Spotlights
Park Superintendent, Park Operations Manager, Park Director, Park Administrator, Park Supervisor, Park Coordinator, Park Facilities Manager, Park Conservation Manager, Park Recreation Manager, Park Services Manager, Theme Park Director
When the daily grind starts to stress us out, we seek peace and refuge at our local and national parks. These public spaces can vary greatly in size, with the largest (by far) being Alaska’s 13.2-million-acre Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve. Whether big or small, all parks require regular upkeep to maintain their aesthetic beauty and ensure the safety of visitors as well as wildlife inhabitants. The people charged with these tasks are called Park Managers!
Of course, Park Managers can’t do it all alone. They oversee employees and volunteers who work to maintain the park grounds and any permanent facilities or structures present on the land. Many parks feature play structures, restrooms, campsites, or even visitor centers that must be staffed and managed. There may also be park access to rivers, lakes, and other bodies of water, which can increase the manager’s scope of responsibilities!
- Getting to spend time outdoors in beautiful settings, working with nature
- Giúp duy trì không gian công cộng nơi mọi người có thể đến để thư giãn
- Góp phần vào chủ nghĩa môi trường bằng cách bảo vệ môi trường sống tự nhiên
Lịch làm việc
- Park Managers work at least full-time, with overtime possible when problems arise such as damage or safety concerns. The job entails lots of standing, walking, or kneeling. Expect exposure to various climate conditions, including heat, humidity, dampness, rain, and storms. Park Managers face the risk of encounters with wildlife. Travel may be necessary if assigned to manage multiple parks.
Nhiệm vụ tiêu biểu
- Oversee maintenance and operations of parks, campgrounds, and facilities for recreational, educational, and professional use
- Ensure visitor safety, comfort, and enjoyment to include suitable recreational activities and access to walking paths
- Monitor proper fencing off of restricted areas such as hazardous cliffs or places where animals may dwell
- Safeguard and preserve natural habitats, landmarks, or archaeological sites in accordance with local, state, or federal mandates. Posts proper signage and warnings
- Protect wildlife and conservation areas from undue disturbance by visitors. Engage with conservation agencies, wildlife biologists, foresters, and other experts
- Give special attention to areas listed on the National Register of Historic Places and to Threatened and Endangered animals and plants
- Protect natural bodies of water from visitor pollution
- Manage budgets, establish short and long-term goals, and generate action plans to boost revenue
- Stay in communication with employees reporting conditions and status updates from other stations
- Review receipts and vouchers, proposed purchases, inventory lists, and plans for renovations, upgrades, or other construction
- Collaborate with stakeholders, designers, and engineers on construction planning. Ensure suitable equipment is used and environmental impacts are minimized
- Maintain community relations with volunteers groups; serve as the public representative of the park
- Liaison as needed with appropriate governmental agencies such as the Natural Resource Conservation Service
- Negotiate and review agreements and contracts with contractors, vendors, concessionaires, and farmers
- Schedule inspections of campgrounds, boat ramps, picnic areas, and other sites
- Maintain oversight of equipment and vehicle fleets
- Ensure adequate utilities such as water, heating, cooling, power, trash collection, and Internet service
- Review educational and cultural programs and activities offered
Trách nhiệm bổ sung
- Phục vụ như liên lạc với các cơ quan thực thi pháp luật và những người ứng phó đầu tiên khẩn cấp. Hướng dẫn các nỗ lực ứng phó, khi cần thiết
- Manage, train, and supervise assigned staff members, seasonal workers, and volunteers. Oversee processes for allowing incarcerated individuals assigned to work details
- Tổ chức hoặc giúp đỡ với các sự kiện, tour du lịch và hoạt động
- Chia sẻ thông tin với công chúng thông qua cập nhật trang web, bài đăng trên phương tiện truyền thông xã hội, nhà mở, tờ rơi và thông báo công khai
- Trả lời yêu cầu từ công chúng qua email, điện thoại hoặc bằng văn bản
- Aid with Geographic Information System (GIS) and Global Positioning System (GPS) results
- Thực thi chính sách của công viên và đưa ra trích dẫn vi phạm
Kỹ năng mềm
- Phân tích
- Ý thức về ngân sách
- Kỹ năng phối hợp và hướng dẫn
- Định hướng chi tiết
- Sáng kiến
- Tính toàn vẹn
- Kỹ năng lãnh đạo và quản lý
- Kỹ năng tổ chức
- Kiên nhẫn
- Thực tiễn
- Quan hệ công chúng
- Tư duy đảm bảo chất lượng
- Đáng tin cậy
- Tháo vát
- Phán đoán và ra quyết định đúng đắn
- Strong communication skills, including active listening and negotiation
Kỹ năng kỹ thuật
- Basic knowledge of budgeting, accounting, bookkeeping, records management, and office applications such as Microsoft Suite
- Familiarity with common heavy machinery and equipment used in parks and nature preserves
- Familiarity with contracts and agreements
- First aid, CPR, and emergency management and response
- Knowledge of animal and plant diseases and pest management
- Knowledge of human resources, payroll, worker rights, applicable safety standards and regulations, and facilities management
- Knowledge of irrigation systems, fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides (and their safe application), and general horticulture
- Knowledge of natural science and applicable conservation practices
- Kỹ năng quản lý dự án
- Stamina
- Local, state, and national parks
Park Managers are entrusted with both public safety and the preservation of natural habitats. They must ensure visitors have safe, pleasant experiences while minimizing a human impact on local plant and animal species. Many parks feature play areas for children, with structures such as swings, slides, jungle gyms, and other equipment that must be vigilantly maintained to protect users from injury.
Meanwhile, parks with camping sites bear an inherent risk of wildfires, as many campers are negligent and leave fires unattended or discard burning cigarettes. The National Park Service notes that 85% of wildland fires are caused by humans. These devastating incidents wipe out millions of acres as well as millions of animals every year. From 2021-2022, “wildfires accounted for over $11.2 billion in damage across the United States,” per Bankrate. Park Managers often have limited control over such occurrences, but they must do everything in their power to prevent them.
You might not realize it, but there’s a lot going on in the world of parks and parks management! In urban areas, rising heat levels are being combated by incorporating parks and other green spaces. Meanwhile, the industry has been impacted by the loss of many part-time staff and other workers leaving crucial positions unfilled.
More and more, technology is finding its way into parks (as it does with every aspect of our lives!). From wheeled robots delivering food to commercial drones scouting out hard-to-access areas, there’s apparently no escaping tech!
Two major acts of government are behind many changes in the field—the Great American Outdoors Act in 2020, which “permanently funds the Land and Water Conservation Act at $900 million annually” and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, providing billions of dollars for “land acquisition, park and recreation planning, and infrastructure maintenance, repair, and development.”
Park Managers come from all sorts of backgrounds! Many spent their childhoods playing outdoors, often visiting parks and campgrounds with their families. However, some rarely set foot in parks yet has a keen interest in public safety, recreation, environmentalism, plants, and wildlife.
It takes a broad range of skills to effectively manage a park, especially a very large one or one that features facilities, water access, camping spots, or inherent risks such as dangerous animals living within the vicinity where the public has access. Park Managers must be extremely reliable and responsible individuals, which are traits they likely developed early on at school or at home.
- Park Managers usually have a bachelor’s degree in park and recreation management, natural resource management, earth sciences, or natural sciences
- Other common majors include law enforcement, business, management, and accounting
- Some students are able to land jobs with only an associate’s degree, but they may have ample prior work experience or may have climbed the ladder up from other positions
- Practical experience from related work history is often necessary. This includes management, human resources, payroll, and supervisory experience
- Many Park Managers are also Certified Management Accountants
- Training in First Aid, CPR, and AED is generally beneficial
- Common physical requirements include the ability to stand, walk, bend, and kneel for long periods
- A current driver’s license is a typical requirement
- Certs offered by the Hiệp hội Công viên và Giải trí Quốc gia can give you a competitive boost:
- Aquatic Facility Operator Certification
- Certified Park and Recreation Executive
- Certified Park and Recreation Professional
- Certified Playground Safety Inspector Certification
- Kiểm tra tỷ lệ tốt nghiệp và cố gắng tìm thông tin từ cựu sinh viên. Xem họ đang làm gì, sau khi tốt nghiệp!
- Xem xét chi phí học phí, giảm giá và các cơ hội học bổng địa phương (ngoài viện trợ liên bang)
- Hãy suy nghĩ về lịch trình và sự linh hoạt của bạn, khi quyết định đăng ký vào một chương trình trong khuôn viên trường, trực tuyến hay kết hợp
- Park Managers should have a good understanding of natural sciences, including geology, biology, botany, zoology, and microbiology
- They also need basic math and accounting skills, strong communications skills, and experience with project and personnel management
- To hone soft skills such as leadership and management, volunteer for extracurricular activities
- Learn about finances and budgeting by serving as a treasurer for clubs in school
- Read articles and watch videos related to parks, wildlife and plant species, common equipment used, worker and visitor safety standards, and common hazards
- Decide what type of park you want to start with. It’s common to begin a career overseeing several small parks before trying to tackle a massive national park!
- Talk to your local city parks department and request tours or informational interviews with managers or staff
- Volunteer or apply for part-time or seasonal work at a wide range of park types and sizes to learn the ropes
- Managers need to have a good grasp of all the basic tasks being performed by workers, as well as all the activities that visitors may be involved with. Try to get experience in as many areas as possible
- Nếu theo học một chương trình đại học, hãy tìm kiếm cơ hội thực tập!
- Soạn thảo một sơ yếu lý lịch làm việc để theo dõi công việc và thành tích học tập của bạn
- Some Park Managers move up from other positions held at the park(s) where they work. Others are hired if they have the right mix of academic credentials and work experience
- Having such a bachelor’s can help qualify you to manage larger parks, but many workers get started with an associate’s
- Practical park-related work experience is crucial, but leadership, management, business, or accounting roles can also qualify you for certain positions
- Look for job postings on portals such as Indeed.com and the career pages of America’s State Parks and the National Park Service
- GovernmentJobs và VIỆC LÀM TẠI HOA KỲ list many public sector job openings
- You can also search the web for the name of your town or city’s official parks and recreation website
- Do a Google Maps search of parks near you. Zoom out to see more, and make a list of them. Then check out their websites to see if they might list job opportunities that aren’t advertised on other sites
- Ask your college program faculty and career center if they know of openings or have connections in the industry
- Xin phép trước từ bất kỳ ai mà bạn dự định liệt kê làm tài liệu tham khảo cá nhân
- Thực hiện các cuộc phỏng vấn giả với bạn bè và ăn mặc phù hợp cho các cuộc phỏng vấn xin việc
- Park Managers can move up by assuming responsibility over more or larger parks, sometimes while staying with the same employer
- In some cases, you have to switch employers or move to a different state to advance your career!
- Nếu bạn có bằng cử nhân, hãy cân nhắc học thạc sĩ hoặc chứng chỉ để chuyên sâu hơn trong lĩnh vực của bạn
- Apply for relevant certifications such as the Institute of Management Accountants’ Kế toán quản lý được chứng nhận or certs offered by the Hiệp hội Công viên và Giải trí Quốc giaNhư:
- Aquatic Facility Operator Certification
- Certified Park and Recreation Executive
- Certified Park and Recreation Professional
- Certified Playground Safety Inspector Certification
- Equity in Practice Certificate Programs
- Green Stormwater Infrastructure Certificate
- Marketing and Communication for Parks and Recreation Certificate 2022
- NRPA Leadership Certificate
- Xây dựng mối quan hệ bền chặt với các quan chức và cộng đồng địa phương, du khách, tình nguyện viên, các bên liên quan, nhà thầu và nhà cung cấp
- Luôn cập nhật những thay đổi trong ngành bao gồm các quy định sửa đổi, tiến bộ công nghệ và xu hướng. Đọc thông tin cập nhật từ Hiệp hội Công viên và Giải trí Quốc gia và các nguồn tin tức khác
- Take advantage of education and training opportunities through their various schools and programs
- Join professional organizations, attend events, offer to give lectures, and grow your network!
Các trang web
- Academy of Leisure Sciences
- Học viện Quản lý Công viên và Giải trí Hoa Kỳ
- Liên minh Sức khỏe, Giáo dục Thể chất, Giải trí và Khiêu vũ Hoa Kỳ
- American Association for Physical Activity and Recreation
- Hiệp hội Trại Hoa Kỳ
- American Heart Association
- Hội Chữ thập đỏ Hoa Kỳ
- American Therapeutic Recreation Association
- Công viên tiểu bang của Mỹ
- Cục Quản lý đất đai
- Cục Khai hoang
- Cơ quan bảo vệ môi trường
- Government Jobs
- Đạo luật ngoài trời vĩ đại của Mỹ
- High 5 Adventure
- Đạo luật Đầu tư Cơ sở hạ tầng và Việc làm
- Hiệp hội Quốc gia về Công viên và Giải trí Quận
- National Council on Therapeutic Recreation Certification
- Trường Lãnh đạo Ngoài trời Quốc gia (NOLS)
- Dịch vụ Công viên Quốc gia
- Hiệp hội Công viên và Giải trí Quốc gia
- Sổ đăng ký quốc gia về địa danh lịch sử
- Dịch vụ bảo tồn tài nguyên thiên nhiên
- Hiệp hội các chuyên gia giải trí ngoài trời
- Bộ Nội vụ Hoa Kỳ
- Dịch vụ Cá và Động vật hoang dã Hoa Kỳ
- VIỆC LÀM TẠI HOA KỲ
- Hiệp hội Giáo dục Hoang dã
- Tổ chức Giải trí Thế giới
Sách vở
- Introduction to Park Management, by Samuel V. Lankford
- Management of Park and Recreation Agencies, by NRPA
- Parks and Recreation System Planning: A New Approach for Creating Sustainable, Resilient Communities, by David Barth
- Protecting Yellowstone: Science and the Politics of National Park Management, by Michael J. Yochim
There are thousands of parks across America in need of highly-trained, enthusiastic Park Managers! But the job comes with a ton of responsibilities, including keeping visitors safe, protecting wildlife and plant species, preserving historic and cultural areas, and maintaining good relations with local communities. If you’re looking for a related career that requires a bit less juggling of duties, consider some of the following!
- Kỹ sư nông nghiệp
- Nhà nông học
- Community Support Specialist
- Nhà sinh thái học
- Nhà khoa học môi trường
- Nhà khoa học thủy sản
- Nhà làm vườn