Current Position: Park Manager II at Colonial Pemaquid State Historic Site
How long have you been with Maine State Parks and in what capacity?
I have served with the Maine Department of Conservation, Bureau of Parks and Lands for nine years. Six of those years were in operations and maintenance, while the last three years have been in a supervisory capacity.
How did you become involved in working as a Park Manager?
In college I was hoping to get into wildland firefighting here in Maine. The only seasonal openings with the Department were in parks, where I started as a Park Receptionist (now CRA I), collecting fees, answering questions and performing in an interpretive role. I eventually moved through the ranks, becoming a Park Ranger five years ago and attending the Maine Department of Conservation’s Law Enforcement and Compliance Academy. I am now a Park Manager II, a position that allows me to continue with all of the things that were important to me when I started: serving the public, responding to emergencies, enforcing rules and laws, being outdoors, and helping to protect Maine’s cultural and natural resources.
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.)
Although there are daily routines/maintenance, no day is "typical." Mornings may find me in the office after a patrol through the park, checking in with park staff as they sign on, or addressing an alcohol violation. An afternoon may find me discussing issues with park neighbors, or leading an interpretive program. Late afternoon might be spent mowing or weed wacking. An evening patrol might require the running of vehicle registrations for vehicles overdue at our boat launch facility. A longer day might involve an evening meeting with our Friends group (volunteers). Daily routines include income reports, public use, a battery of water tests, and staff development.
How many hours a week do you work in this position?
I work a non-standard schedule during the height of the season (Memorial Day through Labor Day), which is forty scheduled hours, plus a differential (16%) to make up for all hours worked over forty. A typical day can run from 12 to 16 hours, so basically when you are "on" you are "on".
What aspects of your job do you enjoy the most?
Serving the people of Maine is very satisfying. I am proud when there is an incident or emergency and we do it right. I like that people count on us. Likewise, I enjoy sharing information with the public, through answering questions or leading an interpretive program. Unlike a lot of state park systems or at the national level where there are specific divisions for enforcement, interpretation, etc., Maine State Park Rangers do it all: enforcement, maintenance, interpretation, and trail work. We are sometimes the only uniform around for hundreds of miles and the people in Maine State Parks work hard to ensure the enjoyment and safety of our visitors.
What do you find to be the greatest challenges of your job?
Budgetary and staffing limitations. It can be very trying at times to balance the needs of the park, it users and the surrounding communities as well; at all times, and in all that you do, you have to be an ambassador of the state.
What kind of training/schooling is required in your position?
Most positions only require a high school diploma and a valid driver’s license. A two- or four-year degree helps and we are seeing a trend in hiring these folks as they apply. Most applicants have a degree in Parks and Recreation, Forestry, or Biology. My degree is in Anthropology and Archaeology, which is applicable to my current position at a historic site. Many people enter without any training, which is fine as most of the skills needed are learned on the job. Any skills such as carpentry, masonry, plumbing, electrical work, and trail building are a plus.
Is there any kind of training or general experience that you wish you had before taking your job?
Not really. There are good opportunities to learn on the job and through various training sessions. I think that you just have to have an open mind, be willing to try and work hard, and enjoy the outdoors.
What are a few of the projects that you've been working on recently that have been the most interesting?
Helping facilitate the efforts of our volunteer organization to raise money for a new interpretive center; working with community members to remove abandoned floats and fishing gear from the park shoreline; developing a new interpretive program for visiting school groups; rebuilding window frames in a historic structure.
If someone were interested in working as a Park Manager at a state park, what advice could you give them?
Most positions that are filled off of the street (lifeguard through park ranger) are seasonal and can be found online beginning in February. I would definitely encourage anyone interested in working for Maine State Parks to write, call, or visit various parks to gain a better sense of opportunities available. Two important points are that most parks don’t have housing opportunities and positions are generally seasonal. Supervisory positions and year-round work are available, but you have to put in your time and work hard. If you’re passionate about the job and the outdoors, things will fall into place.
Please share any further thoughts you may have about working in the state park system:
Working in Maine State Parks has been very rewarding and I would encourage anyone interested in this line of work to contact our parks to find out more.
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