FRPA Career Map

 At this level, one is managing multiple teams or functional areas with a single discipline; oversees execution across functions; balances operational efficiency with team leadership.  For the purposes of the Career Map, we made an assumption that this would be management of multiple functions within the same discipline. Decision-Making and Impact may include making tactical decisions affecting multiple functions; and being accountable for organizational results and alignment of multi-function tasks and activities with organizational goals.  This is the EXPOSURE stage of one’s journey – early application and practice of skills across more complex scenarios, though still with some guidance.

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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 

  • Translate strategic goals into team or division actions
  • Communicate across divisions with differing priorities
  • Balance technical and non-technical language
  • Conflict mediation and change management
  • Develop public relations strategies and messaging plans
  • Oversee content creation for newsletters and social media
  • Manage relationships with media and community leaders
  • Lead crisis communication response teams
  • Develop and execute multi-channel marketing strategies
  • Lead staff in content creation and outreach
  • Use analytics to evaluate campaign effectiveness
  • Manage marketing budgets and vendor relationships

Development Guide

  • Take a communication styles assessment (e.g. DISC)
  • Attend storytelling for influence training
  • Attend presentation and slide design workshops
  • Learn about project status communication templates
  • Develop and implement public relations strategies and messaging plans
  • Attend social media and marketing trainings
  • Establish media and community relationships
  • Train and lead marketing staff
  • Attend crisis management training

Tools 

Briefings, Dashboards, Leadership Presentations, Interdepartmental Communications; Media Relations Database, Analytics Platforms, Content Management Systems

Audience:  Multiple Teams, Senior Managers,  Community Leaders, Broader Community, Cross-Jurisdictional Entities, Regional Media

Focus:  Strategic alignment; stakeholder management; manage public relations for multiple programs/facilities; oversee marketing for multiple programs/facilities; integrate cross-channel efforts

Goal:  Align cross-functional efforts and maintain consistent communication flow, protect and promote the organization's reputation and ensure consistent messaging, optimize marketing return on investment, enhance brand consistency and reach

 

SUPERVISION & OVERSIGHT 
Skills 

  • Cross-functional communication
  • Resource planning and prioritization
  • Project and program management
  • Data-informed decision making
  • Operational planning
  • Managing complexity
  • Build collaboration across teams
  • Coach and mentor

Development Guide

  • Attend training on project management certifications and consider obtaining
  • Attend intermediate leadership programs
  • Attend KPI and metric dashboard training
  • Participate in operational simulations
  • Attend trainings specific to area of responsibility that lead to licenses, certifications, etc.  

Tools

Project Management Platforms, Performance KPIs, Balanced Scorecards

Audience:  Supervisors, Team Leads, Middle Managers

Focus:  Coordinating across multiple teams or divisions

Goal:  Align division efforts, manage interdependencies, optimize productivity

 

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PROGRAM/EVENT MANAGEMENT  
Skills 

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

Development Guide

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

Tools

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

Audience:  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 cross-functional collaboration
  • Apply strategic thinking at an operational level
  • Understand and implement resource allocation and budgeting basics
  • Performance management
  • Change management introduction

Development Guide

  • Participate in strategic planning sessions
  • Lead cross-departmental projects
  • Provide coaching and mentoring
  • Attend financial management training
  • Attend intensive leadership training programs 

Tools

Organization-wide Resource Systems, Performance Tracking Tools

Audience:  Facility Staff, Peers in Other Functions

Focus:  Manage multiple teams or functions; balance priorities

Goal:  Optimize team performance, manage resources effectively, implement change

 

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RELATIONSHIP BUILDING  
Skills 

  • Cross-departmental collaboration
  • Understand negotiation and influence
  • Coach and mentor
  • Build partnerships from existing stakeholders
  • Conflict mediation

Development Guide

  • Lead interdepartmental projects
  • Attend negotiation and influence workshops
  • Engage in partnership development initiatives
  • Mentor emerging leaders 

Tools

Project Management Tools, Customer Relationship  Management (CRM) Platforms, Collaboration Software

Audience:  Department Teams, Cross-Functional Colleagues, External Stakeholders

Focus:  Develop cross-functional relationships and partnership

Goal:  Facilitate cooperation, resolve conflicts, build effective stakeholder relationships

FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT  
Skills 

  • Coordinate and manage interdepartmental or multi-program budgets to support service alignment.
  • Analyze budget trends and conduct forecasting.
  • Coordinate cross-team compliance monitoring and synthesize reporting to support audits
  • Oversee procurement activities for multiple units or programs
  • Align program fees with cost recovery targets and budget goals
  • Support internal audits and contribute to financial contingency plans

Development Guide

  • Attend workshops on advanced budgeting, forecasting, and cost management
  • Participate in grant management and compliance training
  • Lead divisional budget review meetings and financial performance reviews
  • Mentor junior staff on budgeting best practices
  • Lead mid-year budget review discussions and prepare variance explanations
  • Participate in cross-functional financial strategy meetings

Tools

Organization-wide Budget Systems, Financial Dashboards, ERP Systems, Advanced Budgeting and Forecasting Platforms

Audience: Department Managers, Area/Division Managers, Program Supervisors, Financial Analysts

Focus:  Overseeing multiple budgets across programs, departments, or facilities while supporting compliance and financial performance.

Goal:  Optimize financial performance and budget utilization, ensure regulatory compliance, and support strategic goals

 

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TECHNOLOGY     
Skills 

  • Oversee technology adoption and training within teams
  • Analyze and use data to inform decisions
  • Manage software and hardware resources effectively 
  • Ensure compliance with IT policies and standards 

Development Guide

  • Lead tech adoption and staff training
  • Integrate data into decision-making
  • Manage software/hardware resources and ensure tech policy compliance 
  • Facilitate cross-team tech collaboration 

Tools

Project Management Software, Data Visualization Tools, Collaboration Platforms

Audience: Cross-functional Teams, Supervisors, IT Department

Focus:  Integrate technology across multiple programs, facilities and/or teams

Goal:  Increase efficiency and data-driven decision making across functions

 

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT  
Skills 

  • Prioritize staffing, equipment, and facility usage
  • Analyze usage data for cost-efficiency
  • Adjust operations to meet budget/resource constraints 
  • Coordinate cross-functional resource sharing 

Development Guide

  • Business intelligence tools and dashboard training
  • Attend budget planning and analysis meetings
  • Understand resource resilience and identify trends to increase resilience toward sustainability 
  • Attend sustainability and procurement seminars 

Tools

Work Order Systems, Program Cost-Analysis Tools, Dashboards

Audience:  Department Staff, Inter-Program Stakeholders, Senior Management

Focus:  Allocate and balance resources across programs and teams

Goal:  Maximize efficiency, ensure equitable resource distribution, stay within budget

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NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT  
Skills 

  • Plan and oversee conservation projects (restoration, reforestation)
  • Manage native/invasive species plans, land management plans
  • Integrate environmental data into program operations
  • Collaborate with scientists and planners
  • Lead specific cultural resource management plans and project compliance
  • Coordinate with consultants or historians
  • Conduct staff training on cultural sensitivity
  • Develop interpretive materials with historical accuracy

Development Guide

  • Participate in regional biodiversity or land management coalitions
  • Engage in inter-agency project development
  • Attend certification programs (e.g. prescribed burns, wetlands management, habitat restoration)
  • Engage in cross-jurisdictional project development
  • Attend cultural resource management-focused workshops and conferences
  • Collaborate with tribal or descendant communities or interpretive efforts
  • Take project management or grant-writing courses
  • Build cross-discipline knowledge (natural and cultural resource balance)

Tools

GIS and GPS Mapping Tools, Water/Soil Quality Databases, Restoration and Replanting Tracking Software, Cultural Resource Inventory Systems, Preservation and Interpretation Plans, Volunteer Stewardship Programs, Compliance Documentation Tools

Audience:  Cross-Departmental Teams, Local Environmental Partners, Contractors, Historians, Archaeologists, Consultants, Local Community Groups, Stakeholders, and Partner Organizations

Focus:  Manage natural resources across multiple programs or facilities or environmental systems; site or program level cultural resource management planning and compliance

Goal:  Improve ecological resilience across parks, balance conservation with public use, coordinate effective multi-site management, lead cultural resource programming and site management, ensure regulatory compliance and visitor education, preserve physical and intangible heritage elements

 

RISK MANAGEMENT AND SAFETY  
Skills 

  • Develop safety briefings
  • Perform comprehensive risk assessments, analyzing safety trends and data
  • Monitor regulatory compliance risks, and respond to regulatory or audit findings
  • Develop cross-functional mitigation plans
  • Coordinate incident investigations and corrective actions
  • Integrate safety into programs and logistics
  • Lead risk management training and awareness, and standardize procedures across facilities/functions
  • Propose budget recommendations for risk management and safety improvements

Development Guide

  • Oversee safety and risk audits
  • Attend advanced risk management and compliance workshops
  • Facilitate interdepartmental risk coordination
  • Cross-site emergency coordination
  • Safety data interpretation sessions
  • Attend certification programs (OSHA, active shooter, first aid, AED)

Tools

Risk Management Software, Safety Audit Tools, Dashboards, Compliance Calendars, Inspection Scheduling Tools; Safety Briefings

Audience:  Division Staff, Cross-Functional Teams, Safety Committees, Auditors

Focus:  Coordinate safety compliance across teams, sites and functions; manage risks across multiple facilities/functions

Goal:  Minimize risk exposure, enhance compliance and safety by ensuring consistent safety practices, ensure local/state/federal regulatory compliance



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POLICY COMPLIANCE  
Skills 

  • Oversee compliance across multiple facilities/functions or sites
  • Collaborate with HR, finance, and legal on policy implications
  • Evaluate staff and system performance against compliance metrics 
  • Manage compliance documentation, incident responses and legal documentation 

Development Guide

  • Participate in cross-training for policy consistency
  • Practice compliance scorecard implementation
  • Understand digital audit platforms
  • Incident resolution time and consistency
  • Understand and implement Cross-departmental compliance calendar

Tools

Policy Dashboard, Employee Management Systems, Audit Templates

Audience:  Division Staff, Cross-Functional Peers, Mid-Level Leadership

Focus:  Cross-functional policy integration and enforcement

Goal:  Standardize compliance across facilities/functions, improve accountability and documentation

 

PLANNING (OPERATIONAL) 
Skills 

  • Align staffing, space and budget across multiple services
  • Manage conflicting priorities
  • Apply operational data to enhance planning 
  • Coordinate cross-functional planning meetings 

Development Guide

  • Manage multiple programs or facilities simultaneously
  • Manage staffing and budgets across programs/facilities
  • Utilize software to track performance and resource use
  • Participate in interdepartmental planning meetings
  • Facilitate cross-team collaboration for integrated planning 

Tools

Project Management Tools (Trello, Asana), Budget Tracking Systems, Performance Dashboards

Audience:  Department Teams, Contractors, Community Partners

Focus:  Plan across multiple programs/facilities/events with limited resources

Goal:  Optimize resources and coordination, minimize scheduling conflicts, support efficiency across facilities/programs

 

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

  • Lead multi-site master and asset management plans
  • Prioritize asset repairs and upgrades based on condition and use
  • Manage planning area staff
  • Analyze usage and performance data to guide decisions
  • Coordinate with Cross-Functional Teams and Contractors/Consultants
  • Conduct community engagement and needs assessments
  • Author feasibility reports and summary reports for departmental needs

Development Guide

  • Develop park/site management plans 
  • Prioritize asset maintenance and capital improvements
  • Coordinate multi-team plans/projects
  • Design logic models and visitor activity management programs 
  • Use asset management software (e.g. Cartograph)
  • Participate in cross-functional planning sessions
  • Understand community engagement platforms/software
  • Conduct analysis: level of service, demographic, geographic, community  behavior patterns
  • Analyze community feedback and organize dashboards

Tools

Asset Management Software (Cartograph), GIS and Condition Assessment Tools, Modeling Tools, Project Management Platforms, public engagement platforms, National Benchmarking and Accreditation standards

Audience:  Staff, Contractors, Community Groups

Focus:  Develop and implement site-level plans  for multiple facilities/parks/spaces/events and assets that are aligned with larger strategies

Goal:  Ensure assets are well-managed and maintained, plans are effectively developed and executed, and resources optimized





DATA ANALYSIS AND RESEARCH  
Skills 

  • Manage complex datasets
  • Apply statistical methods (correlation, regression)
  • Design and conduct research studies or surveys
  • Interpret data to identify risk/opportunities
  • Communicate insights to diverse teams 

Development Guide

  • Advanced training in business intelligence tools
  • Participate in regional research projects or user studies
  • Facilitate team discussions centered on data collection, analysis and use
  • Develop practices on use of data and research
  • Manage and interpret multi-source data sets 

Tools

 Statistical Software, Business Integration Platforms, CRM Systems

Audience:  Department Staff, Cross-Functional Teams, Senior Managers

Focus:  Integrate data analysis across multiple programs or functions

Goal:  Drive operational improvements, identify strategic opportunities

 

 

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

  • Develop project/grant/contract plans and schedules
  • Monitor compliance with project/grant/contract terms and conditions
  • Coordinate reporting and audit preparation
  • Manage relationships with funders and partners
  • Manage risk and resolve conflicts proactively
  • Manage project/grant/contract disputes and resolutions

Development Guide

  • Lead project planning and scheduling efforts
  • Facilitate cross-team communication and collaboration
  • Develop and implement contract management plans
  • Monitor grant and contract compliance
  • Develop comprehensive  project/grant/contract  management plans
  • Coordinate audit preparations
  • Build relationships with funding agencies and partners
  • Lead contract negotiations and amendments
  • Coordinate with legal advisors on  project/grant/contract  compliance and risk
  • Manage contract disputes and resolutions efficiently
  • Monitor financial performance and reporting accuracy

Tools

Advance Project/Grant/Contract Management Tools (MS Project, Smartsheets), Compliance Tracking Software

Audience:  Cross-Functional Teams, External Partners, Funding Agencies

Focus:  Oversee coordination of multiple project/grant/contract portfolios

Goal:  Ensure successful delivery of complex projects/grants/contracts and minimize risk of non-compliance

 

CRITICAL THINKING AND DECISION MAKING 
Skills 

  • Analyze complex information from diverse sources
  • Balance competing priorities and resources
  • Use risk assessment to guide choices
  • Facilitate team-based decision making
  • Makes tactical decisions affecting multiple functions
  • Accountable for limited functional results and alignment with goals

Development Guide

  • Analyze complex information from varied sources
  • Understanding of group dynamics and their role in consensus building
  • Incorporate risk management into decisions
  • Perform external environment analysis; audit and analyze resource utilization
  • After action debriefs to build decision accountability and perspective 

Tools

 Risk Management Software, Project Management Tools, Scenario Planning

Audience:  Cross-Functional Teams, Stakeholders, Partners, Supervisors 

Focus:  Make decisions involving multiple programs or functional facilities/areas 

Goal:  Optimize resource use; improve outcomes across multiple facilities/functions 

 

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INTERPERSONAL 
Skills 

  • Practice and implement cross-functional communication
  • Negotiation and influence
  • Coach and mentor
  • Conflict mediation and resolution
  • Manage diverse populations and personalities 

Development Guide

  • Participate in negotiation and influence workshops
  • Mediate interdepartmental conflicts
  • Provide formal coaching to emerging leaders 
  • Conduct team-building activities across units 

Tools

Project Management Tools, Collaboration Platforms, Coaching Frameworks

Audience:  Facility/Area Staff, Managers, Cross-Functional Teams

Focus:  Coordinate across multiple teams and cross-functions

Goal:  Align teams toward common goals, resolve conflicts effectively, foster professional growth

 

 

ORGANIZATIONAL DESIGN 
Skills 

  • Analyze broader organizational needs
  • Align structure with program goals
  • Manage stakeholder input and change resistance  
  • Lead restructuring initiatives for efficiency 

Development Guide

  • Conduct needs assessments for organizational realignment
  • Coordinate cross-team collaborations
  • Lead restructuring efforts to improve efficiency and goal alignment 
  • Manage stakeholder feedback and mitigate resistance 

Tools

         Organizational Modeling Software, Project Management Tools

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Audience:  Division Heads, HR Partners, Program Leaders

Focus:  Manage design and realignment of multiple teams or units

Goal:  Optimize unit performance, align structure with goals

 

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