At this level, one is leading a variety of disciplines at multiple locations within a geographic area or region. Decision-Making and Impact may include decisions affecting area/ division-wide performance; influencing culture, profitability, and growth of the specific area/division.  This is the EXPANSION stage of one’s journey – applying practice with increasing independence in familiar or low/medium-stakes contexts.

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Quick Jump
Communications, Public Relations & Marketing
 Critical Thinking & Decision Making
Data Analysis & Research 
Financial Management
Interpersonal
Leadership
Natural & Cultural Resource Management
Organizational Design
 Planning (Operational)
Planning (Strategic, Master, Comprehensive & Asset Management)
Policy Compliance
Program/Event Management
Project Coordination/Management
Relationship Building
Resource Management 
Risk Management & Safety
 Supervision & Oversight
Technology
Audience – This is the usual group of people with which an individual at the specified responsibility level will interact. The interaction may take many forms; who you communicate with, who you influence, and who you serve.
Focus – What the interaction is about in the moment.  Think of it as what needs to occur if one is to achieve the goal.
Tools – These are resources that an individual at this responsibility level may access or deploy to interact with the specified audience. 
Goal – This is an indicator of what the intended outcome of the audience interaction is.
Development Guide - This section lists examples of where an individual can gain education, knowledge and experience in the skill areas that will aid in mastering a skill and preparing one to move to the next level of skill and/or responsibility level.

COMMUNICATION, PUBLIC RELATIONS, MARKETING
Skills 

  • Articulate division-wide strategy and vision
  • Communicate with data and insight to justify priorities
  • Manage up and down effectively
  • Develop and approve area/divisional marketing plans
  • Oversee crisis communication plans
  • Storytelling to inspire and drive engagement
  • Design comprehensive public relations campaigns
  • Foster partnerships with external agencies and stakeholders
  • Lead market research and audience segmentation
  • Oversee crisis communication protocols and training
  • Analyze public relations campaign impact and report to senior leaders
  • Drive brand messaging aligned with organizational values

Development Guide

  • Attend training on executive presentation skills
  • Learn about change communication frameworks (e.g. Kotter's model)
  • Build partnerships with external stakeholders
  • Executive brief writing training
  • Lead comprehensive public relations campaigns aligned with organizational strategy
  • Analyze and report public relations outcomes to leadership
  • Align marketing plans with organizational strategy and community goals
  • Lead market research and audience segmentation
  • Public speaking training/practice

Tools

Town Halls, Planning Documents, Commission Agendas; Media Monitoring and Analysis Software, Public Relations Management Software

Audience: Other Division Heads, Executive Leadership, Jurisdictional Management, Cross-Jurisdictional Entities,   External Audiences

Focus:  Vision communication; organizational influence; lead area/division public relations strategy aligned with organizational goals; lead marketing planning for area/division aligning with strategic goals

Goal:   Drive alignment and motivation across larger segments of the organization, build trust and support for area/division initiatives, strengthen public image and support strategic initiatives through targeted marketing

SUPERVISION & OVERSIGHT
Skills 

  • Strategic thinking and planning
  • Budget and financial oversight of the area/region
  • Risk assessment and mitigation
  • Change management
  • Talent management across teams
  • Cross-department alignment
  • Lead through others (indirect leadership)

Development Guide

  • Executive MBA modules, CPM programs
  • Actively participate in strategic planning retreats
  • Attend advanced leadership programs
  • Attend budget and finance workshops

Tools

Strategic Plans, Budget Reports

brown rectangle with white letters that say APPLICATIONAudience: Senior Managers, Cross Departmental Stakeholders

Focus:  Strategic execution within a geographic area/region, or at a division level

Goal:  Drive outcomes, manage budgets, implement organizational strategy

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PROGRAM/EVENT MANAGEMENT
Skills 

  • Utilize program/project/event management software
  • Optimize resources and balancing conflicting needs/wants of patrons
  • Maintain risks, assumptions, issues, dependencies logs and templates
  • Facilitate cross-functional collaboration between teams and facilities
  • Develop integrated program/project/event plans, balancing scope, cost, time, and quality
  • Approve staffing levels and instructors needed for program implementation

Development Guide

  • Attend training on program/project/event  management software 
  • Attend training on portfolio dashboards
  • Regularly read industry publications
  • Understand performance metrics for program/project/event - measuring impact as well

Tools

Program/Project/Event Budget Management Tools, Performance Dashboards, Community Input and Engagement Reports, Multi-program Calendars and Schedules

brown rectangle with white letters that say APPLICATIONAudience:  Multiple Project/Event Teams, Cross Functional Stakeholders, Mid-Level Management

Focus: Oversee multiple venues, projects/events, programs, assets, initiatives, and coordinate across teams/functions

Goal:  Optimize resource utilization, align programs/projects/events with strategic goals, improve program outcomes

LEADERSHIP
Skills 

  • Facilitate strategic planning and goal setting
  • Lead through influence and inspiration
  • Apply advanced conflict management
  • Financial acumen and budget oversight
  • Talent development and succession planning

Development Guide

  • Lead strategic initiatives
  • Engage in executive leadership training
  • Develop and implement talent management plans
  • Network with community and government partners

Tools

Strategic Planning Software, Leadership Development Programs

brown rectangle with white letters that say APPLICATIONAudience: Senior Managers, Cross-Functional Teams, External Stakeholders

Focus: Lead larger organizational units; align with organizational strategy

Goal: Achieve area/division goals, align area/division teams with organizational vision, develop future leaders

RELATIONSHIP BUILDING
Skills 

  • Strategic stakeholder engagement - moving to partnerships
  • Public speaking and representation
  • Build alliances and coalitions
  • Manage complex interpersonal dynamics
  • Advocate for area/division interests

Development Guide

  • Represent division in community and government meetings
  • Lead coalition-building efforts
  • Participate in stakeholder engagement training
  • Facilitate conflict resolution at higher levels

Tools

Stakeholder Engagement Platforms, Presentation Tools

brown rectangle with white letters that say APPLICATIONAudience:  Senior Management, External Partners, Community Leaders

Focus:  Lead regional relationships and community engagement

Goal: Strengthen community ties, advocate area/divisional goals, build lasting alliances

FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
Skills 

  • Oversee internal controls and reporting standards for area-wide operations.
  • Conduct compliance reviews and oversee financial audits
  • Manage contracts and vendor performance at the divisional level
  • Evaluate and recommend division-wide pricing or fee adjustments
  • Lead financial crisis response planning at the division level

Development Guide

  • Participate in strategic financial planning sessions or workshops
  • Lead audit/review preparation and compliance reviews
  • Coach emerging leaders in financial stewardship
  • Collaborate with finance teams on strategic funding initiatives
  • Develop division-wide financial dashboards or budget scorecards
  • Mentor emerging financial leaders in the area/division

Tools

Financial Planning Software, Budgeting Systems, Audit Tools, Grant Management Tools

brown rectangle with white letters that say APPLICATIONAudience: Senior Managers, Division Heads, Budget Committees

Focus: Strategic financial planning and budgeting for area/division level, ensuring stewardship and alignment with priorities

Goal:  Ensure fiscal sustainability and financial alignment with division goals; lead financial audits and strategic planning

TECHNOLOGY 
Skills 

  • Align technology with organizational goals
  • Evaluate and implement new technology solutions
  • Manage vendor relationships and budgets for technology investments
  • Promote digital transformation and staff technology literacy

Development Guide

  • Align technology with strategic goals
  • Evaluate and implement new technologies
  • Manage vendor relationships and IT budgets
  • Promote digital literacy and transformation

Tools

Organization-wide Resource Planning Platforms, Business Intelligence Tools, Cloud Services

brown rectangle with white letters that say APPLICATIONAudience: Senior Managers, IT Teams, External Partners

Focus: Lead technology strategy and innovation for areas/divisions

Goal: Enhance area/divisional performance and service delivery through technology



RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
Skills 

  • Long-term capital planning (equipment, fleet, facilities)
  • Forecast and prepare for seasonal/resource demands
  • Align resources with area/division level priorities and Key Performance Indicators
  • Secure and allocate grant or capital funds

Development Guide

  • Attend capital improvement planning sessions
  • Oversee cross are/division resource planning meetings
  • Grant writing and financial forecasting training
  • Establish key performance indicators for monitoring resources

Tools

Capital Improvement Plans, Asset Management Systems, Financial Forecasting Tools

brown rectangle with white letters that say APPLICATIONAudience:  Area/Division Managers, Finance Team, External Funders

Focus: Strategically plan resource allocation across areas/divisions

Goal: Align resources with strategic goals, enhance service delivery at scale

 

 

NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT 
Skills 

  • Lead resource inventory and long-range planning
  • Apply regional sustainability and climate data
  • Prioritize high-impact conservation efforts
  • Manage environmental compliance and permits
  • Balance natural and cultural resource priorities
  • Evaluate program effectiveness and compliance
  • Integrate cultural resource management into multi-park operations and budget
  • Engage in cross-organization and cross-jurisdictional partnerships

Development Guide

  • Lead multi-stakeholder natural resource planning teams
  • Secure external funding for natural resource management
  • Complete advanced cultural resource management programs
  • Understand regulations and laws impacting natural/cultural resource management
  • Develop regional cultural resource management strategies and policies
  • Facilitate cross-training among teams
  • Engage with local planning and zoning departments
  • Lead stakeholder engagement processes, including tribal consultation

Tools

Environmental Impact Assessment Tools, Land Use Planning Software, Climate Resilience and Habitat Modeling Tools, Regional Cultural Resource Management Databases and GIS Overlays, Multi-Year Capital and Maintenance Planning Systems, Compliance Tracking and Audit Tools

brown rectangle with white letters that say APPLICATIONAudience: Regional Planning Staff, Cross-Jurisdictions, Government Agencies (IFAS, State/Federal Agencies, Water Management Districts), Regional Stakeholder Networks, Public Advisory Boards

Focus: Strategically plan natural resource initiatives across park areas/divisions; utilize best land management practices; regional cultural resource management integration and cross-site consistency

Goal: Align natural resource strategies with city/regional priorities, ensure legal and environmental compliance, drive resource sustainability across park areas/divisions, standardize and elevate cultural resource management across multiple sites, align operations with both natural and cultural mandates, build relationship with regional and cultural partners

RISK MANAGEMENT AND SAFETY
Skills 

  • Develop and implement risk management frameworks, and lead area/division wide safety evaluations
  • Integrate risk management into strategic planning
  • Lead crisis preparedness and response planning, develop emergency preparedness and communication partners
  • Align safety goals with operational plans
  • Engage with external regulators and stakeholders, ensure compliance with ADA, OSHA, CDC and local codes
  • Analyze risk trends and recommend policy adjustments

Development Guide

  • Lead risk management sessions
  • Foster relationships with regulatory agencies
  • Align safety policies with national standards (CAPRA)
  • Participate in crisis simulation exercises
  • Ensure budget planning for safety resources
  • Participate in division-wide crisis simulations

Tools

Organizational Inspection Reporting Platforms, Regional Emergency Plans, Corrective Action Planning Tools, Insurance/Risk Partner Data Systems, Risk Management Systems, Analytics Platforms, Emergency Response Tools

brown rectangle with white letters that say APPLICATIONAudience: Division Staff, Senior Leadership, Regulatory Agencies, Legal Advisors, Vendors, Risk Managers, Cross-Jurisdictional Partners

Focus: Strategic oversight and interdepartmental risk management for area/division operations

Goal: Integrate risk management into all operations, manage safety risk across geographic areas, prepare for crisis events and audits, optimize staff capacity and facility safety, improve organizational resilience

POLICY COMPLIANCE
Skills 

  • Translate organizational policies into operational procedures
  • Conduct area/division-wide compliance reviews
  • Liaison with legal and government bodies
  • Advise on policy development and updates

Development Guide

  • Attend leadership level compliance workshops
  • Read and review legal policy briefings (ADA, OSHA, Title IX, etc.)
  • Translate organizational policies into practical procedures and run scenarios
  • Coordinate with legal and HR on needed policy updates

Tools

Compliance Scorecards, Strategic Reports, Accreditation Documentation

brown rectangle with white letters that say APPLICATIONAudience: Senior Leadership, Community Stakeholders, Policymakers

Focus: Strategy execution; system-wide compliance coordination

Goal:  Ensure compliance scalability across service areas, support strategic objectives through compliance

 

PLANNING (OPERATIONAL)
Skills 

  • Lead area/division planning processes
  • Conduct feasibility studies and site assessments
  • Forecast community needs and infrastructure capacity
  • Conduct benchmarking of operations and facilities
  • Align plans with stakeholder input

Development Guide

  • Conduct feasibility and community needs assessments in coordination with Planning and Capital staff
  • Oversee community impact analyses
  • Incorporate sustainability and equity in planning
  • Lead stakeholder engagement sessions
  • Apply national benchmarking and accreditation standards
  • Use operational data to inform future plans

Tools

 Community Engagement Platforms, National Benchmarking and Accreditation Standards, APA Resources

brown rectangle with white letters that say APPLICATIONAudience: Executive Teams, Planners, Consultants, Stakeholders

Focus: Oversee long-term operational planning across areas/visions

Goal: Address long-range growth and service gaps, prioritize equity and sustainability in operational  planning, align with Cross-Jurisdictional wide strategic goals

 



PLANNING (STRATEGIC, MASTER, COMPREHENSIVE AND ASSET MANAGEMENT)
Skills 

  • Develop and manage comprehensive master and capital improvement plans
  • Align plans with community goals, equity, and sustainability
  • Guide park land acquisition efforts
  • Lead public engagement and stakeholder collaboration
  • Oversee funding acquisition and budget alignment
  • Conduct benchmarking related to parks and facilities
  • Ability to build consensus around conflicting stakeholder interests

Development Guide

  • Lead long-range capital and master planning efforts for area/division
  • Engage community and stakeholders in planning
  • Participate in national planning and policy conferences
  • Align plans with sustainability and equity goals
  • Attend advanced level GIS and modeling tool training
  • Conduct benchmarking of parks and facilities
  • Understand legal requirements and land restrictions for parks

Tools

Capital Improvement Program Software, Advanced GIS and Modeling Tools, Public Engagement Platforms

brown rectangle with white letters that say APPLICATIONAudience: Executive Leadership, Funders, Design Professionals, and Consultants

Focus: Lead long-range and capital planning efforts for area/division, integrating comprehensive, strategic, and master plans; contribute to policy development

Goal:  Advance area/division level infrastructure and service goals aligned with broader organizational strategy

DATA ANALYSIS AND RESEARCH
Skills 

  • Develop data governance and quality frameworks
  • Communicate data-backed rationale for operational decisions to stakeholders
  • Oversee research projects and analytics teams
  • Interpret complex data for forecasting and planning
  • Present data-driven insights to senior leadership
  • Lead data-driven strategy development

Development Guide

  • Executive level data strategy seminars
  • Attend cross-agency benchmarking training
  • Guide divisional key performance indicators and outcome measurement frameworks
  • Interpret large-scale data for strategic planning
  • Supervise area/division wide analytics projects

Tools

Organizational Business Integration Systems, Advanced Analytics Tools, Data Governance Platforms

brown rectangle with white letters that say APPLICATIONAudience: Area/Division Staff, Senior Leadership, External Stakeholders

Focus: Use data strategically to guide area/division-wide decisions

Goal: Enable Strategic Planning, Enhance Division Performance, Ensure Data Integrity



 

PROJECT COORDINATION / MANAGEMENT (Projects/Grants/Contracts)
Skills 

  • Align project/grant/contract portfolios with strategic goals
  • Negotiate project/grant/contract terms and conditions
  • Lead large-scale project/grant/contract acquisition and reporting processes
  • Manage stakeholder engagement and expectations
  • Develop capacity-building strategies for grant staff
  • Lead complex project/grant/contract negotiations and renewals

Development Guide

  • Develop skills in strategic negotiation of Memos of Understanding and contracts
  • Lead grant acquisition and reporting processes
  • Mentor grant staff and build team capacities
  • Monitor and improve vendor performance
  • Mentor managers on project coordination best practices
  • Align  project/grant/contract strategy with organizational goals
  • Align contract strategy with organizational goals
  • Monitor contract management teams
  • Negotiate project/grant/contract  agreements and conditions
  • Lead division-wide compliance and reporting efforts
  • Lead complex negotiations and renewals

Tools

Portfolio Management Software, Contract Negotiation Tools, Stakeholder Management Platforms

brown rectangle with white letters that say APPLICATIONAudience: Senior Management, Funding Agencies, Community Partners

Focus: Lead project/grant/contract coordination strategies across area/divisions

Goal: Optimize project/grant/contract outcomes and strengthen partnerships through effective coordination

CRITICAL THINKING AND DECISION MAKING
Skills 

  • Integrate organizational goals into decisions
  • Use data-driven insights and forecasting
  • Manage stakeholder input and consensus building
  • Address complex problems with innovative solutions
  • High-impact decisions affecting divisional performance
  • Influences culture, profitability, and growth of an area

Development Guide

  • Integrate strategic goals into decision-making
  • Use advanced data analytics and forecasting
  • Manage stakeholder engagement in decision processes
  • Drive innovative problem-solving

Tools

Business Intelligence Systems, Advanced Analytics, Stakeholder Engagement Platforms

brown rectangle with white letters that say APPLICATIONAudience: Senior Managers, Community Leaders, Executive Team

Focus: Lead strategic decision-making impacting areas/divisions and service areas

Goal:  Drive area/division success through informed, strategic decisions, build organizational alignment

 

INTERPERSONAL
Skills 

  • Implement strategic communication
  • Inspire and engage diverse stakeholders
  • Build partnerships and alliances
  • Handle complex interpersonal dynamics
  • Lead through change and uncertainty

Development Guide

  • Deliver presentations to internal and external audiences
  • Lead change management initiatives
  • Participate in stakeholder engagement training
  • Network with community partners and funders

Tools

Presentational Software, Stakeholder Engagement Platforms, Communication Strategies

brown rectangle with white letters that say APPLICATIONAudience:  Lead larger groups and areas/divisions

Focus: Drive organizational alignment, build external relationships, lead change initiatives

Goal: Presentational Software, Stakeholder Engagement Platforms, Communication Strategies

ORGANIZATIONAL DESIGN
Skills 

  • Design scalable organizational models
  • Drive culture and change management
  • Integrate cross-functional team structures
  • Develop leadership pipelines

Development Guide

  • Design scalable and flexible organizational models
  • Integrate cross-functional team structures
  • Lead change management initiatives focused on culture and process
  • Develop leadership pipelines within the area/division

Tools

Advanced Organizational Design Platforms, Data Analytics Tools, Job Descriptions, Employee Engagement Surveys

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brown rectangle with white letters that say APPLICATIONAudience:  Senior Managers, Area/Division Teams, HR Partners

Focus: Develop and implement area/division-wide organizational strategies

Goal: Enhance area/divisional agility, build leadership capacity