National Park Service Careers: Business Management and Administration

This article is part of a series about National Park Service (NPS) Careers. Visit our Work With Us page to learn more about the different types of work NPS employees do.

Business Management rangers help behind the scenes in various technical, administrative, and support roles.

NPS / Josh Angelini

When you think about the work of NPS rangers, information technology (IT) or permit processing may not be the first things that come to mind. But without the essential work of employees in the Business Management Group, Cuyahoga Valley and other parks wouldn't be able to function. Among other things, these rangers ensure the lights stay on in the visitor center, the wifi works (if there is any), and people who apply for wedding photo permits are able to celebrate their special day.

The park's property technician inspects a new piece of equipment.

NPS / Charlie Stanfield

Rangers Behind the Scenes

As part of the federal government, the NPS needs to account for how it spends its budget. Some Business Management rangers are tasked with tracking parks' spending and the projects and equipment paid for with those funds.

At Cuyahoga Valley, Budget Analysts and Business Associates track spending and ensure the park follows applicable purchasing rules. Meanwhile our Property Technician keeps track of equipment in the park, and occasionally transfers excess items to other agencies. Making all of this other work possible, our IT Specialists troubleshoot network issues and help other park employees stay connected via various technologies. In short, Business Management employees are good at keeping track of lots of moving parts and details!

If you visit a park, you may or may not see these rangers. Some work in offices, some work remotely, and some may blend in with other visitors because they're not wearing a uniform. In these ways the work of Business Management rangers is sometimes less visible - but no less important - than the work of other NPS divisions.

Business Management rangers accomplish a lot of administrative tasks, such as paying utility bills and processing lease payments.

NPS

Assisting Multiple Parks

Cuyahoga Valley is part of a regional group of northeast Ohio parks. Our Business Management staff assist the nearby James A. Garfield and First Ladies National Historic Sites. We share a superintendent and other administrative staff, which increases efficiency and simplifies decision making.

Staff at Cuyahoga Valley also help parks even farther away, including Perry's Victory & International Peace Memorial and Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument. Thanks to modern technology, a lot of this work can be achieved remotely, despite the dozens or hundreds of miles between us and some of our neighbor parks.

What Kinds of Careers Are There?

There are several different careers that fall into this category. Some of the common positions include:

• Administrative Support Assistants and Business Associates – assist with payroll and travel documentation, pay utility bills, process lease payments, make purchases, and troubleshoot related issues for other staff

• Budget Analysts – keep meticulous records of park budgets and accounts, assist other divisions in annual planning, and account for purchases across the whole park

• IT Specialists – install and troubleshoot NPS network infrastructure; assist staff with technical issues; and assign and troubleshoot park computers, phones, and other IT equipment

• Property Technicians – assign equipment to other park staff, manage a fleet of park vehicles, coordinate inventories, and account for missing or damaged property

• Public Information Officers – serve as the lead contact for media inquiries, reply to interview requests, and write press releases

• Permit Coordinators – review permit applications to determine their suitability, and monitor permit holders to ensure compliance

• Supervisors – lead other business managers, create weekly and annual work schedules, and manage special projects

What Skills Are Needed?

Business Management rangers come from many different backgrounds and have different educational journeys. Some study finance or business administration. Others have a background in the private sector or the military. Each employee brings their unique skills and background to their job in the park.

A lot of business managers start their career by doing an internship or signing up for a volunteer position. This is a great way to gain experience working in a park. Learn more about internships and the federal application process on our How to Apply page.