Recreation Site Technician

State of Montana • Kalispell, MT

11d

About The Position

Flathead Lake State Park consists of six unique park units located around Flathead Lake, the largest freshwater lake west of the Mississippi. The park units on the east side are Wayfarers, Yellow Bay, and Finley Point, and the west side units are West Shore, Big Arm, and Wild Horse Island. In addition to boating, swimming, and fishing, each park unit offers unique experiences including camping, rental picnic shelters, group camping, hiking, sightseeing, picnicking, and wildlife viewing opportunities. Whitefish Lake State Park provides one of three public access points to beautiful Whitefish Lake. Nestled between the lake and the railroad tracks, this park offers camping, boating, fishing, picnicking, and swimming. Lake Mary Ronan is located 7 miles west of Flathead Lake. This is a secluded, quiet park and lake that boasts good fishing, camping, picnicking and swimming. Logan State Park is located in the middle of the Thompson Chain of Lakes State Park about 50 minutes west of Kalispell. Logan State Park is a more highly developed park on Middle Thompson Lake, a popular fishing lake. The park offers beautiful scenic views, boating, fishing, swimming, camping, picnicking, and wildlife viewing opportunities. Thompson Chain of Lakes State Park, located halfway between Kalispell and Libby, stretches along 20 miles of Highway 2 and encompasses 18 lakes. The area offers a more remote and secluded camping experience, beautiful scenic views, fishing, boating, swimming, and wildlife viewing opportunities. There are eight positions available, distributed at the following park units\: Flathead Lake State Park - Finley Point Unit (1); Wayfarers Unit (2); West Shore (1); Lake Mary Ronan State Park (1); Whitefish Lake State Park (1); Logan State Park (1); Thompson Chain of Lakes State Park (1-onsite). Positions begin mid-May and end mid-September. Housing and RV sites are not provided for most of these positions as these are considered off-site positions. The Lake Mary Ronan State Park and Thompson Chain of Lakes State Park are onsite positions meaning that there is a RV host site with electric, water and sewer hook-ups that successful applicants will set up their own RV up at. This position requires an additional person that will volunteer for the park, which will compensate for the free RV hook-ups, etc. Recreation Technician positions typically work 24-30 hours one week and 32-40 hours the next week, totaling 56-70 hours per pay period. There are typically two work shifts in each park\: one is Sunday through Tuesday and every other Saturday, and the second shift is Wednesday through Friday and every other Saturday. Lake Mary Ronan State Park is rotating three days on and three days off schedule. Daily shifts for most positions are 10 hours per day, with a 30-minute lunch break, except for Lake Mary Ronan and Thompson Chain of Lakes which are 8-hour workdays. Physical labor is required for the Recreation Technician position. Must be able to lift 50 lbs. and perform moderate physical activity for extended periods and strenuous activity for short periods. The majority of work is performed in an outside park environment, possibly in adverse weather conditions. The position may require some travel outside the park property primarily for training purposes. The incumbent will be required to work weekends and holidays. This position requires an effective working knowledge of a wide variety of skills, including good customer service skills, problem-solving, accounting, computer operation using specialized reservation program software, janitorial maintenance, and first aid/CPR/AED. CPR/AED and First Aid by date of employment is highly preferred. Must be able to follow written and verbal instructions. You must organize tasks efficiently, establish positive working relationships with co-workers and management, work well with the public, and be able to communicate effectively. Must have the ability to understand and effectively explain Park and Department policies and regulations to the public. Must be able to effectively deal with angry or verbally abusive individuals who are dissatisfied with FWP policies and actions. Ability to use tact, courtesy, poise, alertness, and good judgment in public contacts. Must possess working knowledge, including site location and available recreational opportunities for public recreational sites in the surrounding area.

Requirements

• Graduation from high school or equivalent education.
• Required at time of application\: General knowledge of basic customer service and safe work habits
• Ability to\: educate and inform visitors on compliance with rules and regulations and State laws; collect fees and make change; sell merchandise and account for monies collected; read, maintain, and prepare records and reports; and assist visitors in emergency situations.
• Daily interaction with site visitors requires effective communication and public relations skills.
• Must be able to lift 50 lbs. and perform moderate physical activity for extended periods and strenuous activity for short periods.
• Must be able to follow written and verbal instructions.
• You must organize tasks efficiently, establish positive working relationships with co-workers and management, work well with the public, and be able to communicate effectively.
• Must have the ability to understand and effectively explain Park and Department policies and regulations to the public.
• Must be able to effectively deal with angry or verbally abusive individuals who are dissatisfied with FWP policies and actions.
• Ability to use tact, courtesy, poise, alertness, and good judgment in public contacts.
• Must possess working knowledge, including site location and available recreational opportunities for public recreational sites in the surrounding area.

Nice To Haves

• One year of college or vocational training experience in park and recreation management, interpretive visitor center, or closely related setting is preferred
• CPR/AED and First Aid by date of employment is highly preferred.

Responsibilities

• This position is responsible for providing good customer service, fee collection, campground reservation system operations, and cleaning of park facilities.
• Performs recreation fee collection and campground reservation system operations.
• Closes and balances cash drawer daily when the entrance station is not staffed by another staff member.
• Contact visitors to provide park and tourist information, and fee payment procedures, and encourage positive use of park facilities following guidelines defined in Montana State Park’s "Seasonal Employee Handbook."
• Conduct periodic campground rounds.
• Staffs entrance station when assigned.
• Provide good customer service including answering questions and providing information on park rules and regulations to visitors.
• Provide emergency assistance and/or medical aid to the level of training.
• Monitor and assist with traffic control and parking on high-use days.
• Removes, transports, and properly disposes of trash and debris from campsites, buildings, and park grounds.
• Inspect and clean toilet facilities multiple times per day.
• Works effectively as part of a team with other staff, volunteers, and park rangers.
• Opportunities to gain training in trail management, noxious weed management, interpretation, and other visitor services.
• Other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Employees who exceed 1,040 hours in a calendar year are also provided health, dental and life insurance.
• Other benefits include retirement, paid vacation, sick and holidays.
• This position may be covered by a VEBA (Voluntary Employee Beneficiary Association).

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED
• Number of Employees: 101-250 employees