What are the Different Park Manager Jobs?

The type of park manager jobs available depend heavily upon the type of park in which the manager will work. Generally speaking, however, much of the duties will be the same regardless of the venue: the park manager jobs will focus on overseeing employees who will maintain the park, including the grounds, buildings, pathways, trails, roads, and so on. Further, some park manager jobs will require the candidate to manage a park budget, payroll for employees, and other clerical or managerial duties.

Park manager jobs are available in a variety of parks, including R.V. parks, camping areas, state parks, national parks, and local and community parks. Some of these park manager jobs will require to live on-site, as R.V. parks and campsites often do. In such cases, the park manager is responsible for making sure all recreationalists using the park have paid to be there if applicable, there are no disturbances among the users of the park, and all emergency situations get handled appropriately.

State and national parks are usually run by government agencies and may require additional qualifications before a candidate can become a park manager. At the state level, parks are often run by the Army Corps of Engineers, and a different set of criteria may be necessary for fulfillment in order to work as a park manager or ranger. The National Park Service runs the national parks in the United States, and the application process can be rigorous. Additional qualifications, such as a bachelor's degree or specific experience in conservancy, engineering, or other related fields may be necessary. Other parks, such as local conservancies, can be run by private groups that have a select set of criteria a candidate must meet to be qualified to become the park manager. Some conservancies serve a particular purpose — a bird conservancy, for example — and the park manager should therefore have related experience or expertise.

In order to make oneself more marketable for such a managerial positions, a degree in Parks, Recreation and Tourism can help boost a resume. This degree prepares a candidate for conservancy activities, emergency situations, interactions with recreationalists, and other relevant activities and responsibilities a park manager will take on. While such a degree is not always necessary, it can be helpful when searching for a job. Other courses, such as a first aid class or CPR class, will almost always be necessary to obtain such a position.