Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services Director

Job Description

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services Director leads, plans, organizes and directs the activities of the City’s Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Services, including recreation programs, museum and art programs, public parks programs, parks facilities and grounds maintenance, and associated advisory boards.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Plans, organizes, directs and evaluates the parks, recreation, and cultural services functions.
• Establishes direction, goals, objectives, and priorities for the department.
• Provides managerial assistance to subordinates in planning and implementing programs.
• Supervises, assigns work and evaluates performance of staff, assists in the selection of new employees, evaluates and disciplines employees according to city policies and procedures. Responsible for staff development.
• Reviews and monitors proposed changes to federal, state, and local laws to determine their impact on departmental policies and practices; prepares, coordinates, and implements responses and recommendations to the City Manager, City Council, and other department directors.
• Plans and directs short- and long-range projects. Manages the implementation and development of projects; gathers, interprets, and prepares data; submits grant applications; coordinates department activities with other departments and agencies as needed.
• Coordinates and leads parks and recreation planning, park acquisition, site plan review, development, landscaping, and construction of new and existing parks facilities and other functions for parks and recreation related projects, as well as communication with clubs and other organizations as applicable.
• Prepares scopes of service, construction cost estimates, contract bid documents and evaluation criteria and arranges for the bidding and award of construction contracts (currently in partnership with City Engineering).
• Participates in the selection of consultants; negotiates and monitors contracts and services of outside firms to assure compliance with specifications, timelines, and City ordinances and policies.
• Oversees land acquisitions and management including negotiations, contracts and agreements.
• Prepares materials for and makes presentations to elected officials and the public.
• Investigates and responds to complaints regarding Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Services operations.
• Provides staff support to City Council Committees and citizen advisory bodies.
• Represents the department to other City departments, elected officials and outside agencies; coordinates assigned activities with those of other departments, outside agencies and organizations.
• Actively participates and provides leadership in city-wide long-range planning and policy recommendations, council relationships and executive leadership team.
• Administers safety and risk management programs and assures work is performed in accordance and compliance with environmental standards and other regulations.
• Directs plans for the development of museum and parks, arts, and recreation-oriented facilities.
• Coordinates meetings and activities of the Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services Advisory Board; oversees the sub-committees (Creative District, Public Art Committee, and Tree Committee) and coordinates recommendations to the City Council.
• Engages community groups in support of departmental programs and activities, including making presentations to a variety of community groups.
• Other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED BY THE POSITION

• Knowledge of the principles, practices and methods used in parks and recreation administration, the management of programs and activities, and the acquisition and maintenance of facilities.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of funding processes in a local government environment as related to budgeting, cost accounting, financial planning, and management.
• Knowledge of risk management principles and strategies to minimize and/or eliminate risks.
• Knowledge of principles of leadership, management and supervision, and training.
• Requires the ability to visit remote sites and to work extended hours for the purpose of conducting meetings.
• Requires the ability to plan, direct, and integrate the sub-functions within the department, including, but not limited to comprehensive parks operations, recreation and sports programming, recreation center and building maintenance program.
• Knowledge of specialized parks division, maintenance, playground and other safety requirements, as well as repair practices, and federal, state and city regulations applicable to large parks, neighborhood parks, and parks development.
• Knowledge of computers and job-related software programs.
• Skill in problem solving.
• Skill in prioritizing and planning.
• Requires well-developed communication and interpersonal skills to deliver presentations to large and diverse audiences in a public setting, present ideas clearly, resolve conflict, and manage and review performance.
• Requires the ability to conduct performance reviews of subordinates in line with the accomplishments of the department, and City-wide goals, policies and procedures.

SUPERVISORY CONTROLS

The City Manager assigns work in terms of department goals and objectives.

GUIDELINES

Guidelines include the Washington Administrative Code, the Revised Code of Washington, the municipal code, Labor and Industries regulations, the city comprehensive plan, the department comprehensive plan, and department policies and procedures. These guidelines require judgment, selection, and interpretation in application. This position develops department guidelines.

COMPLEXITY/SCOPE OF WORK

• The work consists of varied management and supervisory duties. The variety and number of park facilities, programs, and activities contributes to the complexity of the position.
• The purpose of this position is to direct parks, recreation and cultural services programs and services. Successful performance ensures the efficient and effective delivery of those services to the general public.

CONTACTS

• Contacts are typically with co‑workers, other city personnel, elected and appointed officials, vendors, contractors, consultants, representatives of community groups, and members of the general public.
• Contacts are typically to exchange information, motivate persons, negotiate matters, resolve problems, and provide services.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORK ENVIRONMENT

• The work is typically performed while sitting at a desk or table or while intermittently sitting, standing, or stooping. The employee occasionally lifts light and heavy objects.
• The work is typically performed in an office and outdoors, occasionally in cold or inclement weather. The employee may be exposed to noise, machinery with moving parts, contagious or infectious chemicals, or irritating chemicals.

SUPERVISORY AND MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITY

This position has direct supervision over Parks Maintenance Superintendent, Recreation Superintendent, Museum Superintendent, Communications & Marketing Specialist, and Office Manager.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, with major course work in recreation, public administration, physical education, or a related field required. At least eight years’ experience, preferably in a park recreation environment or public administration, three of which must be in a managerial capacity. A Master’s degree is preferred and may substitute for some experience. Other combinations of education and work experience can be considered.
• Highly qualified candidates should have at least five years of increasingly responsible experience in the administration, developing, planning and implementing of recreational programming and social and cultural programs. Experience in park facilities planning and design is preferred. Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP) credentials and/or Certified Parks and Recreation Executive (CPRE) are preferred.
• Possession of or ability to readily obtain a valid driver’s license issued by the state of Washington for the type of vehicle or equipment operated.
• All applicants must be able to successfully pass a background check process which includes reference checks and criminal history checks, or other.

The statements contained herein reflect general details necessary to describe the principal functions of this job, the level of knowledge and skills typically required, and the scope of responsibility; and such statements should not be considered all-inclusive. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned, including work in other functional areas, to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods, or to balance workloads.

Management reserves the sole right to add, modify, or exclude any duties at any time with or without notice. Nothing in this job description, nor by completion of any job requirements by the employee, is intended to create a contract of employment.

At its sole discretion, the City of Moses Lake may consider combinations of education, experience, certifications, and training in lieu of specifically required qualifications contained herein.

Company Description

The City of Moses Lake is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Our objective is to provide equal opportunity in all terms, conditions, and privileges of employment for qualified applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, or status as a covered veteran.

Benefits

• Medical Insurance
• Dental & Orthodontia Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Department of Retirement Systems
• Long-Term Disability
• Life Insurance

Key Needs

• A new Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Services Comprehensive Plan has been adopted. The City is eager for its implementation and use as a resource for funding needed facilities.
• The Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Services Board has been newly organized with committees added for the Arts Commission and Tree Board. Ensuring the success of this new structure is a priority for city management.
• Policies for overall department operation need to be reviewed and updated as needed.
• Deference will be given to a new leader that has a track record of taking on sophisticated parks development projects and has developed long-term parks facility financing strategies.