JOB TITLE: PARK OPERATIONS MANAGER 2

JOB CODE: 54360

SERIES NATURE OF WORK: The Park Operations Manager job series describes managerial work overseeing state park operations for the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR).

DEFINITION: This is managerial work overseeing state park operations, maintenance, and related recreational and educational activities in a state park with budgetary and operational factors totaling a weighted point average of 635 or higher in the DCNR park weighting system; serving as an assistant regional manager overseeing a group of parks; or serving as a central office manager by developing, coordinating, and administering statewide park operations, resource management, or planning programs.

An employee in this job manages state park operations, including physical plant administration and maintenance, visitor services, safety, and environmental education; oversees state parks for a designated region of the state as an assistant regional manager; or manages and directs the administration of statewide park operations and maintenance for the bureau as a central officer manager. In a state park, work involves directing the maintenance of park grounds, structures, facilities, and equipment; recommending and implementing park operations policies; managing operational budgets; evaluating activities for compliance to park standards; managing concession, recreational, and educational activities to ensure optimum use of facilities; communicating with the public to exchange information; ensuring public compliance with park rules and regulations; and coordinating emergency response activities or search and rescue operations. In a regional office, work involves planning, directing, and supervising the administration, operation, and maintenance of state parks of varying weighted complexities within a geographical area; reviewing and making recommendations on proposed park rules, regulations, policies, and procedures; and working with senior management to improve park functions and services in the region. In central office, work involves managing operations, program services, and maintenance for the state park system; interacting with senior management to resolve complicated operational and facility management issues; providing park operational guidance to executive staff, individual state parks, and regional offices; developing park policies, procedures, and plans; managing the park equipment and supplies budget; and serving as a public relations contact for the most sensitive publicity issues. Work is assigned in the form of broad goals and objectives and is reviewed by a professional administrator for attainment of goals and objectives, completeness, and quality.

   DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

     • Positions appropriate to this job serve in one of the following capacities:

          o Independently manages a state park with budgetary and operational factors totaling a weighted point average of 635 and higher in the DCNR park weighting system.

          o Serves as an assistant regional manager overseeing administration and operations of a group of state parks in an assigned geographical area.

          o Serves as a central office manager directing the administration of statewide park operations and maintenance to ensure continuity and efficiency.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: (NOTE: The examples of work are representative of the work, but every position classified to this job may not perform all examples of work listed. Conversely, this is not an all-inclusive list of work examples.)

• Manages operations in the largest state parks or group of parks, including physical plant administration, maintenance, visitor services, safety, recreational planning and facility scheduling, and environmental education.

• Develops and manages statewide park operations programs and planning for the bureau to ensure effective operations of the entire state park system.

• Develops and recommends statewide operations fees, regulations, policies, procedures, guidelines, and standards for state parks.

• Evaluates effectiveness of state park and regional office programs, prepares reports of findings, makes recommendations for meeting established standards, and implements improvement guidelines.

• Develops guidelines to assist with planning and managing park resources according to individual park-specific needs, facilities, structures, and supported activities.

• Develops and reviews narrative, financial, and statistical reports to evaluate and recommend improvements for park operations.

• Represents DCNR executives to communicate state park interests in meetings with stakeholders and other state agencies.

• Determines purchasing and budgetary needs, prepares purchase and budget requests, and monitors expenditures according to the approved budget.

• Prepares contracts for park services such as garbage disposal, latrine pumping, plumbing, and electrical maintenance.

• Develops plans to remodel, construct, renovate, or repair park facilities and structures by determining equipment, supplies, and workforce needs; estimates costs of supplies, equipment, and payroll; and reviewing and commenting on plans for major park development or construction.

• Manages concessionaire and activity-related lease compliance by monitoring rental payments, conducting on-site inspections, and confirming required insurance coverage is maintained.

• Facilitates recreational and educational activity by preparing special use agreements, determining activities permitted and facilities available, and explaining park-provided services.

• Administers the security and visitor services program by answering questions from the public, ensuring park facilities are used in a safe manner, and monitoring adherence to park rules and regulations.

• Ensures all park grounds, structures, facilities, and equipment are properly maintained according to the park maintenance program.

• Participates on committees to study park issues, identify solutions, and recommend actions to leadership.

• Prepares letters, reports, and correspondence.

• Operates motor vehicles to travel to various work sites.

• Performs the full range of supervisory duties.

• Employees in this job may participate in the performance of their subordinates’ work consistent with operational or organizational requirements.

• Performs related work as required.

ENTRY LEVEL KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of park programs, regulations, policies, procedures, guidelines, and standards.

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of outdoor recreation.

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of park operations, maintenance, safety, and construction.

• Knowledge of the basic techniques, tools, and equipment used in the plumbing, electrical, and mechanical trades.

• Knowledge of the principles and practices used in construction project planning and management.

• Knowledge of budgeting principles and practices.

• Knowledge of the use and functionality of Microsoft Office Suite software.

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of employee supervision.

• Ability to read and interpret written material, including park management plans, agreements, regulations, policies, and procedures.

• Ability to perform math functions including addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.

• Ability to compile and analyze data and write reports of findings and recommendations.

• Ability to develop and deliver formal presentations.

• Ability to operate a motor vehicle.

• Ability to communicate effectively in writing.

• Ability to communicate effectively orally.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: (NOTE: Based on the Entry Level Knowledges, Skills, and Abilities)

• Two years of experience as a Park Operations Manager 1 (commonwealth title);

or

• Six years of professional experience in managing physical plant operations, visitor services, safety services, or environmental education in a federal, state, county, or municipal park or forest, that includes four years of supervisory experience; and a bachelor's degree in parks and recreation, forestry, engineering, natural sciences, landscape architecture, or a closely related field.

or

• Six years of professional experience managing physical plant operations, visitor services, safety services, or environmental education in a federal, state, county, or municipal park or forest, that includes four years of supervisory experience; and four years of paraprofessional or technical experience providing administrative, maintenance, visitor and safety, or environmental education services in a public park or recreation area;

or

• An equivalent combination of experience and training, that includes four years of professional supervisory experience managing physical plant operations, visitor services, safety services, or environmental education in a federal, state, county, or municipal park or forest.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• All positions require possession of an active motor vehicle license.

• All employees must pass psychological testing (Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI). Failure to pass this test is a basis for removal from the position.

• All employees must pass Pennsylvania State Police and FBI Criminal Background Checks. A record of conviction of a criminal offense for which more than one year in prison can be imposed as punishment is a basis for removal from the position.

• Employees in certain positions must obtain commission as a State Park Officer that includes powers of arrest and maintain this commission during employment in this job. Training will be provided by the Department.

• Employees in certain positions must obtain valid certification in standard first aid and adult, child, and infant CPR approved by the American Red Cross, American Heart Association, or equivalent. Training will be provided by the Department.