Society of Outdoor Recreation Professionals
Resource Library Core Competencies

Core Competencies

Descriptions of the 39 competencies and proficiencies in the ORPCF

The purpose of the Outdoor Recreation Professional Comptency Framework identifies core competencies for people who plan, manage, and provide outdoor recreation as a public service. This framework supports consistency across current and future training, professional development, degree program, and certification providers, and will provide a path to employment in the outdoor recreation public sector workforce.

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Shared Stewardship

STANDARD FILE UPLOAD Posted Apr 22, 2026

Entry-level: Understand partner organizations’ missions and alignment of goals for recreation management. Full Performance: Effectively support collaborative goals for recreation and resource management among agen...

Core Competencies Shared Stewardship

Public Lands Law

STANDARD FILE UPLOAD Posted Apr 22, 2026

Entry-level: Identify and understand local, state, and federal laws and policies applicable to recreation management in your organization. Full Performance: Align recreation planning and management in your organization...

Core Competencies Public Lands Law

Land Management Jurisdiction + Policy

STANDARD FILE UPLOAD Posted Apr 22, 2026

Entry-level: Explain the mission and guiding principles of your organization and those of adjacent jurisdictions. Full Performance: Apply your organization's missions, policies, and jurisdictional responsibilities to pl...

Core Competencies Land Management Jurisdiction + Policy

Interdisciplinary Collaboration

STANDARD FILE UPLOAD Posted Apr 22, 2026

Entry-level: Describe natural and cultural resource management concepts relevant to your organization. Recognize the roles and perspectives of resource specialists relevant to recreation planning and management. Full Pe...

Core Competencies Interdisciplinary Collaboration

Historical Context of Public Lands Management

STANDARD FILE UPLOAD Posted Apr 22, 2026

Entry-level: Describe the history of public land management including laws and policies that shape recreation access and management Full Performance: Incorporate land management ethics and modern land management object...

Core Competencies Historical Context of Public Land Management