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Parks Police Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

City of Waukee, IA

Police Officer

Waukee, IA · On-site

$36.50 - $48.03/hr

Waukee offers a family-friendly environment featuring quality parks, schools and trails. The Waukee Police Department is very team oriented and has a culture of success. This position will be posted ...

City of Mason City, IA

Police Officer

Mason City, IA · On-site

$71K - $95K/yr

Police Opening Date: 07/03/2026 Residency Requirement?: Yes Residency Requirement Map: Description ... abundant parks, and a close-knit community. Whether you're looking to start or continue your law ...

City of Waukee

Police Officer

Waukee, IA

$33.75 - $44.41/hr

Waukee offers a family-friendly environment featuring quality parks, schools and trails. The Waukee Police Department is very team oriented and has a culture of success. This position will be posted ...

City of Mason City

Police Officer

Mason City, IA

$71K - $95K/yr

Join the Mason City Police Department. Are you passionate about serving your community and starting ... abundant parks, and a close-knit community. Whether you're looking to start or continue your law ...

City of Cedar Rapids

911 Dispatcher

Cedar Rapids, IA · On-site

$59K - $75K/yr

Our city has a strong sense of community which can be seen at any of our numerous parks ... CPR, Medical Dispatch, Emergency Fire Dispatch and Emergency Police Dispatch Supplemental ...

City of Sioux City, IA

Safety Manager

Sioux City, IA · On-site

$84K - $115K/yr

As the City's Safety Manager, you will work with leaders and employees across more than a dozen departments-including Police, Fire Rescue, Public Works, Utilities, Transit, Parks & Recreation ...

City of Sioux City

Safety Manager

Sioux City, IA · On-site

$84K - $115K/yr

As the City's Safety Manager, you will work with leaders and employees across more than a dozen departments-including Police, Fire Rescue, Public Works, Utilities, Transit, Parks & Recreation ...

GovernmentJobs.com

City Clerk

Carlisle, IA · On-site

$50K - $60K/yr

... Police, Library, Public Works, Parks & Recreation, and Municipal Electric. City Hall is made up of the City Administrator, City Clerk, Financial Manager, and Utility Billing Clerk. This active ...

City of Independence

Intern (Unpaid)

Independence, IA · On-site

$14.25 - $19/hr

Shadowing and administrative support within our Police or Fire departments. * Parks & Recreation: Assisting with program management, facility operations, and event planning. * Finance & Human ...

All JobsParks Police JobsParks Police Jobs in Iowa

Parks Police information

What is the difference between Parks Police vs Park Rangers?

AspectParks PolicePark Rangers
CredentialsPeace officer certification, law enforcement trainingNatural resource management, conservation training
Work EnvironmentLaw enforcement settings, parks, and recreation areasNatural parks, wildlife areas, visitor centers
Employer & IndustryGovernment law enforcement agenciesNational, state, or local parks departments
Primary DutiesEnforce laws, respond to emergencies, patrolEducate visitors, preserve natural resources, assist visitors

While both Parks Police and Park Rangers work in park environments, Parks Police focus on law enforcement and maintaining safety, requiring police certification. Park Rangers primarily focus on conservation, education, and visitor assistance, with training in natural resource management. Their roles complement each other in ensuring parks are safe, accessible, and preserved.

What is a parks police officer?

Parks Police are specialized law enforcement officers responsible for maintaining safety, enforcing laws, and protecting natural resources within public parks and recreation areas. Their duties often include patrolling park grounds, responding to emergencies, assisting visitors, and ensuring compliance with park regulations. They work to prevent crime, protect wildlife, and promote a safe and enjoyable environment for all park users. Parks Police may work independently or as part of a larger city or county police force.

What are common challenges faced by parks police officers in their day-to-day duties?

Parks Police officers often navigate unique challenges such as balancing law enforcement with community engagement in public spaces. They regularly deal with a wide range of incidents, from enforcing park regulations and addressing minor disturbances to responding to emergencies or wildlife-related situations. Officers must also be adept at working independently across large outdoor areas, while maintaining strong communication with other law enforcement agencies and local park staff. Adapting to changing weather conditions and high visitor volumes during peak seasons can also add complexity to their responsibilities.

What skills and qualifications are needed to thrive as a parks police officer?

To thrive as a Parks Police Officer, you need a solid background in law enforcement procedures, physical fitness, and typically a police academy certification or equivalent qualification. Familiarity with law enforcement tools such as radios, patrol vehicles, body cameras, and incident reporting systems is essential. Strong interpersonal skills, conflict resolution abilities, and community engagement are vital soft skills for building trust and ensuring public safety. These skills and qualities are crucial for maintaining order, protecting park visitors, and effectively handling emergencies in diverse outdoor settings.
What are popular job titles related to Parks Police jobs in Iowa? For Parks Police jobs in Iowa, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Parks Police jobs in Iowa look for? The top searched job categories for Parks Police jobs in Iowa are:
Parks Police jobs near you
Infographic showing various Parks Police job openings in Iowa as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 95% Full Time, and 5% Part Time. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution.

Police Officer

City of Waukee, IA

Waukee, IA • On-site

$36.50 - $48.03/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 23 days ago

Job description

Salary: Depends on Qualifications
Location : Police Department - 815 NW 20th St, Waukee, IA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 2026-June Posting
Department: Police
Opening Date: 06/09/2026
JOB PURPOSE
The City of Waukee is looking for Police Officers to join our team. A Waukee Police Officer performs law enforcement and crime prevention for the safety and protection of life and property in the City of Waukee. The City of Waukee is recognized as one of the fastest-growing cities in Iowa and is located in Dallas County - one of the fastest growing counties in the US, giving employees opportunities for career advancement. Waukee offers a family-friendly environment featuring quality parks, schools and trails. The Waukee Police Department is very team oriented and has a culture of success.
This position will be posted until filled.
Wages:
  • Certified Officer: $36.50 - $48.03
  • Non-Certified Police Officer: $33.75 (After successful completion of the police academy, wages may increase.)

Tentative Hiring Process Timeline
Applications: This position will be posted until filled.
Physical Ability Evaluations and Written Exam: Testing will take place on Friday, August 7, 2026. We will keep candidates updated, if there are multiple testing dates. The Physical Agility Test and Police Officer Selection Test (POST) will be administered to qualified applicants. Candidates selected to test will receive detailed instructions by email at a later date.
Applicants must present a valid photo ID and birth certificate on the day of testing.
Iowa Certified Officers (lateral transfers) are not required to complete the testing process.
Interviews: Panel interviews will tentatively be scheduled on Friday, August 14, 2026
We offer an excellent benefit package: Health/Dental/Vision, Life Insurance, Long Term Disability, Vacation, Sick Leave, Holidays, Longevity, Educational Incentive and IPERS.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS & SUCCESS FACTORS
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
(Order of Essential Functions does not indicate importance of functions.)
  • Patrols the city and responds to calls for service to control traffic, protect life and property, prevent crime and provide for the safeguarding of citizens.
  • Completes all written reports as required.
  • Conducts preliminary investigations including interviewing witnesses, victims and suspects of complaints, accident/crime scenes and other assigned cases to apprehend violators, to enforce laws and to determine if charges should be filed.
  • Secures and preserves evidence. Appears in court to present evidence and give testimony.
  • Writes citations, arrests violators of the law and processes arrested subject.
  • Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with other law enforcement agencies in matters relating to the apprehension of offenders and the investigation of offenses.
  • Complies with and has excellent knowledge of all departmental Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
  • Performs other duties or assumes other responsibilities as apparent or assigned.

SUCCESS FACTORS:
  • Takes action in solving problems while exhibiting judgment and a systematic approach to decision making.
  • Creates and participates in a team environment.
  • Displays honesty, trustworthiness, dependability and respectfulness at all times.
  • Supports all efforts to increase cooperation, communication, and collaboration between and among departments, staff members and the community.
  • Understands and internalizes the importance of seeking resolution to problems and concerns by bringing them to the direct attention of supervisor in a timely manner.
  • Attends administrative, department, and team meetings as scheduled.
  • Safeguards confidential information and uses it or disclose it only as expressly authorized or specifically required in the course of performing specific job duties.
  • Continually seeks and accepts opportunities for personal and professional growth including practicing the use of firearms.
  • Contributes to overall City effectiveness by providing critical staff support to task forces and by participating, as necessary, in assisting all other teams.
  • Attentive to the City's and Department's standards for customer service, accuracy, quality, efficiency and all City and Department policies and procedure ensuring that all work performed meets those standards.
  • Excellent knowledge of current municipal, state, and federal codes, laws and ordinances, interpreting and enforcing the same.

QUALIFICATIONS
QUALIFICATIONS:
  • High school diploma or GED. Associate's or bachelor's degree preferred.
  • Experience in law enforcement preferred.
  • Bi-lingual and bi-cultural understanding preferred.
  • Must be 21 years of age or older by date of hire.
  • Must possess and have the ability to maintain a valid Driver's License.
  • Must be able to obtain an Iowa Professional Permit to carry weapons.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS & WORKING CONDITIONS
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
  • Must meet all minimum standards for Iowa Law Enforcement Officers per ILEA.
  • Able to perform all essential functions of the position while wearing required protective equipment.
  • Able to lift, pull, push up to 100 pounds unassisted when necessary.
  • Be responsive to verbal and visible signs of distress and alarms.
  • Able to remember names, faces and details of incidents.
  • Able to effectively communicate orally (in person and over the telephone) and in writing (using electronic devices and handwritten) in English with other employees, vendors and the community.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
  • Position requires outdoor work where heat, cold, precipitation, and the results of weather and nature may be encountered.
  • Position requires travel within and outside of the City which imposes common travel hazards.
  • Will be exposed to emergencies, stressful situations, and significant work place pressure.
  • Standard work hours must be flexible, will include days, evenings, over nights and weekends, may be greater than 40 hours per week, and may be called to report to duty at any time.
  • To successfully fulfill the essential functions of this position, employee must maintain standard work hours within Waukee Public Safety building.
  • There is no residency requirement for this position.

The City of Waukee offers a complete benefits package to full-time employees including: health, dental, vision, flexible spending account, life insurance and AD&D, long-term disability insurance, pension, holidays, vacation, sick leave and deferred compensation plan.
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