Name: Peter Maholland
Current Position: State Parks Representative ? Nevada Tahoe Resource Team (Conservation Staff Specialist I)
How long have you been with the Nevada Division of State Parks and in what capacity?
Approximately one year with Nevada Division of State Parks and in the current position.
How did you become interested in working as the State Parks Representative for the Nevada Tahoe Resource Team?
The State Parks Representative on the Nevada Tahoe Resource Team (NTRT) coordinates and implements recreation enhancement projects on the Nevada side of the Lake Tahoe Basin.
I previously implemented resource-based restoration projects on the California side and took advantage of the opportunity to work on recreation projects while also bringing in my resource background.
Describe a typical day at your job.
(If there is no such thing as a typical day, then please tell us about your primary responsibilities and duties.)
Days vary, but primary duties in the summer include oversight of contracted crews to implement various recreation projects (trails, signing, and other construction) and resource enhancement projects (primarily forest management), as well as data gathering and field-related project planning activities. Other duties include contract and budget oversight, materials purchasing, coordination with both internal and external staff, permitting, report preparation, pursuing grant opportunities, and project design.
How many hours a week do you work in this position?
40.
What aspects of your job do you enjoy the most?
I enjoy the independence of the position and the opportunity to utilize a variety of skills, from on-the-ground construction and tool use to technologies such as GIS and GPS.
What do you find to be the greatest challenges of your job?
Time management relative to time spent on project planning and crew oversight, and also ensuring the funding comes in at a rate that is both consistent over time and manageable for the available resources.
What kind of training/schooling is required in your position?
BS degree in natural sciences, outdoor recreation, or related field.
Is there any kind of training or general experience that you wish you had before taking your job?
State budgeting and contracting processes, and theories related to positive outdoor recreation experiences and design. However, these were obtained during my first year of employment.
What are a few of the projects that you've been working on recently that have been the most interesting?
One project involved the design and construction of a wet crossing on a hiking and equestrian trail. Following initial trail construction, a portion of a trail intercepted subsurface flow that was not originally observed during layout. The fix required research into how to cross the wet area in a sustainable way, ultimately resulting in a new design of a modified turnpike that allows water to continue to flow below grade. A second project involved drawing plans for timber stairs in a high-use recreation area in extremely rocky conditions. Standard stair designs were linear, but given the site conditions, the end design was curvilinear and terminated between two boulders, providing users with a better experience.
If someone were interested in working in your position, what advice could you give them?
A varied background works well in the position, as you typically work with a number of different professional staff, including engineers, foresters, biologists, accountants, planners, and administrators.
Please share any further thoughts you may have about working in the state park system:
Working in the state park system can be very fulfilling, as the work is varied and one typically can see tangible results from implementing many projects.
Current Position: State Parks Representative ? Nevada Tahoe Resource Team (Conservation Staff Specialist I)
How long have you been with the Nevada Division of State Parks and in what capacity?
Approximately one year with Nevada Division of State Parks and in the current position.
How did you become interested in working as the State Parks Representative for the Nevada Tahoe Resource Team?
The State Parks Representative on the Nevada Tahoe Resource Team (NTRT) coordinates and implements recreation enhancement projects on the Nevada side of the Lake Tahoe Basin. I previously implemented resource-based restoration projects on the California side and took advantage of the opportunity to work on recreation projects while also bringing in my resource background.
Describe a typical day at your job.
(If there is no such thing as a typical day, then please tell us about your primary responsibilities and duties.)
Days vary, but primary duties in the summer include oversight of contracted crews to implement various recreation projects (trails, signing, and other construction) and resource enhancement projects (primarily forest management), as well as data gathering and field-related project planning activities. Other duties include contract and budget oversight, materials purchasing, coordination with both internal and external staff, permitting, report preparation, pursuing grant opportunities, and project design.
How many hours a week do you work in this position?
40.
What aspects of your job do you enjoy the most?
I enjoy the independence of the position and the opportunity to utilize a variety of skills, from on-the-ground construction and tool use to technologies such as GIS and GPS.
What do you find to be the greatest challenges of your job?
Time management relative to time spent on project planning and crew oversight, and also ensuring the funding comes in at a rate that is both consistent over time and manageable for the available resources.
What kind of training/schooling is required in your position?
BS degree in natural sciences, outdoor recreation, or related field.
Is there any kind of training or general experience that you wish you had before taking your job?
State budgeting and contracting processes, and theories related to positive outdoor recreation experiences and design. However, these were obtained during my first year of employment.
What are a few of the projects that you've been working on recently that have been the most interesting?
One project involved the design and construction of a wet crossing on a hiking and equestrian trail. Following initial trail construction, a portion of a trail intercepted subsurface flow that was not originally observed during layout. The fix required research into how to cross the wet area in a sustainable way, ultimately resulting in a new design of a modified turnpike that allows water to continue to flow below grade. A second project involved drawing plans for timber stairs in a high-use recreation area in extremely rocky conditions. Standard stair designs were linear, but given the site conditions, the end design was curvilinear and terminated between two boulders, providing users with a better experience.
If someone were interested in working in your position, what advice could you give them?
A varied background works well in the position, as you typically work with a number of different professional staff, including engineers, foresters, biologists, accountants, planners, and administrators.
Please share any further thoughts you may have about working in the state park system:
Working in the state park system can be very fulfilling, as the work is varied and one typically can see tangible results from implementing many projects.
Current Position: State Parks Representative ? Nevada Tahoe Resource Team (Conservation Staff Specialist I)
How long have you been with the Nevada Division of State Parks and in what capacity?
Approximately one year with Nevada Division of State Parks and in the current position.
How did you become interested in working as the State Parks Representative for the Nevada Tahoe Resource Team?
The State Parks Representative on the Nevada Tahoe Resource Team (NTRT) coordinates and implements recreation enhancement projects on the Nevada side of the Lake Tahoe Basin.
I previously implemented resource-based restoration projects on the California side and took advantage of the opportunity to work on recreation projects while also bringing in my resource background.
Describe a typical day at your job.
(If there is no such thing as a typical day, then please tell us about your primary responsibilities and duties.)
Days vary, but primary duties in the summer include oversight of contracted crews to implement various recreation projects (trails, signing, and other construction) and resource enhancement projects (primarily forest management), as well as data gathering and field-related project planning activities. Other duties include contract and budget oversight, materials purchasing, coordination with both internal and external staff, permitting, report preparation, pursuing grant opportunities, and project design.
How many hours a week do you work in this position?
40.
What aspects of your job do you enjoy the most?
I enjoy the independence of the position and the opportunity to utilize a variety of skills, from on-the-ground construction and tool use to technologies such as GIS and GPS.
What do you find to be the greatest challenges of your job?
Time management relative to time spent on project planning and crew oversight, and also ensuring the funding comes in at a rate that is both consistent over time and manageable for the available resources.
What kind of training/schooling is required in your position?
BS degree in natural sciences, outdoor recreation, or related field.
Is there any kind of training or general experience that you wish you had before taking your job?
State budgeting and contracting processes, and theories related to positive outdoor recreation experiences and design. However, these were obtained during my first year of employment.
What are a few of the projects that you've been working on recently that have been the most interesting?
One project involved the design and construction of a wet crossing on a hiking and equestrian trail. Following initial trail construction, a portion of a trail intercepted subsurface flow that was not originally observed during layout. The fix required research into how to cross the wet area in a sustainable way, ultimately resulting in a new design of a modified turnpike that allows water to continue to flow below grade. A second project involved drawing plans for timber stairs in a high-use recreation area in extremely rocky conditions. Standard stair designs were linear, but given the site conditions, the end design was curvilinear and terminated between two boulders, providing users with a better experience.
If someone were interested in working in your position, what advice could you give them?
A varied background works well in the position, as you typically work with a number of different professional staff, including engineers, foresters, biologists, accountants, planners, and administrators.
Please share any further thoughts you may have about working in the state park system:
Working in the state park system can be very fulfilling, as the work is varied and one typically can see tangible results from implementing many projects.
<< See other Nevada interviews -- Search by state -- Search by job title>>Interview with a Conservation Staff Specialist Name: Peter Maholland
Current Position: State Parks Representative ? Nevada Tahoe Resource Team (Conservation Staff Specialist I)
How long have you been with the Nevada Division of State Parks and in what capacity?
Approximately one year with Nevada Division of State Parks and in the current position.
How did you become interested in working as the State Parks Representative for the Nevada Tahoe Resource Team?
The State Parks Representative on the Nevada Tahoe Resource Team (NTRT) coordinates and implements recreation enhancement projects on the Nevada side of the Lake Tahoe Basin. I previously implemented resource-based restoration projects on the California side and took advantage of the opportunity to work on recreation projects while also bringing in my resource background.
Describe a typical day at your job.
(If there is no such thing as a typical day, then please tell us about your primary responsibilities and duties.)
Days vary, but primary duties in the summer include oversight of contracted crews to implement various recreation projects (trails, signing, and other construction) and resource enhancement projects (primarily forest management), as well as data gathering and field-related project planning activities. Other duties include contract and budget oversight, materials purchasing, coordination with both internal and external staff, permitting, report preparation, pursuing grant opportunities, and project design.
How many hours a week do you work in this position?
40.
What aspects of your job do you enjoy the most?
I enjoy the independence of the position and the opportunity to utilize a variety of skills, from on-the-ground construction and tool use to technologies such as GIS and GPS.
What do you find to be the greatest challenges of your job?
Time management relative to time spent on project planning and crew oversight, and also ensuring the funding comes in at a rate that is both consistent over time and manageable for the available resources.
What kind of training/schooling is required in your position?
BS degree in natural sciences, outdoor recreation, or related field.
Is there any kind of training or general experience that you wish you had before taking your job?
State budgeting and contracting processes, and theories related to positive outdoor recreation experiences and design. However, these were obtained during my first year of employment.
What are a few of the projects that you've been working on recently that have been the most interesting?
One project involved the design and construction of a wet crossing on a hiking and equestrian trail. Following initial trail construction, a portion of a trail intercepted subsurface flow that was not originally observed during layout. The fix required research into how to cross the wet area in a sustainable way, ultimately resulting in a new design of a modified turnpike that allows water to continue to flow below grade. A second project involved drawing plans for timber stairs in a high-use recreation area in extremely rocky conditions. Standard stair designs were linear, but given the site conditions, the end design was curvilinear and terminated between two boulders, providing users with a better experience.
If someone were interested in working in your position, what advice could you give them?
A varied background works well in the position, as you typically work with a number of different professional staff, including engineers, foresters, biologists, accountants, planners, and administrators.
Please share any further thoughts you may have about working in the state park system:
Working in the state park system can be very fulfilling, as the work is varied and one typically can see tangible results from implementing many projects.
<< See other Nevada interviews -- Search by state -- Search by job title>>
SHARE
