Park Ranger

Job Title: East Unit Park Ranger

Reports to: Director

FLSA Status: Non-exempt

Supervises: Seasonal Staff and Volunteers

Salary: $45,000-$60,000/year DOE

Position Information: This Park Ranger position is responsible for park operations and safety of park visitors, wildlife, and facilities. This position also helps provide campers and park users with a positive experience while visiting the county parks. Expected to split time between law enforcement, land management, and park maintenance. Position based out of Wildcat Bluff Recreation Area and Rodgers Park.

Responsibilities and Skills:
The Park Ranger position requires a balance of Law Enforcement expectations and conservation management.

• Performs park duties such as collecting camping registrations and fees.
• Takes official action whenever and wherever required in a professional manner, within the bounds and accordance of department policies and procedures.
• Prioritizes public safety and enforcement of federal, state, and local regulations. Performs safety checks for all park facilities, including playgrounds, walkways, trails, buildings and grounds areas.
• Researches funding sources and writes grants that help improve the quality of our parks.
• Performs maintenance duties including, but not limited to, cleaning facilities, repairing park facilities as needed, routinely servicing equipment and vehicles.
• Takes responsibility for opening and closing all assigned county conservation areas.
• Manage properties with the assigned unit and work with full staff to accomplish conservation goals.
• Supervises seasonal workers including, but not limited to, assigning, checking and planning the work of seasonal staff and volunteers.
• Educates part-time staff on the proper and safe use of equipment and ensures policies are followed.
• Assists in planning major park projects to ensure proper staffing and deadlines are set.
• Enforces all Local, State, and Federal laws pertaining to the operation of parks within Benton County Conservation owned areas.
• Answers emergency calls and provides law enforcement support by patrolling the parks to ensure safety of the park visitors, wildlife, and facilities.
• Work weekends during summer recreation season and as needed.
• Must live within or be willing to move within 40 minutes of Wildcat Bluff Recreation Area.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to multi-task and prioritize job activities to achieve maximum overall results.
• Ability to develop and maintain positive interpersonal relationships internally and with external contacts.
• Ability to operate equipment such as drills, saws, lawn mowers, utility tractors, weed trimmers, chainsaws, etc.
• Ability to perform basic equipment maintenance.
• Ability to work on basic construction needs.
• Ability to provide informative and professional assistance when working with the public, customers and county personnel.
• Ability to supervise assigned personnel in performance of their duties such that performance exceeds or meets expectations.
• Ability to work with others in the attainment of department duties and county goals.
• Demonstration of good oral and written communication and organizational skills.
• Knowledge of wildlife protection, Law Enforcement, and conservation.
• Ability to interact with individuals of all ages and backgrounds.
• Microsoft Windows and Office, email, and other basic computer resources.
• GIS/GPS equipment
• Other tools and equipment used in natural resource management.

Qualifications: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education:

• 2-year or 4-year (college or technical school) and 1-year conservation experience or equivalent work-related experience.

Certifications: Preference given to candidates who currently hold these certifications, but will  also consider those who are willing to obtain within listed time:

• Iowa Law Enforcement Academy Certification (preferred upon hire – salary will be adjusted accordingly if currently certified, must attend academy within 1 year – standards for academy are found here: https://ilea.iowa.gov/agencies/basic-academy)
• Valid pesticide applicators license in category 6 (right-of-way) (within 1 year).
• Valid, Class A, Commercial driver's license (within 1 year)
• NWCG Wildland Fire Certifications – S130 and S190 (within 1 year)

Preferred Skills

• Experience with equipment operation and equipment maintenance.
• Knowledge of Iowa’s native and invasive weed species.
• Experience in the public sector, budget work, public meetings, etc.

Physical Demands/Work Hours:

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.

While performing the duties of this job the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, grasp, handle or feel; climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, push or pull and reach with hands and arms. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, regularly lift and/or move up to 20 pounds and occasionally exert up to 50 pounds of force to move objects. The visual requirements for this position are similar to those classified as skilled tradespeople (ie: carpenters, technicians, plumbers, painters, mechanics, etc.).

Average working days are Monday – Friday September through April. Average working days are Wednesday - Saturday through May through September. Must be able to work weekends, holidays, and irregular or special event hours as necessary or assigned.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The worker is subject to both inside and outside environmental conditions. The worker is subject to extreme cold and extreme heat. The worker is subject to hazards including moving mechanical parts, handling chemicals, electrical current, working on scaffolding and high places. Frequently this position is required to travel to transport equipment and to attend meetings. 

THE ABOVE DECLARATIONS ARE NOT INTENDED TO BE AN “ALL-INCLUSIVE” LIST OF THE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE JOB DESCRIBED OR OF THE SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED TO PERFORM THE JOB. RATHER, THEY ARE INTENDED ONLY TO DESCRIBE THE GENERAL REQUIREMENTS OF THE JOB.

Benefits:

• IPERS retirement with 9.31% employee contribution and 6.29% employer contribution
• 10 paid holidays

• Vacation time, sick time, and 2 personal days 

• Opportunity to earn compensatory time 

• Health Insurance as low as $180 per pay period for a family plan

• Dental Insurance

• Vision Insurance

• Flex Spending

• Accident and Critical Illness Insurance

• Wellness program with opportunity to earn up to $350 in incentives

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)  

*THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST IN EMPLOYMENT AT BENTON COUNTY*

TO APPLY:

Apply online at https://www.bentoncountyia.gov/employment/.

Must email resume, cover letter, current pesticide applicators license #, references, and any other certifications to [email protected].

Position closes at the end of day Wednesday, March 12, 2025.

Any questions contact Shelby Williams, Director, at [email protected] or 319-472-4942.

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• Job Type: Full-Time
• Department: Conservation
• Salary Range: 45,000 - 60,000
• Posted: 2/21/25
• Expires: 3/12/25