Caravan Park/Camping grounds Manager

• Certificate III in Caravan Park Operations
• Certificate IV in Caravan Park Supervision

South Australia offers many exciting and often remote tourist and holidaymaker destinations. And people seeking affordable, comfortable accommodation in various location around this great state often find them in caravan parks. While guests enjoy themselves, caravan park managers have their hands full taking care of the many behind the scenes tasks that contribute to an efficiently run facility in which guests feel comfortable. They carry out day-to-day housekeeping, maintenance and office/reception duties.

Not quite the career you are looking for? Please try the related course profiles below:

Clerical and Administrative

Receptionist (Tourism),  Accountant,  Hotel Manager,  Caravan Park/Camping grounds Manager,  Human Resources Manager,  Customer Service Officer,  Medical Administrative Officer,  Project and Program Administrator,  Purchasing Officer,  Legal Secretary,  Conveyancer,  Bookkeeper,  Credit and Loans Officer,  Receptionist,  Financial Planner / Financial Investment Advisers,  Librarian

Figures and Computational

Designers for Theatre, Performance and Events,  Graphic and Multimedia Designer,  Accountant,  Event Coordinator,  Electronic Engineering Associate,  Bank Officer,  Caravan Park/Camping grounds Manager,  Project and Program Administrator,  Cartographer - Surveyor,  Computer Systems Engineering Associate,  Small Business Owner/Manager,  Webmaster/ Website Administrator,  ICT Network Administrator,  Bookkeeper,  Market Research Analyst,  Credit and Loans Officer,  Retail Sales Supervisors and Assistants,  ICT Help Desk Support Officer,  Computer Service Technician,  Financial Planner / Financial Investment Advisers

Outdoor

Farm hand,  Horse Trainer,  Aircraft Pilot,  Police Officer,  Travel Consultant (Domestic and International),  Child Care Worker,  Miner,  Mineral Processing Operator,  Viticulturist and Vineyard Hand,  Horticultural Tradesperson (Gardener),  Animal Attendant,  Nursery Worker,  Farmer and Farm Manager,  Livestock Buyer/Livestock Farmers,  Sports Coach,  Aquaculture Farmer and Technician,  Caravan Park/Camping grounds Manager,  Private Investigator,  Landcare Officer,  Telecommunications Technician,  Automotive Electrician,  Ecotourism Guide,  Park Ranger,  Shearer,  Jockey,  Cartographer - Surveyor,  Boilermakers/Welder,  Painters and Decorator,  Environmental Scientist / Environmental Project Officer,  Bricklayer

There are no specific training requirements to become a Caravan Park/Camping Grounds Manager as most training is provided on the job. However, employment opportunities are improved if you have undertaken formal studies.

TAFE SA offers the following courses to help you find employment in this occupation: Certificates II and III Caravan Park Operations; and Certificate IV in Caravan Park Supervision. For further information about TAFE SA courses go to the TAFE SA website at www.tafe.sa.edu.au.

Caravan parks and camping grounds are often privately owned, although some are owned by local councils or part of larger businesses. Employment opportunities are affected by the level of tourism activity in the local areas and can be seasonal.

''The caravan park sector offers such a relaxed atmosphere. It makes it one of the best industries to be involved in!" The caravan park sector is currently undergoing change in terms of electronic technologies such as e-commerce, websites and e-mail. The latter have introduced new mediums of advertising and at the same time increased competition between caravan parks for the wider customer market. Caravan park managers must become familiar with these technologies, in order to keep ahead of their rivals. ''There is a strong need for skilled caravan park managers - people with the right attitude and great people skills. The industry is growing at a huge rate and the level of accommodation has changed dramatically from the old parks of the 70's. There is a real need for people with managerial skills to come into the industry. ''Tourist trade and the location of the park, generally affect employment prospects, as do seasonal factors.

Jeff White completed his Certificate III in Caravan Park Operations in November 2006. He is currently working part time as a relieving Manager at the Brighton Caravan Park and Holiday Village in Kingston Park. Jeff was previously employed by the South Australian Police Department and maintains that the addition of the Certificate to his already impressive CV, ensured his eligibility for the position.

A
Caravan Park Manager needs to have full understanding of every operation and function of the Caravan Park from the reception through to the ground's maintenance and a broad knowledge of their local area and the tourism industry. They need to posses excellent communication skills, a high level of customer service and be proficient in relating to their diverse clientele and workforce. They must have the ability to organise, roster, train and lead staff in the various employment roles throughout the park. The Manager is responsible for the implementation of workplace health, safety and security procedures and is required to understand and comply with the many Local, State and Federal Government laws and related issues, which contribute to the successful operation of a Caravan Park. The Manager will staff the reception desk at times and needs to perform all office procedures, which are usually performed by the receptionist and in addition may be responsible for the processing of the payroll. They must manage the finances within the organisation's budget and produce financial reports for accounting and productivity purposes.
Effective marketing and promotion of a caravan park is crucial to its financial success. The Manager is responsible for developing or overseeing the production of brochures and marketing material, participating in trade shows and coordinating all of the marketing activities of the business. These projects may be achieved through partnership with the local and state tourism associations or an imitative of the manager.

A caravan / camping ground manager is involved in the daily housekeeping of caravans, cabins and on-site accommodation. They may take bookings and reservations as well as greet and farewell guests and receive payments. They may also be directly involved or manage staff to maintain facilities such as grounds, pools, gardens and sites of the park. They can also be involved in maintenance tasks such as painting and minor repairs. Part of their duties may involve helping in park shops, cafes and other facilities. They also provide guests with information on local tourist attractions and facilities. Depending on the size of the park, they may also be involved in calculating guests' bills and issue receipts upon payment. Some caravan / camping ground managers also run leisure and tourism activities.

Caravan park attendants usually work shifts and may be required to work weekends, public holidays and long hours during busy periods. Some of the work is outdoors and the work must be done in all kinds of weather.

As many clients are either tourists or newcomers to the area, caravan park managers need to be able to answer any questions about the surrounding areas or about the nearest town. A lot of guests want to chat about what they like or what they'd like to see. You also have to sort out any complaints and establish a rapport with the guests this is important to maintain your clientele. Its basically a PR role,'' says a caravan park manager. Aside from great people skills, caravan park managers increasingly need to be competent in the use of computers. At some parks, booking systems are computerised and managing the finances may entail the use of computer accounting packages.

Implementing and enforcing strict occupational health and safety measures around the park is also part of the job. Caravan park managers must be on the lookout for any potential hazards. This can be tough work considering the size of some parks. So with 25 acres of park to tend to and around twenty staff to manage, caravan park managers don't get much time to relax. There's not much spare time as you're pretty much on call 24 hours a day. However there appears to be compensations, such as the relaxed lifestyle.

Salaries vary according to the sector and region in which you work, as well as the size of the park. Bonus incentives exist among some employers. Salaries may also vary with age and experience. It is common to start of in administration or maintenance positions within a Caravan and Camping Park. Commencement salary would be approximately $30,000 dependant on where you entre the industry. Salary packages vary but they typically range from $23,000 to $32,000 a year for assistant managers and from $38,000 to around $70,000 for managers, and typically include free accommodation and living expenses.

For further information about all TAFE SA Courses, phone 1800 882 661 or email tafeinfo@saugov.sa.gov.au