Park Manager Aaron Chavous

For Park Manager Aaron Chavous, a career with the South Carolina State Park Service has been nearly two decades in the making. At 41 years old, Aaron leads Hamilton Branch State Park with a wealth of experience gained from working his way up through the ranger ranks across six different parks.

Originally from Pickens, South Carolina, Aaron grew up spending time in state parks with his family, creating memories that would later inspire his career path. After earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Forest Resource Management from Clemson University in 2006, he joined the park service the following year as a part-time Assistant Ranger at Edisto Beach State Park. From there, he advanced through a variety of roles and parks—Park Ranger I at Edisto Beach, Ranger II at Barnwell, Senior Ranger at Santee, Assistant Park Manager at Cheraw, Park Manager at Aiken, and now Park Manager at Hamilton Branch. Each stop along the way gave him a valuable perspective.

Looking back, Aaron says moving through each position was key to preparing him for leadership. “Working my way up from the entry-level position has been very valuable for me. Gaining knowledge at each promotional opportunity at many different parks and under the leadership and support of some of the agency’s best leaders has truly allowed me to gain institutional knowledge over the years, as well as benefit from learning many different styles of leadership.”

Aaron says his childhood experiences in the Upstate fueled his passion for this career.

“Growing up in South Carolina, my family frequently spent time at many of our local state parks and we were able to make lasting memories in those special places. I enjoy having the opportunity to have a small part in helping other outdoor enthusiasts and families make their own memories in our beautiful state parks.”

That sense of purpose carries into his day-to-day responsibilities. As Park Manager, Aaron works closely with his team to ensure projects are completed efficiently while also overseeing safety, maintenance, and fiscal operations. He finds the chance to live and work in a park especially rewarding, and he has a soft spot for Hamilton Branch’s General Store, which he calls one of his favorite spaces.

Like most rangers, Aaron has learned to expect the unexpected. Early in his career, he was told that Park Rangers are problem solvers, and he says that still holds true. “It’s not uncommon to face unexpected challenges on a day-to-day basis, so you have to adapt quickly and find solutions on the fly.” The biggest challenge he and his team have faced recently came in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene in September 2024, which caused widespread damage across South Carolina’s state parks. Despite the difficulty, Aaron says he was encouraged by the resilience of staff, volunteers, and community members who worked together to reopen parks. “It has not been an easy journey, and we still have much work ahead of us, but I am constantly encouraged by the passion and willingness of so many folks from different walks of life to help in any way that they can to assist their state parks.”

He is also proud of Hamilton Branch’s newest feature, a tandem campsite called “The Nest.” Built on one of the most scenic parts of the property, the site offers a 180-degree view of Lake Thurmond and was named after a pair of bald eagles often seen nearby during its construction. For Aaron, it’s a place that truly captures the feeling of a private lakeshore retreat.

Aaron became an Ultimate Outsider in January 2021, having visited all the South Carolina State Parks. Each one is unique, but Edisto Beach State Park stands out as a personal favorite since it was the first park he worked at.

Aaron encourages anyone interested in the park service to take that first step. “Make time to volunteer or apply for those entry-level positions or summer jobs to see if it is in fact something that you would like to pursue as a career,” he advises. For those already working in parks, patience is equally important. “It’s easy to get discouraged when you aren’t chosen for a certain promotion or opportunity,” he says. “At the same time, it’s important to take advantage of opportunities for advancement as they come along. You never know where those opportunities might take you or what they might lead to for your continued advancement.”

Think you might be interested in a career 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 to learn more about part-time opportunities.