What are the responsibilities and job description for the Chief Ranger (Bays Mountain Park) position at City of Kingsport, TN?
Purpose
Responsible for leading the park’s integrated Visitor Services and Visitor Engagement operations. This position ensures that both passive visitor experiences and active visitor engagement programs are delivered safely, consistently, and in alignment with Bays Mountain Park’s mission.
The Chief Ranger supervises assigned staff, interns, and volunteers across visitor-facing functions and works closely with the Park Manager to maintain high standards of visitor experience, operational readiness, resource stewardship, and public safety. The position is cross trained with complementary leadership roles to provide continuity of operations during absences or peak operational demands.
Essential Functions
- Lead and coordinate Visitor Services and Visitor Engagement operations to ensure a safe, welcoming, and efficient visitor experience.
- Establish and maintain service standards, staffing plans, operating procedures, and training programs for visitor-facing functions.
- Supervise, schedule, coach, and evaluate staff, interns, and volunteers, ensuring performance aligns with City policies and operational expectations.
- Coordinate daily operations across guest services, park maintenance, exhibits, and program teams to ensure readiness, reduce redundancy, and maintain consistent service delivery.
- Oversee guest service operations, including entry/gatehouse activities, retail or gift shop coordination, membership support, and visitor flow management.
- Support the Park Manager with budget planning, operational reporting, vendor coordination, rentals, special events, and project implementation affecting visitor facilities and programs.
- Ensure facility readiness and visitor asset upkeep in coordination with maintenance and exhibits staff, including visitor centers, museums, trails, and public areas.
- Lead planning, scheduling, and evaluation of interpretive, educational, and outreach programs, ensuring alignment with park themes, visitor needs, and operational capacity.
- Provide operational coordination for visitor-facing animal programs and exhibits while ensuring safety, logistics, and compliance with applicable standards.
- Monitor visitor use patterns, service quality, and membership trends, recommending improvements to enhance the visitor experience.
- Ensure safety, incident preparedness, rule compliance, and risk management through staff training, documentation, and coordination with appropriate authorities.
- Respond to visitor concerns, complaints, and service requests, implementing service recovery and documenting outcomes.
- Support community partnerships, volunteer engagement, and outreach efforts that increase park visibility and visitor participation.
- Maintain cross-training and operational coordination to ensure continuity of operations and provide leadership coverage when needed.
- Performs other duties as assigned
Qualifications
- Knowledge of budgeting, marketing, producing operational reports, and revenue growth strategies.
- Knowledge of interpretive program development and evaluation.
- Knowledge with grant development or sponsorship coordination
- Knowledge of visitor services and visitor engagement operations in a public-facing environment.
- Knowledge of the TN State Natural Areas Program and associated rules and regulations
- Skill in supervising staff, coaching, scheduling, and performance management.
- Skill in de-escalation and customer resolutions.
- Ability to manage operational risk through planning, documentation, and coordinated response
- Ability to work with advisory committees, community partners, and citizen support groups.
Education and Experience
Bachelor’s degree and 3 years of experience required. Valid and current TN/VA driver’s license required. Graduate certificate or master’s degree in a related field and two years of supervisory experience preferred. Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP) certification preferred.
The City of Kingsport does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, ethnicity, national origin, sex, disability, age, status as a protected veteran, or any other class protected by Federal or State laws and regulations.