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State Park Jobs (NOW HIRING)

State Park Manager

Des Moines, IA · On-site

$53K - $81K/yr

Located near Onawa in western Iowa, Lewis and Clark State Park is one of the state's premier outdoor recreation destinations. Situated along the shores of Blue Lake, the park offers exceptional ...

State Park Technician

Des Moines, IA · On-site

$41K - $61K/yr

Gull Point State Park is a focal point in the Great Lakes region. Established in 1933 and home to the largest CCC-era lodge in the park system. Gull Point provides a pleasing, shaded setting on West ...

State Park Ranger I

Dunmor, KY · On-site

$18.31 - $27.47/hr

AKentucky State Park Ranger enforces state laws on Kentucky State Park properties, protecting our guests andproperty and providing a safe environment. Shifts may vary depending on the needs of the ...

State Park Ranger I

Richmond, KY · On-site

$2.9K - $4.4K/mo

A Kentucky State Park Ranger enforces state laws on Kentucky State Park properties, protecting ourguests and property and providing a safe environment. Shifts may vary depending on the needs of the ...

State Park Ranger I

Henderson, KY · On-site

$2.9K - $4.4K/mo

A Kentucky State Park Ranger enforces state laws on Kentucky State Park properties, protecting ourguests and property and providing a safe environment. Shifts may vary depending on the needs of the ...

State Park Ranger I

Olive Hill, KY · On-site

$2.9K - $4.4K/mo

A Kentucky State Park Ranger enforces state laws on Kentucky State Park properties, protecting ourguests and property and providing a safe environment. Shifts may vary depending on the needs of the ...

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How much do state park jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 7, 2026, the average hourly pay for state park in the United States is $17.32, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.11 and $18.27 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a State Park Ranger, and why are they important?

To thrive as a State Park Ranger, you generally need knowledge of natural resource management, law enforcement, and visitor services, often supported by a degree in environmental science, criminal justice, or a related field. Familiarity with GPS devices, park management software, and first aid certifications is typically required. Strong communication, problem-solving, and public engagement skills help rangers educate visitors and handle emergencies effectively. These skills ensure the safety of park guests, the protection of natural resources, and the overall positive experience for all park users.

What is the difference between State Park vs Park Ranger?

AspectState ParkPark Ranger
Primary RoleManagement and maintenance of park facilities, conservation efforts, visitor servicesEnforcing park rules, guiding visitors, educational outreach, law enforcement
Required CredentialsVaries; often a degree in environmental science or related fieldTypically requires law enforcement or conservation certifications
Work EnvironmentNatural outdoor settings, administrative officesOutdoor parks, enforcement locations, visitor centers
EmployerState government agencies managing parksState or federal agencies, often within park services

While a State Park refers to the managed outdoor area itself, a Park Ranger is a professional who works within these parks to ensure safety, conservation, and visitor engagement. Both roles are interconnected, with the park serving as the workplace for park rangers.

What are some common challenges faced by State Park Rangers, and how can applicants prepare for them?

State Park Rangers often encounter challenges such as managing large crowds during peak seasons, ensuring visitor safety, and responding to emergencies like medical incidents or natural hazards. Effective communication and conflict resolution skills are essential, as rangers frequently interact with diverse groups of visitors. Applicants can prepare by gaining experience in public safety, customer service, and outdoor skills, as well as becoming familiar with local wildlife and park regulations. Continuous training and a proactive approach to problem-solving also help rangers successfully navigate these challenges.

What are state parks and what do they offer?

State parks are protected areas managed by state governments, established to preserve natural, cultural, and recreational resources for public enjoyment. They typically offer a range of outdoor activities, such as hiking, camping, fishing, boating, and wildlife viewing. State parks vary widely in size and features, but many include visitor centers, picnic areas, trails, and educational programs. These parks play a vital role in conservation and provide affordable recreation opportunities for individuals and families.
What cities are hiring for State Park jobs? Cities with the most State Park job openings:
What states have the most State Park jobs? States with the most job openings for State Park jobs include:
Infographic showing various State Park job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 71% Full Time, 23% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $36,024 per year, or $17.3 per hour.
State Park Manager

State Park Manager

State of Iowa

Des Moines, IA • On-site

$53K - $81K/yr

Full-time

Posted 16 days ago


State Of Iowa rating

7.0

Company rating: 7.0 out of 10

Based on 82 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

41st of 50 rated states


Job description

Job Description Only applicants who meet the Minimum Qualification Requirements and Selective Requirements (listed below) will be placed on the eligible list. Do you enjoy working outdoors, leading a dedicated team, and making a lasting impact on Iowa's natural resources. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is seeking an enthusiastic and motivated natural resource professional to serve as the next Park Manager at Lewis and Clark State Park.

If you are looking for a career that offers variety, independence, and the opportunity to see the results of your work firsthand, this position may be the perfect fit. As Park Manager, you will play a key role in maintaining high-quality recreational opportunities, protecting natural resources, and creating memorable experiences for park visitors. Located near Onawa in western Iowa, Lewis and Clark State Park is one of the state's premier outdoor recreation destinations.

Situated along the shores of Blue Lake, the park offers exceptional camping, boating, fishing, hiking, and wildlife viewing opportunities. Rich in history and natural beauty, the park welcomes thousands of visitors each year and serves as an important gateway to outdoor recreation in the region. This is a unique opportunity to live and work in a beautiful setting while leading the operations, stewardship, and visitor services at one of Iowa's most popular state parks.

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 Lewis and Clark State Park.

Essential Functions Manages parks by applying technical knowledge and experience. Maintains power tools and equipment commonly used to maintain buildings and landscapes. Knowledge of principles, theories and practices of parks and recreation and resource management.

Performs work both in office environments and outdoors in a variety of extreme weather conditions. Trains other professional staff, technical workers, and volunteers to perform duties; develops and fosters teamwork. Communicates verbally and in writing with DNR staff, management personnel, other state and federal agencies, groups with diverse audiences, other employees, and volunteers.

Facilitate public meetings and presentations to diverse groups of stakeholders. Performs work independently with minimal supervision and achieves consistent results. Ensures projects are organized, tracked and completed timely.

Utilize fiscal skills to administer budgets and track expenditures; create, modify and manipulate spreadsheets. Use PCbased software to complete work Carry heavy loads (40+ lbs) across great distances and operates a wide variety of motor vehicles. Critical Job Competencies Accountability, Integrity, High Productivity, Communication Skills, Project Management, Team Player, Interpersonal Skills, Computer Skills, Self-Management, Customer Focus, Project Management and Technical Skills (park management, mechanical) What You Get From Us: A competitive pay plan and rewarding work.

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). Separate vacation and sick leave accruals that start on the first day and can roll over annually.

Nine paid holidays/year. Iowa Public Employee Retirement System (IPERS) retirement package with employer match. Optional deferred compensation (457/401A) plan with employer match.

Professional training opportunities. Family friendly and professional work environment. Employee Discount Programs (vision, cellular, fitness, recreation, season passes, travel, counseling) 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. Flexible work schedules (as approved by the supervisor). Comments 1.

Pesticide license (must obtain within first year of hire) 2. Maintain/Obtain valid Driver's license. (must obtain upon hire) 3.

CPR/First Aide certification (must obtain within first six months of hire) 4. Chain Saw Safety Certification (must obtain within first year of hire) 5. Water/wastewater Certification - Grade 1 Water Treatment and Grade 1 Distribution (must obtain within two years of hire) 6.

Staff must live within the travel requirement as outlined in the DNR Park Bureau Policy. 7. Drive state vehicles (pick up, passanger vehicles) on public and private roadways.

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 info@govermentjobs.com. This is a system generated email from the DAS application system and it may be sent directly to your Junk/Spam folder

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 The State of Iowa is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. 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. Selectives 914 Park and Recreation Management 6 months' experience, twelve semester hours, or a combination of both in the operation and/or maintenance of parks or park recreational services

May have commonly been served at a national, state, or county park level. OR 450 Natural Resources 6 months' experience, 12 semester hours, or a combination of both in one or in a combination of more than one of the following: Ecology Environmental planning Soil conservation Biological sciences Waste water treatment Forestry Engineering related to natural resource areas (dams, sanitary engineers, etc.) Outdoor recreation planning Physical sciences River basin planning Geography Wildlife management Minimum Qualification Requirements Applicants must meet at least one of the following minimum requirements to qualify for positions in this job classification: 1) Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in park and outdoor recreation, natural resource management, biological sciences, hospitality management, or public administration, and experience equal to one year of full-time work in park operations (may include experience as a park laborer, planner, manager, or ranger). 2) Five years of full-time work experience in park operations (may include experience as a park laborer, planner, manager, or ranger)

3) A total of five years of education and/or full-time experience (as described in number one), where thirty semester hours of accredited college or university coursework in park and outdoor recreation, natural resource management, biological sciences, hospitality management, or public administration field equals one year of full-time experience. 4) Current, continuous experience in the state executive branch that includes three years of full time work as a Natural Resource Technician 1 or 2, Park Ranger, or Conservation Officer. For additional information, please click on this link to view the job description.

Additional Qualification Requirements Within a period of time after hire, as determined by the appointing authority, employees in this class may be required to obtain one or more of the following certificates, licenses, or endorsements: A Commercial Driver's License (CDL) and endorsements Pesticide Applicator - by the Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship Certified Water and Wastewater system operator First Aide/CPR will be required within a specified period of time as determined by the appointing authority. O.C. spray, handcuffing, and defensive tactics training will be required within a specified period of time as determined by the appointing authority.


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About State of Iowa

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

The State of Iowa is not a company but the governmental structure of the U.S. state of Iowa, stationed in the capital city, Des Moines. The official website, iowa.gov, is a platform dedicated to providing information and services related to the state's governance. As a governmental establishment, the State of Iowa's 'industry' primarily involves social governance, policy-making, and public administration, overseeing sectors like education, health, transportation, agriculture, and other public services.

Industry

Public administration

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Des Moines, IA, US

Year founded

1939