“The exposure that assistant managers have to total park operations is tremendous.” Managing a park isn’t a one-person job. It’s a combination of efforts from different individuals. Phil Gaines and I explore the hidden challenges and crucial responsibilities within the role of an assistant park manager. An assistant park manager has to understand how that […]
Park Leadership
The Politics of Parks
“Focus on common objectives and goals, you can get to where you want to be without being divisive.” When people first enter the world of park management, they don’t expect to be involved in politics. Yet, as time goes on it’s not uncommon to find yourself at the center of political discussions on issues like […]
Dealing with Park Visitors Who Misbehave
“The customer is rarely right, but they’re always the customer.” Phil Gaines joins to discuss the surge in misbehavior among park visitors after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. There are a number of factors that could have caused this increase. One is the increase in new visitors who were not familiar with the park’s […]
How to Deal with a Shortage of Seasonal Staff
On this episode of the Park Leaders Show, guest co-host, Phil Gaines, returns to discuss the ways parks can manage seasonal staff shortages. While park careers have their perks, the challenge of filling them is increasing in today’s climate. As Phil explains, recruiters are not only struggling to compete with other industry compensations but also […]
Be a Champion for Public Lands
On this episode of the Park Leaders Show, co-host, Phil Gaines, returns to discuss ways to be a champion for public lands. Jody and Phil are joined by special guest and nationally recognized historian, Clay Jenkinson. Clay Jenkinson is a nationally recognized historian, author, and public humanities scholar. Specifically, he has a special interest in […]
Operating with a Sense of Urgency
On this episode of the Park Leaders Show, guest co-host, Phil Gaines, returns to discuss the importance of operating with a sense of urgency. While urgency is often discussed as a function of time, as Phil explains, the term for park rangers should be viewed through intentionality. Like business leaders, park rangers should not reduce […]
Customer Service for Maintenance Staff
On this episode of the Park Leaders Show, guest co-host, Phil Gaines, returns to discuss customer service for maintenance staff. Key Takeaways While many parks have training programs for new staff, developing cultures of customer care is a better alternative. As Phil explains, the key comes down to training versus education. With training, you’re conditioning […]
Supporting Your Team To Do Work That Matters
On this episode of the Park Leaders Show, special guest Sara Milbourne, Park Ranger at Rocky Gap State Park, joins the show to discuss supporting your team as park leadership. A Maryland Park Service Ranger and interpreter for almost two decades, Sara has a reputation for management and team building. Having pioneered dog-friendly initiatives and […]