Park Keeper II

Park Keeper II

Salary

See Position Description

Location

Various Throughout Dakota County, MN

Job Type

Full-Time

Job Number

81110.26.001

Department

Facilities Management

Opening Date

09/28/2026

Closing Date

10/12/2026 4:30 PM Central

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

General Description

POSTING TYPE: Open competitive

DEPARTMENT: Facilities Management

HOURS: Full-time

PREFERRED HIRING RANGE: $52,326 - 65,408/year

FULL SALARY RANGE: $52,326 - 81,760/year

LOCATION: Various throughout the Dakota County Park System

UNION: None

CLOSE DATE: 4:30 pm on Monday, October 12, 2026

What Youll Do

The Park Keeper II position is responsible to maintain, enhance, and expand our Park and Facility grounds. Staff do routine maintenance and highly skilled project work on our trails, turf, trees, plantings, hardscape, fences, decks, camper cabins, bridges, and picnic shelters. This position is also responsible to serve as a lead person over other Park and temporary staff on tasks and projects. In the winter months Park Keeping staff are responsible for grooming cross country ski trails and snow removal in County parking lots, access roads, sidewalks, and trails.

The Dakota County Parks system is a growing, thriving natural resource-based park system with over 2.8 million visitors annually. Our park system includes 6 parks, 5,500 acres of premiere park land and 66 miles of scenic regional greenways.

We are currently recruiting to fill two full-time positions, working out of the Lebanon Hills Park in Eagan and Spring Lake Park in Hastings.

Who We Are

Dakota County is Minnesota's third largest county and home to more than 400,000 residents. We strive every day to achieve excellence public service, with a focus on four values: Service, Integrity, People, and Innovation.

Dakota County aims to create an environment that is welcoming and inclusive of diverse people, backgrounds, and experiences. Our goal is to have a workforce that is reflective of the communities and individuals we serve. We promote an equitable and culturally aware work environment where everyone can be their authentic selves.

Minimum Qualifications

• One year certificate/degree in Grounds Maintenance, Natural Resources, Landscape; Horticulture, Design and Construction, Park Maintenance, Architecture, or a closely related field.

AND

• Two years of grounds maintenance experience, such as turf maintenance, tree care, forestry, landscaping, snow removal, building and trail maintenance.

OR

• An equivalent combination of education and experience to total 3 years. Experience must be directly related to grounds maintenance experience, such as turf maintenance, tree care, forestry, landscaping, snow removal, building and trail maintenance

AND

• A valid drivers license and ability to obtain a Class A commercial drivers license within the first year of employment.

Preferred Experience:

• Commercial drivers license
• MN Tree Inspector Certificate
• MN Chemical Applicators License
• Completed training and/or degree focused on grounds maintenance operations, to include but not limited to turf management, pesticide and fertilizer application, tree care, and landscape design and maintenance.
• Computer skills with the ability and experience to use Outlook, Word, and Excel.
• Pursuant to Dakota County Policy and Procedures this position is designated as Safety Sensitive.

Duties & Responsibilities

These examples do not include all possible tasks in this work and do not limit the assignment of related tasks in any position of this classification. Regular attendance according to the positions management approved work schedule is required for all positions.

1. Responsible for implementing tree maintenance/management programs including work such as: trimming, removals, and stump grinding.

2. Responsible for performing landscape improvements including work such as: planting trees and shrubs, seeding, laying sod, grading, and site restoration.

3. Responsible for snow plowing County parking lots, access roads and greenways using truck plow combinations, UTVs, and/or tractor. After hour and weekend snow removal will occur during snow events.

4. Responsible for maintaining turf areas, including tasks such as: mowing, over-seeding, aerating, pesticide application, and fertilizing.

5. Responsible for maintaining access roads, trails, parking lots, utilities, retaining walls, bridges, and other infrastructure.

6. Performs routine and higher skilled maintenance, repairs, and construction to buildings, structures and facilities.

7. Act as lead person, when assigned, over employees at the same or lower grade level, overseeing and performing miscellaneous tasks and projects.

8. Operate fleet vehicles such as: trucks, tractors, skid steers, trailers, plows, and UTVs to perform daily duties.

9. Safely and proficiently operate all power tools, light and heavy equipment, and vehicles.

10. Assist with training employees in safe and proficient operation of power tools, light and heavy equipment, and vehicles.

11. Assists Fleet Management Department with the repair and maintenance of County vehicles and equipment.

12. Assists in emergency situations as directed.

13. Performs other maintenance tasks as apparent, necessary or assigned.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: All duties are essential functions.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities and Work Environment

• Knowledge of practices, functions and procedures for higher skilled parks maintenance, repairs, and construction tasks.
• Knowledge of State and Federal D.O.T. laws and regulations relating to the safe operation of motor vehicles and truck trailer combinations.
• Ability to operate County Fleet vehicles such as: truck trailer combinations, truck plow combinations, tractors, and ATV equipment.
• Knowledge of safety rules, regulations and practices.
• Knowledge of daily and routine maintenance requirement of power tools, vehicles, and equipment.
• Knowledge in the maintenance and management of turf grass, shrubs, and trees. This includes the identification of trees, diseases, measures of control, and proper use of fertilizers and pesticides.
• Knowledge and ability to implement landscape and facility projects which require skilled construction techniques and applications.
• Ability and skill to operate power tools, vehicles, light and heavy equipment in a proficient and safe manner.
• Ability to perform heavy manual labor tasks requiring strength and coordination.
• Basic ability to read, understand, and implement construction drawings.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision, set priorities, and organize multiple work tasks.
• Ability to work in a team environment and effectively lead other staff, contractors, and/or volunteers.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Knowledge and ability to work on a computer to complete basic work tasks such as: create & send emails, open & modify word or excel documents, and perform basic internet searches. Basic to intermediate knowledge of Outlook, Excel, Word and the internet is desired.

Work Environment

Work is performed indoors and outdoors in all weather conditions and calls on the ability to perform strenuous physical tasks on a daily basis. The posture and movement requirement for this position are: sitting, walking, bending/stooping, twisting on a frequent basis and reaching forward and push/pulling of objects on a continuous basis. Position requires repetitive/constant bending of the arm and frequent grasping of hands. Work tasks require frequent lifting and carrying up to 24 pounds and occasional lifting up to 74 pounds. Driving is required for this position and staff must have the ability to use a variety of mowers, tractors, pickup trucks, ATVs, UTVs, and boats.

Exposures may include, but are not limited to changing weather conditions, uneven and/or slippery surfaces, dust, dirt, oil, grease, solvents, fumes, noise and all hazards associated with an equipment repair shop. Position requires sensory demands of hearing, speech, near & far vision, tactile, and spatial perception. Equipment used but not limited to include: hand and power tools, shovels, sledgehammer, post hole diggers, weed whips, ladders, wheelbarrows, personal computer, personal safety equipment and any of a large list of light and heavy equipment.

Since this is a safety sensitive position, the candidate must successfully pass a DOT drug test and DOT exam if offered the position. "Safety-sensitive position" means a position, including any supervisory or management position, in which impairment caused by drug, alcohol, or cannabis use would threaten the health and safety of any person as defined in Minnesota Statutes. Contact the Human Resources Office (651-438-4435) if you are in need of a full report of physical and occupational demands of the Park Keeper position.

Benefits

• Comprehensive and affordable medical, dental, vision, and other benefits
• Excellent work-life balance
• Generous paid time off (accrual rate starts at four weeks per year)
• Eleven paid holidays each year
• Pension with a generous employer contribution

Selection Process

• You submit an online application that includes supplemental questions
• We assign you a score based on your qualifications
• Top scoring candidates are referred to the hiring manager for interview consideration
• We conduct background and reference checks before hiring

Visit our Benefits site for more information.

01

• Applicants for this recruitment will be rated based on their answers to the supplemental questions listed below and application materials. It is IMPERATIVE that information provided on the application and resume are detailed and clearly outline your work experience & skills. They must also support and/or match answers to the supplemental questions. Please initial the box below to CONFIRM that the information provided is accurate and true to the best of your knowledge. Falsification may result in disqualification from consideration for this and subsequent recruitments with Dakota County for up to three years.

02

Please initial the box below to CONFIRM that you understand that a background check including but not limited to criminal, employment, driving, and educational check may be conducted upon acceptance of a position.

03

Please initial the box below to CONFIRM that you understand that a DOT drug & cannabis test and DOT physical will be conducted upon acceptance of a position.

04

Identify how you meet the minimum qualifications for this position:

• One year certificate/degree in Grounds Maintenance, Natural Resources, Landscape; Horticulture, Design and Construction, Park Maintenance, Architecture, or a closely related field AND Two years of grounds maintenance experience, such as turf maintenance, tree care, forestry, landscaping, snow removal, building and trail maintenance.
• Associates Degree in Grounds Maintenance, Natural Resources, Landscape; Horticulture, Design and Construction, Park Maintenance, Architecture, or a closely related field AND One year of grounds maintenance experience, such as turf maintenance, tree care, forestry, landscaping, snow removal, building and trail maintenance.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience to total 3 years. Experience must include grounds maintenance experience, such as turf maintenance, tree care, forestry, landscaping, snow removal, building and trail maintenance.

05

Select which best describes your highest level of education completed. Degree should be clearly listed on your application.

• Bachelors Degree or above
• Associates Degree
• Technical Certificate/Diploma
• High School Diploma or G.E.D.
• None of the above

06

Do you have a valid drivers license? If so, identify the license that you currently possess.

• I have a Class A Commercial license
• I have a Class B Commercial license
• I have a Class D license but ELIGIBLE to obtain a Class A Commercial license within 1 year.
• I have a Class D license but NOT ELIGIBLE to obtain a Class A Commercial license within 1 year.
• I dont have a valid drivers license

07

Identify your years of full-time related work experience in grounds and trail maintenance (E.g. turf management or grooming/plowing trails). You must only count the years completed. This experience must be listed on your application.

• Less than 1 year
• 1 year
• 2 years
• 3 years
• 4+ years
• No experience

08

Identify your years of full-time related work experience in landscaping and tree care (E.g. Tree planting, planter beds, mulching, pruning, stump grinding, or tree removals). You must only count the years completed. This experience must be listed on your application.

• Less than 1 year
• 1 year
• 2 years
• 3 years
• 4+ years
• No experience

09

Identify your years of full-time related work experience in park construction and landscape installation (E.g. decks, fences, retaining walls, or small sheds). You must only count the years completed. This experience must be listed on your application.

• Less than 1 year
• 1 year
• 2 years
• 3 years
• 4+ years
• No experience

10

Identify your years of full-time related work experience in snow removal (E.g. plowing of parking lots, trails, or sidewalks). You must only count the years completed. This experience must be listed on your application.

• Less than 1 year
• 1 year
• 2 years
• 3 years
• 4+ years
• No experience

11

Identify the equipment you have WORK EXPERIENCE using. (Check all that apply).

• Commercial lawn mowers and gas powered trimmers
• Powered custodial equipment, such as carpet extractor
• Ability to pull and back up a trailer
• Tractor with attachment
• Snow removal equipment
• Skid Steer
• Chainsaw
• None of the above

12

Do you have previous Park Maintenance work experience in a city, county, or state park organization? (Check all that apply)

• Yes, at Dakota County Parks and Open Spaces
• Yes, at a City/Metro Area Park organization in the State of Minnesota
• Yes, at a County Park organization in the State of Minnesota
• Yes, at a State Park organization in the State of Minnesota
• Yes, at a City, County or State Park organization outside of Minnesota
• No, I have not worked at a County Parks organization

13

What level of experience do you have applying pesticides?

• Have an applicator license
• Applied but not licensed
• None

14

Identify your experience with trail systems? (Check all that apply)

• Clearing land for the development of new trails
• Maintaining trails such as applying new gravel, trimming branches, and upkeep of markers/signs, etc...
• Plowing bituminous trails and grooming cross country trails
• No work experience with trails

15

Do you have experience plowing parking lots, trails, or access roads?

• Yes
• No

16

Do you possess basic computer skills, such as: keyboarding, emailing, word processing, spreadsheet, searching the internet, etc...?

• Yes
• No

17

The full salary range for this position is $52,326 - $81,760 and preferred hiring range is $52,326 - $65,408 annually. The amount that is offered is depended on the candidates overall skills, education, experience and internal equity. The offer would also include the Countys benefits package.

Taking that information into consideration, what would be the minimum salary (or salary range) youd accept if selected for the position?

18

Your response to this question will help Dakota County evaluate the effectiveness of recruitment sources for this specific position. Please select the one source that most closely describes how you first learned about this opportunity.

• Facebook
• Friend, Family or Colleague
• Indeed
• Job Fair or Dakota County Event
• Job Interest e-mails from Dakota County
• League of Minnesota Cities
• LinkedIn
• Diversityjobs.com
• Minnesotaworks.net
• Minnesota Association of Counties
• Monster
• Professional Association Website
• Referred by a Dakota County Employee
• College Website, Instructor, Career Services
• Dakota County Website
• Other

19

If you selected Other, please indicate where you heard about this opportunity with Dakota County.

Required Question

Employer Dakota County

Address Administration Center

1590 Highway 55

Hastings, Minnesota, 55033-2372

Phone 651.438.4435

Website http://dakotacountymn.gov