The types of park manager jobs that are available are largely determined the type of park where the manager will work. In general, however, much of the work will be the same regardless of the location: park managers will be in charge of supervising employees who will maintain the park’s grounds, buildings, pathways, trails, and roads, among other things. Additionally, some park manager jobs will require the candidate to manage a park budget, employee payroll, and other clerical or managerial responsibilities.
Park manager positions are available in R.V. parks, camping areas, state parks, national parks, and local and community parks, among others. Some of these park manager jobs will require you to live on-site, which is common in RV parks and campgrounds. In such cases, the park manager is responsible for ensuring that all park visitors have paid if applicable, that there are no disturbances among park visitors, and that all emergency situations are handled appropriately.
State and national parks are usually run government agencies, and becoming a park manager may require additional qualifications. Parks are frequently run the Army Corps of Engineers at the state level, and a different set of criteria may be required to work as a park manager or ranger. The National Park Service manages the country’s national parks, and the application process can be lengthy. Additional education or experience in conservation, engineering, or other related fields, such as a bachelor’s degree, may be required. Other parks, such as local conservancies, may be managed private organizations that have a set of criteria that a candidate must meet in order to be considered for the position of park manager. Some conservancies serve a specific purpose — for example, a bird conservancy — and the park manager should have relevant experience or expertise.
A degree in Parks, Recreation, and Tourism can help boost a resume and make one more marketable for such managerial positions. This degree prepares candidates for conservation activities, emergency situations, interactions with recreationalists, and other activities and responsibilities that a park manager will be responsible for. While a bachelor’s degree isn’t always required, it can be advantageous when looking for work. Other courses, such as a first aid or CPR class, will almost always be required in order to obtain such a job.