Park & Recreation Utility Craftsman

Join the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation as our East Region Utility Craftsman, based in Idaho Falls.
This is more than just a job. It’s a chance to blend your craftsmanship with your love for Idaho’s great outdoors.

As an important member of our regional maintenance crew, you'll report directly to the Recreation Site Maintenance Foreman and play a critical role in supporting state parks across eastern Idaho. Your work will take you to some of the most scenic and iconic locations in the region, including Harriman, Henry’s Lake, Land of the Yankee Fork, Bear Lake, Castle Rocks, Lake Walcott, and Idaho’s newest state park near Salmon, Twin Peaks Ranch. In this role, you’ll typically work ten-hour shifts, Monday through Thursday. Depending on the project and travel needs, you can expect to stay overnight about 50% to 70% of the time, with travel and accommodations provided by the State.

This position is ideal for a versatile, hands-on professional who thrives in the trades. Whether you're constructing or remodeling facilities, operating heavy equipment, reading blueprints, your skills will support the infrastructure that makes Idaho’s parks safe and welcoming. You'll perform a wide range of duties including concrete work, carpentry, steel fabrication & erection, plumbing, electrical maintenance, landscaping, and equipment servicing. In addition, you'll take on leadership responsibilities, providing directions to project assistants, maintaining records, and occasionally advising other agencies.

Housing is available for this position.

If you're a skilled tradesperson who enjoys variety, takes pride in quality work, and finds joy in working outdoors, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to align your career with your passion. Each park you visit will become part of your legacy. Every trail and structure will be a reflection of your work.
Come join us and turn your workday into an adventure!

For questions about this position, please contact East Region Recreation Site Maintenance Foreman Brad Gilmer:

• Phone: ( 208) 680-4752
• Email: brad.gilmer@idpr.idaho.gov

EXAMPLE OF DUTIES

• Constructs buildings, storage sheds, garages, and similar structures.
• Operates heavy equipment such as front-end loaders, backhoes, dump trucks, tractor/trailer transports, forklifts, and rollers.
• Reads and interprets blueprints; prepares material take-offs based on plans.
• Builds concrete forms; places, finishes, and repairs concrete; performs landscaping tasks.
• Maintains and repairs plumbing fixtures, irrigation systems, pump stations, pipes, sinks, lavatories, septic tanks, and basic electrical systems (e.g., wiring, lights, ballasts, switches, and receptacles).
• Performs minor engine and motor repairs, as well as routine equipment maintenance.
• Maintains records and prepares reports on project progress.
• Repairs and patches roads, including grading gravel roads and working with asphalt and cement surfaces.
• May be required to work with or around hazardous materials.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• This position is subject to pre-employment drug screening.
• Employees in this role are also subject to drug and alcohol testing throughout employment, including random, post-accident, reasonable suspicion testing, etc., in accordance with federal regulations.
• This position may require travel away from home for extended periods, working in all weather conditions, and/or wearing a respirator for prolonged periods.
• Work schedules may vary based on department needs and may include four ten-hour shifts or five eight-hour shifts.
• This position involves physical activities associated with construction work, including lifting and carrying items weighing up to approximately 100 pounds, bending, stooping, and working at heights up to approximately 50 feet.
• Depending on department needs, registration as a plumbing or electrical apprentice may be required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Must possess and maintain a valid and unrestricted state issued driver's license.
• Must possess, or be willing and able to obtain, a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) within 60 days of hire and maintain it as a condition of continued employment.
• Good knowledge of construction and building trades work. Typically gained by successful completion of a journeyman-level apprenticeship program in construction or a specific building trade (e.g., electrical, plumbing, carpentry, masonry, HVAC), or two to four years of full-time, mid-level work experience performing skilled trade tasks under minimal supervision in a construction or facilities maintenance setting. This qualification may also be met through a combination of related coursework (such as upper-division college classes or vocational, technical, military, or community-based training in construction methods, safety standards, and materials) and hands-on experience that demonstrates a solid working knowledge of construction principles and practices.
• Experience operating and maintaining equipment associated with construction and building trades and grounds maintenance. Typically gained by experience operating light equipment such as trucks, mowers, tractors, or farm equipment, and performing normal maintenance of equipment such as checking oil, water, fluids, and servicing.
• Experience placing and finishing concrete; performing rough and finish carpentry; performing maintenance plumbing and maintenance electrical work; and reading/interpreting plans and blueprints. Typically gained by at least four years of work experience in residential or commercial construction at the journey level placing and finishing concrete, performing rough and finish carpentry, performing maintenance plumbing and maintenance electrical work, AND reading/interpreting plans and blueprints.
• Experience using and maintaining construction and building trades hand and power tools. Typically gained by experience using and maintaining a variety of hand and power tools commonly associated with construction trades.

Preferred candidates will have welding experience and/or experience operating heavy excavation type equipment such as dozers, graders, excavators, backhoes, front end loaders and dump trucks.

DO WHAT YOU LOVE, LOVE WHAT YOU DO

WHY IDPR? We are innovators in outdoor recreation, committed to excellent service and resource stewardship. We foster experiences that renew the human spirit and promote community vitality. Our mission is to improve the quality of life in Idaho through outdoor recreation and resource stewardship. IDPR manages 30 state parks, trails and attractions throughout every region of Idaho and the registration programs for boats, snowmobiles and other off-highway vehicles (OHV). Money from these registration programs goes back to users to develop and maintain trails, facilities and programs. IDPR also provides free education courses for boaters and OHV operators. To learn more about Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation please visit : https://parksandrecreation.idaho.gov/

BENEFITS: We offer a competitive benefits package which includes excellent medical, dental and vision insurance. There is generous vacation and sick leave accrual that begins as soon as you start. There are ten paid holidays in a year; participation in one of the Nation's best state retirement systems; multiple saving plans and optional 401K; life insurance; wellness programs; ongoing training opportunities and more. For additional information related to benefits and/or State programs, please visit: https://dhr.idaho.gov/information-for-state-employees/ .

EEO/ADA/Veteran: The State of Idaho is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities and prohibit discrimination against all individuals based on their race, color, religion, political affiliation or belief, sex, national origin, genetics, or any other status protected under applicable federal, state, or local laws.

The State of Idaho is committed to access and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities, auxiliary aids and services are available upon request. If you require an accommodation at any step in our recruitment process, you are encouraged to contact (208) 334-2263 (TTY/TTD: 711), or email ada.coordinator@dhr.idaho.gov.

Preference may be given to veterans who qualify under state and federal laws and regulations.