Park Manager Trainee: Lead Park Operations & Stewardship

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; Pennsylvania; On-site; USD 40,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's Department of Conservation and Natural Resources invites applications for a Park Manager Trainee. This entry role provides hands-on exposure to park operations, budgets, and leadership development across state park sites.

You will learn from experienced managers, support staff supervision, and contribute to planning, resource stewardship, and public programming while pursuing career advancement in Pennsylvania's state parks.

Qualifications

• Four years of paraprofessional or technical experience providing administrative, maintenance, visitor, safety, or environmental education services in a public park or recreation area.
• Two years of paraprofessional or technical experience providing administrative, maintenance, visitor, safety, or environmental education services in a public park or recreation area; and an associate degree in parks and recreation, forestry, engineering, natural sciences, landscape architecture, or a closely related field.
• A bachelor's degree in parks and recreation, forestry, engineering, natural sciences, landscape architecture, or a closely related field; or
• An equivalent combination of experience and training.
• Applicants will be considered to have met the educational requirements once they are within 3 months of graduating with a qualifying degree.

Responsibilities

• Resource Planning: Learn natural and cultural resources prescriptions, treatments and management strategies
• Operational Planning: Learn and document management decisions and processes, workflow, and park operating standards
• Park Supervision: Assist with guiding staff, reviewing performance, and supporting daily work activities
• Budget Processes: Participate in budget preparation, monitor expenditures, and review purchasing needs
• Public Interaction: Respond to visitor questions, assist with special events, and coordination with agencies and partners and help coordinate park events
• Maintain Park Resources: Contribute to natural resource care and help apply park rules, policies, and regulations
• Resource Stewardship: Support efforts to maintain natural resources, uphold park rules, and ensure safe and respectful park use
• Facility Management: Support maintenance, repairs, and construction projects across park grounds and buildings

Education

Bachelor's degree in parks and recreation, forestry, engineering, natural sciences, landscape architecture, or related field

Job description

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's Department of Conservation and Natural Resources invites applications for a Park Manager Trainee. This entry role provides hands-on exposure to park operations, budgets, and leadership development across state park sites.

You will learn from experienced managers, support staff supervision, and contribute to planning, resource stewardship, and public programming while pursuing career advancement in Pennsylvania's state parks.