Recreation Coordinator

Description

Under the direction of the Forestry and Parks Administrator, play a lead role in the visioning, planning, management, coordination, development and administration of all recreational programs, including motorized trails, non-motorized trails, parks, campgrounds, yurts and other similar recreational properties and programs, on county owned or managed lands.

Examples of Duties

Below are examples of the principal responsibilities of the position. Other duties may be assigned or required, as determined by the Forestry and Parks Administrator.
Parks, Yurts and Recreation Management

• Take a lead role in the administration of all motorized and non-motorized trail programs, recreational properties, campgrounds and yurts on county owned or managed lands, including the county forest. Involves rec or similar public use assessments, visioning and strategic planning, management plan development and maintenance, feasibility studies and analysis, securing grants and grant administration, budget development and maintenance and future rec development or expansion potential.
• Take a lead administrative role in the management of the state-funded motorized trail program, including snowmobile, ATV, UTV and winter ATV. Involving the development and administration of grants, aids or similar funding for trail maintenance, rehabilitation, new development, bridges or other similar projects, securing permits, and maintaining private land use permissions.
• Manage recreational use agreements and permits on county owned or managed lands, including the county forest. Involves developing and maintaining relationships with each entity, regular site/trail inspections, and attending Committee, Board, working group or similar meetings or events that are organized by each entity. Also involves being available during some evenings and weekends.
• Coordinate and manage all activities related to the development, maintenance, rehabilitation and restoration of existing rec properties, yurts, campgrounds and non-motorized trails on county owned or managed lands.
• Develop, administer and maintain management plans for all rec properties, campgrounds, yurts and trails managed by the Department. Includes regular inventory, inspection and monitoring of existing features and infrastructure, maintenance and replacement schedules, and needs assessments.
• Assist the Forestry and Parks Administrator on future land acquisition projects. Involves conducting site assessments, landowner outreach, collaborations and/or negotiations, close-outs, grant writing and administration, and plan development.
• As part of the Forest Carbon program, take a lead role in the development, implementation and administration of various initiatives outlined in the Forest Carbon Offset Reserve Fund (FCOR).
• Seek, secure and administer grants, similar financial aids and permits needed to accomplish various rec program goals and objectives, including land acquisition projects. Similar assistance may also be required on forestry related projects.
• Manage all aspects of the yurt program. Includes the yurt reservation system (currently Airbnb), as well as all related correspondence with renters. This will occasionally require addressing questions or responding to yurt related issues that occur after normal business hours, including on weekends and holidays.
• Foster and maintain relationships with motorized and non-motorized rec groups, clubs, alliances, friend’s groups, non-profit organizations, the Forest Service, WDNR, other municipalities, Tribal agencies, Chambers, and/or other similar interested parties and stakeholders, in the development, expansion and maintenance of trail networks, or similar recreational opportunities on county owned or managed. This may include assisting in rec development projects on lands not owned or managed by the county, as directed by the Forestry and Parks Administrator.
• Attend professional conferences and meetings; user group and partnership meetings; Forestry and Parks Committee and County Board meetings; and represent the Department on local and regional Committees related to rec program offerings, as directed by the Forestry and Parks Administrator. This may require giving presentations and reports and holding public input sessions, as well as attending evening or weekend meetings, including overnight stays.
• Coordinate and administer the general maintenance and upkeep of all trails, yurts, parks and other recreational properties, as necessary, including all relevant contracts, proposals, advertisements, permits and budgets.
• Assist the Forestry and Parks Administrator in the development of an annual operating and capital budget, workplan and accomplishment report pertaining to the parks, campgrounds, yurts, trails, and/or other recreational properties/programs.
• Oversee the development and maintenance of an invasive species management program on all county owned or managed rec properties.
• Develop and maintain a system to organize and track all easements, access permits, use agreements, and events on county owned lands where permissions have been granted either by the county or to the county.
• Periodically analyze and identify rec trail networks or other recreational areas of interest for development or expansion opportunities, and secure additional land use permissions, if necessary, to ensure viable connections over the long-term.
• Administer the various recreational events that are approved on county owned lands, including collaboration with event organizers, event participation, site inspections (both pre and post event), developing and organizing an annual events database, and ensuring compliance with county terms and conditions.
• Be available by phone and/or email contact during off-hours, weekends, and holidays as necessary to address critical recreation related issues.
• Manage the Bayfield County Outdoor Comprehensive Recreation Plan (LCORP). Assist in the development of the Bayfield County Forest Comprehensive Land Use Plan, primarily involving all aspects associated with recreation, including the development and maintenance of relevant data and maps.
• Take a lead role in the maintenance and development of the Department’s GIS database, primarily as it pertains to recreation.

• Regularly collaborate with Department staff regarding planned forest management activities (timber sales) and potential interactions with recreation. Involves engagement with user groups who manage trails in the impacted areas.
• Collaborate with rec user groups, stakeholders, the general public, the media and other interested parties regarding planned forest management activities that may interface with existing or future recreation.
• Assist in the maintenance of Department’s Access Management program. Involves road and trail inspections and reporting; road and trail condition assessments; data management (including GIS databases); road sign/marker installation and maintenance; and collaboration with other Department staff.
• Take a lead role in the development of interpretive signs, brochures, or similar educational materials, with the goal of communicating various forest management related objectives and information to the general public or other interested parties.

• Assist in the maintenance of the annual goals tracking database.
• Maintain accurate records, both computerized and hard copies.
• Actively participate in regular Department staff meetings.
• Assist in the preparation of specifications for equipment and other purchases.
• Assist in the development and enforcement of rules and regulations regarding the public use of county owned and/or managed property, including the establishment of new, or modification of existing, county ordinances.
• Assist in maintenance of the Department’s webpage, primarily as it pertains to the various recreational content, as well as social media pages/content.
• Assist in the maintenance of county lands, facilities and equipment. Includes a variety of labor tasks and equipment operations, and the occasional removal of trash and debris.
• Other duties as assigned by the Forestry and Parks Administrator.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science Degree in Natural Resources, Outdoor Recreation, Recreation Management, Forestry or similar field from an accredited University or College is required; A Bachelor of Science Degree, with a minor or emphasis in Outdoor Recreation, Recreation Management, Parks Management or similar field, will be considered; An Associates Degree and a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience, that provides equivalent knowledge, skills, and abilities required to successfully perform essential duties and responsibilities, may also be considered.
• Two years of experience in Parks, Trails and/or Recreation management is preferred.
• Valid Wisconsin driver’s license.
  
  PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to perform extended periods of physical labor including, but not limited to, walking, lifting, bending, pushing, pulling, sitting, and standing.
• Heavy to moderate lifting and carrying up to 50 lbs.
• Ability to work in various weather conditions including sun, wind, rain and snow, including exposure to insects.
• Distance vision and depth perception to perform the job safely.

Supplemental Information

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
General

• Working knowledge of global positioning equipment (GPS), ruggedized tablets, field data recorders, ESRI products (GIS), and associated database management, and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Ability to work outdoors in all types of weather; work independently and as part of a team.
• Demonstrated oral and written communication skills, including the ability to effectively organize, host, prepare for and present at meetings, conferences, public hearings, etc, sometimes involving large groups.
• Knowledge of basic record keeping, budget development and ability to manage and maintain accounts.
• Ability to communicate effectively with diverse public groups, non-profit organizations, State, Federal, Tribal and local governmental agencies and a multicultural work force in a positive, professional and collaborative manner.
• Ability to operate modern office equipment including personal computers, cell phones, copiers and telephone systems with minimal guidance, including all software required to effectively address the responsibilities and duties listed below.
• Able to operate an ATV, UTV, snowmobile and/or 4-wheel drive vehicle, including manual transmission, and including pulling trailers.
• Ability to safely operate mowers, chainsaws, brushsaws, trimmers and similar power equipment, as well as miscellaneous hand tools typically required to perform essential functions.
• Ability to proactively identify and anticipate problems and issues, and develop potential solutions with limited direction or supervision, in a timely manner.
• Ability to effectively seek, secure, and administer grants, aids or similar funding sources that will benefit the various recreational programs managed by the Department.

• General understanding of professional land/forest management principles, practices, and concepts, including rec mitigation strategies.
• General understanding of silviculture, dendrology, forest health, invasive plant species, and sustainable forest management principles.

• Knowledge of general methods and practices regarding the development, management and maintenance of trails, parks and other forms of recreation, including sustainable trail building methods and techniques.
• Knowledge of applicable laws and regulations regarding the management of trails, parks and other forms of recreation.
• Knowledge of multiple use land management principles and practices, including uses, demands and issues associated with recreation on public lands, as well as the forest management/recreation interface.
• Understanding of land, storm water and wetland regulations, standards and permitting.
• Knowledge of the rules and regulations pertaining to the state funded motorized trail programs.

Shifts and Work Hours:
Generally, the courthouse is open from 8:00am until 4:00pm, Monday through Friday. Depending upon the position, full-time employees may be scheduled either 37.5 or 40 hours per week.

Shifts for Dispatch personnel will vary, but cover 24-hours per day, 365 days per year. Applicants for these positions must be flexible. .

Insurance:
Health insurance is available to regular employees that work 26 hours per week or more and those that are eligible for participation in the Wisconsin Retirement System. Coverage is effective upon completion of one full calendar month of employment.

Both Disability and Life Insurance are available.
A Section 125 Plan (Flexible Spending) is available.

Sick Leave:
Sick time is accumulated at the rate of eight (8) days per year for full-time employees and is pro-rated based on hours worked for employees working 50% time or more. New employees are provided with 37.5 or 40 hours upon hire (in addition to the monthly allocation), which may be used for any purpose during the first year of employment.

Vacation for full-time employees scheduled 1950 hours per year:
Upon Hire: 37.5 hours
After One (1) year: 75 hours
After Five (5) years: 112.5 hours
After Ten (10) years: 150 hours
After Fifteen (1) years: 187.5 hours

Vacation for full-time employees scheduled 2080 hours per year:
Upon Hire: 40 hours
After One (1) year: 80 hours
After Five (5) years: 120 hours
After Ten (10) years: 160 hours
After Fifteen (1) years: 200 hours

Up to five (5) days equivalent of vacation may be carried over to the next year and must be used within the first 6 months of the new year.

For employees working more than 50% time, but less than full-time, vacation time is pro-rated based upon the regular number of hours scheduled.

Holidays:

New Year's Eve, New Years Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day, Veteran's Day, Spring Holiday (Friday before Easter), Christmas Day, Thanksgiving Day, Day After Thanksgiving, Fourth of July, Christmas Eve

Retirement:
Wisconsin Retirement System (Employee and Employer each contribute).

An optional Deferred Compensation Program is available.

Additional voluntary insurances are available, including: Vision, Dental, Accident, Disability and Critical Care. Premiums are payroll deducted for those who choose to enroll.