Supervisors' Management School

Supervisors' Management School is the premiere resource for parks and recreation professionals who want to gain the skills and knowledge necessary to lead their staff effectively. The courses cover various topics, including leadership principles and team management, as well as the most up-to-date techniques and information on leading, staffing, organizing, directing, and managing employees. With the tools and insights gained from this program, professionals will be able to oversee the day-to-day operation of their staff as they deliver programs and services to their community. Whether new to a supervisory role or looking to refresh your skills, the Supervisors' Management School is a great way to improve your abilities and achieve organizational goals.

Registration, Fees, and Dates

Interested in attending SMS in 2025? Add your name to the interest list to be contacted when registration opens!

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November 2-6, 2025
November 8-12, 2026

The School runs on a two-year schedule. Students complete classes one week for two consecutive years, with no additional work in between.

All dates are subject to change.

For more information on registration, contact Oglebay at ntc@oglebay.com

Location

The Supervisors' Management School is hosted annually at the Oglebay Resort in Wheeling, West Virginia in partnership with the National Training Center at Oglebay.

Partnership

Supervisors' Management School is a partnership between the National Recreation & Park Association, the National Training Center at Oglebay, and North Carolina State University. 

Who should attend?

This two-year program is well-suited for any park and recreation professional responsible for the supervision of employees.

Key Subjects Covered

Learning Objectives

  • Recruiting and Hiring Strategies
  • Staff Training & Development
  • Building Teams and Creating a Team Culture
  • Coaching and Motivating Employees
  • Identify and Apply Your Personal Leadership Style
  • Managing Change and Stress
  • Embracing Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace
  • Understanding Group Behavior
  • Developing and Applying Performance Measures
  • Improving Communication Skills
  • Recognizing Values and Aligning Ethics
  • Identifying Supervisory Strengths and Weaknesses
Year One Session TopicsYear Two Session Topics
Creating a Motivating Work EnvironmentManaging Yourself, Leading Others
Performance Management Establishing Accountability and Ownership
Organizational CultureLeading Through Uncertainty
Where Does the Time Go?Understanding Group Dynamics
Buddy to BossEthical Management
Selecting & Keeping the Right EmployeeBias and Differences in the Workplace
Effective Communication SkillsTrends:  Change or Be Changed
Building TrustManaging Up

What do graduates say?

“The SMS program for me was an invaluable asset. The knowledge I gained has helped me grow leaps and bounds in the past two years alone and has helped me to develop skills that will continue to help me grow through my career. Not only was the course work helpful, but I was also able to build my network and gain some friendships that I will have for a lifetime. In my opinion, the SMS program is a must have for every new and seasoned supervisor. Our main goal as supervisors is to be effective in how we lead. To do so, we must first educate ourselves so we can then educate others. There is no better way than the SMS program.” --Wyatt Richardson, Crew Chief I, Park Development Division at City of Durham, NC

“No matter how long you have been in management, you will take away good information from the classes and your classmates.” --Frank Hackett, Parks Foreman at City of Ft.Lauderdale, FL

“After attending the second year of SMS, I came back to work with a different perspective of my role as supervisor. I see how my leadership has changed and it has improved the dynamics of my crew. Not only that, my relationship with my boss is smoother because I understand the importance of my position and how to communicate my needs appropriately. I felt SMS provided new ideas for strengthening my leadership skill and tactics for managing people and time. Thank you!” --Patricia Greenberg, Environmental Resource Supervisor at Reston Association (Reston, VA)