Assistant Recreation Manager

State of Montana • Kalispell, MT

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Assistant Recreation Manager is assigned to a geographic unit and assists with management and coordination of non-maintenance operations in the Flathead Lake Recreation District. The role covers administrative, personnel, operational, recreation, visitor-use, and natural, cultural, and historical resource-management activities. The position oversees daily site and program operations, employees, visitor use and behavior, and facilities at assigned sites, excluding maintenance functions. Essential services include addressing public-safety concerns, collecting and remitting fees, interpretation and education, collecting visitor-use data, and ensuring compliance with special recreation and commercial-use permits.

Based at the Flathead Lake Ranger Station in the Wayfarers Unit of Flathead Lake State Park near Bigfork, Montana, the position serves a district encompassing six park units, five fishing access sites, and seven wildlife management areas. The district includes more than 2,800 acres, 146 campsites, rental yurts and cabins, picnic shelters, boat launches, a marina, hiking trails, entrance stations, and a ranger station. The Assistant Recreation Manager is supervised by the Flathead Lake District Recreation Manager and supervises most seasonal and volunteer staff, while also guiding other park staff. The position may perform acting duties when the Recreation Manager is absent.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Park Management, Resource Conservation, Outdoor Recreation, or a related field, or an acceptable combination of education and experience.
• At least 2 years of job-related experience, or an acceptable combination of education and experience.
• Ability to recruit, train, supervise, and evaluate seasonal employees and volunteers.
• Ability to operate or patrol using motor vehicles, motorboats, or snowmobiles as required.
• Ability to meet the position’s safety and emergency-response responsibilities.

Responsibilities

• Plan, organize, and manage recreational use to meet visitor needs and prevent or resolve user conflicts and resource degradation.
• Recruit, hire, train, supervise, and evaluate up to 10 seasonal employees and 24 volunteers.
• Ensure site staff are trained in reservation programs, safety protocols, and site operations.
• Monitor impacts to site infrastructure and resources and develop solutions with staff and regional leadership.
• Patrol assigned units by motor vehicle, foot, motorboat, or snowmobile as needed to monitor visitor activities and resource conditions.
• Check compliance with fee payment, special recreation permits, and commercial-use permits.
• Review, issue, and manage concession and special-use permits while balancing them with public use of recreation sites.
• Oversee the district enterprise program, including gift shop inventory, purchasing, budgeting, and pricing.
• Collaborate with maintenance staff to ensure recreation sites are safe and well maintained.
• Assist with collecting and reporting visitation data and visitor surveys.
• Address and resolve visitor conflicts and complaints.
• Collaborate with local FWP wardens and law enforcement agencies to enforce laws, rules, and regulations.
• Promote staff and visitor safety through training, proper personal protective equipment, and compliance with FWP safety policy.
• Prepare emergency response plans, implement them, and train staff on them.
• Oversee the district-wide interpretive program and participate in daily and special-event programming.
• Assist with operating and maintaining the district motorboat used to access islands and train staff in its safe operation.
• Provide acting duties in the Recreation Manager’s absence when assigned.

Benefits

• Health insurance for employees who exceed 1,040 hours in a calendar year
• Dental insurance for employees who exceed 1,040 hours in a calendar year
• Life insurance for employees who exceed 1,040 hours in a calendar year
• Retirement
• Paid vacation
• Paid sick leave
• Paid holidays
• The position may be covered by a VEBA (Voluntary Employee Beneficiary Association).

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level