State Park Manager 2

IdahoPTV; Idaho Falls (ID); On-site; USD 40,000 - 44,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

On-site housing

Job summary

Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation is seeking a Park Manager 2 to lead Idaho’s newest state park near Salmon. The role focuses on hospitality, lodging operations, concessions, staff leadership, and long-term park development to deliver exceptional visitor experiences.

The position requires strong budgeting, regulatory compliance, and collaboration with internal and external partners. On-site housing is available, and the role reports to the East Region Manager in Idaho Falls.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in city/county/state/federal park and recreation management.
• Experience supervising staff (seasonal/volunteer staff acceptable).
• Experience developing and presenting structured interpretation/environmental education.

Responsibilities

• Lead a core team including hospitality leads, rangers, and seasonal staff.
• Oversee daily park operations, guest services, and safety.
• Develop and manage budgets, contracts, and procurement for the park.
• Build and monitor relationships with concessionaires and vendors.

Skills

Staff leadership

Budgeting

Guest experience

Concession management

Job description

USA:ID:Idaho Falls | Parks and Recreation | Full Time

29.00 - 32.00 USD per hour

Description

Are you ready to take the next step in your career and bring your leadership, experience, and ideas to Idaho State Parks? Are you excited by the opportunity to help shape the future of Idaho’s newest state park and lead its continued growth and development?

This is your opportunity to lead the continued development and growth of Idaho’s newest state park, located near Salmon, Idaho, on the scenic grounds of the former Twin Peaks Guest Ranch. Now that the park has opened to the public, the Park Manager 2 will play a critical role in establishing strong, sustainable operations, refining systems and procedures, and building on the foundation created during the park’s launch. This is a unique opportunity to help shape the park’s identity, strengthen the visitor experience, and guide its evolution for years to come.

As the park settles into regular operations, the manager will oversee all aspects of day-to-day park management while identifying opportunities to improve efficiency, expand programming, and respond to the needs of visitors, staff, and the surrounding community. Responsibilities include staff leadership, guest experience, trail and recreation development, infrastructure planning, resource protection, budgeting, regulatory compliance, community engagement, and coordination with state and federal partners.

This state park is a one-of-a-kind addition to the IDPR system, with a strong hospitality focus that includes more than twodozen well-equipped lodging units. Each guest facility offers private bathrooms, high-speed internet, and high-end finishes. Managing this unique operation requires active oversight of cleaning schedules, facility maintenance, occupancy trends, reservation-related needs, and guest service coordination. The Park Manager 2 will work closely with the Park Hospitality Lead to refine lodging operations, establish effective routines, address operational challenges, and ensure accommodations consistently meet IDPR standards while delivering an exceptional visitor experience.

The role will also focus on developing and strengthening the park’s portfolio of concessionaires. External vendors are an important part of the park’s service model, providing food service, guided recreation, and other visitor amenities. The Park Manager 2 will be responsible for building productive vendor relationships, monitoring performance, identifying opportunities for additional services, and ensuring concessionaires operate in alignment with agency expectations and contract requirements.

The Park Manager 2 will lead a core team consisting of a Park Hospitality Lead, two Rangers, and seasonal staff. As the park transitions from opening-phase operations into a more established rhythm, strong leadership will be essential to developing clear expectations, effective workflows, and a collaborative team culture. The manager will be expected to delegate effectively, coach and develop staff, evaluate staffing and operational needs, and foster coordination across all areas of the park.

While hospitality and concessions are distinctive components of this park, the position also encompasses the full range of traditional park management responsibilities, including maintenance, recreation planning, resource protection, visitor services, financial management, regulatory compliance, public and community relations, and collaboration with agency leadership and external partners. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to evaluate what is working, improve processes where needed, and help define long-term priorities as the park continues to mature.

Due to the park’s remote location and its reporting structure to the East Region Manager based in Idaho Falls, the selected candidate must be a proactive, self-directed leader who is comfortable operating with a high degree of autonomy. This position is especially well suited for someone who enjoys building systems, solving emerging operational challenges, and helping a new organization or facility transition from its launch phase into stable, successful long-term operations. On-site housing is available to support operational needs and may be an attractive option given the park’s location and scale.

For questions about this position, please contact East Region Manager, Ryan Buffington

• Projects annual budget requirements and sets priorities for expenditures
• Prepares periodic performance and financial reports
• Plans specific maintenance and operations goals
• Plans, projects costs, and purchases supplies
• Supervises permanent, seasonal and volunteer staff
• Ensures employee orientation and training are accomplished and conducts regular staff meetings
• Plans and supervises maintenance and repair of park facilities
• Works with department engineering staff to coordinate development and inspection of construction projects
• Develops proposals for park master plan
• May negotiate leases for park property use
• Advises local planning committees and their contractors regarding park design, development, and recreation programs
• May perform park maintenance and construction tasks

Recreation and Resource Management

• Coordinates with other agencies regarding issues of joint concern
• Analyzes and recommends action to protect and conserve parks' natural, historical, and recreational environment
• Implements natural resource plans
• Coordinates recreation and natural resource activities with user groups, adjacent landowners, Federal, state, and local organizations
• Manages wildlife habitat, and native flora and fauna
• Protects threatened or endangered species

Public Relations and Resource Interpretation

• Informs visitors of park use, rules and regulations
• Researches natural and cultural history of park and area and prepares or oversees interpretive programs or displays
• Advises local planning committees and their contractors regarding park design, development and recreation programs
• Represents the department at public meetings
• Organizes and promotes park activities and ensures events are publicized

Compliance and Safety

• Serves as liaison between park and enforcement agencies
• Works closely with local authorities to ensure compliance with park and recreation program rules and regulations
• Develops and recommends safety emergency action plans
• Ensures staff is trained in first aid, search and rescue, and accident investigation
• Reports property damage, recommends corrective procedures, equipment modification, and visitor and employee safety standards
• Ensures identified employees are trained in rule compliance and the use of equipment, vehicles, and tools
• Issues citations when necessary and may testify in court.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• This position requires working nights, weekends, and holidays, often in all weather conditions and around potentially hazardous materials such as caustic substances and pesticides.
• The role also requires the ability to lift and carry items weighing up to 40 pounds regularly and up to 100 pounds occasionally, as well as frequent bending, stooping, and climbing ladders, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• This position functions as a compliance enforcement officer who maintains peace and enforces rules within the state park. Compliance enforcement training generally occurs within the first 18 – 24 months of employment. Certification as a compliance enforcement officer requires successful passage of established professional requirements and an extensive criminal background check.
• This position requires the incumbent to possess and maintain a valid driver’s license throughout the course of employment.
• Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Good knowledge of park and recreation management, outdoor recreation program management, andnatural resource management. Typically gained by at least 3 years' experience with a city, county, state, or federal park and recreation organization with 2 years independently managing the natural resources/facilities, user/visitor facilities and outdoor recreation programs.
• Some knowledge of management practices. Typically gained by completion of one three-credit or equivalent upper division college-level course or approximately 60 hours or equivalent of management training that included all the essential elements of management (Planning, Organizing, Leading, and Controlling); OR six months of experience performing all management elements.
• Experience supervising staff. Typically gained by at least one year of work experience in supervision that required responsibility for assigning work, training, and coaching new and existing staff (Experience supervising seasonal and/or volunteer staff will qualify).
• Experience developing and monitoring a budget. Typically gained by at least 2 years of work experience developing and monitoring a program budget.
• Experience performing construction and building maintenance. Typically gained by acquiring the skills to proficiently and independently perform intermediate carpentry and plumbing tasks such as structural building remodeling, plumbing installation, electrical installation, etc., and to read and interpret blueprints.
• Experience operating and maintaining vehicles/equipment. Typical gained by acquiring the skills to proficiently and independently operate heavier vehicles and equipment such as tractors with loaders, various types of farm machinery, chain saws, large riding mowers, and sprayers, AND to perform minor maintenance work on small engines, pumps, and vehicles such as changing oil and filters and performing minor tune‑ups.
• Experience developing and presenting structured interpretation/environmental education. Typically gained by successful completion of at least 2 college courses that included park interpretation/ environmental education; OR, at least 2 seasons of work experience developing and presenting structured interpretation/ environmental education programs that have covered more than one topic area. Please attach any relevant certifications when applying. (Answering visitor questions does not qualify)

DO WHAT YOU LOVE, LOVE WHAT YOU DO

WHY IDPR? We are innovators in outdoor recreation, committed to excellent service and resource stewardship. We foster experiences that renew the human spirit and promote community vitality. Our mission is to improve the quality of life in Idaho through outdoor recreation and resource stewardship. IDPR manages 30 state parks, trails and attractions throughout every region of Idaho and the registration programs for boats, snowmobiles and other off-highway vehicles (OHV). Money from these registration programs goes back to users to develop and maintain trails, facilities and programs. IDPR also provides free education courses for boaters and OHV operators. To learn more about the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation, please visit: https://parksandrecreation.idaho.gov/.

BENEFITS: We offer a competitive benefits package which includes excellent medical, dental and vision insurance. There is generous vacation and sick leave accrual that begins as soon as you start. There are eleven paid holidays in a year; participation in one of the Nation's best state retirement systems; multiple saving plans and optional 401K; life insurance; wellness programs; ongoing training opportunities and more. For additional information related to benefits and/or State programs, please visit: https://dhr.idaho.gov/StateEmployees/Benefits.html.

EEO/ADA/Veteran: The State of Idaho is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities and prohibit discrimination against all individuals based on their race, color, religion, political affiliation or belief, sex, national origin, genetics, or any other status protected under applicable federal, state, or local laws.

The State of Idaho is committed to access and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities, auxiliary aids and services are available upon request. If you require an accommodation at any step in our recruitment process, you are encouraged to contact [phone] (TTY/TTD: 711), or email [e-mail].

Preference may be given to veterans who qualify under state and federal laws and regulations.