Located within an 11,700-acre wildlife refuge in the heart of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, Harriman State Park is known for its breathtaking scenery, rich history, and incredible wildlife viewing opportunities. From world-renowned fly fishing waters along Henrys Fork to miles of hiking, biking, horseback riding, and Nordic ski trails, Harriman offers visitors year-round outdoor recreation in one of Idaho’s most iconic landscapes.
Originally known as “Railroad Ranch,” the property was once a private retreat for the Harriman and Guggenheim families before being donated to the State of Idaho in 1977 with a vision of preserving the land in harmony with nature. Today, Harriman State Park welcomes visitors from around the world to experience its unique blend of history, conservation, recreation, and education.
As Assistant Park Manager, you will work alongside the Park Manager to support daily operations across the Harriman park complex, Henrys Lake State Park, and the Ashton-Tetonia Trail. Responsibilities include overseeing maintenance and trail operations, supervising staff, enhancing visitor services, supporting resource stewardship initiatives, coordinating safety programs and special events, and assisting with administrative functions. This position serves as a key leadership role in ensuring park facilities, recreational opportunities, and natural resources are maintained to the highest standards while providing visitors with safe, high-quality experiences year-round.
Housing is available for this position.
This is a valuable opportunity to step into a leadership role at a well-loved and evolving state park.
As Assistant Park Manager, you will help guide daily operations while contributing to the long-term vision of one of Idaho's most scenic parks.
To learn more about Harriman State Park, please visit: https://parksandrecreation.idaho.gov/parks/harriman/
If you have any questions about this position please contact Park Manager, Jess Brumfield:
1. Park Supervision and Maintenance.
Assists park manager in the overall operation of assigned park units and serves as a lead coordinator for daily operations, maintenance activities, visitor services, safety programs, and seasonal staff supervision. Assists park manager in hiring, training, evaluating, and managing permanent, seasonal, intern, volunteer, and concession staff; develops work schedules; recommends budget priorities and monitors staff, park, maintenance, and operational expenditures; prepares performance, financial, operational, and project reports; oversees work projects and may work with development staff and contractors to implement construction and maintenance projects.
Provides information on park services, rules, recreation opportunities, and resource protection to visitors; supervises reservations, fee collection, inventory tracking, and receipt deposits according to Department policy; develops operational guidelines, procedures manuals, and preventive maintenance schedules.
Oversees and may perform maintenance on park facilities, utilities, trails, roads, equipment, rental facilities, campgrounds, and grounds including operation, repair, and staff training in the use of vehicles, tractors, trailers, mowers, snowmobiles, skid steers, excavators, chainsaws, power tools, and other park equipment. Coordinates seasonal opening and closing procedures, winter recreation operations, trail grooming, snow removal, and related maintenance activities.
Coordinates maintenance programs and assignments with staff; establishes priorities, timelines, standards, and project expectations to ensure park facilities and grounds are maintained in a safe, clean, functional, and attractive condition. Assists with concessionaire agreement compliance, special use permits, grazing leases, contractor coordination, and collaboration with partner agencies, nonprofit organizations, volunteers, and adjacent landowners.
Assists park manager with documenting park purchases, monitoring operational budgets, maintaining records, and overseeing administrative functions including reports, inventories, timesheets, vehicle logs, supply ordering, and reservation systems. Attends required trainings and ensures compliance with Department policies, procedures, regulations, and applicable laws.
2. Resource Management.
Assists park manager in overseeing the implementation of corrective action based on resource, environmental, and visitor impacts on water quality, water rights, wetlands, soil, wildlife, vegetation, and geological or cultural sites. Implements natural resource plans to control invasive plant and animal species; assists with vegetation restoration, weed management, habitat improvement, erosion control, prescribed burns, and protection of native flora and fauna.
Protects and preserves cultural, historical, and archaeological resources; assists in preventing encroachments to park boundaries; coordinates natural resource activities with adjacent landowners, partner agencies, volunteers, and interest groups; manages wildlife habitat and supports protection of threatened or endangered species.
Assists with monitoring resource conditions, implementing mitigation measures, and communicating resource protection practices to visitors, staff, and stakeholders.
3. Visitor Services and Resource Interpretation.
Provides and/or oversees environmental education programs in schools, parks, and field settings; assists with interpretive programming, educational outreach, volunteer engagement, marketing efforts, and implementation of park activities and special events. May assist with development and promotion of interpretive programs, community partnerships, and public outreach efforts in coordination with Department staff, nonprofit groups, and partner agencies.
Provides information to visitors regarding park history, geology, wildlife, recreation opportunities, park rules, facilities, and regional tourism services. Writes or assists with press releases, public information materials, website or social media updates, and other communications.
Coordinates or assists with park-sponsored activities, community events, educational programs, races, weddings, volunteer projects, and other special events. Represents the park at public meetings, community events, interagency coordination efforts, and stakeholder discussions as assigned.
Promotes positive public relations through professional communication, strong customer service, teamwork, and effective conflict resolution in a variety of situations.
4. Safety and Park and Recreation Rule Compliance.
Serves as liaison between parks and enforcement agencies; works closely with local, state, and federal authorities to ensure compliance with park rules, recreation regulations, permit requirements, and public safety standards. Assists with development and implementation of safety and emergency action plans and ensures staff receive training in first aid, CPR, search and rescue, accident investigation, equipment operation, and emergency response procedures.
Serves as a park safety coordinator by assisting with incident reporting, emergency preparedness, hazard mitigation, and maintenance of emergency equipment and supplies including radios, medical kits, fire suppression equipment, and related safety resources. Coordinates inspections and assists with monitoring park closures, construction areas, wildlife protection zones, and emergency access needs.
Reports property damage and safety concerns; recommends corrective procedures, equipment modifications, and visitor and employee safety standards; ensures identified employees are trained in rule compliance and the safe use of equipment, vehicles, and tools; issues citations when necessary and may testify in court.
Assists with tracking citations, warnings, incidents, and emergency response documentation and cooperates with partner agencies during law enforcement, EMS, fire, and search and rescue operations.
- This position requires working nights, weekends, and holidays, often in all weather conditions and around potentially hazardous materials such as caustic substances and pesticides.
- The role also requires the ability to lift and carry items weighing up to 40 pounds regularly and up to 100 pounds occasionally, as well as frequent bending, stooping, and climbing ladders, with or without reasonable accommodation.
- This position functions as a compliance enforcement officer who maintains peace and enforces rules within the state park. Compliance enforcement training generally occurs within the first 18 – 24 months of employment. Certification as a compliance enforcement officer requires successful passage of established professional requirements and an extensive criminal background check.
- This position requires the incumbent to possess and maintain a valid driver’s license throughout the course of employment.
- Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check.
- Good knowledge of natural resource management and outdoor recreation. Typically gained by the successful completion of an Associate, Bachelors, or Master's degree from an accredited college in park and recreation management, outdoor recreation and tourism, environmental education or ecology, or a closely related natural resource field such as wildlife management, forest management wildlife biology, etc. AND 6 months experience as a ranger, or similar position, in a city, state or federal park and recreation system working with natural resource and outdoor recreation issues; OR 1 year of work experience as a ranger, or similar position, in a city, county, state or federal park and recreation system working natural resource and outdoor recreation issues.
NOTE: At this level, the experience must include working with outdoor recreation issues and natural resource management issues.
Some knowledge of and experience supervising staff. Typically gained by successful completion of 1 college-level or agency/department course or workshop that included theory and techniques of supervision, AND at least eight months (two seasons) of work experience supervising the work of subordinate staff that included assigning work and training new and existing staff.NOTE: Experience supervising seasonal and/or volunteer staff will qualify.
NOTE : Experience working in a visitor center, as a hotel desk clerk, or as a salesclerk could qualify. Your response must clearly be reflected in your resume and/or work experience.
- Some knowledge of park interpretation and environmental education. Typically gained by the successful completion of at least 1-college course or 1 agency-sponsored workshop that included park interpretation or environmental education; OR at least six months of work experience presenting structured interpretation or environmental education programs.
- Experience providing service to a variety of customers supervising staff. Typically gained by at least six months of work experience answering questions, providing direction, and asking questions to determine the needs or purpose of the visit.
NOTE : Experience working in a visitor center, as a hotel desk clerk, or as a salesclerk could qualify. Your response must clearly be reflected in your resume and/or work experience.
- Performing construction and building maintenance. Typically gained by experience independently performing intermediate carpentry and plumbing tasks such as structural building remodeling, plumbing installation, electrical installation, etc. Experience performing trade skills such as welding, concrete work, and other construction-type work is highly desirable.
- Operating and maintaining vehicles/equipment. Typically gained by experience operating heavier vehicles and equipment such as tractors with loaders, various types of farm machinery, chain saws, large riding mowers and sprayers. AND experience performing minor maintenance work on small engines, pumps, and vehicles such as changing oil and filters and performing minor tune-ups.
- Strong administrative and organizational skills, including experience with report writing, office administration, Microsoft Office Suite programs, point-of-sale systems, facility reservation systems, and operational budget tracking.
- Experience assisting with large operational budgets.
- Experience coordinating special events, public outreach efforts, interpretive programs, or community partnerships in a recreation, tourism, or natural resource setting.
- Knowledge of historic preservation practices and an appreciation for conserving the unique cultural and natural resources of Harriman State Park.
- Relevant certifications or specialized training such as a Weed Applicators License, Wilderness First Responder (or higher), or Red Card certification
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 ten 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.
