Current Position: Regional Park Manager
How long have you been with the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management and in what capacity?
For 27 years. I started as a seasonal laborer out of high school in June of 1980. I obtained full time status as a laborer with the Division of Forest Environment in August of 1980 and transferred back to the Division of Parks and Recreation in 1982 as a semi skilled laborer. In 1983, I became a Park caretaker supervisor and in September of 1987, I obtained the position of Assistant Regional Manager. I have been in my present position of Regional Park Manager since June 1996.
How did you become involved in working as a Regional Park Manager?
When I finished high school, I was unsure of what career path to take. While working as a seasonal laborer at Goddard State Park I enjoyed the work and realized it was my future.
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.)
- Administer the operation and maintenance of three state parks, six roadside rest areas, one nature preserve and a nine-hole golf course.
- Oversee a $1.3 million revitalization project of the restrooms facilities at Goddard Memorial State Park. Involvement includes the original planning for scope of project and the detailed construction progress with the contractor and Division of Planning and Development representative.
- Administer the activities of a State Park Region, including contract administration, purchase requisitions, inventories, revenue deposits and personal activity reports.
- Assist organizers in the preparations of numerous walk-a-thons, sporting events, festivals, car shows and concerts and compiled the necessary paperwork required to protect the State of Rhode Island’s interest’s in benefit and liability.
- Recruit, interview, and place candidates with the Office of Human Resources.
- Assist full time employees with concerns related to health benefits, workers compensation and workplace safety.
How many hours a week do you work in this position?
Non standard, 35+, with hours varying depending on the season.
What aspects of your job do you enjoy the most?
Dealing with the public on daily basis.
What do you find to be the greatest challenges of your job?
State service and the bureaucracy of trying to make purchases that are needed for important projects.
What kind of training/schooling is required in your position?
A degree of recognized standing. I have a Bachelor of Science in Management from Johnson and Wales University. I have also obtained national certification as a Certified Parks and Recreation Professional (CPRP).
Is there any kind of training or general experience that you wish you had before taking your job?
There is a strong need of supervisors to obtain education in management. Human resources management is an important part of our position, dealing with subordinates as well as the public.
What are a few of the projects that you've been working on recently that have been the most interesting?
At Goddard Memorial State Park, we recently demolished two restroom facilities that were built in the early 1960’s. The new restroom project has recently been completed and has been a great addition to the park. The old restrooms were a poor reflection of the beautiful park that we maintain. The new restrooms pull the park together as a whole.
If someone were interested in working as a Park Manager, what advice could you give them?
Its is hard to give anyone advise in a becoming a parks and recreation manager. With State government and the union restrictions on hiring it is close to impossible to come from the outside and step into a management position. The majority of supervisors in the Division of Parks and Recreation worked their way through the different levels of positions to the level they are presently working.
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