Assistant Manager Alex Grant

 

For Alex Grant, a career in state parks has always been more than a job — it is the realization of a childhood dream. Now serving as Assistant Park Manager at Charles Towne Landing State Historic Site, Grant brings a passion for conservation, a strong work ethic and an eagerness to learn that has helped him rise quickly through the ranks of the South Carolina State Park Service.

Originally from Mesa, Arizona, Grant grew up exploring Arizona State Parks and national parks, experiences that helped shape his love for the outdoors. He later earned a bachelor’s degree in environmental and water resource economics from the University of Arizona. After graduating during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Grant found himself spending even more time outside — especially birdwatching. That hobby quickly became a driving force in his career path.

“I have always been a very avid birdwatcher, and when I graduated from college in the height of the pandemic, the only thing to do was go birding,” Grant said. “Since I was spending so much time visiting parks, I figured it would be a good idea to get paid to be at one.”

That decision brought him to South Carolina, where he found opportunities for growth and advancement. Grant has now been with the South Carolina State Park Service for four years, building experience at several parks across the state. He began as an Assistant Park Ranger at Kings Mountain State Park in 2021, then served as Ranger I at Cheraw State Park in 2022. From there, he was promoted to Ranger II at Poinsett State Park in 2023 before stepping into his current leadership role at Charles Towne Landing in 2025.

Grant credits his progress to a mindset of continuous improvement and a willingness to go beyond the expectations of each role.

“With every position I have, I like to go beyond my normal duties to prepare for my next potential role,” he said. “As a Ranger II, I tried to take on tasks that an Assistant Manager would do and take new opportunities as training for a future role. I have been very thankful to have great support and training from all my supervisors over the course of my career.”

Now in a management position, Grant says he has found success by embracing new challenges as they come — even when they feel unfamiliar. “Taking opportunities as they come has resulted in the most success for me,” he said. “Even if taking on a new role seems risky, sometimes the reward is exactly what you were looking for.”

At Charles Towne Landing, no two days are the same. Grant typically helps with the opening and closing procedures of the visitor center, then spends much of the day working in the field on projects with maintenance staff or assisting the park’s events department and Animal Forest team. He also patrols the park regularly and responds to issues as they arise, especially during peak visitation periods.

Although the job comes with a steep learning curve, Grant says that is one of the parts he enjoys most. “Some of the biggest challenges I face are learning all the different sorts of tasks I must do in the park,” he said. “Since I have been in my position for less than a year, there is still so much about my park that I do not know. But one of the most fun things is learning something new every day.”

Grant is especially proud of ongoing improvements in the park’s Animal Forest, where staff have been working to create new exhibits and introduce new animals for visitors to enjoy. “We have been working hard to make improvements in the Animal Forest with new exhibits and new animals,” he said. “I am excited for those to be finished soon so the public can enjoy them.” He is also looking forward to expanding birding-related programs at Charles Towne Landing in the coming months.

While Grant enjoys the wide range of responsibilities that come with management, he says the most rewarding part of his job is working alongside the staff who help keep the park running every day. “The most satisfying part of my job is getting to interact with and work with all of the staff here,” he said. “Everyone here has such a unique and important role, and the best days are the ones where I can have a conversation or work on a project with as many people as I can.”

Grant also enjoys interacting with park guests, helping them learn more about the site’s history and wildlife. Whether he is assisting with Junior Ranger activities, supporting Ultimate Outsider programs, or showing visitors around the park's replica 17th-century trading vessel, The Adventure, he values every opportunity to connect people with the park.

It is difficult, demanding work at times, and Grant notes that the role can bring unexpected challenges. In fact, his first weeks at Charles Towne Landing included difficult situations that required resilience and professionalism.

Outside of his work, Grant’s passion for wildlife continues to shape his time in the field. His personal birding list for the United States currently sits at an impressive 470 species, and he considers several South Carolina parks to be top-tier birding destinations, including Hunting Island, Landsford Canal and Charles Towne Landing.

When it comes to favorite parks overall, however, Kings Mountain remains at the top of his list. “I just love the trails and scenery there," Grant said. He also encourages visitors to explore cabins for a peaceful getaway and recommends Poinsett and Cheraw for a relaxing stay with plenty of activities.

Grant’s advice for anyone interested in working for the South Carolina State Park Service is simple: go for it — and be ready to work hard. “If you can apply for a position, do it, but be prepared to work hard, take on unexpected challenges and learn something new every day,” he said. “Take in all the positive and unique aspects of your job here, and you will love it.” For those already working in parks and hoping to advance, he encourages them to stretch themselves and seek out opportunities. “Take every opportunity you can,” Grant said. “If there's something you can do that may seem beyond your skill level, just try it or ask for training. Treat your current position like the job you want.”

When he is not in the park, Grant enjoys spending time with his two cats, Nilla and Goose, and cheering on the Los Angeles Chargers.

Whether he is assisting with park operations, mentoring staff or tracking birds across the state, Alex Grant continues to build a career rooted in service, learning and leadership — one opportunity at a time. Thank you, Alex, for your dedication to the South Carolina State Park Service!

Think you might be interested in a job with the South Carolina State Park Service? Click here to see our current full-time job openings or reach out to a park near you for part-time opportunities!

 

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