State Park Jobs and Career Opportunities - South Carolina
Name: Fayette Yenny
Current Position: Park Manager at Lake Greenwood State Recreation Area
How long have you been with South Carolina State Parks and in what capacity?
I have been with the South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism for 10 years. I have served as a Park Ranger I, II and a Park Manager. I have been a Park Manager for the last 5 years, managing three different state parks.
How did you become involved in working as a Park Ranger?
While majoring in education, I came to work at a South Carolina state park for a summer as the assistant naturalist. After working only one summer, I realized that I wanted to make a career out of working for the South Carolina State Park service. I loved working outdoors and with the public. After accepting a full time ranger position, I realized I could impact the South Carolina State park service best by managing a state park.
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.)
As a Park Manager, my day to day responsibilities really vary from day to day. I oversee the daily operations of the park, administration, and customer service. I am also responsible for the natural and cultural resources on the park.
How many hours a week do you work in this position?
40+
What aspects of your job do you enjoy the most?
I enjoy the variety this position has to offer.
Every day I usually do something different.
What do you find to be the greatest challenges of your job?
The greatest challenge of my job is finding a balance between public use of the park and protecting the resources that are on the park.
What kind of training/schooling is required in your position?
For a Park Manager position at least a bachelor?s degree is required in a related field such as forestry. Park management, education, business, or some other related field.
Is there any kind of training or general experience that you wish you had before taking your job?
I wish I had more experience in maintenance such as electrical, plumbing, carpentry, and other maintenance areas.
What are a few of the projects that you've been working on recently that have been the most interesting?
Currently the most interesting project I have worked on to date is remodeling a Civilian Conservation Corp bathhouse. This facility was built by the CCC, and is a fine example of their craftsmanship. Restoring this building has been a real learning experience that has been very rewarding.
If someone were interested in working as a Park Manager, what advice could you give them?
You have to be very passionate about what you do. It can be a hard and stressful position, but the rewards are great. You must have a love for the outdoors and not be afraid to make decisions. You can not be afraid to "get your hands dirty". You really have to be a people person and must be able to handle any situation.
Please share any further thoughts you may have about working in the state park system:
I can not think of anything else that I would rather do then to work as a manager of a State Park for the South Carolina State Park Service.
Current Position: Park Manager at Lake Greenwood State Recreation Area
How long have you been with South Carolina State Parks and in what capacity?
I have been with the South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism for 10 years. I have served as a Park Ranger I, II and a Park Manager. I have been a Park Manager for the last 5 years, managing three different state parks.
How did you become involved in working as a Park Ranger?
While majoring in education, I came to work at a South Carolina state park for a summer as the assistant naturalist. After working only one summer, I realized that I wanted to make a career out of working for the South Carolina State Park service. I loved working outdoors and with the public. After accepting a full time ranger position, I realized I could impact the South Carolina State park service best by managing a state park.
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.)
As a Park Manager, my day to day responsibilities really vary from day to day. I oversee the daily operations of the park, administration, and customer service. I am also responsible for the natural and cultural resources on the park.
How many hours a week do you work in this position?
40+
What aspects of your job do you enjoy the most?
I enjoy the variety this position has to offer. Every day I usually do something different.
What do you find to be the greatest challenges of your job?
The greatest challenge of my job is finding a balance between public use of the park and protecting the resources that are on the park.
What kind of training/schooling is required in your position?
For a Park Manager position at least a bachelor?s degree is required in a related field such as forestry. Park management, education, business, or some other related field.
Is there any kind of training or general experience that you wish you had before taking your job?
I wish I had more experience in maintenance such as electrical, plumbing, carpentry, and other maintenance areas.
What are a few of the projects that you've been working on recently that have been the most interesting?
Currently the most interesting project I have worked on to date is remodeling a Civilian Conservation Corp bathhouse. This facility was built by the CCC, and is a fine example of their craftsmanship. Restoring this building has been a real learning experience that has been very rewarding.
If someone were interested in working as a Park Manager, what advice could you give them?
You have to be very passionate about what you do. It can be a hard and stressful position, but the rewards are great. You must have a love for the outdoors and not be afraid to make decisions. You can not be afraid to "get your hands dirty". You really have to be a people person and must be able to handle any situation.
Please share any further thoughts you may have about working in the state park system:
I can not think of anything else that I would rather do then to work as a manager of a State Park for the South Carolina State Park Service.
Current Position: Park Manager at Lake Greenwood State Recreation Area
How long have you been with South Carolina State Parks and in what capacity?
I have been with the South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism for 10 years. I have served as a Park Ranger I, II and a Park Manager. I have been a Park Manager for the last 5 years, managing three different state parks.
How did you become involved in working as a Park Ranger?
While majoring in education, I came to work at a South Carolina state park for a summer as the assistant naturalist. After working only one summer, I realized that I wanted to make a career out of working for the South Carolina State Park service. I loved working outdoors and with the public. After accepting a full time ranger position, I realized I could impact the South Carolina State park service best by managing a state park.
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.)
As a Park Manager, my day to day responsibilities really vary from day to day. I oversee the daily operations of the park, administration, and customer service. I am also responsible for the natural and cultural resources on the park.
How many hours a week do you work in this position?
40+
What aspects of your job do you enjoy the most?
I enjoy the variety this position has to offer.
Every day I usually do something different.
What do you find to be the greatest challenges of your job?
The greatest challenge of my job is finding a balance between public use of the park and protecting the resources that are on the park.
What kind of training/schooling is required in your position?
For a Park Manager position at least a bachelor?s degree is required in a related field such as forestry. Park management, education, business, or some other related field.
Is there any kind of training or general experience that you wish you had before taking your job?
I wish I had more experience in maintenance such as electrical, plumbing, carpentry, and other maintenance areas.
What are a few of the projects that you've been working on recently that have been the most interesting?
Currently the most interesting project I have worked on to date is remodeling a Civilian Conservation Corp bathhouse. This facility was built by the CCC, and is a fine example of their craftsmanship. Restoring this building has been a real learning experience that has been very rewarding.
If someone were interested in working as a Park Manager, what advice could you give them?
You have to be very passionate about what you do. It can be a hard and stressful position, but the rewards are great. You must have a love for the outdoors and not be afraid to make decisions. You can not be afraid to "get your hands dirty". You really have to be a people person and must be able to handle any situation.
Please share any further thoughts you may have about working in the state park system:
I can not think of anything else that I would rather do then to work as a manager of a State Park for the South Carolina State Park Service.
<< See other South Carolina interviews -- Search by state -- Search by job title>>Interview with a Park Manager Name: Fayette Yenny
Current Position: Park Manager at Lake Greenwood State Recreation Area
How long have you been with South Carolina State Parks and in what capacity?
I have been with the South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism for 10 years. I have served as a Park Ranger I, II and a Park Manager. I have been a Park Manager for the last 5 years, managing three different state parks.
How did you become involved in working as a Park Ranger?
While majoring in education, I came to work at a South Carolina state park for a summer as the assistant naturalist. After working only one summer, I realized that I wanted to make a career out of working for the South Carolina State Park service. I loved working outdoors and with the public. After accepting a full time ranger position, I realized I could impact the South Carolina State park service best by managing a state park.
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.)
As a Park Manager, my day to day responsibilities really vary from day to day. I oversee the daily operations of the park, administration, and customer service. I am also responsible for the natural and cultural resources on the park.
How many hours a week do you work in this position?
40+
What aspects of your job do you enjoy the most?
I enjoy the variety this position has to offer. Every day I usually do something different.
What do you find to be the greatest challenges of your job?
The greatest challenge of my job is finding a balance between public use of the park and protecting the resources that are on the park.
What kind of training/schooling is required in your position?
For a Park Manager position at least a bachelor?s degree is required in a related field such as forestry. Park management, education, business, or some other related field.
Is there any kind of training or general experience that you wish you had before taking your job?
I wish I had more experience in maintenance such as electrical, plumbing, carpentry, and other maintenance areas.
What are a few of the projects that you've been working on recently that have been the most interesting?
Currently the most interesting project I have worked on to date is remodeling a Civilian Conservation Corp bathhouse. This facility was built by the CCC, and is a fine example of their craftsmanship. Restoring this building has been a real learning experience that has been very rewarding.
If someone were interested in working as a Park Manager, what advice could you give them?
You have to be very passionate about what you do. It can be a hard and stressful position, but the rewards are great. You must have a love for the outdoors and not be afraid to make decisions. You can not be afraid to "get your hands dirty". You really have to be a people person and must be able to handle any situation.
Please share any further thoughts you may have about working in the state park system:
I can not think of anything else that I would rather do then to work as a manager of a State Park for the South Carolina State Park Service.
<< See other South Carolina interviews -- Search by state -- Search by job title>>