Park Superintendent (#MGCG03)
$50,841.00 Yearly Min / $63,551.00 Yearly Mid / $76,261.00 Yearly Max

This class series uses six levels in the Agriculture, Natural Resources and Sciences occupational group, Natural Resources occupational series and describes work in the supervision, management and administration of the operations of the State of Delaware parks, greenways and nature preserves.

Essential functions are fundamental, core functions common to all positions in the class series and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all job duties for any one position in the class. Since class specifications are descriptive and not restrictive, incumbents can complete job duties of similar kind not specifically listed here.

• Schedules, assigns and reviews the work of full time and seasonal park staff.
• Plans and coordinates maintenance, visitor programs and services and fiscal administration to ensure all areas and facilities are functioning according to established standards.
• Assigns projects, reviews progress and coordinates staff activities to ensure visitor safety and satisfaction and accomplishment of park objectives.
• Develops and maintains effective working relationships with adjacent landowners, park volunteers, contractors, vendors, community groups, and park benefactors.
• Ensures public safety through regular inspection of park facilities and grounds and review of park law enforcement activity.
• Maintains and compiles fiscal and narrative records and reports.

Assistant Park Superintendent

This is the supervisory level assisting with the day-to-day planning and implementation of park activities.

• Reports to a Park Superintendent.
• Assists the Superintendent with the day-to-day maintenance, visitor programs and services and fiscal administration.
• Assumes full authority for all park activities in the absence of the Park Superintendent and reports to a Park Administrator.
• Develops and conducts interpretive/environmental education programs and recreational events.
• Assists park visitors and the public by providing information, first aid/emergency care and attention to concerns that may occur within or proximate to the park boundaries.

Park Manager

This is the management and supervisory level of state parks, greenways and nature preserves or use and operation of park special facilities and programs.

• Daily activities are carried out with limited supervision from an on-site Park Administrator.
• Manages all aspects of a park's day-to-day activities or special facilities, related events and educational/recreational/interpretative programs in one or more park locations.
• Works closely with the Park Administrator to develop and monitor the park's or special facilities operating and capital budgets, to develop mid to long range plans and to assess staffing needs.
• Develops and implements an effective maintenance program for equipment, grounds and facilities or develops and implements an effective management plan and policies for special facility operations.
• Oversees revenue collection, recording and deposit. Prepares grant requests and administers budget for special facilities.
• Recommends facility modifications and directs implementation of approved modifications.
• Negotiates contractual agreements for use, services and programs. Monitors contractual compliance of concessionaires through on-site inspections; negotiates correction of non-compliance. Alerts superior in the event of continued non-compliance.
• Serves on planning and policy committees, assists community groups with outdoor planning and project development. Recommends and implements policies pertaining to park or special facilities use.
• Analyzes proposed programs and events, considering audience, preparation time, equipment and materials, staffing, objectives, participant safety, impact on the resources and cost to revenue ratios.

Park Superintendent

This is the management and administrative level involving the conservation and use of state parks, greenways and nature preserves.

• Daily work is carried out with limited supervision from an off-site Park Administrator.
• Manages all aspects of a park's operations.
• Develops and justifies the park's operating and capital budget for review and approval by superior.
• Develops and implements an effective maintenance program for equipment, grounds and facilities.
• Analyzes park usage to plan park staffing, maintenance, expansion and modification.
• Monitors contractual compliance of concessionaires through on-site inspections. Negotiates correction of non-compliance. In the event of continued non-compliance, passes problem to Park Administrator.
• Increases park revenues through development and implementation of various recreation, interpretation and environmental education events.
• Serves on planning and policy committees, assists community groups with outdoor planning and project development. Develops and implements policies pertaining to park use.

Park Administrator I

This level manages a diverse program in support of state parks, greenways and nature preserves.

• Reports to the Park Operations Administrator and receives limited supervision.
• Responsibilities are statewide.
• Supervises professional, technical and support staff.
• Manages a diverse program that requires the integration of the principles and practices of environmental education, recreation, marketing, business management, safety and enforcement, engineering, life and social sciences to ensure growth, development and efficient operation of the state parks, greenways and nature preserves.
• Applies strong management skills and technical knowledge in several related program areas.
• Works with park management to define needs and provide guidance in the development of plans and implementation methods for improving park facilities, resource protection, maintenance, health/safety, education/interpretation and recreation.
• Coordinates with other state agencies, federal and local agencies to ensure visitor health and safety, ecologically correct management of natural resources and preservation of historic sites and cultural resources.
• Drafts laws, rules and regulations, policies and procedures.
• Develops financial resources through revenue generation including fees, contracts with vendors and concessionaires, grants, donations and sponsorships.
• Provides technical direction for management of natural and cultural resources.

Park Operations Administrator

This level manages and administers the daily operations and maintenance of all State Parks, nature preserves, and related facilities, which includes development, implementation and coordination of multiple programs.

• Reports to an administrative superior.
• Responsibilities are statewide.
• Supervises administrative, professional, technical and support staff.
• Manages multiple statewide programs that require integration of the principles and practices of environmental education, recreation, marketing, business management, safety and enforcement, engineering, life and social sciences to ensure growth, development and efficient operation of the state parks, nature preserves and related facilities.
• Applies strong management skills and technical knowledge in multiple program areas.
• Supervises all park field management and maintenance and coordinates with other program managers to define needs and to provide guidance in the development of plans and implementation methods for improving park facilities, resource protection, maintenance, health/safety, education/interpretation and recreation.
• Coordinates with other state agencies, federal and local agencies is required to ensure visitor health and safety, ecologically correct management of natural resources and preservation of historic sites and cultural resources.
• Develops, drafts and implements program policies, procedures and administrative recommendations for the use and management of all state park facilities and lands which requires coordination with other state, federal or national organizations.
• Develops and recommends changes to park rules and regulations, rates, fees and charges; reviews and drafts legislation.
• Represents and acts on behalf of the division before a variety of public meetings, special events, special interest groups, constituent/visitor contacts, legislative inquiries and the media.

Park Administrator II

This level administers multiple programs and projects in a variety of functional areas.

• Reports to Division Director.
• Supervises directly and through subordinate managers, professional and administrative staff.
• Provides fiscal and administrative oversight and direct support to all parks management/staff.
• Plans, directs, coordinates, controls, and evaluates operations in a variety of statewide functional areas.
• Develops and analyzes operating and capital budgets.
• Directs the implementation of multiple and diverse programs and projects with multiple funding or revenue sources.
• Works closely with Division Director, the General Assembly, other state agencies, local and federal agencies, and the private sector to coordinate and achieve mutual goals and objectives.

The intent of the listed knowledge, skills and abilities is to give a general indication of the core requirements for all positions in the class series; therefore, the KSA's listed are not exhaustive or necessarily inclusive of the requirements of every position in the class.

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of parks and recreation management.
• Knowledge of supervisory techniques.
• Knowledge of state and park laws, rules and regulations.
• Knowledge of park resources, natural, cultural and historical.
• Ability to recognize and mediate diverse and conflicting priorities.
• Ability to keep accurate and complete records.
• Ability to assign projects and evaluate results.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships.
• Ability to operate various maintenance equipment, boats and motor vehicles.
• Ability to communicate effectively

In addition to the above knowledge, skills and abilities, the Park Manager requires:

• Knowledge of the methods and techniques of grounds and/or facility operation and maintenance.
• Knowledge of state budget and fiscal policies and practices.
• Knowledge of contract negotiation techniques and contract administration.
• Ability to analyze program costs and develop fee schedules.
• Ability to plan, prioritize, and organize.
• Ability to solve problems, handle emergency situations and recognize and mediate adverse situations.
• Ability to conduct park interpretation, environmental education and recreation programs.

In addition to the above knowledge, skills and abilities, the Park Superintendent requires:

• Knowledge of Department and Division policies, procedures, goals and objectives.
• Knowledge of federal and state fiscal policies and practices.
• Knowledge of human resource management.
• Ability to draft, justify and administer operating budget.

In addition to the above knowledge, skills and abilities, the Park Administrator I requires:

• Knowledge of principles and practices of park management and public recreation.
• Knowledge of state and federal laws, rules and regulations applicable to state owned or managed lands.
• Knowledge of program planning, development, implementation and evaluation.
• Knowledge of the methods and techniques for revenue generation.
• Skill in management of resources, operations and programs.
• Ability to plan, develop and implement various recreation programs.
• Ability to plan, develop and implement various educational, interpretative, and natural resource management programs.
• Ability to identify and resolve conflicting priorities.
• Ability to organize and oversee a diverse program to accomplish goals and objectives.

In addition to the above knowledge, skills and abilities, the Park Operations Administrator requires:

• Skill in the management of multiple state parks, greenways and natural preserves.
• Ability to coordinate the operation of multiple programs to accomplish goals and objectives.

In addition to the above knowledge, skills and abilities, the Park Administrator II requires:

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of financial administration.
• Skill in effective communications.
• Skill in administering multiple diverse programs and projects impacting statewide operations.
• Ability to communicate effectively with staff of state, local and federal agencies, and various elected/appointed officials.

JOB REQUIREMENTS for Park Superintendent
Applicants must have education, training and/or experience demonstrating competence in each of the following areas:

1. Three years experience working in natural resources, parks, historic sites or recreation.
2. One year experience managing diverse activities in support of operational, project or program services.
3. One year experience in planning, developing and implementing educational or recreational programs or special events.
4. One year experience in staff supervision which includes planning, assigning, reviewing, and evaluating the work of others.
5. Six months experience in budget management and control which includes managing a budget for the purpose of keeping expenditures within the limitations of available appropriations and available revenue and maintaining, monitoring, projecting and controlling a budget within set policies and procedures.
6. Six months experience in contract management and control which includes ensuring compliance with terms of contracts; negotiating changes to existing contracts.