Staff development is a critical underpinning of successful transformation. Last week, California State Parks initiated a pilot project to create a Parks Leadership Development Program (PLDP). The program will be developed in collaboration with California State University of Sacramento’s College of Continuing Education and park and recreation industry experts. PLDP will fast-track development of the knowledge and skills critical to advancing California State Park’s mission in the 21^st century.

The comprehensive curriculum will cover all facets of mission-based program management including:

• Administrative services
• Cultural and natural resources
• Visitor services
• Public safety
• Interpretation and education
• Facilities

Course content will also cover service-driven functions such as marketing, community engagement, and technology among others. Finally, PLDP will infuse modern leadership development practices to improve how staff lead themselves, their teams and California State Parks as an organization.

The pilot project program will be managed by the department’s training office in close coordination with subject matter experts throughout the development, implementation and evaluation process. PLDP is anticipated to start this fall with the first students completing the program by spring of next year.

The initial pilot will lay the groundwork for leadership development across all levels of the organization to establish an internal leadership pipeline. The vision for the long-term program will address succession planning, knowledge transfer, mentorship, and other areas of staff development to ensure a relevant, dynamic, and united California State Park System.

The Transformation Team would like to thank all those who contributed to the initial program concept including Debbie Fredricks, Adrien Contreras, Lori Turner, Steve Ptomey, Ken Kietzer, Robin Greene, John Fraser, Dana Jones, Jason De Wall, Will Schaafsma, Jared Zucker and Karl Knapp.

Should you have any questions on the Parks Leadership Development Program, please e-mail us at transforming.parks@parks.ca.gov.

Stay tuned as more deliverables are debuted from the Transformation Team.

Reminders

• Stay abreast of the Transformation Team’s progress on their website.
• The Transformation Team is interested to know your ideas, thoughts and comments. Let us know what you think.
• Connect with us on Twitter and Facebook and stay updated on #TransformationTuesdays!

Featured Image Caption: Ocotillo Wells SVRA Park Interpretive Specialist Megan Parde with her campers during the 3^rd Annual Kid’s Adventure Connection Campout

California State Parks is embracing efforts to enhance and expand partnerships with an array of outside organizations to help transform the park system for the future.

A significant first step has been made in improving California State Park’s ability to drive strong partnerships – the department has established a new Partnerships Office. The new office has been placed under the Park Operations Division and will work on concessions, cooperating associations and operating agreements, and provide oversight to the department’s many non-profit operators.

Starting April 1, Christina Jaromay will be leading the Partnerships Office as the program manager. Jim Luscutoff, who has been leading the concessions unit, will be moving over to the new office and working closely with Christina for a smooth transition of programs and staff.

Christina has worked in the Acquisition and Development Division for nearly six years. Before coming to State Parks, she worked as a consultant to Hewlett Packard managing their Parts Capture Program; working with HP Japan, HP Asia-Pacific and HP Americas. Christina also has a background in marketing. She worked for US Concepts and MKTG working closely with clients in the general, Hispanic and LGBT markets. We are excited to have her lead the Partnerships Office.

The Transformation process revealed the many different partnerships the department relies on for success in enhancing visitor experiences. From recommendations developed by the Partnership Committee, the Partnership Office will be a resource and support center for field staff. This means:

• Helping cut through bureaucratic barriers to streamline partnership processes and approvals and acting as a consultant to districts in developing and implementing partnerships plans. The office will serve as the department’s information hub about partnerships.
• Collaborating with existing statewide partners (government, non-profit and corporate organizations and concessions) to identify and develop new partnerships opportunities of mutual benefit at the statewide level. The Partnerships Office would vet and recognize donors and work on statewide fundraising campaigns.
• Aid in problem solving and conflict resolution for issues and disagreements in the field. The office would also identify and develop recommendations to resolve recurring conflicts in the field.
• Assist field staff with tools that celebrate successes and ensure that successful partnerships are consistently supported.

Additionally, the Partnership Office will improve California State Park’s overall partnerships abilities by:

• Being an advocate for partnerships across the department.
• Setting department-wide partnerships policies and processes.
• Capturing best practices and lessons learned from all partnerships to be shared department-wide.
• Supporting the creation and delivery of training to field personnel on partnerships best practices.
• Host an agency partnerships roundtable with other resource management agencies from the regional, state, and/or federal level to share and develop partnership best practices.

Members of the Partnership Committee are to be commended for their efforts including co-chairs Danita Rodriguez and Steve McCormick along with members Sean Woods, Ray Murray, Traci Verardo-Torres, Harry Helling, Dana Jones, Todd Lewis and Ellen Clark.

Thank you to Jim, Christina, the partnership committee, and all of our staff and partners for your efforts in improving the way we provide resources and services to the visitors of California’s state parks. Together we are strengthening the state park system.

Should you have any questions about this project, please e-mail us transforming.parks@parks.ca.gov.

Reminders

• Stay abreast of the Transformation Team’s progress on their website.
• The Transformation Team is interested to know your ideas, thoughts and comments. Let us know what you think.
• Connect with us on Twitter and Facebook and stay updated on #TransformationTuesdays!

Protecting Resources a Strategic Transformation Goal

One of the four strategic goals of the Transformation Team is to protect and enhance natural and cultural resources.

The Transformation Team’s Natural and Cultural Resources Committee has developed a high level vision that is guiding the formation of several projects that demonstrate best practices in resource management. The Committee will also be recommending new programs and systems to support our resource managers statewide in protecting our treasured resources for current and future generations.

We’re building recommendations with the help of an advisory workgroup made up of leading non-profit, agency, and academic leaders that share our recognition for the globally and locally significant natural and cultural resources in our system.

Our partners, and State Park managers, recognize our resource staff as passionate and expert in the work they do to protect and restore what’s been called “the best of California.”

As we work to build a first in class resource management program, the recommendations we make embrace the following areas of strategic focus:

• Play a leadership role in resource protection at landscape and ecosystem levels as a cornerstone landowner and convener of protection, restoration and management actions.
• Use the latest science-based approaches and best practices to manage our natural and cultural resources consistent with our mandates and mission.
• Promote long term sustainability by building climate change considerations into all that we do to manage our resources over the long term.
• Promote new types of collective engagement to foster innovation, create a shared commitment to stewardship, and harness complimentary skills, capacities, and support. cultural resources consistent with our mandates and mission.

First Project Approved for Crystal Cove State Park

The Committee has brought one project forward to the Transformation Team that addresses three of these elements. It is a collaborative venture for state park stewardship at Crystal Cove State Park among the Orange Coast District, Orange County, City of Irvine and the Irvine Ranch Conservancy. The Partners will create and implement a joint natural resources stewardship operations program that includes restoration and management of the globally rare coastal sage scrub and other significant habitats at Crystal Cove.

Several other projects are advancing to the Team that will reflect opportunities for both cultural and natural resources. Stay tuned for more details.

The Natural/Cultural Resources Transformation Committee

The Committee is led by Jay Chamberlin and Leslie Hartzell with Julianne Polanco, Steve McCormick, Laurie Archambault, Dan Osanna, and Jim Newland.

Advisory Workgroup members include:

Natural: Emily Burns,  Andrea Jones, Peggy Fiedler, Doug Johnson, Brian Johnson, Scott Morrison, David Graber, David Ackerly, Michael O’Connell, Rick Rayburn, Steve Johnson, Kevin Hunting,  and Kris Tjernell.

Cultural: Randy Bergstrom, Stephanie Brown, Jennifer D’Arcangelo, Paul Engel, Reno Keoni Franklin, Cindy Heitzman, Elaine-Jackson Retondo, Kimball Koch, Nancy Lenoil, Mike Newland, Megan Noble, Jeff Pappas, Trudi Sandmeier, Marjorie Schwarzer , Bob Schwemmer, Nate Stevens, Rene Vallanoweth, Anthony Veerkamp, Cory Wilkins and Pamela Zielske.

Each and everyone’s contributions are appreciated.

Should you have any questions about this project, please e-mail us transforming.parks@parks.ca.gov.

Reminders

• Stay abreast of the Transformation Team’s progress on their website.
• The Transformation Team is interested to know your ideas, thoughts and comments. Let us know what you think.
• Connect with us on Twitter and Facebook and stay updated on #TransformationTuesdays!

Pictured above: State Park Peace Officers Kirk Schoonover, Ennio Rocca and Raymund Nanadiego at Dana Hills High School

Collaboration and personal initiative are hallmark characteristics of a thriving organization. The Transformation Team is using these characteristics to further advance the mission of California State Parks and strengthen the state park system. A recent example is the collaboration between the Transformation Team and the department’s personnel services section to develop excellent management systems and a thriving workforce. We are excited to report that employees will soon be able to take exams online and that a revised “Exams” Intranet page is now available. Information on both of these accomplishments is included below. Thank you to the personnel services section and exam analyst Erin Heath, for this positive change.

Online Exams

The Transformation Team is currently working with the personnel services section of California State Parks to increase the availability of online, recurring and open examinations for as many classifications as possible. Some of the new exams will be hosted by CalHR while others will be hosted in-house. To this end, the new District Superintendent I and II classification will be a CalHR online administered exam. Online exams will help the department seize opportunities to improve relevancy by promoting a workforce that is reflective of the diversity of California. As the department moves along in finalizing the new exams, information will be shared with employees.

Revised Intranet Webpage

As of last Tuesday, March 29, California State Parks has a one stop information webpage on exams. The goal of this project was to provide department staff with additional resources to better assist them through the examination and selection process. This idea was independently initiated by the Exam Unit. Heath volunteered to lead this transformative effort.

The new Intranet webpage, accessible only to employees, can be found at http://isearch.parks.ca.gov/default.asp?page_id=1040.

Some of the information available includes, but is not limited to the following:

• Critical Tasks and Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Statement – Used not only for exam development, but helpful for possible candidates, training, duty statements, recruitment, etc.
• Exam Basics
• Exam Plan – Each fiscal year, the Exam Services Unit publishes a list of upcoming scheduled exams
• Examination process, e.g. “Steps of Civil Service Examination Process”
• Government Codes as they relate to the selection process
• Helpful Hints: Tips on how to find information on current exams, apply for an examination, fill out a state application and prepare for an examination.
• Quick links to:
  • State Application (Std. 678)
  • Steps to a State Job
  • Temporary Authorization Appointments (TAU) Information
  • Information for Persons with Disabilities

We welcome you to explore this site and share with us your feedback at transforming.parks@parks.ca.gov.

Reminders

• Stay abreast of the Transformation Team’s progress on their website.
• The Transformation Team is interested to know your ideas, thoughts and comments. Let us know what you think.
• Connect with us on Twitter and Facebook and stay updated on #TransformationTuesdays!

The Transformation Team’s Relevancy Committee is pleased to announce that it has received philanthropic support from the Resources Legacy Fund to launch the two-year community liaison demonstration project at two pre-eminent urban state parks: Los Angeles State Historic Park and Candlestick Point State Recreation Area.

Since 2001, California State Parks has invested more than $150 million in bond funds and countless staff resources to implement its urban strategic initiative in the City of Los Angeles. The community liaison demonstration project will build upon these efforts and on the best practices established by the department in the second-largest city in the U.S.

Drawing inspiration from the public health Promotores or community outreach work model, the proposed project will hire and train local residents as park Promotores to conduct specialized outreach to their peers. Outreach activities will simultaneously address the needs and characteristics of the communities, while functioning effectively within the operating parameters of the state park system.

The department will be working with the non-profit Visiones Y Compromiso to identify community leaders as potential promotores, develop community listen sessions to begin co-production of park programming, and offer training sessions for community members and staff from State Parks to incorporate health as part of the state park programs.

The project will also build on the capacity of California State Parks and core partners to ensure project success and extract lessons learned in preparation for program expansion to a statewide scale. Park unit staff will enhance their cultural competency and expand their outreach expertise, ultimately allowing them to serve as thoughtful leaders and innovators. Building on the capacity of core partners to work in collaboration with state park units will develop the ability to build park constituency in low-income communities, and help recruit employees that reflect the diversity of California.

Project core partners include staff from Los Angeles State Historic Park and Candlestick Point State Recreation Area; Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority; community health organizations; and local nonprofit groups with expertise in urban parks, community outreach/engagement and community health worker (promotora) initiatives.

Thanks to Resources Legacy Fund for supporting this important project. We look forward to empowering our staff and partners so that the public can look at California’s state parks as healthy places to recreate in and as places where they can connect not only with family and friends, but also with their communities.

Featured Image: New welcome center at Los Angeles State Historic Park which is expected to open fall 2016.

Update on #WeAreParks

This Friday will be the debut of #WeAreParks, a new video series that puts California State Parks employees both in front of the camera and behind it. #WeAreParks videos will be short in length, highlighting what an employee does and/or interesting features of a state park. These shorts not only spotlight the parks’ natural and cultural attractions, but put a face to the park and offer a human element of the department to a new audience. Footage will be used for online and social media purposes.

We invite you to view our first video taking place this Friday live/online from Whaler’s Cove at Point Lobos State Natural Reserve. The live session will begin at 11:30 a.m. via Periscope (@CAStateParks). You can also view the session on our Twitter page. Hope you can join us!

Reminders

• Stay abreast of the Transformation Team’s progress on their website.
• The Transformation Team is interested to know your ideas, thoughts and comments. Let us know what you think.
• Connect with us on Twitter and Facebook and stay updated on #TransformationTuesdays!

Connecting Better to the Public – A Strategic Transformation Goal

One of the four strategic goals of the Transformation effort is to create meaningful connections and relevancy to people. We have shared with you examples in previous Transformation Tuesday messages on how California State Parks is carrying out this goal, such as the Los Angeles State Historic Park Community Liaison Project, expansion of cabins in more state parks across the state and the Google Trekker Partnership. Today the department is happy to share a new and exciting project dubbed #WeAreParks.

Through the #WeAreParks video series, California State Parks will connect the public with their state parks and the dedicated staff and partners who every day work to protect California’s beautiful state park system. The new project will also spotlight the parks’ natural and cultural attractions, the positive impact parks staff have on the world outside the department and offer a human element of the department to a new audience. Public safety, local grants for urban parks, resource management and preservation advancements, and recreation opportunities are just a few of the contributions department staff make.

The hosts will be our very own employees, both in front and behind the camera. Episodes will be available to view online and across social media platforms.

Today, we invite you to view our first two videos (click on hyperlinks):

• Old Sacramento: Partnership between Old Sacramento State Historic Park and the city of Sacramento, showcasing the rich cultural and natural history of Old Sacramento. The video will introduce viewers to the train ride excursions and underground tours available to visitors.

• Whaler’s Cove: This episode was originally broadcast live last Friday via the Periscope mobile app from Point Lobos State Natural Reserve at Whaler’s Cove, Coal Chute Point. The broadcast successfully led to a 500% increase in the number of subscribers. The next Periscope broadcast is tentatively scheduled for mid-May, again from Whaler’s Cove, but this time from the perspective of a kayak exploring the water (weather and water conditions-dependent).

Thank you to the staff from Old Sacramento State Historic Park and Point Lobos State Natural Reserve for helping us kick off this exciting project. We encourage other staff to email us their #WeAreParks ideas and videos for future episodes.

Enjoy the first two episodes and subscribe to our YouTube Channel and follow us on your favorite social media platforms to stay connected to future #WeAreParks releases.

Facebook: Facebook.com/CaliforniaStateParks

Twitter: @CAStateParks

Instagram: Instagram.com/castateparks

Periscope: @CAStateParks

Today, California State Parks announces another Transformation effort that will help foster communication about the changes taking place in the department. The new effort is called Transformation Agent Network.

A key reason transformation projects fail has to do with “people” and the failure to consider the impact on operations, staff and external stakeholders. Having the agent network in place will help the department execute bold new strategies to improve communications during this pivotal time for California State Parks.

The network is comprised of employees from State Parks, better known as Transformation Agents, who have been selected by their managers to serve as field or division ambassadors to keep staff informed on important key departmental and Transformation initiatives (see list below). These agents will open up another line of two-way communication. Additionally, this added layer of support will enhance the efforts of our leaders throughout the department to keep employees informed of the efforts underway to improve ourselves.

Thank you to the staff that are serving as agents. We look forward to hearing from you!

Reminders

• Stay abreast of the Transformation Team’s progress on their website.
• The Transformation Team is interested to know your ideas, thoughts and comments. Let us know what you think.
• Connect with us on Twitter and Facebook and stay updated on #TransformationTuesdays!

As part of Wildfire Awareness Week, California State Parks would like to recognize the dedicated employees who prepare for, respond to, and restore after wildfires. We are proud to work alongside first responders, dispatch and maintenance who swiftly stepped up during and after the Butte and Valley Fires of 2015 to help protect the public along with the natural and cultural resources threatened by fire. In addition, we are proud to showcase the partnership we have with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) to protect old-growth redwoods. Below you will find recounts of the efforts made by department members during these two disastrous wildfires along with a focus on the innovative ways CAL FIRE and California State Parks combat wildfire and protect the world’s largest trees during this historic drought.

Valley Fire

The Valley fire burned over 76,076 acres and burned into three counties: Lake, Napa, and Sonoma.  The fire caused four fatalities. A total of 1,955 structures destroyed including; 1,281 homes, 27 mulit-family structures, 66 commercial properties, and 581 other minor structures.

Among the initial first responders to the scene of the fire were Clear Lake Sector rangers Jennifer Ayala and Darrin Conner (K9) and Superintendent Bill Salata. The trio worked with other law enforcement officers to begin immediate evacuations in the rural area affected by the fast moving fire. Among the tasks Ayala, Conner and Salta took on where notifying residents, using a four-wheel drive vehicle to reach remote homes, directing and escorting heavy traffic on rural roads, helping livestock escape enclosures and assisting with an injury vehicle accident in the initial hours of the fire.

As the fire burned over several days, California State Parks contributed the aid of more than 28 law enforcement officers to the incident. These included rangers Scott Liske, Justin Rhoads, Mark Hofer, Paul Borg, Todd Jones, Cameron Morrison, Derek Davis, John Verhoeven, Sandy Jones, Crystal Battles, and Dan Kenney (K9) and supervising rangers Neill Fogarty, Evan Walter, John DeLuca and Robert Picket.  Additionally, sector superintendents Lorrie Martin, Aaron Wright, Ryen Goering, and Vince Anibale along with Northern Buttes Superintendent Eddie Guaracha and Bay Area Superintendent Danita Rodriguez assisted. Headquarters staff assisting included superintendents Jason DeWall, Scott Bayne and John Stevens from Law Enforcement and Emergency Services Division and Northern Division Chief Dana Jones.

Butte Fire

The Butte Fire broke out near the Mokelumne River on September 8 and grew to approximately 14,500 acres overnight. The following day, the Central Valley District sprang into action in response to the Butte Fire which initially threatened Indian Grinding Rock State Historic Park.

District Superintendent Jess Cooper assembled Sector Superintendent Greg Martin, Supervising Ranger Jackie Olavarria, Maintenance Chief III Greg Yanchus, Park Maintenance Chief I Alec Varner, District Services Manager Liz Steller, Administrative Chief Sandy von Herrmann, Cultural Resource Specialist Linda Dick-Bissonnette and Regional Interpretive Specialist Amber Cantisano and immediately created a 24-hour incident command team to monitor the fire and facilitate communications between CAL FIRE’s Incident Command, the district and the field. The team created an operations plan and mobilized staff to protect natural and cultural resources and park facilities.

On September 10, while still planning for the Butte Fire Operations Plan at Indian Grinding Rock, the fire started spreading quickly in the back canyons and was moving towards Calaveras Big Trees State Park, located east of the town of Arnold. Big Trees was closed to the public and district staff created an operations plan for this park.

The fire-trained Sierra District resource crew came to assist Central Valley District staff with their expertise and equipment. Together, they cleared debris from around the base of the 3,000 year old giant sequoias and from around historic buildings. Rangers, heavy equipment operators and employees throughout the district took on 24-hour shifts, purchased necessary supplies and equipment, and opened communication lines that made this potential disaster into a positive team building experience.

Thank you to all the department staff who helped in this time of emergency:

Additionally, California State Parks is proud to work together with the CAL FIRE in protecting the state’s citizens and visitors along with its natural and cultural resources.

World’s Largest Trees

As California’s drought continues to leave normally wet parts of the state parched, old-growth redwoods (Sequoia sempervirens) are increasingly vulnerable to both natural and human caused wildfires. Last year, California State Parks and CAL FIRE resorted to climbing trees to save some of the California’s greatest resources.

Extinguishing fires in these forests is extremely difficult due to heavy fuels and difficult terrain. This situation is worsened when the fire climbs into the forest canopy. Firefighters can use hoses to reach 30 or 40 feet off of the ground, but this is often little help in trees that can be over 300 feet tall. There is also an urgency to extinguish the fire quickly, before it spreads embers to neighboring trees and so that firefighters are free to respond to other emergencies.

The easiest way to extinguish a fire in the canopy is to cut down the tree so firefighters can reach the fire. But many of the recently burning trees have been over 10 feet in diameter and over 1,000 years old.

California State Parks and CAL FIRE have been working together to find more creative solutions to put out the fires while saving these giants that are the very reason these parks were created. Each situation is different and has to be assessed for the safest, most effective way to proceed. Fires low in the canopy can often be extinguished with a hose fitted with the appropriate nozzle. If a helicopter is available it can drop water from above, but this is expensive and does not always get to fires that are under the bark or inside cavities. Firefighters can sometimes get a rope over a branch, and then haul a sprinkler into the canopy to put out the fire. If that doesn’t work, then a firefighter may be able to climb the tree or a neighboring tree to get at the problem.

Safety is always the primary concern. Crews must constantly assess the risks involved with any action. There is risk in working under a burning tree whether you are fighting a fire on the ground, cutting a tree down or climbing a tree. There is also a risk in allowing the tree to burn. A burning tree may drop embers or branches unexpectedly, or the whole tree may fall down. The last resort is to cut the tree down before the fire spreads to other trees or the tree damages other resources by falling in an unpredictable direction.

These are just a few examples of how California State Parks and partners prepare for, respond to, and restore after wildfires. Thousands of wildfires strike California every year; developing faster, innovative ways to combat and limit their damage is imperative. Learn what you can do to prevent wildfires and stay safe during one at ReadyForWildfire.org.

Transformation Tuesday

Relevancy and History Pilot Project

May 10, 2016

Welcome to Transformation Tuesday! Today, we would like to share a video on a very exciting project that the Transformation Relevancy Committee is working on – Relevancy and History Pilot Project. Through this effort we hope to establish a foundation for a new model for interpretation of California’s rich history and culture through state parks. The pilot program will be carried out at the California Citrus and El Presidio de Santa Barbara State Historic Parks through a new collaborative partnership with UC Riverside and UC Santa Barbara.

California State Park and Recreation Commissioners were provided with a thorough presentation on this project last month. We invite you to take the time to view the video of this presentation and learn more about this exciting project. View Video

Reminders

• Stay abreast of the Transformation Team’s progress on their website.
• The Transformation Team is interested to know your ideas, thoughts and comments. Let us know what you think.
• Connect with us on Twitter and Facebook and stay updated on #TransformationTuesdays!

Welcome to Transformation Tuesday! Today, we would like to share the ongoing efforts for recruiting the next class of State Park Peace Officer (SPPO) Cadets (Ranger/Lifeguard). The cadet classification is the entry and training level for men and women interested in a law enforcement career with California State Parks. The application process is currently open until June 3, 2016.

Yesterday, Auburn State Recreation Area Supervising Ranger Scott Liske and Folsom State Recreation Area SPPO Lifeguard Joshua Neff participated in a live question-and-answer broadcast via Periscope. The broadcast, shot atop No Hands Bridge at Auburn State Recreation Area, with the American River in the background, allowed viewers to ask questions directly to Neff and Liske about the application process and requirements, academy and their careers as State Park Peace Officers.

You can view the archived video here.

In addition, for those interested in the State Park Peace Officer (Ranger and Lifeguard) Cadet Program, please visit the following links:

• State Park Peace Officer Cadet Selection Process

• State Park Peace Officer Cadet (Lifeguard) Examination Announcement

• State Park Peace Officer Cadet (Ranger) Examination Announcement

• Frequently Asked Questions

• Cadet Status Check

A special thank you Joshua Neff and Scott Liske and to those who assisted in making this broadcast a success: Scott Bayne, Erin Gayton, Erin Heath, Greg Imura and Oscar Vasquez.

Periscope is a mobile app that turns a mobile device into a broadcast studio, allowing users to send live video worldwide to an engaged audience who can communicate back via text. We encourage you to interact with us via this communication tool. Follow us at on Periscope:

castateparks

Reminders

• Stay abreast of the Transformation Team’s progress on their website.
• The Transformation Team is interested to know your ideas, thoughts and comments. Let us know what you think.
• Connect with us on Twitter and Facebook and stay updated on #TransformationTuesdays!

California State Parks is excited to announce that it has officially begun a project to modernize the way visitors reserve and experience California’s state park facilities and activities. The transition to the new reservations service – Recreation and Reservations Sales Service (R2S2) – will help connect our visitors to our 280 state parks in a more modern way through website trip planning enhancements, more widely accepted payment methods, and other user-friendly web services. For staff, this service will provide much more robust reporting capabilities along with great features in the field such as the ability to check in walk-in patrons using a handheld or desktop interface.

Every state park location is unique and has different challenges. R2S2 will provide a fully functional integrated reservation and point of sale system that will be extremely instrumental as California State Parks continues to move forward with the modernization of its fee collection systems and data collection.

The reservation portion of the project will begin fall of 2017 with other features coming online in phased releases. Xerox State and Local Solutions Inc. has come onboard to partner with the department for the implementation of the project. The project team is currently working with Xerox to ensure a smooth transition.

Reserve America has provided the department’s reservations service for over a decade. We appreciate their continued support as we transition to the new system.

Below is a breakdown on some of the benefits that the R2S2 Project will provide to visitors and the department:

Visitors

• Improved and flexible online self-service reservation system
• Real-time inventory for reservations
• Interactive maps
• Availability of annual and discount passes, gift cards, and etc.
• More payment methods: credit and debit cards
• Ability to purchase or reserve multiple items in one transaction

State Parks

• New, modern fee collection devices and supporting hardware to fulfill reservations and make sales
• Access to real-time data to manage and sell camping and tours – reducing the number of vacant campsites
• Modern payment processing to standardize accounting practices – reducing manual processes and reporting errors
• Increase automation to reduce manual processes
• Operational and analytic reports to guide park management and marketing
• Dynamic, seasonal and other demand-based pricing models
• Customer profiles to support targeted promotional sales and notifications
• Improved data collection: reporting of existing sales and park data, and revenue tracking and reporting

Training will be provided to staff that will be accessing the system. User manuals, small group training and online training courses will be available for each location that is affected. Additional detailed information on training, and training schedules will be available prior to the service going live.

California State Parks is looking forward enhancing the way it interacts with its visitors and provides resources to staff through R2S2. Should you have any questions, please contact us via e-mail at transforming.parks@parks.ca.gov.

 Reminders

• Stay abreast of the Transformation Team’s progress on their website.
• The Transformation Team is interested to know your ideas, thoughts and comments. Let us know what you think.
• Connect with us on Twitter and Facebook and stay updated on #TransformationTuesdays!

We have some exciting news – you have one more year to order your “ParksPLATE”!

California State Parks has an extension through May 2017 to reach the minimum threshold of 7,500 pre-paid orders to start production of its specialized vehicle license plate “ParksPLATE”.

Orders can be made at www.parksplate.parks.ca.gov.The cost for a sequential plate is $50 or $98 for personalized plate. Specialized plates for motorcycles and trailers are also available. Proceeds from the sale and annual renewal of the plate will provide an ongoing funding source for the restoration and preservation of state parks across California.

“California State Parks is the steward of some of the largest and most diverse natural, cultural and recreational resources of any state agency in the nation”, said California State Parks’ Director Lisa Mangat. “We invite Californians to show their pride for the state’s natural beauty by ordering our license plate, and support our efforts to protect and restore the state park system.”

Please help us spread the availability of our specialized license plate to your co-workers, family and friends. Should you be interested in promoting our license plate online, we have web buttons and other graphics that you can download at www.parksplate.parks.ca.gov. Thank you!

Facts about California State Parks

California State Parks manages 280 park units, which contain the finest and most diverse collection of natural, cultural, and recreational resources to be found within California. These treasures are as diverse as California: from the last stands of primeval redwood forests to vast expanses of fragile desert; from the lofty Sierra Nevada to the broad sandy beaches of our southern coast; and from the opulence of Hearst Castle to the vestiges of colonial Russia.

The department contains the largest and most diverse natural and cultural heritage holdings of any state agency in the nation. The state park system includes state parks, natural reserves, historic parks, historic monuments, beaches, recreation areas, vehicular recreation areas, seashores and marine parks. Within the system are natural and cultural preserves, lakes and reservoirs, coastal beaches, historic homes, Spanish era adobe buildings, lighthouses, ghost towns, museums, visitor centers, conference centers, and off-highway vehicle recreation areas. Together, state park system lands protect and preserve an unparalleled collection of culturally and environmentally sensitive structures and habitats, threatened plant and animal species, ancient Native American sites, historic structures and artifacts… the best of California’s natural and cultural history.

With over 340 miles of coastline, 970 miles of lake and river frontage, 15,000 campsites and 4,500 miles of trails, the state park system provides wonderful recreational, educational and inspirational opportunities for over 67 million visitors a year.

Reminders

• Stay abreast of the Transformation Team’s progress on their website.
• The Transformation Team is interested to know your ideas, thoughts and comments. Let us know what you think.
• Connect with us on Twitter and Facebook and stay updated on #TransformationTuesdays!

As the Transformation Team approaches its seventeenth month of work, great progress has been made.

For example, the California Department of Parks and Recreation (State Parks) has opened up positions to candidates from broader and more diverse backgrounds so that our workforce more closely represents the diverse demographics of the state. The department has also implemented a more comprehensive district budget allocation process that is synced to the annual budget process with a more detailed tracking of current fiscal year expenditures. This means that districts not only get their budgets on time, but are involved in the allocation process months before the start of the fiscal year.

As we continue to transform State Parks, it is important to remember why the Transformation was needed.

• In July 2013, the Secretary of Natural Resources appointed the Parks Forward Commission (Commission) to assess the unique challenges California’s state parks face and helped identify solutions to solidify the future of the State Parks. The Commission released its final recommendations in the report titled “A New Vision for California State Parks”.

• Guided by the draft Commission report in fall 2014, the administration assembled a Transformation Team (Team). The Team comprised of qualified, experienced and dedicated personnel from State Parks staff, outside entities and professional consultants developed a two-year tactical Transformation Action Plan.

• The action plan set forth four strategic goals for the state park system (see below). Based on these goals, the Team and its committees developed initiatives. Through the Transformation initiatives, State Parks will deliver a stronger, more robust future for the state park system.

• Protect and enhance natural and cultural resources
• Develop excellent management systems
• Maintain high quality operations and public service
• Create meaningful connections and relevancy to people.

Thank you for being part of this process. Collectively all of our efforts will strengthen our mission to protect and preserve California’s state parks which include the most significant cultural, historic and natural resources.

Reminders

• Stay abreast of the Transformation Team’s progress on their website.
• The Transformation Team is interested to know your ideas, thoughts and comments. Let us know what you think.
• Connect with us on Twitter and Facebook and stay updated on #TransformationTuesdays!

This year marks 150 years since Galen Clark was appointed by the Yosemite Commission to be the first Guardian of Yosemite State Park, and thus, the first ranger. Clark was directed in his letters of instruction to protect the park and preserve the peace within.

Yesterday, a new group of 25 cadets (Group 39) graduated from California State Parks’ Basic Visitor Services Training (BVST) with the same charge as Galen Clark, ensuring that future generations can be inspired by the state’s extraordinary biological, cultural and natural diversity and high-quality outdoor recreation. BVST is the second to final stage for cadets becoming State Park Peace Officers (Rangers and Lifeguards).

Congratulations to the 25 graduates, and now State Park Peace Officers, of Group 39:

• Stephanie Collin-Sowers
• Kevin Craig
• Michael Cueto
• Patrick Cullen
• Peter Estes
• Clark Hale
• Carina Hammang
• Aurora Harrison
• Cody Hoffman
• Daniel Kendall
• Sara Kennedy
• Janessa LaBouyer
• Damion Laughlin
• Dustin LeBrun
• Alexandra Lucero
• Tristan McHenry
• Cameron O’Quinn
• Blair Pujols
• Taylor Riis
• Christopher Sederquist
• Gregory Shaner
• Heather Thomson
• Christopher Townsend
• Kary Tyler-Davis
• Jake Williams

Before setting foot inside the academy, potential cadets must go through a screen processes that can take upwards of 18 months. This process includes:

• Application
• Physical Agility Tests
• Written Exam
• Oral Interview
• Background Investigation
• Psychological and Medical Evaluations

Academy instruction prepares the students mentally, morally, emotionally and physically to enter and successfully complete the Field Training Officer’s Program (FTO), which is 13 additional weeks of on-the-job training.  More than 160 Butte College Public Safety instructors and State Parks instructors deliver over 1,500 hours of instruction.

Academy cadets receive approximately:

• 1,282 hours of P.O.S.T. instruction
• 367 hours of park operations
• 42 learning domain instructional topics
• 24 academic tests
• 14 scenario tests, a mid-term and final exam

Cadets also complete tests in firearms, physical fitness, defensive tactics and driving.  The culmination of the park operations component is a 20-minute interpretive presentation in which cadets must demonstrate competency in:

• Professional reasoning
• Human relations/communication skills
• Problem solving
• Job knowledge
• Physical skills

After graduation, cadets report to their field training locations throughout the state and rotate through four, three-week training phases with senior State Parks Peace Officers.

For more information on how you can become a State park Peace Officer Ranger or Lifeguard, please visit www.parks.ca.gov/cadet

Highlights

• Designing a new, more modern organizational structure
• Organizational structure opportunities
• Engagement process
• Operational transition plan report

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Today is an important day for the California Department of Parks and Recreation (State Parks) – we begin the engagement process to design a new, more modern structure for our department.

One of the initiatives of the Transformation Team was to review the department’s organizational structure and identify opportunities to eliminate duplicative services, realign divisions and programs to better support field operations, consolidate some field districts, flatten field management structures and establish career paths to leadership for a broad range of professional backgrounds. The review has been completed and State Parks will now work with staff and stakeholders as it develops a new organizational model for the department, which will also include how field districts are organized.

Opportunities from the new organizational structure will include:

• Align organization structure to best reflect the mission and service of the department.
• Develop a customer service ethic that prioritizes collaboration within the department and solidifies serving the public as our primary purpose.
• Operate as one unified state park system to provide an array of recreational services across the system and support all 280 parks, including nine state vehicle recreational areas, while preserving allocation of all special funds.
• Establish a headquarters organization model that best supports the delivery of programs and services.
• Realign divisions, programs and district boundaries to better support field operations and enhance services to community stakeholders.
• Minimize duplicative services and empower decision making at the appropriate levels for effective service delivery.
• Develop stronger connections with existing and new partners that are aligned with the department’s mission to serve the public and their resources.
• Bolster resource stewardship that is responsive to climate change, sensitive to species management and protective of our dynamic history.
• Place increased emphasis on revenue generation and grant distribution implementation consistent with State Park’s expanded focus on relevancy.
• Foster continual innovation after the transformation process is complete.
• Centralize function-specific expertise to facilitate knowledge sharing and use of best practices to better serve the public (e.g. facilities management, grants, planning).
• Dedicate advocacy support for recreation constituency groups representing on- and off-road cyclists, boaters, off-highway vehicles, equestrians and others, including emerging recreation activities.
• Focus on strengthening engagement of under-represented groups; developing recreation programming that builds lasting relationships with the community, partners and volunteers; and building a recruitment program focused on workforce diversification.
• Identify career paths and enable pathways to leadership for staff with relevant backgrounds and experiences both from within and outside the department.
• Open positions to candidates from broader and more diverse backgrounds so that the most qualified candidates are able to compete and the workforce at the department more closely represents the diverse demographics of the state.

In the upcoming months, the department will engage staff and stakeholders to discuss the new organizational structure and gather important input.

This process is also expected to yield additional ideas on how a new organizational structure would improve the delivery of services. The feedback during this process will inform the development of a new organizational structure.

The resulting structure will be detailed in an operational transition plan report, which is a standard report developed by state departments to outline how it will move from the current organization structure to a new model.

The new organizational structure will be in compliance with all laws, rules, policies and established best practices. The department will work closely with other state agencies, including CalHR, as it develops the organizational structure and a plan to transition to a new structure. The new structure may result in shifts in how personnel will be organized, however no staff will be laid off through this process.

Communication and the management of the changes as the department transitions to a new model will be of key focus. Today we are sharing with you a document outlining the following information:

• Need for Organizational Structure Assessment
• New Organization Builds on Recent Fiscal Improvements
• Organizational Structure Assessment Approach
• Organizational Structure Opportunities
• Next Steps

We invite you to read this document and share with us your ideas via e-mail at transforming.parks@parks.ca.gov. If you wish to share your ideas anonymously, you can do so via the Transformation Team’s public website.

Thank you to the Transformation Team, in particular the Operations Committee of the Team, who worked tirelessly to think through opportunities for our organization. This process benefits greatly by the work completed by the committee.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Reminders

• Stay abreast of the Transformation Team’s progress on their website.
• The Transformation Team is interested to know your ideas, thoughts and comments. Let us know what you think.
• Connect with us on Twitter and Facebook and stay updated on #TransformationTuesdays!

We invite you to become part of the California State Parks family by becoming a communications operator. The department is currently accepting applications for this position and for temporary authorization appointments (TAU). These positions serve as a vital link in the fast-paced communications network of California State Parks – providing consistency, direction, and knowledge to the public and law enforcement officers in an emergency.

Below you will find information on these job opportunities. We hope many of you apply!

Communications Operator

Duties

• Monitor emergency communications systems
• Answer calls for service, log incidents and assist the public
• Dispatch field units to emergencies
• User modern CAD technology
• View Job Posting

Application Instructions

• Meet the minimum qualifications for the communications operator classification. Exam Bulletin
• Apply for, compete and be successful in the communications operator examination. Applications for the examination will be accepted until Aug. 26, 2016. Exam and Selection Process

Temporary Authorization Appointment Position

This position provides an on-the-job experience while waiting to complete the communications operator examination.

NOTE: The TAU will be specifically for the Northern Communications Center, with a reporting location in Folsom.

• Meet the minimum qualifications for the communications operator classification. Exam Bulletin
• Submit an application for the TAU appointment as directed in the job posting. Applications will be accepted until July 27.
• Apply for, compete and be successful in the communications operation examination.
• Submit a second separate application for TAU appointment as directed in the job posting by July 13, 2016.
• In order to apply for the TAU appointment individuals MUST apply for both the examination and the TAU.

For more detailed information, please visit www.parks.ca.gov/dispatch.

Reminders

• Stay abreast of the Transformation Team’s progress on their website.
• The Transformation Team is interested to know your ideas, thoughts and comments. Let us know what you think.
• Connect with us on Twitter and Facebook and stay updated on #TransformationTuesdays!

Highlights

• Developing Interactive 3D Experiences at Bodie State Historic Park
• Visitors will delve into the stories behind the features and objects as they virtually explore the historic  park
• View Video

Another exciting project to welcome you to Transformation Tuesday! The Transformation Natural & Cultural Committee is breaking new ground with an exciting project – Creating Interactive 3D Visitor Experiences: A Pilot Project Integrating History, Interpretation and 3D Documentation at Bodie State Historic Park.

Under a new memorandum of understanding/interagency agreement with University of California Merced’s World Heritage Program, the California Department of Parks and Recreation is collaborating on the development of interactive digital material for important cultural sites enabled by 3D documentation. This project uses cutting-edge digital survey, including LIDAR scanning/photogrammetry methodology, to develop augmented reality experiences and interactive online materials with rich narrative histories of the site and its people. Visitors will delve into the stories behind the features and objects as they virtually explore the site.

We invite you to take the time to view a video and learn more about this exciting project – View Video.

Work continues through the summer. A video presentation is scheduled for December 2016 at UC Merced. The digital material will be used to create a prototype mobile application which is expected to be complete by summer of 2017.

Learn more about Bodie State Historic Park at www.parks.ca.gov/bodie.

Reminders

• Learn about the Organizational Structure Opportunities Project at www.parks.ca.gov/ShapingOurFuture.
• Stay abreast of the Transformation Team’s progress on their website.
• The Transformation Team is interested to know your ideas, thoughts and comments. Let us know what you think.
• Connect with us on Twitter and Facebook and stay updated on #TransformationTuesdays!

Welcome to Transformation Tuesday! There are a lot of exciting projects that the Transformation Team is working on. One of the projects, led by the Relevancy Committee, is the expansion of cabins at Angel Island, Calaveras Big Trees, Big Sur, Jedediah Smith Redwoods, Prairie Creek Redwoods and Patrick’s Point state parks.

We are happy to announce that four cabins, such as the one displayed above, have been added at each of the following state parks – Jedediah Smith Redwoods, Prairie Creek Redwoods and Patrick’s Point.

Why is this an important accomplishment? Parks are essential to the well-being of people. Creating new opportunities to use cabins expands and enhances access for a broader range of park users and promotes California’s state park system statewide and nationally.

The road to accomplish this task has not been easy. While the California Department of Parks and Recreation (Department) has several cabin development initiatives going at this point in time, all have proven to be difficult to implement on many different levels, hampering the completion of these projects. The good news is that the North Coast Cabin Project represents a successful and proven model for the integration of cabins into a given park environment. This cabin project could serve as a roadmap to cabin development within existing campgrounds in the state parks system.

These projects are highly successful because they worked with the sites and took advantage of existing infrastructure within the parks in which they were placed.

The Department’s investment is expected to be quickly recouped in less than five years and is expected to provide revenue generation opportunities over the life of the cabins. By repeating this formula, it is anticipated that an even greater cost saving can be realized on future projects by using the information and process developed with the North Coast Project. This has the potential to supplement the Department’s overall cabin initiatives and could help the Department to offer a systemwide, affordably-priced cabin experience to our visitors at a reasonable capital investment.

The California Department of Parks and Recreation has added 28 alternative camping units in 2015 and 2016 bringing the total to 178 for cabins, yurts, tent cabins, cottages, trailers and float-in sites statewide. There is now, alternative camping, including hotel, conference center and group cabin lodging, offered in 27 parks from Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park near the Oregon Boarder to Anza Borrego Desert State Park in the South. More are in the planning stage.

Next Periscope Broadcast

Have you ever seen the desert come alive at night? Join Ocotillo Wells State Vehicular Recreation Area on a hunt for glowing scorpions tonight at 9 pm PST on Periscope (and via our Twitter feed)

Follow California State Parks on Periscope and Twitter @CAStateParks‪ #‎InventYourAdventure

Reminders

• Stay abreast of the Transformation Team’s progress on their website.
• The Transformation Team is interested to know your ideas, thoughts and comments. Let us know what you think.
• Connect with us on Twitter and Facebook and stay updated on #TransformationTuesdays!

Highlights

• Pogo Park in Richmond has revitalized an area plagued by high rates of poverty, unemployment, violence and limited opportunities for children into a neighborhood oasis.
• Built for the community, by the community, Pogo Park and Elm Playlot showcase the transformative power of parks.

_____________________________________________________________

Welcome to Transformation Tuesday. Every week we highlight different aspects of our Transformation effort. It is important for us to share with you how policies, procedures and guidelines are being altered to support an entrepreneurial, service-oriented, creative, and collaborative culture with the California Department of Parks and Recreation. But it is also important for us to learn about the programs that our dedicated staff manages.

This week we are highlighting Pogo Park, a community in Richmond revitalized with Proposition 84 funds. The grant program is managed by the Office of Grants and Local Services.

A $2 million dollar grant gave the funding needed for Pogo Park and the community to transform the two parks from places that were unsafe for children to safe community gathering places for residents to bring their children for outdoor exercise and socialization. Residents of Richmond’s Iron Triangle neighborhood planned, designed, built and now manage revamped Elm Playlot and Harbour-8 Park. More than 5,000 at-risk children now have improved access to the outdoors thanks to projects like these.

We invite you to watch the short video on Pogo Park’s two projects in the Iron Triangle and see how a community was built stronger by building together.

View Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3GGXEeoWNU

For information on other grant allocations managed by OGALS, please visit www.parksforcalifornia.org/grants.

Reminders

• Stay abreast of the Transformation Team’s progress on their website.
• The Transformation Team is interested to know your ideas, thoughts and comments. Let us know what you think.
• Connect with us on Twitter and Facebook and stay updated on #TransformationTuesdays!

Show Your Support for California’s State Parks – Order a specialized license plate. www.ParksPlate.parks.ca.gov

Highlights

• As the Transformation Team approaches its eighteenth month of work, great progress has been made.
• This second edition of the progress report reflects an updated set of Transformation initiatives; those accomplished thus far, and those initiatives that are still underway.
• Report also includes fast facts and a timeline on the Transformation Effort.
• The Transformation effort will alter policies, procedures, guidelines, and organizational structures to support an entrepreneurial, service-oriented, creative and collaborative culture within the department.

The California Department of Parks and Recreation (Department) and the Transformation Team (Team) released the second edition of the Transformation Progress Report today. This second edition reflects an updated set of Transformation initiatives; those accomplished thus far, and those initiatives that are still underway.

As the Team approaches its eighteenth month of work, great progress has been made. Some of the accomplishments include:

• Opened up positions to candidates from broader and more diverse backgrounds so that the workforce at the Department more closely represents the diverse demographics of the state.
• Implemented a more comprehensive district budget allocation process that is synced to the annual budget process with a more detailed tracking of current fiscal year expenditures. This means that districts not only get their budgets on time, but are involved in the allocation process months before the start of the fiscal year.
• Created a new partnerships office.
• Continued to pilot expansion of cabins throughout the state.
• Awarded a new comprehensive reservation system contract that will improve overall customer services, increase the speed of transactions and create more open access to data.
• Continued the assessment and expansion of Wi-Fi access at state parks.

This moment in time is pivotal for the California Department of Parks and Recreation. The level of commitment by the administration, legislature and various stakeholders to make long-lasting transformative change has created a unique opportunity for all who love California’s state parks. We invite you to read this report that highlights our latest progress and provide us with your feedback at transforming.parks@parks.ca.gov.

Please visit www.parks.ca.gov/TransformationTeam for full details on the Transformation effort or to view the first edition of the Transformation Progress Report.

Upcoming Open House Meetings on the Organizational Structure Opportunities Project

Informed by the work of the Transformation Team, the California Department of Parks and Recreation has been working with staff and stakeholders as it develops a new organizational model – the Organizational Structure Opportunities Project. The department will continue with the engagement sessions and gather important input. This process is also expected to yield additional ideas on how a new organizational structure would improve the delivery of services. The feedback during this process will inform the development of a new organizational structure.

We invite you to be part of this important engagement process. Below is information on some upcoming open house meetings.

• General Recreation – August 22 in Sacramento – Public Notice | Agenda
• Boating and Waterways – August 25 in San Diego – Public Notice | Agenda

For more information on the project, please visit www.parks.ca.gov/ShapingOurFuture.

 Reminders

• Stay abreast of the Transformation Team’s progress on their website.
• The Transformation Team is interested to know your ideas, thoughts and comments. Let us know what you think.
• Connect with us on Twitter and Facebook and stay updated on #TransformationTuesdays!

Show your support for California’s state parks – Order a specialized license plate at www.parksplate.parks.ca.gov