Current Position: Currently I work for the State of New Jersey as a Superintendent assigned to Ringwood State Park. My primary responsibilities include administration of more than 24,000 acres including Ringwood Manor Historic District, the New Jersey State Botanical Garden at Skylands, Shepherd Lake Recreation Area, Long Pond Ironworks State Park, Norvin Green State Forest, Ramapo Mountain State Forest, Farny State Park, Troy Meadows Natural Area, the Hermitage Historic Site and the Steuben House Historic Site.
How long have you been with the New Jersey Division of Parks and Forestry and in what capacity?
I was a seasonal employee at High Point State Park from 1992 through 1997. Through the civil service process I was hired permanently in 1999 as the Assistant Superintendent of Ringwood State Park. In 2003 I was promoted to the lead Superintendent position.
How did you become involved in working as a State Park Superintendent?
I grew up in a rural town in northwestern New Jersey and as a child was always playing in the woods. When I was in High School my brother took me on my first hike at High Point State Park. I knew then that I wanted a career in the outdoors. I started working seasonally at High Point and shortly after observing the role of the Superintendent I focused my goal on becoming one. I enrolled in the Recreation and Leisure studies program at Montclair State University to receive my degree and continued working at High Point State Park throughout my college years.
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.)
There certainly is no such thing as a typical day but that is what keeps my job exciting! My primary job responsibility is to direct the administration, operation, safety, maintenance and development of Ringwood State Park and the areas under its administration.
My duties to accomplish this are varied. On any given day I may: prepare budget requests and spending plans; approve purchases; meet with department Supervisors to coordinate work and projects; meet with volunteers or organizations who assist us with areas of the operation that we are unable to; coordination and implementation of rules, regulations, policies and procedures; provide guidance to staff and evaluate their performance; enhance working relationships among the staff through meetings and team building; review trail proposals and outdoor recreation opportunities; respond to and coordinate outside emergency response; during busy summer weekends or special events (my favorite time) approve operations plans, assist with traffic control, provide information and assistance to the public; and the list goes on and on!
How many hours a week do you work in this position?
My minimum hours are 40 hours a week, however in the summer or during busy times it is often more than that, sometimes as much as 50 to 60. I am compensated for straight time back for every hour that I work in addition to the 40 hours. Working on weekends and holidays is also expected of me especially during the summer, as it is our busiest time.
What aspects of your job do you enjoy the most?
I am lucky that every morning I get to drive through a beautiful state park with a gorgeous view out my window. I am lucky to work with people that have such passion for their job and a wonderful connection to the park. I am lucky to work where people recreate. Although it can be difficult at times to see them playing while I have to work, it is so rewarding to see individuals and families taking the time to enjoy themselves rather than get caught up in the craziness of everyday life. It is very rewarding to know that I play a part in preserving natural, cultural and historic resources for our future generations to be able to enjoy.
What do you find to be the greatest challenges of your job?
Email! While initially email made communication easier it has now taken over my job. It is too easy to get bogged down by emails. When I don’t check them regularly I come back to an overflowing inbox. It is too easy to let emails dictate my day. Paperwork can be incredibly tedious as well. I entered this career because I love the outdoors, however there are times when my entire day is spent at my desk. It is important to set priorities to ensure that I never lose site of the big picture.
What kind of training/schooling is required in your position?
In order to qualify to take the entry level Superintendent civil service exam you must have graduated from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree in Forestry, Landscape Architecture, Park Planning, Park Management, Park Administration, Parks and Recreation, or Natural Resource Management. I have a Bachelor’s degree in Parks and Recreation with a concentration in Outdoor Recreation.
Is there any kind of training or general experience that you wish you had before taking your job?
More training in accounting and budget would be very helpful. Crunching numbers has become a very large part of my job and most of my skills I have now have been "learning as I go" so to speak.
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