State Park Regional Manager
Posting Begin Date: 2025/08/18
Posting End Date: 2025/09/01
Category: Parks and Recreation
Sub Category: Management
Work Type: Full Time
Location: Boise, ID, United States
Minimum Salary: 39.67
Maximum Salary: 39.67
Pay Rate Type: Hourly
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 4:59 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 South Region Manager to oversee and support state parks and their staff across southern 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 South Region Manager provides high-level leadership to a region that includes seven Idaho State Parks: Ponderosa, Lake Cascade, Lucky Peak, Eagle Island, Bruneau Dunes, Three Island Crossing, and Thousand Springs. Each park offers unique natural, historical, and recreational experiences, and this role ensures consistent, high-quality operations across them. This position directly supervises Park Managers 2 and 3 and oversees a Recreation Site Maintenance Foreman who leads the regional crew supporting heavy equipment, construction, and maintenance projects. The South Region Manager also supports their 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 South 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 IDPR Headquarters in Boise 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, we encourage you to apply!
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:
Phone: 208-514-2450
Email: [email protected]
EXAMPLE OF DUTIES
Management.
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
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, AND at 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, AND at 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 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/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 (208) 334-2263 (TTY/TTD: 711), or email[email protected].
Preference may be given to veterans who qualify under state and federal laws and regulations.
