Catskills Visitor Center Manager

The Catskill Center preserves and enriches the environmental, economic and cultural well-being of the Catskill region through collaboration, inspiration and stewardship. We believe that the vitality and prosperity of the Catskills depend on robust collaboration, thriving local communities and the wise stewardship of our natural resources. Learn more at www.catskillcenter.org. The Congressman Maurice D. Hinchey Catskills Visitor Center (CVC) is the Catskill Park’s official visitor center and is a Catskill Center program, managed in partnership with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. The CVC helps visitors learn about the natural, recreational, cultural and historical resources of the Catskills. The CVC offers interpretive exhibits, a gift shop featuring locally themed books and souvenirs, accessible nature trails, a pavilion, a fire tower, and year-round events for all ages and interests. Learn more at www.catskillsvisitorcenter.org.

Job Overview

The Catskills Visitor Center Manager oversees the day‑to‑day operations of the Visitor Center in consultation with the Executive Director of the Catskill Center. The CVC Manager is responsible for delivering an excellent visitor experience that grows overall visitation and attracts and engages new audiences, The Manager coordinates closely with development and communications staff to implement strategies that advance the Catskill Center’s strategic priorities. The CVC is a signature property for the Catskill Center and its primary location for engaging the public. Enhancing the CVC’s ability to serve as an attractive and engaging destination that furthers the Catskill Center’s mission is a primary goal for the CVC Manager.

To ensure a high‑quality, safe, and engaging experience for all visitors, the Manager is also responsible for overseeing the facilities, grounds, visitor services, retail operations, and staff of the CVC . The Manager administers the CVC budget as approved by the Catskill Center Board of Directors and implemented by the Executive Director.

Reports to: Executive Director or designee
Supervises: CVC staff, including the Steward Coordinator, Visitor Services Coordinator, Naturalist, and seasonal employees.
Work schedule and location: This is a full‑time position based on‑site at the CVC in Mount Tremper, NY. The Manager is expected to work in person on site five days per week, including some weekends and occasional evenings as needed to support programs and events.

Visitor Center Operations

• Ensure the building and grounds are open and staffed as advertised, maintained appropriately, and that visitor information and services meet established quality standards.
• Manage day-to-day operations and maintenance of the retail store, with primary responsibility for inventory and stock management and collaborate with the Development Director and Communications Manager on product selection and merchandising to ensure an engaging visitor experience and achievement of revenue goals.
• Oversight of rental procedures (e.g. hiking gear, pavilion space), including insurance requirements, proper follow up and documentation, and inspection and replacement of rental gear as necessary.
• Manage and strengthen critical external relationships (e.g., funding partners, NYSDEC, local governments) to support effective operations and community visibility for the CVC, referring strategic or high‑level issues to the Executive Director as appropriate.

Visitor Services, Programs, Development, and Communications

• Collaborate with the Communications Team and the Executive Director to develop public‑facing programs, exhibits, and events at the CVC, including new educational opportunities and festivals, that reinforce key messages in alignment with the Catskill Center’s Strategic Plan.
• Ensure proper staffing support and preparatory work for public programming at the CVC.
• Ensure that CVC staff and stewards provide accurate, consistent information about the Catskill Center’s mission and core programs, responsible recreation, and partner resources, reflecting organizational messaging and DEIJ values.
• Collaborate closely with the Development and Communications team to implement fundraising strategies at the CVC, including membership growth, donor engagement, campaign visibility, and data collection.
• Collaborate with the Communications Manager from project inception on all CVC public-facing materials ensuring consistent adherence to Catskill Center branding guidelines across all CVC public‑facing materials, including exhibits, signage, printed collateral, and digital content.
• Meet regularly with the Development & Communications Team to integrate organizational campaigns into CVC programs and events.
• Evaluate visitor, event, and retail data with Development and Communications to inform future planning.

Staff Management

• Manage all aspects of CVC staffing, from defining roles and leading recruitment in collaboration with HR, to determining program needs and scheduling staff appropriately.
• Supervise CVC staff through regular check‑ins, coaching, and performance evaluations using HR tools and processes.
• Reinforce the Catskill Center’s mission among CVC staff, ensuring they consistently and deliberately communicate the connection between the CVC and the organization’s broader conservation, education, and stewardship work in the Catskills.
• Support professional development of CVC staff in coordination with HR, including training on visitor services, safety, Catskill Center mission and programs, and DEIJ principles.

Building and Grounds Maintenance

• Develop and implement a preventive maintenance schedule and cleaning log for the interior building, infrastructure, and grounds to ensure cleanliness, safety, and a welcoming appearance.
• Oversee maintenance of all exterior assets (e.g. trails and gardens, gravesite, firetower, and interpretive signs), utilizing staff, volunteers, and contractors.
• Manage all service contracts such as mowing, and snow removal.
• Coordinate with IT to ensure smooth operation of all on-site IT systems, elevating major issues as needed.
• Serve as primary day‑to‑day liaison with NYS DEC regarding facility maintenance and improvemets, involving the Executive Director in strategic or contractual decisions.

Finance, Grants, and Contracts

• Coordinate with Catskill Center finance team to ensure accurate recording and reporting of CVC retail inventory, sales, and related revenues in accordance with organizational policies and procedures.
• Manage CVC grant and contract deliverables, tracking timelines and reporting requirements with Development and Finance.
• Draft narrative reports for CVC-related grants and contracts, working with Development and Finance to ensure consistency and completeness.
• Ensure program expenditures at the CVC adhere to approved contract budgets and internal financial policies, promptly flagging variances for review.

Perform other responsibilities and tasks as assigned

Special Benefits

Salary range for this role is $52,000 - $62,000, commensurate with experience, plus comprehensive benefits package including generous paid leave, retirement, and health plan benefits.

Minimum Requirements

Qualifications

Applicants must have a valid driver’s license, access to a reliable vehicle, and willingness and ability to pass a background check. Additional requirements include:

• 5–10+ years of management experience in visitor services, facilities, or retail operations; relevant education may be applied toward this experience;
• Strong and verifiable financial, administrative, and human resource management competencies;
• Ability to perform complex work with minimal supervision;
• Exceptional organizational skills, including detail‑orientation and efficiency in managing multiple concurrent tasks;
• Strong communication skills, including ability to communicate with sincerity and clarity, both verbally and in writing;
• Sincere desire to work with the public and provide a welcoming, inclusive visitor experience;
• Familiarity with, or a willingness to learn about, the Catskills region in order to engage with the public appropriately;
• Creativity and entrepreneurial spirit;
• Strong proficiency with standard office software (e.g., word processing, spreadsheets, email), cloud‑based collaboration tools, and web‑based platforms;
• Experience managing point-of-sale platforms such as Square or Shopify;
• Proficiency in English;
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and time management skills;
• Strong record of integrity, discretion, and ethical sensibility, including maintaining confidentiality as appropriate; and
• Patience and a positive attitude.

Preferred Qualifications

• Direct experience managing a visitor center, museum, park facility, or other public‑facing site;
• Strong familiarity with the Catskills region, including local communities, recreation areas, and conservation issues;
• Experience working in the nonprofit sector, especially in collaboration with development, communications, and conservation/stewardship teams;
• Prior experience working with or alongside government agencies;
• Comfort with public speaking, leading tours, programs, and events;
• Experience using customer relationship management software and integrating visitor data into fundraising work; and
• Bilingual or multilingual abilities.