State Park Jobs and Career Opportunities - Wisconsin
Name: Melissa Cook
Current Position: Hank Aaron State Trail Manager & Southeast Region Trail Coordinator
How long have you been with Wisconsin State Parks and in what capacity?
Thirteen years total and eight years in my current position.
How did you become involved in working as a Trail Manager/Coordinator?
Between jobs, I volunteered for the agency assisting in the preparation of the feasibility study for the development of the Hank Aaron State Trail.
It entailed natural resources, historical and cultural resources, and biking issues. These were all topics of great interest to me and five years later, when a permanent position became available, I applied and was hired as the trail manager.
Describe a typical day at your job.
(If there is no such thing as a typical day, then please tell us about your primary responsibilities and duties.)
During the spring, summer, and fall, a typical day starts with briefing the crew as to the day's priorities then, lots of meetings, lots of e-mails, and lots of public interaction. Because we are still developing the Hank Aaron State Trail and, as the Regional Trail Coordinator I work with other government agencies in the development and management of trails throughout the region, I spend a good amount of time on issues concerning budget, construction, plan review, and property acquisition. Then, there are frequent meetings with committees of the Friends Group, sometimes at lunch, but more often in the evening.
These volunteer led groups are essential in filling the gaps and "putting the icing on the cake" so they are a necessary element of each day.
How many hours a week do you work in this position?
40-50 hours per week.
What aspects of your job do you enjoy the most?
Giving people tours of the trail. They don?t have very high expectations of a trail in an industrial valley and are usually very pleasantly surprised by the restoration of the area particularly next to the river. I love showing them before and after pictures, which speak volumes for what has been achieved and the great changes that have taken place.
What do you find to be the greatest challenges of your job?
Not enough hours in the day and not sufficient funding to do everything that is needed.
What kind of training/schooling is required in your position?
A bachelor?s degree in resource management.
Is there any kind of training or general experience that you wish you had before taking your job?
Actual experience working in a park was something that would have helped. Greater knowledge of small engine maintenance and repair would be an asset. I spend most of my time doing planning, however, once something is built it must be maintained. In this job, I use everything I?ve ever learned. The 13 years that I spent in sales has helped immensely, as people skills are of great importance. I can?t emphasize enough the importance of getting actual experience, either through a job or volunteer work. Having a broad set of skills is certainly an asset in this line of work.
What are a few of the projects that you've been working on recently that have been the most interesting?
The Hank Aaron State Trail is in the middle of a 1200-acre redevelopment. It is historically an industrial area with a river flowing through it. Development of the trail next to the river has assisted in improvements to the environment and has led to the general greening of the area. In addition to recreation, the trail is used by those commuting to jobs, and at lunchtime for nearby employees wishing to get some exercise. Its location is a challenge because unlike our other state trails, it is not located in a place of great natural beauty, so the challenge has been to add enhancements to the trail that make it more interesting. Some of these have included interpretive panels on the history and ecology of the area, the addition of artwork, and the restoration of acres of native plantings.
If someone were interested in working as a Trail Manager/Coordinator, what advice could you give them?
Take the opportunity to either volunteer or work in a park, in addition to getting experience or training in other areas.
Please share any further thoughts you may have about working in the state park system:
It is extremely challenging work, with too little staff and too little funding, but with tremendous rewards!
Current Position: Hank Aaron State Trail Manager & Southeast Region Trail Coordinator
How long have you been with Wisconsin State Parks and in what capacity?
Thirteen years total and eight years in my current position.
How did you become involved in working as a Trail Manager/Coordinator?
Between jobs, I volunteered for the agency assisting in the preparation of the feasibility study for the development of the Hank Aaron State Trail. It entailed natural resources, historical and cultural resources, and biking issues. These were all topics of great interest to me and five years later, when a permanent position became available, I applied and was hired as the trail manager.
Describe a typical day at your job.
(If there is no such thing as a typical day, then please tell us about your primary responsibilities and duties.)
During the spring, summer, and fall, a typical day starts with briefing the crew as to the day's priorities then, lots of meetings, lots of e-mails, and lots of public interaction. Because we are still developing the Hank Aaron State Trail and, as the Regional Trail Coordinator I work with other government agencies in the development and management of trails throughout the region, I spend a good amount of time on issues concerning budget, construction, plan review, and property acquisition. Then, there are frequent meetings with committees of the Friends Group, sometimes at lunch, but more often in the evening. These volunteer led groups are essential in filling the gaps and "putting the icing on the cake" so they are a necessary element of each day.
How many hours a week do you work in this position?
40-50 hours per week.
What aspects of your job do you enjoy the most?
Giving people tours of the trail. They don?t have very high expectations of a trail in an industrial valley and are usually very pleasantly surprised by the restoration of the area particularly next to the river. I love showing them before and after pictures, which speak volumes for what has been achieved and the great changes that have taken place.
What do you find to be the greatest challenges of your job?
Not enough hours in the day and not sufficient funding to do everything that is needed.
What kind of training/schooling is required in your position?
A bachelor?s degree in resource management.
Is there any kind of training or general experience that you wish you had before taking your job?
Actual experience working in a park was something that would have helped. Greater knowledge of small engine maintenance and repair would be an asset. I spend most of my time doing planning, however, once something is built it must be maintained. In this job, I use everything I?ve ever learned. The 13 years that I spent in sales has helped immensely, as people skills are of great importance. I can?t emphasize enough the importance of getting actual experience, either through a job or volunteer work. Having a broad set of skills is certainly an asset in this line of work.
What are a few of the projects that you've been working on recently that have been the most interesting?
The Hank Aaron State Trail is in the middle of a 1200-acre redevelopment. It is historically an industrial area with a river flowing through it. Development of the trail next to the river has assisted in improvements to the environment and has led to the general greening of the area. In addition to recreation, the trail is used by those commuting to jobs, and at lunchtime for nearby employees wishing to get some exercise. Its location is a challenge because unlike our other state trails, it is not located in a place of great natural beauty, so the challenge has been to add enhancements to the trail that make it more interesting. Some of these have included interpretive panels on the history and ecology of the area, the addition of artwork, and the restoration of acres of native plantings.
If someone were interested in working as a Trail Manager/Coordinator, what advice could you give them?
Take the opportunity to either volunteer or work in a park, in addition to getting experience or training in other areas.
Please share any further thoughts you may have about working in the state park system:
It is extremely challenging work, with too little staff and too little funding, but with tremendous rewards!
Current Position: Hank Aaron State Trail Manager & Southeast Region Trail Coordinator
How long have you been with Wisconsin State Parks and in what capacity?
Thirteen years total and eight years in my current position.
How did you become involved in working as a Trail Manager/Coordinator?
Between jobs, I volunteered for the agency assisting in the preparation of the feasibility study for the development of the Hank Aaron State Trail.
It entailed natural resources, historical and cultural resources, and biking issues. These were all topics of great interest to me and five years later, when a permanent position became available, I applied and was hired as the trail manager.
Describe a typical day at your job.
(If there is no such thing as a typical day, then please tell us about your primary responsibilities and duties.)
During the spring, summer, and fall, a typical day starts with briefing the crew as to the day's priorities then, lots of meetings, lots of e-mails, and lots of public interaction. Because we are still developing the Hank Aaron State Trail and, as the Regional Trail Coordinator I work with other government agencies in the development and management of trails throughout the region, I spend a good amount of time on issues concerning budget, construction, plan review, and property acquisition. Then, there are frequent meetings with committees of the Friends Group, sometimes at lunch, but more often in the evening.
These volunteer led groups are essential in filling the gaps and "putting the icing on the cake" so they are a necessary element of each day.
How many hours a week do you work in this position?
40-50 hours per week.
What aspects of your job do you enjoy the most?
Giving people tours of the trail. They don?t have very high expectations of a trail in an industrial valley and are usually very pleasantly surprised by the restoration of the area particularly next to the river. I love showing them before and after pictures, which speak volumes for what has been achieved and the great changes that have taken place.
What do you find to be the greatest challenges of your job?
Not enough hours in the day and not sufficient funding to do everything that is needed.
What kind of training/schooling is required in your position?
A bachelor?s degree in resource management.
Is there any kind of training or general experience that you wish you had before taking your job?
Actual experience working in a park was something that would have helped. Greater knowledge of small engine maintenance and repair would be an asset. I spend most of my time doing planning, however, once something is built it must be maintained. In this job, I use everything I?ve ever learned. The 13 years that I spent in sales has helped immensely, as people skills are of great importance. I can?t emphasize enough the importance of getting actual experience, either through a job or volunteer work. Having a broad set of skills is certainly an asset in this line of work.
What are a few of the projects that you've been working on recently that have been the most interesting?
The Hank Aaron State Trail is in the middle of a 1200-acre redevelopment. It is historically an industrial area with a river flowing through it. Development of the trail next to the river has assisted in improvements to the environment and has led to the general greening of the area. In addition to recreation, the trail is used by those commuting to jobs, and at lunchtime for nearby employees wishing to get some exercise. Its location is a challenge because unlike our other state trails, it is not located in a place of great natural beauty, so the challenge has been to add enhancements to the trail that make it more interesting. Some of these have included interpretive panels on the history and ecology of the area, the addition of artwork, and the restoration of acres of native plantings.
If someone were interested in working as a Trail Manager/Coordinator, what advice could you give them?
Take the opportunity to either volunteer or work in a park, in addition to getting experience or training in other areas.
Please share any further thoughts you may have about working in the state park system:
It is extremely challenging work, with too little staff and too little funding, but with tremendous rewards!
<< See other Wisconsin interviews -- Search by state -- Search by job title>>Interview with a State Trail Manager Name: Melissa Cook
Current Position: Hank Aaron State Trail Manager & Southeast Region Trail Coordinator
How long have you been with Wisconsin State Parks and in what capacity?
Thirteen years total and eight years in my current position.
How did you become involved in working as a Trail Manager/Coordinator?
Between jobs, I volunteered for the agency assisting in the preparation of the feasibility study for the development of the Hank Aaron State Trail. It entailed natural resources, historical and cultural resources, and biking issues. These were all topics of great interest to me and five years later, when a permanent position became available, I applied and was hired as the trail manager.
Describe a typical day at your job.
(If there is no such thing as a typical day, then please tell us about your primary responsibilities and duties.)
During the spring, summer, and fall, a typical day starts with briefing the crew as to the day's priorities then, lots of meetings, lots of e-mails, and lots of public interaction. Because we are still developing the Hank Aaron State Trail and, as the Regional Trail Coordinator I work with other government agencies in the development and management of trails throughout the region, I spend a good amount of time on issues concerning budget, construction, plan review, and property acquisition. Then, there are frequent meetings with committees of the Friends Group, sometimes at lunch, but more often in the evening. These volunteer led groups are essential in filling the gaps and "putting the icing on the cake" so they are a necessary element of each day.
How many hours a week do you work in this position?
40-50 hours per week.
What aspects of your job do you enjoy the most?
Giving people tours of the trail. They don?t have very high expectations of a trail in an industrial valley and are usually very pleasantly surprised by the restoration of the area particularly next to the river. I love showing them before and after pictures, which speak volumes for what has been achieved and the great changes that have taken place.
What do you find to be the greatest challenges of your job?
Not enough hours in the day and not sufficient funding to do everything that is needed.
What kind of training/schooling is required in your position?
A bachelor?s degree in resource management.
Is there any kind of training or general experience that you wish you had before taking your job?
Actual experience working in a park was something that would have helped. Greater knowledge of small engine maintenance and repair would be an asset. I spend most of my time doing planning, however, once something is built it must be maintained. In this job, I use everything I?ve ever learned. The 13 years that I spent in sales has helped immensely, as people skills are of great importance. I can?t emphasize enough the importance of getting actual experience, either through a job or volunteer work. Having a broad set of skills is certainly an asset in this line of work.
What are a few of the projects that you've been working on recently that have been the most interesting?
The Hank Aaron State Trail is in the middle of a 1200-acre redevelopment. It is historically an industrial area with a river flowing through it. Development of the trail next to the river has assisted in improvements to the environment and has led to the general greening of the area. In addition to recreation, the trail is used by those commuting to jobs, and at lunchtime for nearby employees wishing to get some exercise. Its location is a challenge because unlike our other state trails, it is not located in a place of great natural beauty, so the challenge has been to add enhancements to the trail that make it more interesting. Some of these have included interpretive panels on the history and ecology of the area, the addition of artwork, and the restoration of acres of native plantings.
If someone were interested in working as a Trail Manager/Coordinator, what advice could you give them?
Take the opportunity to either volunteer or work in a park, in addition to getting experience or training in other areas.
Please share any further thoughts you may have about working in the state park system:
It is extremely challenging work, with too little staff and too little funding, but with tremendous rewards!
<< See other Wisconsin interviews -- Search by state -- Search by job title>>
