Park Ranger
- Full-Time
- Posted: March 23, 2026
- Closes: April 2, 2026 at 4:30 pm
- Status: Non-Exempt
- Salary Range: $29.18 to $33.01
- Hours: Monday - Friday; 7:30 am - 4 pm; Some nights, weekend rotations and holidays.
Job Summary
Maintains, improves, and develops Marion County Conservation Department areas to ensure safe, accessible, and diverse outdoor recreation opportunities for the public.
Job Duties
- Enforce state and local laws to ensure visitor safety and protect natural resources.
- Patrols campgrounds, trails, and wildlife areas to enforce park rules and assist local law enforcement agencies when needed.
- Provides wildlife and environmental monitoring of parks and natural areas, checking animal activity and water levels, inspecting for invasive species or storm damage.
- Maintains park grounds by mowing, trimming, seeding, planting trees, filling potholes, spraying herbicide, and maintaining fire rings to ensure safe and attractive recreational areas.
- Performs maintenance and repair of park facilities, including shelters, restrooms, lighting, picnic areas, and electrical and plumbing systems.
- Manages camper registration and reservations, ensuring compliance with payment and site regulations, posting reservations, and processing deposits.
- Maintains county wildlife areas by planting and managing food plots, native grasses, and trees, and constructing habitat and nesting structures.
- Cleans and maintains park facilities, restrooms, and equipment; repairs and services vehicles, tractors, mowers, and equipment to ensure operational readiness and safety.
- Performs bookkeeping by tracking camping receipts, reservations, and statistical records for departmental reporting.
- Coordinates event planning with DNR, Marion County Sheriff’s office, volunteer and educational groups.
- Monitors emergency and incident management issues, determines if evacuations are needed, and coordinates with local agencies.
- Supervises seasonal staff by assigning tasks, training employees, purchasing supplies, and ensuring quality work performance.
- Constructs and improves park infrastructure, including new facility development and project implementation.
- Assists the public by providing information, answers questions, offering first aid, and supports visitors as needed.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Job Qualifications
Required Education and/or Experience
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited educational institution; or four years of related
experience and/or equivalent combination of education and experience. Degree in natural
resources or natural sciences.
Preferred Education and/or Experience
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited educational institution and one year of related
experience; or five years of related experience and/or equivalent combination of education
and experience.
Certificates, Licenses, Registrations
- Valid Iowa Driver’s License
- Iowa Law Enforcement Emergency Care Provider
- Iowa Law Enforcement Academy Peace Officer (must obtain within one year of hire)
- National Wildfire Training: S130 Firefighter, S190 Wildland Fire (must obtain within one year of hire)
- First Aid/CPR/AED
- Iowa Human Trafficking Awareness for Lodging providers (must obtain within one month of hire)
- Ability to pass a background check
