Parks and Recreation Director

About Longview: Longview, Washington is located in Southwest Washington along the scenic Columbia River Basin 50 miles north of Portland, Oregon and 145 miles south of Seattle. Longview is a comfortable and affordable community with close proximity to larger city amenities as well as abundant outdoor recreational activities in the Cascade Mountains, Pacific beaches, and numerous rivers and lakes.

The City provides a comprehensive benefits package that is predominantly employer paid for full family coverage, which includes medical or VEBA account, dental, vision, long-term disability, and basic life insurance. The City offers a generous paid leave program including paid vacation, holidays, and sick leave, and the ability to participate in a tax-deferred 457 retirement savings plan, Washington State PERS, short term disability, Flex 125 spending account, and supplemental life. 

Position Information: The Parks & Recreation Director has responsibility for the overall management and direction of Parks, Recreation, and Urban Forestry divisions and the maintenance and management of the Mint Valley Golf Course. This includes ensuring the efficient operation, maintenance, and safety of public parks, recreational facilities, golf course, and community programs while aligning services with the needs and interests of the citizens. The Director manages staff, budget, and resources to promote community engagement.

To Apply: Complete the City's on-line application process with a thorough list of education, training and experience; attach a cover letter and resume. Additional attachments are welcome, but not required.
*This position is open until filled with a first review of applications occurring on February 26th, 2025.

The final candidate for this position will be subject to a pre-employment background check.

• Provides oversight and directs the implementation of operations for the Parks & Recreation Department, including Parks, Recreation, Urban Forestry, and Golf divisions, which includes planning, coordinating, administering, and evaluating programs, projects, processes, procedures, systems, standards, and/or service offerings.
• Plan, organize and direct the maintenance and development of the departmental divisions including parks, recreation, urban forestry and the golf course. 
• Plan, organize and implement long-range programs and activities designed to develop assigned facilities and services; administer work plans and budgets for approved projects.
• Establish and develop department goals, objectives and priorities; set goals and performance criteria for sections within the department; monitor and measure attainment of objectives, goals and priorities and implement corrective actions in project phases and objectives as necessary. 
• Manages and directs staff to include prioritizing and assigning work; conducting performance evaluations; ensuring staff are trained; ensuring that employees follow policies and procedures; maintaining a healthy and safe working environment; and, making hiring, termination, and disciplinary recommendations.
• Responds to requests for information and provides subject-matter-expert guidance to other departments, officials, the general public, and/or external agencies; explains and interprets programs, policies, and activities.
• Develops and monitors the departmental budget including allocating resources and approving expenditures.
• Participates and/or serves on a variety of internal and external committees, meetings, and/or other related groups to secure advocacy and influence support for programs and ideals.
• Ensures compliance with Federal, State, and local laws, regulations, codes, and/or standards;
• Coordinates activities between multiple service areas and works to integrate and coordinate assigned service areas.
• Performs other duties of a similar nature or level.

• Bachelor’s degree in parks and recreation administration, recreation, business, public administration, or related field; AND 5-7 years of management experience in Parks and Recreation OR a combination of education, training and experience which would provide the required skills, knowledge, and ability to perform the job as determined by the department.  
• Certified Parks and Recreation Professional (preferred)
• Valid Driver’s License

Required Knowledge and Skills:

• Program development and administration principles and practices;
• Can interpret and apply applicable Federal, State, and/or Local laws, rules, regulations, codes, and/or statutes.
• Strategic planning and community engagement principles;
• Public relations principles;
• Marketing and communication principles including social media;
• Managing and coordinating the preparation and publication of a variety of marketing, promotional, and/or communication materials;
• Fiscal management principles;
• Personnel management;
• Analyzing problems, identifying alternative solutions, projecting consequences of proposed actions, and implementing recommendations in support of goals;
• Preparing and administering budgets;
• Managing change and sensitive topics;
• Planning, analyzing, and evaluating programs and services, operational needs, and fiscal constraints;
• Ability to prioritize and assign work to staff and communicate expectations. 
• Can apply contract, grant, and other administrative limitations to project activities.
• Strong ability to multitask and manage several projects/assignments at once. 
• Can write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals effectively.
• Can effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the public.
• Can define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Can use computers, other technology, and related software applications efficiently. 
• Ability to conduct complex research, prepare related reports, and presenting findings to staff, Council members and the public.

• Initiative to act and be self-motivated.   Work well independently as well as in a team or cooperative setting.
• Communicate in a professional business-like manner, both orally and in writing.  Portray a professional image and attitude.
• Able to exercise discretion over sensitive and confidential issues related to the Department and its business.
• The ability to handle job stress and interact effectively with others in the workplace.

Salary : $129,300 - $173,292