National Park Service

Education

You can have a Bachelor’s Degree in any subject, but must show that you are gaining experience in the five competencies outlined to the right.

You would be a great superintendent if you:

• have amazing people skills
• can see the big picture
• can delegate tasks
• enjoy making decisions

What You Do

The superintendent supervises the whole park. They manage plans as well as organize, direct, coordinate, evaluate, and MONITOR all park activities. This includes the money, the staff, the buildings, and the natural resources of a park. This position requires that you cultivate 5 core executive skills:

1. Political Savvy, you must know the political culture and climate of the park's region.
2. The ability to negotiate. Conflict resolution is a must, and the ability to address different points of view.
3. The ability to manage people and resources such as budgets and buildings. Knowing the park's biological and cultural resources helps you to make the best decisions for the park as well.
4. You must be good at managing change.
5. Strong skills in dealing with diverse audiences in regard to religion, race, abilities, sexual orientation, and culture.