In a local, regional, or national park, a park superintendent may be in charge of a variety of activities. Among the possible responsibilities are coordinating ranger activities, planning and overseeing expansion projects and new education programs, and suggesting improvements. He or she may coordinate and oversee relief and recovery efforts when potentially dangerous or hazardous conditions arise. He or she may also be in charge of keeping records and preparing necessary reports.
One of the most important aspects of a park superintendent’s job is coordinating ranger activities. He or she is usually in charge of making sure that all aspects of care and management are taken care of. This person may also conduct specialized training programs and ensure that each ranger is handling responsibilities effectively in addition to assigning specific tasks to rangers.
Many parks are being expanded and new education programs are being added to achieve a variety of goals. This could include attracting new visitors or increasing the number of educational programs available to children. A park superintendent might look into these possibilities, write proposals, and supervise project work. These responsibilities are frequently delegated to others.
A park superintendent is generally responsible for suggesting improvements to those individuals who have the authority to authorize them, as changes to a park may be required over a number of years. This usually indicates that he or she is well-versed in the park in question, as well as what is working well and what could be improved. He or she would most likely benefit from being able to communicate clearly and effectively why these changes are necessary.
Unique situations arise in addition to the routine activities that a park superintendent may perform. Dangerous situations, such as forest fires or pollution, require someone in this position to be calm, focused, and knowledgeable about how to solve the problem successfully. He or she would usually oversee the efforts and act as a supervisor once a plan has been put in place.
While a park superintendent may have assistants to assist with paperwork and recordkeeping, he or she may also be in charge of specific records and reports. He or she may be in charge of end-of-year, attendance, and/or incident reports, among other things. These records may only require completion and filing, or they may require processing and reading by a board of directors or others.