Area Manager – Allegheny National Forest Campground Concession
BA Services Inc. dba Allegheny Recreation Services has been awarded the Campground Concession contract to operate the campgrounds, cabins, day-use areas and boat launch sites on the Allegheny National Forest. This 5-year base contract with a 5-year contract option begins January 1st. 2027, with the campgrounds opening for the season beginning on April 1st and closing near October 31st.
Overview of the Allegheny National Forest
The Allegheny National Forest (ANF), Pennsylvania’s only National Forest, encompasses approximately 517,000 acres across Elk, Forest, McKean, and Warren counties in northwestern Pennsylvania. Administratively divided between the Bradford and Marienville Ranger Districts, the Forest offers extensive year-round recreation opportunities, including camping, boating, fishing, hiking, bicycling, horseback riding, OHV use, winter recreation, and wildlife viewing. Its location within a day’s drive of approximately one-third of the nation’s population provides a substantial and diverse visitor base, including travelers from Pittsburgh, Buffalo, Erie, Cleveland, Akron, and surrounding communities.
The Allegheny Reservoir is one of the Forest’s primary recreational attractions. Created by the construction of Kinzua Dam, the reservoir extends approximately 27 miles and provides 91 miles of shoreline, much of which remains largely undeveloped. The Forest’s recreation infrastructure includes developed campgrounds, boat launches, day-use areas, swimming beaches, fishing access, group camping facilities, pressurized water systems, wastewater facilities, electrical service, flush toilets, and hot-water showers. Other significant resources include the Allegheny and Clarion Wild and Scenic Rivers, two designated wilderness areas, the Allegheny National Recreation Area, and approximately 96 miles of the North Country National Scenic Trail.
BA Services operates a geographically diverse group of developed recreation facilities throughout the Bradford and Marienville Ranger Districts under a U.S. Forest Service campground concession special use permit. The Area Manager is responsible for coordinating the safe, efficient, and customer-focused operation of these facilities while maintaining Forest Service standards, supporting campground personnel, protecting natural and Government-owned resources, and providing visitors with a consistently high-quality outdoor recreation experience throughout the Allegheny National Forest.
The Area Manager provides overall leadership and administrative oversight for BA Services' operations under the U.S. Forest Service Special Use Permit. Serving as the Company's senior on-site representative, the Area Manager is the primary point of contact with the Forest Service Permit Administrator and is responsible for ensuring the successful operation, maintenance, compliance, and continuous improvement of the entire recreation concession.
This position requires a Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Class D, Subclass 12 Water System and Class B, F, Subclass 1,2,3,4 Wastewater certification. If you have experience with these requirements and are able to acquire the certifications you are a candidate for this position.
BA Services will provide the right applicant with comprehensive training in the company’s corporate and field operating procedures, including financial management, purchasing, human resources, governmental policies and procedures, public relations, emergency management, recreation operations, environmental stewardship, regulatory compliance, and the application of applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations.
The Area Manager must possess excellent leadership, organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills, together with strong computer proficiency and the ability to effectively manage multiple recreation sites, employees, contractors, and stakeholders.
Leadership & Organizational Management
The Area Manager establishes the leadership philosophy and operational culture for the concession by promoting professionalism, accountability, teamwork, safety, environmental stewardship, and exceptional customer service. The position develops and maintains the organizational structure necessary to successfully operate the concession, ensuring clear lines of authority, responsibility, communication, and accountability throughout the organization.
Responsibilities include:
- Providing strategic leadership and overall operational direction for all assigned recreation facilities.
- Developing and maintaining the organizational structure and chain of command for Unit Managers, Maintenance Technicians, Campground Hosts, Customer Service Representatives, and seasonal employees.
- Establishing operational priorities and allocating personnel and resources to meet changing operational demands.
- Promoting BA Services' mission of providing "Service and Care of People, Facilities and Land."
Management Responsibilities
The Area Manager has complete responsibility and accountability for all aspects of concession operations, including:
- Overall operational management of all recreation sites and associated facilities.
- Supervision, scheduling, coaching, mentoring, and performance evaluation of Area Managers, Maintenance Technicians, Campground Hosts, Customer Service staff, and other assigned personnel.
- Performance management through regular inspections, employee development, corrective action when necessary, and recognition of outstanding performance.
- Coordination of preseason preparation, peak-season operations, and postseason shutdown and winterization activities.
- Administration of contracts, vendor relationships, utility providers, equipment suppliers, and other support services necessary for successful operations.
Safety & Regulatory Compliance
The Area Manager is responsible for maintaining a safe working environment for employees and visitors while ensuring full compliance with all applicable regulations and permit requirements.
Responsibilities include:
- Administering BA Services' safety programs and ensuring compliance with OSHA requirements and company safety policies.
- Ensuring compliance with the Forest Service Special Use Permit, Annual Operating Plan, Granger-Thye agreements, environmental commitments, and all applicable federal, state, and local regulations.
- Coordinating employee safety training, inspections, documentation, and incident investigations.
- Maintaining emergency preparedness plans and coordinating emergency response activities with Forest Service personnel and local emergency responders.
Water & Wastewater System Oversight
The Area Manager is responsible for ensuring the proper operation, maintenance, monitoring, and regulatory compliance of all concession-operated water and wastewater systems.
Responsibilities include:
- Ensuring water and wastewater systems are operated in accordance with all applicable state and federal regulations.
- Coordinating required inspections, sampling, reporting, preventative maintenance, and certified operator services.
- Maintaining complete regulatory records and ensuring timely submission of all required reports.
- Coordinating repairs and capital improvements necessary to maintain reliable system operation.
Asset & Facility Management
The Area Manager oversees the stewardship of all government-owned and company-owned assets throughout the concession.
Responsibilities include:
- Directing facility maintenance, preventative maintenance, repairs, custodial operations, and Granger-Thye maintenance projects.
- Maintaining equipment inventories and replacement schedules.
- Monitoring infrastructure conditions and recommending capital improvements.
- Ensuring facilities remain clean, safe, functional, and aesthetically maintained throughout the operating season.
Financial Management & Internal Controls
The Area Manager maintains overall financial accountability for concession operations by implementing sound internal controls and responsible fiscal management.
Responsibilities include:
- Oversight of fee collection, revenue reconciliation, cash handling, and financial reporting.
- Budget preparation, purchasing, inventory management, and expenditure control.
- Monitoring operational performance against budget objectives.
- Ensuring financial records are accurate, complete, and maintained in accordance with company policies and Forest Service requirements.
Visitor Services & Public Relations
The Area Manager establishes the standard for exceptional visitor experiences throughout the concession.
Responsibilities include:
- Monitoring customer service performance and visitor satisfaction.
- Resolving visitor concerns and complaints in a professional and timely manner.
- Promoting consistent service standards across all recreation sites.
- Maintaining positive relationships with visitors, local communities, tourism organizations, and cooperating agencies.
Forest Service Coordination
The Area Manager serves as BA Services' principal liaison with the U.S. Forest Service.
Responsibilities include:
- Maintaining frequent communication with the Forest Service Permit Administrator and district personnel.
- Coordinating inspections, maintenance projects, permit compliance activities, and operational planning.
- Participating in meetings, site reviews, and annual operating plan discussions.
- Ensuring prompt communication regarding operational issues, emergencies, maintenance needs, and visitor concerns.
Emergency Management & Environmental Stewardship
The Area Manager is responsible for protecting visitors, employees, facilities, and natural resources through proactive planning and effective response.
Responsibilities include:
- Coordinating emergency response efforts during incidents involving visitors, employees, facilities, utilities, severe weather, or natural disasters.
- Ensuring incident documentation and reporting requirements are completed accurately and promptly.
- Promoting environmental stewardship by protecting natural resources, minimizing operational impacts, and ensuring compliance with environmental laws and Forest Service resource protection policies.
Reporting, Continuous Improvement & Quality Assurance
The Area Manager maintains comprehensive operational oversight through ongoing reporting, evaluation, and continuous improvement initiatives.
Responsibilities include:
- Preparing and submitting all required operational, financial, safety, maintenance, environmental, and regulatory reports.
- Conducting routine quality assurance inspections and operational audits.
- Monitoring key performance indicators and implementing corrective actions when needed.
- Identifying opportunities to improve operational efficiency, visitor satisfaction, employee performance, and resource stewardship.
- Fostering a culture of continuous improvement through innovation, employee engagement, and proactive problem-solving.
As the senior operational leader for the concession, the Area Manager is ultimately accountable for ensuring BA Services consistently fulfills its commitment to operational excellence, regulatory compliance, fiscal responsibility, environmental stewardship, and outstanding public service while protecting public resources and maintaining a strong, collaborative partnership with the U.S. Forest Service.
Pay: $45,000.00 - $75,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
