State Park Regional Manager

IdahoPTV; Coeur d'Alene (ID); On-site; USD 76,000 - 103,000; Full time

Job summary

The Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation is seeking a North Region Manager to oversee state parks and staff across Northern Idaho. The role requires strong leadership in parks, recreation, or related natural resources, with direct responsibility for budgets, personnel, and multi‑program oversight.

The North Region Manager leads Park Managers and a regional crew, works with the Development Bureau on construction projects, and ensures high standards of operations across multiple parks and

Qualifications

• Extensive management experience in parks, recreation or related natural resources fields.
• Direct responsibility for budgets, personnel and multi-program oversight.
• Proven ability to lead teams, resolve conflicts, and hire effectively.
• Experience interpreting laws, regulations and agency policies.

Responsibilities

• Establish and implement bureau goals, objectives, and policies.
• Hire, coach and evaluate supervisory and line staff.
• Prepare performance expectations and work plans.
• Develop and manage bureau budget and approve expenditures.
• Coordinate with park managers and external partners on issues.

Skills

Leadership experience

Budget management

Staff supervision

Negotiation & relationships

Regulatory interpretation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration/Public Administration

Bachelor's degree in Park and Recreation Management / Outdoor Recreation

Job description

USA:ID:Coeur d'Alene 1 | Parks and Recreation | Full Time

43.26 - 43.26 USD per hour

Posted 2 days ago | Apply before October 25, 2026

Description

NOTE: This is a non-classified position and exempt from classified state service and the rules of the Division of Human Resources and the Idaho Personnel Commission

NOTE: All applicants must apply by 11:59 PM MST on the closing date.

Are you a proven leader with extensive park or natural resource management experience? The Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation is seeking a North Region Manager to oversee and support state parks and their staff across Northern Idaho.

The successful candidate will bring several years of hands‑on leadership in parks, recreation, or a closely related natural resources field, including direct responsibility for budgets, personnel, and multi-program oversight.

The North Region Manager provides high‑level leadership to a region that includes the following Idaho State Parks and Trailways: Hells Gate, Winchester, Dworshak, Heyburn (including McCroskey & Mowry), Farragut (including Coeur d’Alene Parkway), Old Mission (including Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes), Round Lake, and Priest Lake. Each park & trail offers unique natural, historical, and recreational experiences, and this role ensures consistent, high‑quality operations across them. This position directly supervises Park Managers 2 & 3, and oversees a Recreation Site Maintenance Foreman, who leads the regional crew supporting heavy equipment, construction, and maintenance projects. The North Region Manager also provides management and oversight of the North Region Office and its staff, and supports Park Managers in working closely with the agency’s Development Bureau on construction and project management within the region, ensuring that capital and maintenance projects are delivered efficiently and to high standards.

Applicants must clearly demonstrate a strong background in managing all three core program areas of natural resources, visitor facilities, and outdoor recreation programs. This experience must include at least two years in a leadership role with direct responsibility for program planning, resource allocation, budget management, and operational problem‑solving. Success in this role requires experience managing multiple layers of supervisory and line staff, a proven ability to resolve conflicts, build teams, and make sound hiring decisions, and skill in interpreting and applying laws, regulations, and agency policies. The North Region Manager also works closely with federal agencies, and with public officials at the city, county, and state levels, as well as community partners and the public, requiring excellent communication, negotiation, and relationship‑building skills.

The position is based at North Region Office in Coeur d’Alene and requires frequent travel to visit parks, meet with staff, assess operations, and represent the agency in local and regional discussions.

If you meet these qualifications and are ready to help shape the future of outdoor recreation, resource stewardship, and public service in Idaho’s state parks, Learn more about the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation: www.parksandrecreation.idaho.gov

For questions about this position, please contact Operations Division Administrator, Troy Elmore:

• Establishes, implements and monitors bureau goals, objectives, and policies and ensures consistency and compliance of operations
• Hires, coaches and evaluates supervisory and line staff
• Prepares performance expectations and work plans
• Develops and manages bureau budget and approves expenditures
• Confers with and provides support to park and program managers on issues
• Advises director on problems, needed improvements, and impacts of various policies and practices
• May research, analyze, and interpret state and federal laws and regulations
• Recommends and drafts changes to existing legislation, rules, and regulations
• May provide contracts consultation and monitor contracts
• May act for the administrator/director

2. Public Relations.

• Advises on and coordinates implementation of programs with other bureaus and regional staff
• Investigates, troubleshoots, and resolves or recommends solutions to complex issues, inquiries, and problems with internal staff, local entities, special-interest groups, and other organizations
• Coordinates bureau activities with federal, state and local officials, Indian tribes, special interest groups, and other organizations
• Represents department at various meetings, task forces and conferences
• Promotes public involvement and cooperation in park and recreation activities

Additional Information

This position involves frequent travel and requires supervising staff located away from the home office.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Considerable knowledge of management practices.Typically gained by at least four years of full‑time work experience performing the essential functions of management, including planning, leading, organizing, and controlling; OR, a bachelor's degree or higher in business administration, public administration, or a closely related field,ANDat least two years of full‑time work experience performing those same core management functions.
• Good knowledge of environmental issues and natural resource management. Typically gained by at least four years of experience working in a park and recreation role such as park ranger, park manager, naturalist, recreation technician, or recreation program manager with a city, county, state, or federal agency. This must include at least two years of experience managing all three of the following program areas: natural resources, visitor facilities, and outdoor recreation programs; OR, a bachelor’s degree in Park and Recreation Management, Outdoor Recreation, or a closely related field,ANDat least two years of experience managing all three program areas listed above.
• Experience managing supervisory and line staff. Typically gained by at least two years' experience in supervision that required responsibility for assigning work, training and coaching new and existing supervisory and line staff, conflict resolution, team building, and making hiring recommendations.
• Experience developing program goals, allocating and managing program resources, and developing and monitoring a program budget.Typically gained by at least two years of professional‑level experience in program or project management that included setting or influencing program goals and objectives, allocating and managing resources such as staff, funding, or equipment, and developing and monitoring a program or department budget.
• Experience analyzing operational, management, or administrative problems to identify alternatives and implement solutions, and interpreting and applying laws, regulations, and policies.Typically gained by at least two years of experience in a professional‑level role where responsibilities included evaluating complex operational or administrative issues, identifying and implementing solutions, and regularly interpreting and applying relevant laws, regulations, or internal policies in decision‑making processes.
• Experience working with public officials, interest groups, and the general public to explain, develop, and negotiate agreements.Typically gained by at least two years of experience representing an organization in discussions or negotiations with elected officials, special interest groups, or the public, where responsibilities included explaining programs or policies, building consensus, and developing or negotiating formal or informal agreements.

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 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 ten 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/information-for-state-employees/ .

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.