DNR Parks And Recreation News

What’s Happening In Wisconsin's State Parks, Forests, Trails And Recreation Areas

Photo Credit: Dave Lindsley

Join Us! LTE Seasonal Positions Available

Ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes at your favorite state property? Now’s your chance to find out! The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is currently hiring limited term employment (LTE) seasonal positions around the state. Most positions start this spring and extend through Labor Day or later. Below are the available LTE seasonal positions along with their descriptions.

Find position openings near you by visiting Wisc.Jobs and searching "Park" and "Parks." Also utilize the "Search by Agency" dropdown menu and select "Dept. of Natural Resources." 

Park Ranger

Park Rangers are primarily responsible for facilitating customer service, facility and grounds maintenance and public safety within state-designated parks, forests, trails and other lands managed by the Wisconsin State Park System within the Bureau of Parks and Recreation Management.

Specifically, this position will provide recreation management, assistance with resource protection, as well as managing public safety through maintenance, facility management and administrative activities within the assigned area. This position will maintain internal and external partnerships to include local government, local interests and other key stakeholders to establish and promote management, public safety and contribute to protection goals. The position will assist with outreach, promotion and public relations for the property. 

Park Ranger – Campground Attendant

Park Ranger – Campground Attendants are primarily responsible for facilitating customer service, facility and grounds maintenance and public safety within state-designated campgrounds managed by the Wisconsin State Park System within the Bureau of Parks and Recreation Management.

Specifically, this position will provide recreation management, assistance with resource protection, as well as managing public safety through maintenance, facility management and administrative activities within the assigned area. This position will maintain internal partnerships to include key stakeholders to establish and promote management, public safety and contribute to protection goals. The position will assist with outreach, promotion and public relations for the property.

This a unique opportunity where Park Ranger – Campground Attendants are required to live onsite in a campground in a camping unit that they provide. This position was formally called Campground Manager.

Park Ranger – Recreation Operations

This position will provide recreation management, assistance with resource protection, as well as managing public safety through maintenance, facility management and administrative activities within the assigned recreation area.

This position will maintain internal and external partnerships to include local government, local interests and other key stakeholders as appropriate to establish and promote management, public safety and contribute to protection goals.

Recreation Operations type Park Rangers typically work on other state properties outside of the usual State Parks, State Forests and State Recreation Areas

Visitor Services Associate

Visitor Services Associates are responsible for greeting park visitors, selling vehicle admission passes, registering campers, fielding questions about the park or property and recreation opportunities, along with a variety of other administrative and financial duties. 

Natural Resources Educator

Natural Resources Educators provide onsite educational programs and activities to organized school, social and other groups as well as the general public visiting the property. This includes developing and distributing publications, signage and other materials. In addition, this position will assist with outreach, promotion and public relations for the property. 

Assistant Naturalist Guide

Assistant Naturalist Guides conduct interpretive and education programs to interpret property natural and cultural resources, teach outdoor skills and encourage resource stewardship. This includes developing programs, displays, exhibits and other presentation methods for visitors, school groups and other community/volunteer associations. 

Park Technician/Recreation Operations Technician

Facilities Repair Workers are responsible for a combination of general maintenance and repair work, outdoor maintenance and grounds-keeping work. Recreation Operation Technicians often operate machinery such as UTVs, skid steers, chainsaws, hand tools, power tools, mowers, equipment transport and other motorized vehicles. Park Technicians typically work on State Park, State Forest and State Recreation properties. Recreation Operations Technicians typically work as a mobile crew on other state properties. 

Park Technician Advanced/Recreation Operations Technician Advanced

Park Technician Advanced/Recreation Operations Technician Advanced positions perform a combination of general maintenance and repair work of a semi-skilled nature to various building types and equipment, including but not limited to park buildings, electrical, plumbing, power tools and vehicles. Work at this level is more complex in nature than the entry-level position and this position may occasionally direct and coordinate the work of other facilities repair workers, inmates, students or Limited Term Employees on projects, but is not considered a lead worker. In addition, this position may perform limited trades work below the journeyman level. Park Technicians work on State Park, State Forest and State Recreation properties. Recreation Operations Technicians typically work as a mobile crew on other state properties.

Grounds Keeper

Grounds Keepers are responsible for providing maintenance support throughout the property. This involves working outdoors and includes the inspection, cleaning and grounds-keeping of buildings, facilities, campgrounds, day-use and picnic areas throughout the property. Laborers often operate machinery such as UTVs, ATVs, chainsaws, snowmobiles, hand tools, power tools, mowers, tractors and other motorized vehicles.  

Staff Spotlight: Drew Hanson

Drew Hanson, Parks and Recreation Management Recreation Liaison

As children, we aim big when it comes to our career aspirations. Some of us quite literally shoot for the moon with dreams of becoming an astronaut; others picture themselves a movie star on the silver screen.

For Drew Hanson, a Parks and Recreation Management recreation liaison for the Wisconsin State Park System, a childhood dream of working for a favorite sports team paved the way for what is today a fulfilling career in the outdoor industry.

“For a period while I was a kid, I wanted to be the team statistician for the Packers” recalls Drew. “Early in my career, I decided it might serve me better to apply that knack for trivia and factoids to trails.”

Drew grew up in rural northeast Wisconsin where his family spent a lot of time outdoors. “We did a lot outside,” he explains. “Not exclusively, but outdoor activities were most memorable.”

Childhood trips to Alaska, camping along the Peshtigo River and a 50-mile hike across Isle Royale further inspired a young Hanson to pursue a career protecting natural places.   

As a lover of public lands, it’s no surprise that Drew says his favorite part of the job is his role in helping to add acres or miles to the public outdoor recreation opportunities in Wisconsin.

Much like the environmental steward Gaylord Nelson with whom he once dined, Drew’s dedication to protecting outdoor spaces is evident when he recalls his most memorable accomplishments. Pointing out that acquiring public land is always a team effort, Drew notes his role in the Ice Age Trail acquisitions of the 430-acre Swamplovers property near Cross Plains and 2,100-acre Great Addition purchase in 1999 as two especially rewarding examples.

For anyone looking for a hiking recommendation, Drew would suggest the two National Scenic Trails found in Wisconsin, the Ice Age Trail and North Country Trail – both are also dual designated State Trails. Although he might be a bit biased, as these are the trails he works with most often in his role as Recreation Liaison.

Interested in exploring the Ice Ace Trail, North Country Trail or other Wisconsin State Trails? You can learn more about this statewide network of recreation corridors on our trails page.

Staff Spotlight: Samantha Lindquist

Samantha Lindquist, Kettle Moraine State Forest – Northern Unit Superintendent

Our imaginations can take us to all sorts of amazing places. For many, daydreams of journeys to enchanted places like lush woodlands and picture-perfect rolling hills distract from the everyday.

For Kettle Moraine State Forest – Northern Unit superintendent Samantha Lindquist, these things ARE her every day. Although Samantha did not set out for a career in the state park system, the role fits her like a glass slipper. As the superintendent of the largest unit of the Kettle Moraine State Forest, Samantha and her team manage over 100 facilities, dozens of miles of hiking, biking and equestrian trails, several campgrounds and more throughout the over 30,000-acre state forest.    

With 15 years of experience in natural resource management, Samantha has conquered a wide range of challenges in her career.

“In the ever-evolving nature of my role and autonomy, I have to think outside the box and implement new ideas, which ensures I am always learning,” explains Samantha. “This constant growth keeps me motivated and encourages innovation within my team.” Without missing a beat, she adds, “I would be amiss to not mention that working alongside my talented team of parkies and colleagues is truly rewarding.”

When she’s not sneaking away for a moment of quiet at Butler Lake, Samantha spends her time as half of a mother-daughter duo. As a role model to her daughter, Samantha stands in good company with some of Disney’s most fearless princesses. As one of 30 women who hold a supervisory role within the Wisconsin State Park System, Samantha also inspires a future generation of property managers to pursue their goals.

We asked Samantha how she recommends visitors spend a day exploring the Kettle Moraine State Forest-Northern Unit, but her list was so long that we will sum it up with – do it all!

Set off on your own journey to explore the enchanting Kettle Moraine – Northern Unit by visiting the property webpage.

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