Park Manager

Job Description

PLEASE ATTACH THE ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS LISTED AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE

Job ID: 32361
Agency: Game Fish & Parks
Location:Lake City, SD - Roy Lake State ParkSalary: $26.31 - $31.31/hr, depending on qualifications
Pay Grade: I
Closing Date: 08/28/2025

Why the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish, and Parks?
Working for the South Dakota Game, Fish, and Parks is not just a job. It is a life's passion. It is about working together as a team with colleagues, customers, landowners, and partner organizations to ensure that our state's outdoor heritage lives on for the next generation. Providing exceptional outdoor recreational opportunities for people to enjoy is one of the best jobs in state government. Our atmosphere empowers professional success and team building, while fostering relationships to build a culture focused on our four strategic plan goals.

• Habitat and Access - Provide quality opportunities for visitors to hunt, fish, and recreate throughout the state.
• Asset Management - Maintain our facilities and equipment for optimum use by the public and staff.
• Customer Service - Provide a unique and varied experience for our users to enhance their visit.
• Operational Excellence - Provide continuing educational opportunities to staff members to ensure their growth as employees and people.

The Park Manager will be responsible for the administrative duties associated with Roy Lake State Park, Sica Hollow State Park, 3 Lakeside Use Areas, and several Lake Access Areas in Northeast South Dakota. Roy Lake State Park consists of two units with 101 campsites, 3 camping cabins, 6 modern cabins, 6 suites, 3 boat launch areas, 2 beach areas, 2 dump stations, 1 outdoor and 1 indoor fish cleaning stations, and 1 convenience store. Sica Hollow State Park has 14 campsites, 8 miles of horse and hiking trails, and 1 interpretive hiking trail. The Lakeside Use Areas and Lake Access Areas have boat launches and some vault toilets.

They also manage and maintain these areas by implementing administrative directives and standard procedures such as interviewing, hiring, and training seasonal employees, interns, and volunteers; conducting risk management inspections; preparing and prioritizing an annual work plan for maintenance and operations; maintaining park facilities and systems at maximum efficiency; performing administrative tasks to meet customer needs and expectations; providing for public and staff safety; and protecting and preserving the park's natural resources.

This position works in a typical office environment and outdoors in all types of weather conditions. The Park Manager will work near/on water and on ice. They will be exposed to hazardous materials and chemicals, work with a variety of large equipment such as tractors, loaders, skid steer, etc., and an assortment of tools. The incumbent will routinely lift heavy items and work on ladders and inside bucket trucks to trim trees or work on facilities. Must be able to work alone and with others, including resolving conflicts with the public.

This is a full time (40 hours per week) position with the Department of Game Fish & Parks. For more information on the Department of Game Fish & Parks, please visit https://gfp.sd.gov/ .

Licenses and Certifications:
Valid driver's license

The Ideal Candidate Will Have:

• A detail-oriented mindset with an outgoing personality.
• Experienced skills with Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Windows 11, and social media.
• A degree relating to park management, or outdoor resource or recreation management.
• Experience working with a point-of-sale system or a willingness to learn.
• Public relations experience dealing with conflicts concerning the public, volunteers, and/or staff.
• The desire to learn the Department of Game, Fish and Park's policies, rules, regulations, and be able to teach them to volunteers, staff, and the public.

Knowledge of:

• the principles and practices of park management;
• office procedures; including bookkeeping, purchasing and inventory procedures, auditing, voucher coding, and other fiscal operating procedures;
• interpretation and recreational programming;
• marketing techniques to promote the parks, park programming, and special events;
• Game, Fish, and Parks rules and regulations;
• basic carpentry, plumbing, and electrical skills;
• basic diagnostic and repair skills for equipment and vehicles;
• best management practices for maintaining and improving natural habitat;
• tree identification, removal and planting procedures;
• up to date cleaning methods and chemicals.

Skill to:

• clearly and calmly communicate with visitors, volunteers, and staff to solve conflicts;
• use Microsoft Office, Facebook, Cartegraph, and Work Zone;
• interview, train, and evaluate seasonal staff and volunteers;
• prepare and justify annual operating plans and budgets;
• plan and justify park, facility, and equipment needs with cost estimates.

Ability to:

• listen, learn, and apply knowledge and accept constructive criticism;
• visualize park enhancements and estimate costs of development and benefits;
• demonstrate strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and problem solving;
• provide clear work direction to permanent, seasonal, and volunteer staff;
• enforce park rules and regulations while maintaining a positive relationship with the public;
• assist other staff with maintaining buildings with basic carpentry, plumbing, and electrical repairs;
• assist other staff with diagnostic and repairs to a variety of vehicles and equipment;
• communicate with all types of people; visitors, staff, volunteers, under all types of conditions, both written and verbally;
• work outdoors in all types of weather conditions;
• develop and give presentations as they relate to natural resources and park management.

Additional Requirements: To be considered, please attach your resume.

This position is eligible for Veterans' Preference per ARSD 55:10:02:08.

The State of South Dakota does not sponsor work visas for new or existing employees. All persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete an Employment Eligibility Verification, Form I-9. The State of South Dakota as an employer will be using E-Verify to complete employment eligibility verification upon hire.

The State of South Dakota offers $0 premium employee health insurance option plus eleven paid holidays, generous vacation and sick leave accrual, dental, vision, and other insurance options, and retirement benefits. You can view our benefits information at https://bhr.sd.gov/job-seekers/work-for-state-government/ . This position is a member of Class A retirement under SDRS.

Must apply online: https://gen-stateofsouthdako-trn.inforcloudsuite.com/hcm/xmlhttp/shorturl.do?key=24J
You must apply online, emailed resumes or submissions will not be accepted.
South Dakota Bureau of Human Resources
Telephone: 605.773.3148 Email: careers@state.sd.us
http://bhr.sd.gov/workforus
"An Equal Opportunity Employer"

#LI-Onsite