Parks Manager
Parks provide open green space for the enjoyment of millions of people around the world. The term “park” is used to describe spaces as diverse as quite small areas of grass in city centres to the vast open spaces of National Parks. Parks of any sort are neither created nor maintained by accident. In the context of the job of Parks Manager, park management generally refers to open air leisure within an urban setting. There are dedicated teams of staff who manage these parks – usually heading these teams is the Parks Manager.
A Parks Manager will be responsible for a range of work and staff depending on the type of Park being managed, the geographical location and the employer for whom the manager works. Parks management may, for example, fall under the control of a local government authority or council, a national government or sometimes a private contracting company employed by a government authority.
A Parks Manager may often specialise in one of two areas:
· Sports ground maintenance such as fine turf management for bowling greens, golf greens, cricket wickets etc
· Floral and amenity horticulture such as designing floral displays, tree care, etc
Whatever the type of park being managed, a Parks Manager, will be responsible for at least some or all of the following: Health and Safety of both staff and the visiting public; Vocational training and development of staff; Management of stores; Budgets and purchasing; Property and fleet management; Machinery; Park development; Turf management; Management of in-house plants nursery; Landscape design; Environmental management; Liaison with the public; Event management;
The most successful Parks Managers will be trained professionals who have strong business skills as well as horticultural knowledge. They will be literate, numerate, technically competent, have management and marketing skills and good social and interpersonal skills. For some roles, in addition, landscape design skills and health and safety management experience will be preferred.
Typical Jobs or Career Paths
It is very rare for a first job to be that of a Parks Manager. Some managers will enter the Amenity Horticulture sector as Gardeners or Horticultural Officers and progress to the level of Parks Manager following additional academic study and hands-on training. Some will take an academic qualification and start as a trainee Manager, progressing to Head of Department of Senior Manager.
Some students will start with general horticultural or nursery work or study, followed by specialist training within the industry, or short specialist study courses. Others will study at degree level, subjects such as horticulture, or horticulture with a stream option in parks or landscape or environmental management; or increasingly a Bachelor’s degree in Parks and Recreation Management. Some industry bodies offer horticulture scholarships at colleges and universities. Apprenticeship schemes are also available in the Parks sector. Courses which can offer simultaneous work experience are invaluable. Whatever your age or study level, on-the-job training in a park can give you real work experience.
Typical entry points might be as follows:
- from school at age 16/17 with some leaving qualifications
- from school/college at 18/19 with year 12 qualifications (such as Baccalaureate, A-levels, School Certificate etc)
- from a college at 18/20 with a vocational qualification
- from higher education with an HND, an Advanced Certificate, a Diploma or degree
- from higher education with a post-graduate qualification
- from another career with relevant experience
Career options include:
Career choices as a Parks Manager are diverse and challenging, and include:
- Parks Manager – Head of Department/Senior Manager
- Recreation and Amenities Manager
- Technical and Support Manager
- Parks Development Manager
- Landscape (hard, soft and interior)
- Sports turf and golf green-keeping
- Private, heritage and botanic gardens
- Commercial grounds, public parks and green spaces
Careers in amenity and landscape management include positions in local government/authority parks, public and historic gardens, and landscape management. The work is often varied, including organising planting, handling tenders, monitoring contracts, managing staff, planning and consulting with the public.
Who Employs a Graduate?
Typical employers may include –
- Local or National Government Authorities
- National Heritage or Conservation Trusts/private landowners
- Private Grounds Maintenance Contractors or Practices
Positions are usually available full time and on a temporary or permanent basis.
Remuneration and Advancement Opportunities
The role of a Parks Manager provides career and salary advancement based upon experience, education and an individual’s motivation and willingness to learn. Entry-level positions will usually provide remuneration at or above the hourly minimum wage. A Parks Manager can earn a salary commensurate with those for other professional level careers. Obviously, wages and salaries vary in different geographic areas and within industry sectors. Government employees are often able to participate in good pension schemes and sometimes health insurance schemes.
Professional Bodies
Membership of Professional bodies is useful to encourage networking and that you are kept up to date with current trends. Some will require an annual fee to join, whilst others will require evidence of your educational attainment and experience. Some will offer reduced fees for students. Some Professional bodies include:
· Parks and Leisure Australia www.parksleisure.com.au
· Institute of Leisure and Amenity Management www.ilam.co.uk
· International Federation of Parks and Recreation Administration www.ifpra.org
· Institute of Horticulture www.horticulture.org.uk
· National Recreation and Park Association www.nrpa.org
Career Risks
There are risks associated with every career. Parks Managers, like others who work in land-based industries are at risk from machinery/equipment related accidents and exposure to chemicals. However, these risks are minimal provided proper Health and Safety procedures are observed in the work place. Government bodies should have appropriate public liability insurance. Private contractors should have appropriate professional and public liability insurances.
Recommended Courses
Both academic training and practical experience is important for Parks Managers, so ACS DE offers a variety of short courses, certificates in Horticulture, Environmental Management and an Advanced Diploma in Parks and Recreation.
Advanced Diploma in Horticulture (Parks and Recreation) http://www.acsedu.co.uk/courses/product.aspx?id=111
This course provides training for people to work in the management and development of recreation and park facilities and services. It is relevant to all types of situations including municipal parks, national parks, tourist parks, resorts, etc.
This is a substantial and unique course, of 2,600 hours minimum nominal duration, requiring a 5 year part time or 2 to 3 year full time commitment.
This course is written to satisfy all relevant competencies for accreditation through the International Accreditation and Recognition Council.
Part one of the course comprises five compulsory core modules in Biochemistry (Plants), Computer Studies, Instructional Skills, Business Studies, and Workplace Health and Safety A; together with a further eight compulsory core modules chosen from Recreation Administration and Management I, Recreation Administration and Management II, Recreation Administration and Management III, Horticulture I, Arboriculture I, Turf Care, Irrigation, Park and Playground Design I.
Part two of the course comprises six elective stream modules chosen from Landscaping I, Landscaping II, Facility Management I, Facility Management II, Recreation Administration & Management IV, Plant Protection, Engineering I, Soil Management, Irrigation Management, Australian Native Plants I, Horticulture II.
Part three of the course comprises a further two elective stream modules, which can be chosen from any Advanced Diploma accredited modules, selected from stream electives not studied yet, or any modules from other Diplomas (except Horticultural Management, Horticultural Marketing, Agricultural Marketing, Farm Management).
* Students are to attain a Senior First Aid Certificate during the course of study.
Three projects must be undertaken to satisfy the 300 hour nominal duration of WORKPLACE ORIENTED RESEARCH. Each project will deal with a distinct aspect of workplace activity, and culminate in a written formal report of a length appropriate to the nature of the project.
Students must attend 100 hours (minimum) of INDUSTRY CONFERENCE/SEMINARS/MEETINGS within the period of the course. These may include such things as industry conferences or seminars, or professional society meetings.
For details of further ACSDE courses in Horticulture and Environmental Management, visit http://www.acsedu.co.uk/courses/horti.aspx
For details of Warnborough University Bachelor degree in Arts and Leisure Management, or Bachelor of Horticulture