FRPA Career Map

At this level, one is growing into greater responsibility; beginning to manage tasks or small teams; builds functional expertise and leadership readiness.  This is often the point at which one moves from having selected a job to choosing a career.  Decision-Making and Impact may include executing routine decisions with moderate guidance; and direct impact on small projects or teams.  This is the KNOWLEDGE stage of one’s journey – conceptual understanding of the competency and skill; knows terminology, theory and frameworks; and developing understanding of application of the skills. 

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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 

  • Provide feedback to direct reports and to supervisors
  • Facilitate team discussions
  • Influence peers or stakeholders without authority
  • Escalate issues accordingly
  • Write press releases and create media kits
  • Monitor media coverage and prepare basic reports
  • Respond to public inquiries professionally within established policy
  • Coordinate public events and community outreach
  • Collaborate with partners for cross-promotion
  • Develop content for social media, newsletters, and print
  • Analyze engagement data and adjust tactics

Development Guide

  • Attend crucial conversations training
  • Participate in Emotional Intelligence (EQ) assessments
  • Role-playing difficult dialogues
  • Review and understand team communication playbooks
  • Write press releases and prepare media kits
  • Coordinate public events and outreach efforts
  • Track media coverage and prepare basic reports
  • Assist with creating content, posting, and distributing digital media
  • Coordinate outreach campaigns and partner promotions

Tools 

 Meetings, Collaborative Tools; Press Release Distribution Services, Media Monitoring Software; Social Media Platforms, Media Tracking Tools, Website Platform 

Audience:  Cross-functional Teams, Direct Reports - Mid-Management, Elected Officials, Community Stakeholders, Local Media

Focus:  Collaboration, feedback, conflict resolution; develop and coordinate local public relations efforts; create and coordinate use of marketing materials and campaigns

Goal:  Build trust, solve problems collaboratively, and contribute to team productivity, ensure community awareness and program participation, build community relationships, and ensure positive media coverage

 

SUPERVISION & OVERSIGHT 
Skills 

  • Interview, hire, manage employees (volunteers)
  • Conflict resolution
  • Motivate and engage employees
  • Situational leadership
  • Performance appraisals and development plans
  • Build team culture
  • Manage interpersonal dynamics
  • Delegate tasks effectively

Development Guide

  • Attend leadership fundamentals training
  • Read industry magazines, articles, newsletters; basic knowledge building
  • Obtain coaching certifications or attend workshops
  • Participate in peer learning groups
  • Participate in one-on-one coaching sessions
  • Gather Developmental 360 feedback 

Tools

Team Dashboards, HR Systems, Performance Review Processes

Audience:  Small Teams, Newer Supervisors

Focus:  Team efficiency and early leadership behaviors

Goal:  Develop team capability, retain staff, identify and groom potential leaders

 

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PROGRAM/EVENT MANAGEMENT 
Skills 

  • Understand program/project/event management fundamentals - life cycles
  • Utilize tools to manage program/project/event  (e.g. Gantt charts, Smartsheets, etc.)
  • Track issues, update timelines, and adjust workflows
    Manage program/project/event  budget
  • Understand program/project/event phases and deliverables
  • Identify trends and potential new programs
  • Develop a plan to implement a new program/project/event 
  • Determine staffing levels and instructors needed for program implementation

Development Guide

  • Attend program/project/event management fundamentals (lifecycles, monitoring, evaluation, etc.) training
  • Utilize risk/issue log templates
  • Obtain training on basic program/project/event  management tools (e.g. Trello, Asana)
  • Attend training on tools used to manage all stages of program/project/event
  • Develop program/project/event review and assessment templates
  • Regularly scan magazines, articles, news, and industry events surrounding trends on new programs/projects/events 

Tools

Recreation Registration Software, Survey Tools for Feedback, Volunteer and Seasonal Staff Onboarding Templates, Safety Compliance and Risk Logs

Audience:  Project /Event Teams, Direct Reports, Small Stakeholder Groups

Focus:  Manage small program/project/event components; lead small teams

Goal:  Deliver programs/projects/events that meet objectives, develop team capability, maintain stakeholder satisfaction

 

LEADERSHIP 
Skills 

  • Implement delegation and task coordination (multi-tasking)
  • Effectively resolve conflict and execute discretion
  • Provide constructive feedback
  • Coach and develop others (social awareness)
  • Decision-making within scope
  • Network - personal and professional
  • Follow organizational values and standards

Development Guide

  • Lead small projects or programs
  • Attend conflict management workshops
  • Shadow experienced leaders 
  • Participate in community outreach initiatives 

Tools

Project Management Software, Feedback Frameworks

Audience: Peers, Direct Reports, Immediate Supervisors

Focus: Develop personal leadership and basic team guidance

Goal: Build credibility, foster teamwork, deliver individual and team results

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RELATIONSHIP BUILDING 
Skills 

  • Facilitate open communication
  • Understand and practice conflict resolution
  • Build rapport with team members and volunteers
  • Network within Department
  • Encourage collaboration

Development Guide

  • Lead team meetings and debriefs
  • Attend conflict resolution training
  • Shadow experienced leaders in networking opportunities
  • Participate in community organizations
  • Intra-departmental collaboration on programs, projects, and initiatives 

Tools

Meeting Facilitation Software, Messaging Platforms

Audience:  Small Teams, Volunteers, Department Colleagues

Focus:  Strengthen team cohesion and start external networking

Goal:  Enhance teamwork and begin establishing broader networks



FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT 
Skills 

  • Monitor variances and prepare financial reports.
  • Identify financial risk indicators, communicate concerns, and support corrective actions
  • Ensure budget actions align with financial policies and internal controls
  • Support contract and vendor administration; escalate procurement concerns
  • Forecast expenses and assist in developing program fee structures

Development Guide

  • Complete intermediate budgeting and financial reporting courses
  • Practice forecasting and scenario planning to support budget planning
  • Review procurement and payment procedures
  • Attend ethics training focused on procurement and spending accountability
  • Assist in preparing budget justifications for grants or capital requests
  • Shadow finance staff during monthly closing or reporting cycles

Tools

Budgeting Software, Procurement Tools, Budget Reporting Software, Expense Management Tools, Recreation Software Reporting 

Audience:  Project Managers, Team Leaders, Mid-Level Supervisors, Sponsors to Scale

Focus:  Managing moderate budgets for projects or programs and support financial planning

Goal:  Deliver projects and programs within budget, communicate financial updates effectively, and optimize resource use

 



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TECHNOLOGY   
Skills 

  • Utilize data entry and reporting tools effectively
  • Employ basic data analysis for program improvement
  • Manage digital communication channels (social media, newsletters, website) 
  • Learn new applications relevant to programs, facilities and services

Development Guide

  • Utilize data entry and reporting systems
  • Learn new applications relevant to programs
  • Manage digital communication channels effectively 
  • Begin basic data analysis to inform programs

Tools

Data Management Systems, Analytics Dashboards 

Audience:  Program Teams, Participants, Community

Focus:  Enhance technology skills to support program delivery and data tracking

Goal:  Leverage technology to improve program administration and outreach

 

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT 
Skills 

  • Schedule and coordinate staff and facility use
  • Track and reorder supplies as needed
  • Monitor usage trends (attendance, utilities, etc.)
  • Support sustainability practices

Development Guide

  • Facility scheduling software training
  • Basic budget and inventory control training
  • Collaborate with purchasing/maintenance teams
  • Understand the importance of efficiency and implications on budget planning 

Tools

Scheduling Software, Supply Inventory Systems, Energy Tracking Tools, Maintenance Management Plans

Audience:  Team, Program Participants, Vendors

Focus:  Manage daily resources for specific programs or facilities

Goal:  Optimize resource use, reduce downtime, enhance program delivery

 

 



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NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT   
Skills 

  • Conduct simple field assessments (soil, vegetation, water)
  • Implement restoration and habitat protection activities
  • Educate the public about conservation practices
  • Coordinate volunteers for stewardship projects
  • Participate in field surveys and documentation
  • Support interpretive programming about cultural heritage
  • Assist in implementing preservation strategies
  • Begin collaborating with tribal or community liaisons

Development Guide

  • Participate in cross-training in water quality, GIS mapping
  • Co-lead nature education workshops
  • Complete coursework or certifications in cultural resource management or anthropology
  • Attend local meetings of allied groups to understand common issues (ecological, urban forestry, etc.)
  • Understand systems impacted by natural resource management
  • Participate in surveys with senior staff regarding cultural awareness
  • Learn introductory legal frameworks (e.g. Section 106 of NHPA)
  • Practice crafting culturally informed narratives for programming

Tools

Monitoring Kits, ArcGIS Mobile Tools, Volunteer and Program Management Platforms, Environmental Education Materials, Tree Inventory Platforms, Cultural Resource Management Data Collection Forms, Artifact Cataloging Tools, Storytelling and Interpretive Media

Audience:  Park Users, Community Groups, Peers, Cultural Resource Specialists, Educations and Interpreters, Tribal or Community Representatives, Park Managers

Focus:  Monitor, assess, and support natural area health and education programs; technical support, interpretation, and monitoring of cultural resources

Goal:  Enhance habitat quality, engage public in stewardship, support data collection for broader natural resource management goals, support cultural documentation and interpretation, assist in compliance monitoring, enhance public understanding of culture significance

 

RISK MANAGEMENT AND SAFETY 
Skills 

  • Review and implement safety briefings
  • Conduct basic risk assessments, train and supervise staff on safety protocols
  • Monitor risk indicators
  • Conduct daily safety inspections, and develop simple mitigation strategies
  • Investigate and document incidents, and collaborate with team members for risk solutions
  • Document and communicate risks effectively
  • Apply corrective action for non-compliance

Development Guide

  • Lead risk assessment workshops
  • Participate in project risk management training
  • Use project management tools to track risks
  • Facility inspection training
  • Role-playing scenario emergency response training
  • Staff safety meeting facilitation

Tools

Training Records, Incident and Near Miss Reports, Safety Briefings, Facility Inspection Forms, Risk Assessment Templates, Project Management Software, Communication Tools, Safety Data Sheet Training

Audience:  Team Members, Program Participants, Supervisors, Vendors

Focus:  Assess and mitigate risks within programs or projects; enforce safety policies

Goal:  Minimize program/project risk, maintain safe daily operations, reduce recurring safety issues, build a culture of accountability



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POLICY COMPLIANCE 
Skills 

  • Interpret and apply policies in program and staff management
  • Conduct internal audits and inspections
  • Conduct staff training and corrective action 
  • Communicate compliance expectations 

Development Guide

  • Attend policy compliance refresher courses
  • Attend supervisor-specific compliance training (harassment prevention, HR training, etc.)
  • Understand and implement use of behavior coaching tools
  • Understand compliance issue resolution reporting records
  • Staff feedback and evaluation
  • Participation in compliance audit training

Tools

Staff Handbooks, Digital Scheduling/Policy Tracking Tools 

Audience:  Team Members, Facility Users, Vendors

Focus:  Implementing and monitoring policy compliance

Goal:  Support compliant daily operations, reduce policy violations, foster a culture of responsibility

 

PLANNING (OPERATIONAL) 
Skills 

  • Design schedules and timelines for programs
  • Coordinate logistics (space, supplies, staff)
  • Identify risks and create basic contingency plans 
  • Evaluate results and adjust future planning 

Development Guide

  • Design and implement short-term program and event plans
  • Coordinate logistics and manage resources efficiently
  • Develop simple contingency plans
  • Attend workshops on project and time management
  • Gather and apply participant feedback for improvement

Tools

Calendar Systems, Facility Management Software, Event Registration and Management

Audience:  Program Participants, Seasonal Staff, Internal Teams

Focus:  Develop short-term plans for activities, events, and facility use

Goal:  Deliver consistent, organized services; improve facility/program/event flow; use feedback to refine future plans

 

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

  • Assist in drafting program or site-level plans
  • Coordinate small projects or improvement tasks
  • Understand local, state, and federal government programs and processes
  • Conduct simple condition assessments
  • Support stakeholder communication and articulate planning issues to a wide variety of audiences
  • Provide recommendations for park/recreation/planning/asset management issues
  • Understand the social, economic, and environmental impact of planning decisions on communities

Development Guide

  • Assist in program/site-level planning and project coordination
  • Conduct simple condition assessments and report findings
  • Review data reports and KPIs
  • Understand industry technology used for these framework plans
  • Attend training on basic planning frameworks and asset management tools
  • Support communication to organizational leadership providing critical input for integration into plans

Tools

Facility Management Software, Basic GIS tools, Scheduling and Project Tracking Apps, graphic design software 

Audience:  Program/Facility Managers, Project Teams, Program Participants

Focus:  Participate in program/facility/park level planning and assist with asset tracking and minor project coordination; support community engagement efforts, conduct research

Goal:  Support planning processes with accurate data and project follow-through





DATA ANALYSIS AND RESEARCH 
Skills 

  • Conduct more advanced data analysis (trends, comparisons)
  • Use data visualization tools
  • Perform simple predictive analyses
  • Understand data quality and validation
  • Summarize research findings effectively

Development Guide

  • Training in intermediate Excel or business intelligence programs
  • Workshops on evaluation methods and logic models
  • Practice writing short data-based summary reports
  • Use feedback and survey data to guide decision making
  • Understand how to analyze trends in program performance, satisfaction, and impact

Tools

Excel (advanced), Tableau, Power Business Integration, Survey Platforms

Audience:  Program Teams, Project Stakeholders, Supervisors

Focus:  Analyze data to inform program-level decisions

Goal:  Improve program performance, support evidence-based decisions

 



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

  • Prepare project/grant/contract applications and budgets
  • Coordinate multiple project/grant/contract components simultaneously
  • Monitor project/grant/contract compliance, budget, scope of work, and timelines
  • Communicate status updates to stakeholders
  • Identify and escalate potential issues
  • Manage project/grant/contract renewals and amendments

Development Guide

  • Take responsibility for coordinating routine projects
  • Support grant applications and contract monitoring
  • Engage in problem-solving and issue escalation
  • Prepare and review  project/grant/contract applications and budgets
  • Track deliverables and financial expenditures
  • Communicate with project, contracting, and grant staff and funders
  • Use project/grant/project management software effectively
  • Draft and review simple contracts with supervision
  • Track contract compliance and performance metrics
  • Communicate effectively with vendors, contractors, stakeholders, and internal teams
  • Utilize contract management software proficiently

Tools

Project/Grant/Contract Management Software (Fluxx, grandHub), Grant Tracking Databases, Grant Funder Reporting Systems

Audience:  Program Teams, Grant Managers (internal), External Stakeholders, Funding Agencies

Focus:  Manage routine projects/grants/contracts and support project/grant/contract administration

Goal:  Submit accurate applications, maintain compliance, and deliver on time and within scope, support compliance requirements

 

CRITICAL THINKING AND DECISION MAKING 
Skills 

  • Evaluate multiple options using basic criteria
  • Prioritize tasks and allocate resources effectively
  • Use feedback to adjust decisions
  • Begin anticipating consequences of choices and understand their impact
  • Executes routine decisions with moderate guidance
  • Direct impact on small projects or teams

Development Guide

  • Apply decision-making models to program challenges
  • Evaluate alternatives using criteria and data
  • Learn to anticipate consequences and risks
  • Seek and incorporate feedback
  • Develop awareness of when and how to seek guidance

Tools

Decision Matrices, Simple Data Analysis Tools, Feedback Systems

Audience:  Program Teams, Participants, Stakeholders

Focus:  Apply critical thinking to routine challenges and program/facility-level decisions

Goal:  Enhance problem-solving skills; make timely, sound decisions to improve program delivery

 

 

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INTERPERSONAL 
Skills 

  • Facilitate team meetings
  • Give and receive constructive feedback
  • Motivate and encourage team members
  • Build rapport and trust
  • Manage minor conflicts proactively

Development Guide

  • Attend conflict management workshops
  • Shadow experienced team leaders or managers
  • Engage in coaching and mentoring relationships
  • Build rapport with diverse participants and volunteers 

Tools

Meeting Facilitation Tools, Collaboration Software (Slack) 

Audience:  Small Teams, Program Participants, Supervisors, Volunteers

Focus:  Lead small teams and improve group communication

Goal:  Enhance team cohesion, improve productivity, manage minor interpersonal issues

 

 

 

ORGANIZATIONAL DESIGN 
Skills 

  • Identify inefficiencies in team workflows
  • Support job description updates
  • Participate in redesign initiatives 
  • Communicate structural changes effectively

Development Guide

  • Identify bottlenecks or inefficiencies in workflows
  • Assist in updating job descriptions and role responsibilities
  • Communicate changes clearly to impacted staff 
  • Participate in small-scale redesign projects 

Tools

Workflow Diagrams, Human Resource Information Systems (HRIS), Communication Platforms

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Audience:  Managers, HR Partners, Cross-Functional Teams

Focus:  Assist in analyzing and improving team structures

Goal:  Improve team effectiveness, facilitate change communication

 

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