Below is a listing of the 18 Competency Areas included in the Career Map, along with a definition of each and a statement of why that competency matters which contributed to its inclusion in this Career Map. The Competency Areas are not listed in any order of importance or priority.
Communications, Public Relations, and Marketing
The ability to strategically plan, implement, and evaluate internal and external communication, public relations, and marketing initiatives to inform, educate, and engage the public, build community support, promote services and programs, and advance the mission and value of the field.
Why It Matters:
Drives participation in programs and events
Builds public trust and support for funding, policy, and long-term planning
Promotes inclusion and accessibility by reaching underrepresented groups
Increases visibility of the agency’s contributions to health, environment, and community life
Supervision and Oversight
The ability to effectively manage people, programs, and operations by providing clear direction, support, accountability, and leadership to ensure safe, efficient, and high-quality delivery of parks and recreation services.
Why It Matters:
Ensures the quality and safety of public programs, facilities, and experiences
Maximizes staff potential, engagement, and retention
Protects public resources through effective and accountable management
Builds community trust in the agency’s leadership and service delivery
Program/Event Management
The ability to plan, design, implement, evaluate, and continuously improve programs and services that meet community needs, reflect organizational goals, and promote participation, inclusion, and well-being.
Why It Matters:
Directly connects the public to the agency’s mission and services
Enhances quality of life through recreation, education, and wellness opportunities
Drives participation and public value, which supports funding and political support
Ensures programs are responsive, relevant, and sustainable
Leadership
The ability to inspire, influence, and guide individuals, teams, and organizations toward achieving the mission and values of parks and recreation by fostering vision, integrity, collaboration, and innovation
Why It Matters:
Drives organizational success through clear direction and shared purpose
Builds community trust and credibility with stakeholders and the public
Develops future talent and supports succession planning
Leads innovation and growth in response to evolving public needs
Relationship Building
The ability to use one’s interpersonal traits to develop and maintain strong, collaborative, and trust-based relationships with individuals, community members, partners, stakeholders, and colleagues to support and advance the mission of parks and recreation.
Why It Matters:
Strengthens public support for programs, funding, and initiatives
Enhances collaboration and reduces duplication through effective partnerships
Builds social capital, creating more resilient and connected communities
Increases the agency’s reach and relevance by staying responsive and inclusive
Financial Management
The ability to plan, develop, allocate, manage, and report on financial resources in a way that supports the strategic goals, operational needs, and long term sustainability of parks and recreation services. This includes managing budgets at all levels, ensuring compliance with financials policies, aligning resources with community priorities, and promoting transparency and accountability in the use of public funds.
Why It Matters:
Ensures the responsible and ethical use of public resources
Support sustainable service delivery aligned with community and organizational priorities
Builds public and stakeholder trust through transparency and financial integrity
Enables informed decision making across all levels of the organization
Provides a foundation for long term financial sustainability and strategic growth
Technology
The ability to effectively leverage current and emerging technologies to improve operations, enhance customer service, increase community engagement, and support data-driven decision-making in the field.
Why It Matters:
Improves efficiency and service quality across programs and operations
Enhances communication and transparency with the public
Supports equity by expanding access through digital tools and platforms
Enables informed, data-driven decisions to meet evolving community needs
Resource Management
The ability to efficiently and sustainably manage the physical, financial, and human resources necessary to deliver high-quality parks and recreation services that meet community needs and align with organizational goals.
Why It Matters:
Ensures the long-term viability of parks, programs, and facilities
Maximizes public benefit from limited or shared resources
Supports strategic growth while maintaining service quality
Natural and Cultural Resource Management
The ability to plan, protect, restore, and sustainably manage natural environments—such as parks, forests, wetlands, trails, and open spaces—to support ecological health, public access, recreation, and long-term environmental stewardship; and, the ability to identify, restore, preserve, protect and sustainably manage cultural resources which are physical or intangible elements that reflect the cultural heritage, history, traditions, or lifeways of a community.
Why It Matters:
Preserves natural spaces and historical elements for future generations
Supports public health and recreation through access to clean, safe, and beautiful environments
Balances biodiversity and ecosystem resilience
Demonstrates leadership in sustainability and environmental responsibility
Promotes environmental and fiscal responsibility
Honors the heritage of communities
Educates the public on the history of their community, the significance of the cultural element,
and ethical land use
Builds equity and an appreciation for the diverse heritage connected to these important assets
Risk Management and Safety
The ability to identify, a
Why It Matters:
Protects the health and safety of the public, staff, and volunteers
Reduces liability risks and legal exposure for the agency
Enhances public trust and confidence in parks and recreation services
Supports uninterrupted delivery of programs and facility operations
Policy Compliance
The ability to understand, interpret, and adhere to applicable laws, regulations, organizational policies, and ethical standards to ensure that parks and recreation operations are conducted legally, ethically, and effectively.
Why It Matters:
Ensures legal and ethical operation of parks and recreation services
Reduces risk of legal liabilities and penalties
Builds organizational credibility and public trust
Supports consistent, fair, and transparent service delivery
Planning (Operational)
The ability to organize and coordinate daily, short-term, and program-specific activities and resources effectively to deliver quality parks and recreation services that meet community needs and operational goals.
Why It Matters:
Ensures efficient and effective delivery of day-to-day services and programs
Enhances participant satisfaction and safety through thorough preparation
Supports teamwork and resource optimization
Enables responsiveness to community needs and operational realities
Planning (Strategic, Master, Comprehensive, and Asset Management)
The ability to develop, implement, and oversee long-term, integrated plans—including strategic, master, comprehensive, and asset management plans—that guide the sustainable growth, resource stewardship, and effective service delivery of parks and recreation systems in alignment with community needs and organizational goals.
Why It Matters:
Provides a clear roadmap for sustainable development and operational excellence
Ensures efficient use of resources and investments and aligns with community priorities and long term goals
Supports diverse perspectives, ensuring equitable access to greenspace
Enhances accountability through measurable goals and transparent reporting
Data Analysis and Research
The ability to collect, analyze, interpret, and apply quantitative and qualitative data and research findings to inform decision-making, program development, resource allocation, and policy in the field.
Why It Matters:
Improves program quality and relevance through informed decisions
Supports accountability and transparency with stakeholders and the public
Enhances strategic planning and resource allocation
Encourages innovation and responsiveness to community needs
Project Coordination/Management
The ability to effectively plan, organize, oversee, and complete parks and recreation projects by managing timelines, resources, budgets, grants, and contracts to achieve desired outcomes while ensuring compliance with funding and regulatory requirements.
Why It Matters:
Ensures successful delivery of projects that enhance community assets and services
Maximizes funding opportunities and ensures proper use of grant resources
Builds strong partnerships through effective contract and stakeholder management
Reduces risks and ensures compliance with all regulatory and funding requirements
Critical Thinking and Decision Making
The ability to objectively analyze information, evaluate options, anticipate consequences, and make informed, timely decisions that effectively address challenges and advance the goals of parks and recreation services.
Why It Matters:
Enhances problem-solving in complex and dynamic environments
Supports effective resource use and program success
Builds trust through transparent and reasoned decision-making
Enables adaptability to community needs and emerging challenges
Interpersonal
The ability to effectively interact, communicate, and build positive relationships with a diverse range of individuals including colleagues, community members, partners, and stakeholders to foster collaboration, trust, and a supportive environment.
Why It Matters:
Builds community trust and engagement
Enhances staff cohesion and morale
Improves customer service and satisfaction
Supports inclusive and respectful work environments
Organizational Design
The ability to structure and align the organization’s roles, responsibilities, processes, and resources to effectively achieve the mission, enhance operational efficiency, and support adaptive, responsive delivery of parks and recreation services.
Why It Matters:
Enhances clarity and accountability across the organization
Improves service delivery and operational efficiency
Supports staff engagement and development
Enables the agency to adapt to changing conditions and priorities