State Park Manager

~ Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) has approximately 2,900 employees working across Tennessee supported by a total budget of more than $300 million with funding from dedicated fees and state parks revenue, federal sources, and the state general fund. ~

The department is the chief environmental and natural resource regulatory agency in Tennessee with delegated responsibility from the U.S. EPA to regulate sources of air pollution, radiological health issues, solid and hazardous waste, underground storage tanks, water pollution, water supply, and groundwater pollution. TDEC has eight (8) regional offices across the state serving as the primary point of contact for their respective regions.

The department is responsible for:

• Safeguarding the health and safety of Tennessee citizens from environmental hazards;
• Protecting and improving the quality of Tennessee's land, air, and water; and
• Managing the system of 56 Tennessee State Parks and 85 Natural Areas.

Position Overview

The Warriors' Path State Park Manager is an Executive Service position and part of the Department's Park and Conservation Management team. The Warriors' Path State Park Manager reports to the East Tennessee Parks Area Manager.

The most important duty of this position is to ensure that the mission of Tennessee State Parks is achieved and implemented, while managing the day-to-day operations and staff at Warriors' Path.

This position oversees the natural resource management of the park's 950 acres including approximately 12 miles of developed hiking trails, 8.5 miles of mountain bike trail and Fort Patrick Henry Lake and associated activities and shoreline.

Responsibilities

The Warriors' Path State Park Manager's primary responsibilities include:

• Administration of an annual operating budget of $2,034,400 and projected revenues in excess of $1,066,000.
• Manage approximately 22 full-time and 41 part-time staff.
• Oversight of the park's retail operations that include: a golf course, recreation lodge, marina, campground, pavilions, and swimming pool. The park manager also has oversight of a leased stable operation and a Boundless Playground.
• Study and evaluate park operations and makes recommendations/decisions on services to enhance economy and to improve the quality of operations and services.
• Establish performance measures for operations and programs that allow for effective measures of accountability, and provide for evaluation of quality and feasibility of operations, services and programs.
• Establish, review and follow the parks' Management Directive Statement, Business & Management Plan, Interpretive Action Plan, Safety and Security/Emergency Management Plan, Park Facilities Management Plan and Standard Operating Procedures.
• Participate in community outreach programs and partner with local businesses and area officials to promote the park and impact economic development.
• In coordination with the East TN Regional Maintenance Office, provides oversight and facility maintenance for the all of the park's facilities.
• Work closely with volunteers to develop and enhance current volunteer base and drive that fundraising and interpretive activities.
• Assist with interpretive programming goals, marketing and promotional activities and facilities/maintenance management.

Qualifications

• Qualified candidates should possess a Bachelor's degree preferably in Natural Resource - Based Management (Natural Resources, Forestry, Wildlife Biology, etc.), Park and Recreation Management or related field and have 5+ years' natural resource and/or parks and recreation professional experience.
• Desired continued education and certifications in Resource Management, Parks and Recreation Management and Leadership Development.
• It is desired that the candidate be a state commissioned officer recognized by the Tennessee Law Enforcement Training Academy, or can qualify to become commissioned.

Competencies:

• Proven leadership skills - able to influence and motivate others to achieve quality results in an effective and efficient manner; success leading high performance teams.
• Competent at formulating long-range and strategic plans.
• Effective oral and written communications skills; ability to present complex topics effectively in a concise manner.
• Strong interpersonal skills dealing with people at various levels within the organization, as well as external stakeholders, including but not limited to, high level contacts in state, local and federal government - as well as private entities, conservation organizations, corporate sponsors, and general public and at times the media.
• Able to resolve problems with effective solutions. High energy capacity, adaptability and resilience.
• Candidates for this position should have a strong interest in natural history.

To Apply 

• Please click below: "Apply Now Online!" to email your cover letter and resume to Beth Smith.
• Be sure to indicate "Warriors' Path State Park Manager."
• Please use this email as point of contact if you have additional questions regarding the position.
• The position will remain posted until October 30, 2015.

~ TDEC is an AA/EEO/ADA equal opportunity employer ~