Outdoor Recreation Professional Competency Framework (ORPCF)

This framework was developed through a collaborative partnership between the Society of Outdoor Recreation Professionals (SORP) and the U.S. Forest Service. This framework represents years of dedicated effort and the collective wisdom of hundreds of experienced professionals across the country. It is designed to do something our profession has long needed:

provide a shared language, structure, and set of standards that legitimize outdoor recreation as a profession
give planners, managers, and practitioners the tools they need to grow throughout their careers.

About Core Competencies

Outdoor recreation professionals play a critical role in creating, managing, and sustaining meaningful outdoor experiences for all. To support this work, the Outdoor Recreation Professional Competency Framework was developed through a multi-year, cross-sector collaboration.

Led by the Society of Outdoor Recreation Professionals (SORP) in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service, the Eppley Center for Parks and Public Lands, and informed by a cross-sector Advisory Group, this effort brings together perspectives from federal, state, and local agencies, nonprofit organizations, academia, and private industry. The result is a research-based, consensus-driven framework that defines the foundational knowledge, skills, and abilities needed across the outdoor recreation field.

Why It Matters

A shared competency framework helps:

Create a common language across agencies and organizations
Strengthen hiring, onboarding, and performance practices
Align training and professional development
Support career pathways and workforce growth
Advance a more consistent and effective field of practice

How to use it as a job seeker

Explore ORPCF to understand the full range of competencies in outdoor recreation
Identify your strengths and areas for growth
Use the ORPCF to guide your professional development and learning goals
Seek out training, experiences, and resources to build your proficiency
Use the ORPCF language to communicate your skills and value to others
Revisit the ORPCF regularly to track your program and growth over time

How to use it as a supervisor

Clarify role expectations and key competencies to your team
Incorporate competencies in hiring to assess candidate fit and potential
Use as a tool for onboarding and orienting new staff
Guide ongoing training and development using competency gaps and goals
Support meaningful check-ins, feedback, and performance conversations
Empower staff to take ownership of their development using ORPCF

How to use it as an organization

Informing workforce development strategy, job descriptions, and career pathways
Support a culture of continuous learning and professional growth
Align training investments and resources with the competencies that matter most
Champion the ORPCF across your organization and the broader outdoor recreation community
Adapt the ORPCF to meet your organization’s professional development need