PARK SPECIALIST

State of Arkansas; Wynne (AR); On-site; USD 36,000 - 53,000; Full time

Job summary

The State of Arkansas offers a Park Specialist role at Village Creek State Park. The position supports daily maintenance, visitor services, and conservation efforts to keep park facilities safe and accessible for all guests.

You will assist with reservations, front desk duties, and guest relations, while promoting park programs and park safety guidelines. This role involves accounting-related tasks, merchandise handling, and coordinating with staff to ensure high-quality visitor experiences.

Qualifications

• Six months of experience in customer service, bookkeeping, retail operations, or related field.
• Basic bookkeeping and accounting principles knowledge.
• Proficiency in using office software and standard equipment.

Responsibilities

• Receive and confirm room reservations; handle deposits and front desk tasks.
• Mail confirmations, receipts, and refund forms to guests.
• Greet, register, and assist guests with check-in; provide local information.
• Answer inquiries about hotel services, directions, and attractions.
• Maintain guest accounts, post charges, and reconcile cash drawer.
• Prepare daily financial and activity reports; monitor inventory and supplies.
• May oversee merchandise display, vendor orders, and housekeeping standards.
• Provide friendly customer service and enforce park policies for safety.
• Assist with special events and recreational programs.

Skills

Customer service

Billing & cash handling

Front desk operations

Guest registration

Inventory control

Merchandise display

Leadership / supervision

Communication skills

Safety & regulatory compliance

Basic bookkeeping

Job description

Position Number: 22091581

Location: Village Creek State Park -PT55

County: Cross

Anticipated Starting Salary: $14.00 Per Hour

The Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism has three major divisions: Arkansas State Parks, Arkansas Heritage and Arkansas Tourism. Arkansas State Parks manages 52 state parks and promotes Arkansas as a tourist destination for people around the country. Arkansas Heritage preserves and promotes Arkansas’s natural and cultural history and heritage through four historic museums and four cultural preservation agencies. Arkansas Tourism improves the state’s economy by generating travel and enhancing the image of the state.

Position Information

• Job Series: Parks – Career Path
• Classification: Park Specialist
• Class Code: RPA16P
• Pay Grade: SGS02
• Salary Range: $35,610- $52,703

Job Summary

The Park Specialist is responsible for assisting in the daily maintenance, visitor services, and conservation efforts within Arkansas state parks. This role ensures that park facilities, landscapes, and public areas are well-maintained, safe, and accessible for visitors. The Park Specialist also provides customer service, educates guests on park regulations, and supports recreation programs to enhance the overall visitor experience.

Primary Responsibilities

• Receives and confirms room reservations via telephone, accepts advance credit card deposits, and manages front desk operations.
• Mails room confirmations, deposit receipts, and refund forms to guests.
• Greets and registers guests, assigns rooms, and ensures a smooth check-in process.
• Answers inquiries and provides information on hotel services, guest registration, travel directions, and local tourist attractions.
• Maintains accurate guest account records and posts charges accordingly.
• Totals and balances the cash register with recorded receipts, identifying and reconciling discrepancies.
• Compiles daily activity and transaction reports.
• May sell gift items, maintain office supply inventories, conduct security checks of the lodge and grounds, and assign tasks to custodial staff.
• Receives, transfers, displays, and promotes merchandise.
• Opens and closes facilities, prepares deposits, and assists with daily operational reporting.
• Processes merchandise orders and collaborates with vendors to obtain requested items.
• Monitors and coordinates inventory activities, prepares inventory orders, and maintains data in relevant databases.
• Verifies inventory records and ensures accurate tracking of supplies and equipment.
• Ensures the assigned facility is clean, organized, and meets housekeeping standards.
• Performs monetary transactions and operates a cash register as needed.
• May serve as a lead worker by training and guiding staff, setting work plans and deadlines, providing instructions, and reviewing completed tasks for accuracy and compliance.
• May be assigned accounting‑related duties, including financial reporting and transaction processing.
• Provide friendly and informative customer service to park visitors, answering questions about park features, rules, and activities.
• Enforce park policies and regulations to ensure public safety and proper park usage.
• Report safety hazards and ensure compliance with state and federal regulations.
• Help enforce emergency protocols during severe weather conditions or incidents.
• Support special events and recreation programs by setting up and assisting as needed.

Knowledge and Skills

• Knowledge of basic bookkeeping and accounting principles.
• Familiarity with general office practices and procedures.
• Ability to comprehend and prepare oral and written materials, including ledgers, journals, reports, and correspondence.
• Proficient in establishing and maintaining organized filing systems.
• Skilled in answering telephones, greeting visitors, and providing accurate information and assistance.
• Proficient in operating standard office equipment.
• Knowledge of computer systems and commonly used software applications.
• Understanding of database management, inventory control practices, and financial recordkeeping.
• Strong grasp of customer service principles and best practices.
• Ability to creatively arrange and display merchandise to enhance customer interest.
• Capable of coordinating, instructing, and reviewing the work of others in a lead or supervisory role.
• Strong organizational skills to manage multiple tasks effectively.

Minimum Qualifications

At least six months of experience customer service, bookkeeping, retail operations, or a related field.

Satisfaction of the minimum qualifications, including years of experience and service, does not entitle employees to automatic progression within the job series. Promotion to the next classification level is at the discretion of the department and the Office of Personnel Management, taking into consideration the employee’s demonstrated skills, competencies, performance, workload responsibilities, and organizational needs.

Licensure/Certifications

N/AOTHER JOB RELATED EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE MAY BE SUBSTITUTED FOR ALL OR PART OF THESE BASIC REQUIREMENTS, EXCEPT FOR CERTIFICATION OR LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS, UPON APPROVAL OF THE QUALIFICATIONS REVIEW COMMITTEE.

The State of Arkansas is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, age, disability, citizenship, national origin, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other status or characteristic protected by law.