Current Position: Visitor Services Manager at Eldorado Canyon State Park
How long have you been with Colorado State Parks?
Almost 6 years in my current position at Eldorado. My job entails: managing all aspects of the Visitor Center (information desk and bookstore); overseeing the interpretive and educational programs, as well as creating and presenting educational programs; act as the volunteer program manager, recruiting, interviewing, supervising, training, and recognizing volunteers; marketing and outreach responsibilities include: creating brochures, fliers, and other materials; writing press releases; creating, organizing, and/or promoting special events; I manage all aspects of the annual photography contest; I serve on a number of State Park committees and act as a trainer for statewide interpretive and volunteer trainings; I am a Project WILD, Learning Tree, WET, and FLP, facilitator; I am active on a number of committees with the Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education, including acting as an environmental education resource reviewer; and my administrative duties include acting as the park webmaster, updating the website and answering the park’s e-mail; paying bills and managing the budget tracking system; processing seasonal timesheets and hiring paperwork; and processing required forms for park events/trainings and/or specific purchases.
How did you become interested in working in your current position?
I majored in Environmental Studies in college and knew I should volunteer or obtain a job in the environmental field in order to gain experience. I interviewed for a volunteer position at a local city park and ended up being offered a summer job working as an educational aide for their summer nature day camp for children 2nd – 8th grade. Hence, my love of and interest in environmental education (EE) was born! I knew I wanted to work in EE but wasn’t sure what it would look like – I think I always envisioned working for a non-profit (which I did as an intern after college).
I eventually moved to Colorado (went to college in Florida) and looked for any and every opportunity for environmental jobs. After much disappointment with the lack of jobs in the field, I ended up accepting a position with the State of Colorado in the Department of Education as an administrative assistant. I was not exactly happy in the job and so kept my eye on other opportunities, particularly with the State, and eventually saw an opening for my current position. What appealed to me about this job was, #1 – it was located in a park (and after 2 years in a tiny cubicle with no window that sounded pretty nice) and #2 - it involved working with the public and mentioned environmental education possibilities. There’s even a twist of fate on how I ended up at Eldorado specifically, but I’ll save that for another time… let’s just say it’s a perfect fit for me here!
Describe a typical day at your job.
(If there is no such thing as a typical day, then please tell us about your primary responsibilities and duties.)
I don’t know if there is such a thing as a "typical" day at the park! But usually I’m the first person in so I open up the Visitor Center and bookstore, check the park’s and my e-mail as well as voicemail, and work on priority projects (anything from paying bills to creating a new education program to advertising an up-coming event in the park). One incredibly difficult aspect of the job is the constant interruption – because I am a front-line person and my desk is located just behind the front counter (meaning NO privacy), I am often up-and-down throughout the day as visitors stop by to ask questions, purchase books, etc., not to mention the consistent phone ringing… It just seems you need the ability to work amidst chaos! I would say this job (and most likely any in a park) would be incredibly difficult for someone who needs absolute quiet and isolation to accomplish tasks. As the volunteer coordinator, I can also spend quite a bit of time visiting with volunteers, directing them on projects/”assignments”, etc. I also listed other responsibilities above so I think it is clear we stay very busy working here!
How many hours a week do you work in this position?
40 (sometimes more if there’s an emergency or special event, etc.)