Amy Grout

Operations

• Oversee outdoor recreation and visitor services for entire district.
• Manage $365,000 in annual operations and personal service budgets.
• Oversee the collection and remittance of user fees exceeding $500,000 annually.
• Secured $75,000 in grant funds.
• Coordinate and administer personal service contracts, numerous commercial and special use permits, and concession contracts.
• Train staff, manage, and administer the campsite reservation program.
• Track and report visitation data for the entire park.

Personnel Management

• Direct, lead and manage a district staff of 35 including: 22 seasonal volunteers, 10 seasonal recreation technicians, one AmeriCorps member, one administrative clerk, one ranger, and one assistant manager.
• Recruit, hire, train, supervise, evaluate and maintain records for 11 direct reports.
• Take a lead role in the region-wide annual recreation technician hiring process, coordinating with Human Resources to ensure all hiring practices are adhered to.
• Wrote and annually update the Region One Montana State Parks Seasonal Manual.
• Trainer and liaison for the campsite reservation program providing ongoing support for over 24 park hosts and created the current quick reference guide. (2012)

Planning

• Lead role in creating the Bigfork Outdoor Recreation Alliance and coordinating with consultant in the development of the Bigfork Outdoor Recreation Plan.
• Active and engaged member of the Flathead Lake Interpretive Committee consisting of FWP Helena staff, consultant, and CSKT representatives.
• Develop, write, and implement standard operating procedures and operations manual for each park unit.
• Engage public and divisions to write numerous Environmental Assessments.
• Engaged member of the Parks Fee Schedule Committee, Commercial Use Committee, and Enterprise Business Plan.
• Developed and implement vegetation management plan in coordination with local DNRC forester.

Facilities and Maintenance Management

• Coordinate with maintenance to ensure completion of facility and grounds maintenance to include park facilities, campgrounds, boating facilities, trails, archery range, water and sewer systems.
• Coordinate with Design and Construction, maintenance and consultants to implement capital projects: Finley Point Unit remodel, Yellow Bay Unit remodel, Conclow FAS development, Big Arm Archery Range development, Flathead Lake Ranger Station development, Hiker/Biker Campsite, and two dynamic beaches.
• Develop proposals for maintenance and capital projects to enhance or repair facilities and amenities.

Public Safety

• Develop, implement and train staff on emergency response plan and standard operating procedures.
• Routinely coordinate with Game Wardens to ensure staff and public safety.
• Manage incident and accident reporting per department policy.

Visitor Services & Public Outreach

• Instill a customer first mentality in staff to provide exceptional visitor service and recreational opportunities while conserving fish, wildlife, and cultural resources.
• Develop a relationship with the Salish and Kootenai Confederated Tribe and begin to tell their cultural history and use through interpretation.
• Oversee district interpretive programming to include the annual Fall Fest Event.
• Positively and quickly respond to visitor inquiries, comments and complaints.
• Engage with 600 AM KGEZ Radio as a monthly guest speaker on their 'Community Conversation' program.
• Engage the community through regular presentations at local organizations.
• Developed the Lone Pine State Park Volunteer Program to recruit and engage local community members.

Operations & Resource Management

• Assisted in the implementation of various park operating policies and procedures.
• Tracked, verified and reported fee compliance and remitted fees.
• Efficiently completed incident reports and monthly warden activity reports.
• Supervised, guided and evaluated seasonal paid staff and volunteer hosts.
• Assisted in the seasonal staff orientation, including giving presentations.
• Performed various maintenance duties including grounds maintenance, site clean-up, and signage design and replacement.
• Monitored and performed trail maintenance.
• Identified and assisted in the removal of hazard trees and noxious weeds.

Planning

• Drafted, finalized and initiated implementation of the Thompson Chain of Lakes Management Plan Update to include public scoping, survey analysis, issue prioritization, and media relations.
• Provided written management recommendations to park manager.
• Assisted with event coordination and planning for community events.
• Coordinated and participated in various trail projects and volunteer events.

Visitor Services and Law Enforcement

• Attended to visitor needs while on patrol, including answering visitor questions, responding to visitor comments, educating visitors on various subjects.
• Enforced park rules within scope of Ex-Officio Warden training.
• Worked closely with the TCL area warden on solving many issues.

While at Office Max, I worked my way up from the bottom, being promoted twice in the four and a half years I was employed.

• Supervised and managed the shipping and receiving department, the morning stocking crew and all logistic aspects of the store.
• Performed opening and closing activities to include account balancing.
• Supervised planning and execution of seasonal product resets.
• Planned, managed and implemented a complete store reorganization.
• Maintained overall presentation, appearance and organization of store.
• Managed and trained 20 employees.
• Handled and resolved multiple customer issues.
• Interpreted and implemented company policies and procedures.

• Developed a Signage Plan for Lone Pine State Park.
• Developed, planned and implemented uniform regulatory signage on trails in the park, including the design and installation of new directional signage.
• Coordinated with the GIS department to create a park trail map.
• Created an informational park brochure.
• Presented interpretive programs to visitors and educational classes.
• Provided excellent visitor service in the visitor center and on park trails.
• Collected and reported visitor fees.
• Maintained park grounds, trails, facilities and interpretive displays.