’s Woods, and the High Trestle Trail. Recommends and implements improvements, enhancement in natural resource and recreational management, including timber stand improvement, prairie and tree planting, invasive species control, and prairie burns.  Perform routine and special patrol duties, including the enforcement of laws, rules and regulations, maintain good public relations, and maintain park facilities and equipment.

Essential Job Functions: These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive.  Other skills and duties may be required and assigned.  

?       Enforce the laws and regulations pertaining to the operation of the areas and issue citations and warnings to violators. Perform scheduled and non-scheduled patrol days in uniform

?        Enforcement of Boone County Conservation Board (BCCB) rules and regulations, state park laws, Iowa traffic laws, Iowa fish and game laws that may apply to public lands

?        Knowledge of native trees, shrubs, flowers, birds and other wildlife common to Boone County

?        Knowledge of principles and practices of park and natural resource management

?        Ensures the cleanliness of properties, parking lots, shelters, and bathrooms.

?        Oversees the care and maintenance of ornamental plants, shrubs, trees and wetlands on the facility grounds.

?        Manages the High Trestle Trail System in Boone County, including mowing, weed control, tree trimming, sign maintenance, plowing, etc.

?        Collect user fees, meet, understand, and assist the general public

?        Maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, supervisors, other departments and agencies, and volunteers

?        Interact effectively with persons representing widely divergent backgrounds, interests, and ages

?        Work effectively and efficiently with minimal supervision

?        Operate automotive and law enforcement equipment including pickup patrol unit, police radios, in-car computer, and emergency equipment

?        Repair and maintain park structures and grounds

?        Plant and maintain trees, shrubs, and native grasses through drilling, planting, broadcasting, mowing, burning, and spraying herbicide

?        Operate, repair, inspect, and service vehicles, tractors, mowers, trimmers, chainsaws, skid loaders, dump truck, and other tools

?        Ability to work a flexible schedule including evenings, weekends, and holidays    

Essential Administration Responsibilities:

?        Operate common office equipment such calculators, photocopiers, and multi-line telephones

?        Use a computer for the purposes of data entry, word processing, email, and web browsing

?        Apply for local, state or federal grants

?        Plan, assign, and assist in the supervision of seasonal employees, volunteers and contractors

?        Communicate effectively, verbally and in writing, to individuals and groups both in formal and informal situations

?        Operate the administrative side of the MyCountyParks reservation system to change, make, and check campground, shelter, and cabin reservations.  

Required Essential Licenses and Certifications: Certified peace officer in the State of Iowa (or be able to obtain certification), CPR and First Aid Certification (within one year of employment), Pesticide Applicator’s Certification  

Mental/Visual Demands: Position demands attention in maintaining accurate records. Work under pressure with interruptions and challenging deadlines.  

Required Essential Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This work requires the occasional exertion of up to 75 pounds of force. Work regularly requires sitting, speaking or hearing, using hands to finger, handle or feel and repetitive motions and requires standing, walking, climbing or balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling, reaching with hands and arms, pushing or pulling and lifting. Work has standard vision requirements; vocal communications is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken work; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken work levels; work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, operating machines and observing general surroundings and activities. Work is generally in a moderately noisy location, occasionally walk on uneven and unstable surfaces such as construction sites, wooded areas and ditch embankments.  

Environment:  Frequently subject to both inside and outside environmental conditions and extreme temperatures, cold and heat. Position will encounter dusty, windy, wet and icy work conditions.  

Position Location: Primary location is Swede Point Park, Madrid, IA.  Some traveling is required. Telecommuting is NOT approved for this position.  Successful candidate will be offered a chance to live in the county residence at Swede Point Park as a rented residence.  

Contacts: Position requires regular daily contact with others such as the public, other county offices and vendors.  

Accountability:  Accuracy is important to avoid errors in recording transactions. Be reliable, responsible, and dependable in fulfilling obligations. Reliable work attendance. Maintain a high level of confidentiality and personal high level of integrity. Represent Boone County and perform duties in a professional, responsible and trustworthy manner.

Qualifications

Requires a (1) Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in conservation, natural resources, outdoor recreation, wildlife biology, park management or (2) Associate’s Degree in outdoor recreation, parks manageme

To Apply

Submit cover letter and resume to Director Chelsie Wilson, Boone County Conservation, 610 H Ave, IA 50212 or by email at cwilson@boonecounty.iowa.gov