Do you want to become a certified RV Park manager? If YES, here are 3 types of RV park management certifications available and how you can get them.
No matter how large or small an RV park is, it takes a qualified manager to run its operations and successfully generate revenue. The job of an RV park manager is mostly offered as team positions with an office manager and a maintenance manager.
Most RV park employers take a combination of work experience into consideration, and degrees or certifications are typically not necessary. If you’re looking to become an RV park manager, although degrees and certifications are not mandatory, gaining necessary industry certificates will definitely serve as an added advantage for you.
If you’re interested in furthering your expertise in this industry and to become an experienced manager, below are few certifications to consider.
Types of RV Park Manager Certification and How to Get Each
- Certified Park and Recreation Executive (CPRE) Certification
Obtaining necessary certifications do not only keep your skills sharp, but also gives you prominence in the industry. Becoming a Certified Park and Recreation Executive (CPRE) will bring you to the pinnacle of the profession and demonstrate the true leader that you are.
The CPRE certification is the highest level a park and recreation professional can reach and will give you many career advantages. The Certified Park and Recreation Executive (CPRE) establishes a national standard for managerial, administrative and executive park and recreation professionals.
This mastery-level credential focuses on the practical knowledge and current real-world skills necessary in today’s changing park and recreation environment. To qualify to become a CPRE, you must have a current CPRP Certification and have a Bachelor’s degree and 5 years of professional full-time manager experience.
Or you may hold a current CPRP Certification and have a Master’s degree or higher and 4 years professional full-time manager experience. If you meet these eligibility requirements, submit an application and pass the CPRE exam. To get started, complete the online application and pay the application and exam fee.
- The Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP) certification
This certification is the national standard for all parks and recreation professionals who want to be at the forefront of their profession.
Attaining the CPRP designation shows that you have met education and experience qualifications, and it illustrates your commitment to the profession as well as your knowledge and understanding of key concepts within parks and recreation.
The Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP) certification is designed for beginning to mid-level professionals. Candidates for the CPRP must meet requirements of education and experience.
To qualify for the exam, you must either have or be set to receive a Bachelor’s degree from a program accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Parks, Recreation, Tourism and Related Professions (COAPRT), or have a Bachelor’s degree or higher from any institution in recreation, park resources, or leisure services, and 1 year of full-time experience in the field.
Or also have a Bachelor’s degree or higher in a major other than recreation, park resources, or leisure services, and 3 years of full-time experience in the field. You can also qualify if you have an Associate’s degree and 4 years of full-time experience in the field or have a high school degree or the equivalent, and 5 years of full-time experience in the field.
To become a CPRP you must meet the eligibility requirements, complete an application and pass the exam. Individual Application and Exam Fees Include;
- $250 for students (Please contact certification@nrpa.org for eligibility and requirements)
- $270 for NRPA members
- $314 for non-NRPA members
- The Certified Playground Safety Inspector (CPSI) certification
This program is the most comprehensive training program on playground hazard identification and risk management methods offered nationwide.
By becoming a CPSI, you will learn to identify hazards on public playgrounds and playground equipment, how to rank those hazards according to injury potential and how to apply that knowledge and establish a playground safety program.
CPSI candidates should be 18 years of age and must have a high school diploma or equivalent. To become a CPSI, you must successfully pass the CPSI exam. The CPSI exam consists of 100 questions, 95 scored and 5 unscored pre-test.
CPSI candidates have two options for taking the exam: Classroom Course & Exam. The CPSI course is a two-day instructor led course, with the exam being administered on the third day. Course attendees will gain practical, hands-on training on how to apply the ASTM standard and the CPSC guidelines to playground environments.
The course covers the material necessary to prepare for the CPSI exam on the third day. Candidates will be notified of their score approximately three to four weeks following the exam. Attendees can also earn 1.5 CEUs upon completion of the course. The CPSI certification is valid for three years.
CPSI Candidates can register for the course including the exam, but there is also the option to register for the course only (without the exam) or the exam only. Candidates are highly encouraged to attend the course for initial certification. Signing up for the classroom course only takes a few steps and there are courses offered all over the country.
Duties of an RV Park Manager
Smaller parks may have one manager who is responsible for office duties as well as cleaning, landscaping and maintenance. While bigger RV parks may have two or three teams of managers who live in the park. Some high-end resorts also employ marketing teams and concierges.
But in a more basic situation, the person in charge of the office usually answers telephone calls, makes reservations, reads utility meters and accepts payments. The maintenance manager typically cleans restrooms, maintains landscaping and ensures operational lighting and plumbing throughout the RV park.
Qualities of a Good RV Park Manager
Becoming an RV park manager is not as easy as it seems. An RV park office manager should have experience working in an apartment leasing office or managing a hotel front desk. The individual is expected to be organized, friendly and can navigate around the area because many RV travelers have questions about where to find services.
The maintenance manager should have experience working as a custodian or landscaper, or have some combination of work experience that offers hands-on maintenance experience.
RV park managers are sometimes known as “workampers” because some work in exchange for space, rent and utilities. Some also earn an hourly wage in addition to free living expenses. Wages typically do not exceed minimum wage and may fluctuate with the season.
According to industry reports, “Job opportunities at outdoor recreation and RV parks is projected to grow as RVs and driving vacations gain popularity in the united states.” Overall, the hospitality industry is expected to keep growing by 5 percent from 2018 through 2022.
- Conclusion
Managing an RV park can be rewarding and interesting. There is also a lot of hard work involved so don’t be fooled into thinking it’s all fun. When managing a campground, you become a problem solver for everything.
From advertising to discounts, there will always be decisions waiting for you to make, problems to solve, and broken plumbing to fix. This business is definitely not for everyone. Only the hardworking, dedicated people-person may find themselves a good fit for this work.