Park Manager Jeff Atkins

Park Manager Jeff Atkins

Growing Up Through the Ranks


When did Jeff Atkins know he wanted to be a park ranger? “When did I not want to be one?” is his energetic response.

His commitment and loyalty to South Carolina State Parks are evident in Jeff’s track record with the department. Beginning at Table Rock State Park as a seasonal maintenance worker and pedal boat operator, Jeff ascended to the position of Assistant Park Ranger while attending Clemson University. After receiving his degree in Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management, Jeff served as the Park Ranger at Huntington Beach before rising through the ranks as Senior Park Ranger at Lake Greenwood, Assistant Park Superintendent at Hunting Island, Park Manager at Lake Hartwell and Park Manager at Edisto Beach.

In his current role as Park Manager at Hunting Island State Park, Jeff’s duties include managing human resources, budgeting, projects, resources, maintenance planning, educational programs and volunteer services. The diversity of responsibilities required in his job keeps Jeff on his toes, as does having the opportunity to teach others about the natural and cultural resources that make Hunting Island State Park so special. Talking trout fishing with actor Tommy Lee Jones during the filming of battle scenes for the feature film Rules of Engagement wasn’t so bad either.

“You think to yourself…I don’t remember this being in my job description,” Atkins notes with a smile.

Being exposed to such a variety of experiences and opportunities to learn new skills leads Jeff to encourage others to become a park ranger, so long as they understand that the responsibilities include taking on a lifestyle, not just a job.

Summing up his job in just a few words might sound impossible, but Jeff could probably give himself a new title with his answer: “I think of myself as a product quality control manager for South Carolina’s most important industry.” And it’s dedicated people like Jeff who keep South Carolina’s parks among the very best in the business.
(June 2011)