Recreation Manager

The City of Palmdale is seeking a dynamic and visionary leader to join our Parks & Recreation Department as a Recreation Manager. This role provides strategic oversight and leadership across various recreational facilities, programs, and special events, ensuring high-quality engagement opportunities for Palmdale residents. The ideal candidate will be a skilled decision-maker and problem solver, leveraging data management and technology to guide strategic initiatives effectively. They will demonstrate strong political acumen, marketing and branding awareness, and the ability to multitask while producing high-caliber work efficiently. This position will be relied upon to oversee complex service agreements and projects, drive innovation, and actively engage City leadership and community members to shape future services through forward-thinking and impactful programming.

Key Responsibilities:
Manage and oversee citywide recreation programs, including arts, entertainment, sports, outdoor recreation, and wellness initiatives. Assist in and help lead the planning and execution of large-scale special events, festivals, and community celebrations. Assist in ensuring our recreation infrastructure is well maintained and effectively utilized. Identify a path forward and monitor the execution of Park Master Plan goals. Develop and maintain community partnerships to enhance services. Management of revenues and expenses, to include accurate forecasting. Implement strategies that proactively address risk management.

Ideal Candidate:
The ideal candidate is data-driven and technologically savvy, using analytics to inform decision-making and optimize departmental initiatives. With a keen ability to manage complex projects, oversee resources efficiently, and implement innovative solutions, this individual will play a critical role in shaping the future of this department. Flexibility is essential, as this position requires adaptability to support evolving priorities, including occasional nights, weekends, and holidays.

Under general direction, plans, organizes, control and direct the work of staff performing difficult and complex professional, technical, and administrative support related to all programs and activities of the City. Coordinates long term and short-term project planning; coordinates assigned activities with other City departments, divisions, outside agencies, and the public. Provides expert professional assistance to City management staff in all areas of expertise. 

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

Manager I

Manager I is the first level in the Manager series. Incumbents in this classification exercise initiative and judgment as they supervise staff performing duties relating to the department or division assigned. This class is distinguished from the fully experienced Manager II by the more routine nature of work activities and the limited degree of independent judgment and action exercised.  

Essential and other important responsibilities and functions may include, but are not limited to, the following: 

• Manage and organize the planning and implementation of complex economic development projects and activities; establish objectives, priorities, and schedules; manage project budgets.
• Assist in developing and implementing department or division goals and objectives, policies, and priorities.

• Plan, organize, and direct the activities and staff of the division; exercise direct and indirect supervision over assigned professional and technical planning staff; and select, supervise, train, and evaluate professional, technical, and clerical staff.

• Develops and standardizes procedures and methods to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of services, projects, and activities; assesses and monitors workload, administrative and support systems, and internal reporting relationships; identifies opportunities for improvement and recommends to their Director or Deputy Director.
• Supervise department or division staff; provide or coordinate staff training; conduct performance evaluations; implement discipline procedures as required; maintain discipline and high standards necessary for the efficient and professional operation of the department.
• Assist new or existing staff in learning departmental practices and protocols, methods, and procedures.
• Develop and implement the department or division’s goals, objectives, policies and priorities.
• Assist in preparing budgets; make budget recommendations relative to the assigned program areas of responsibility; coordinate and compile budget recommendations prepared by other staff into a comprehensive budget document; and research past expenditures and forecast next year's increases.
• Serve as City liaison and maintain strategic professional business alliances with the public, local businesses, and contractors, maintaining regular communications about new programs and changes to existing programs.
• Perform related work duties as required. 

Example Of Essential Functions When Assigned To:

Parks & Recreation 

• Collect, compile, and analyze complex information from various sources on a variety of specialized topics related to assigned programs; prepare reports which present and interpret data, and identify alternatives; make and justify recommendations.
• Manage and administer a variety of contracts; determine scope of work and prepare RFP's, participate in the bidding and selection process; monitor contracts; follow purchasing policies; process and recommend payments.
• Prepare and administer program and division budgets, submit budget recommendations, monitor expenditures, perform accounting for each program area as necessary, prepare various financial reports as required.
• Prepare analytical and statistical reports to Parks and Recreation Director, City Manager, and City Council on operations and activities. Evaluate programs and participate in meetings to discuss and appraise program techniques and content; recommend changes in staffing, program objectives, policies, and procedures to assure maximum effectiveness and efficiency.
• Direct, coordinate and review the work plan for assigned programs; meet with staff to identify and resolve problems; assign work activities and projects; monitor workflow; review and evaluate work products, methods, and procedures.
• Oversee capital projects and works with City and contract staff during design and construction phases.
• Represent the Department on Boards and Commissions; industry committees, community organizations, outside agencies and the public to discuss recreation goals and community needs.
• Serve as City liaison to outside groups affiliated with recreation programs and activities, various community leaders, foundations, and other City departments.
• Assess and monitor community needs; identify opportunities for improving service delivery methods and procedures and developing new programs; implement programs or improvements.
• Make oral and written presentations to the City Council, Commissions and Boards, staff, the public and/or professional groups.

Any combination of education and experience that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience:
 Five years of increasingly responsible experience in an applicable field, including three years of experience in a supervisory or management capacity.

Training:

A Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in a related field.

Licenses/Certifications/Other Requirements:

Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid California driver's license by the time of appointment. 

Knowledge of:

• Administrative principles and practices, including goal setting, program development, implementation, and evaluation, and project management.
• Principles and practices of budget development and administration.
• Principles and practices of employee supervision, either directly or through subordinate levels of supervision, including work planning, assignment, review and evaluation, and the training of staff in work procedures.
• Organization and management practices as applied to the development, analysis, and evaluation of programs, policies, and operational needs of the assigned functional area.
• Contract management practices in a public agency setting.
• Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, codes, and regulations.
• General principles of risk management related to the functions of the assigned area.
• Record keeping principles and procedures.
• Modern office practices, methods, and computer equipment and applications related to work.
• English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation.
• Techniques for effectively representing the City in contacts with governmental agencies, community groups, and various business, professional, educational, regulatory, and legislative organizations.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff.

Ability to:

• Recommend and implement goals, objectives, and practices for providing effective and efficient services.
• Plan, organize, assign, review, and evaluate the work of staff, train staff in work procedures.
• Evaluate and develop improvements in operations, procedures, policies, or methods.
• Prepare clear and concise reports, correspondence, policies, procedures, and other written materials.
• Interpret, apply, explain, and ensure compliance with Federal, State, and local policies, procedures, laws, and regulations.
• Conduct complex research projects, evaluate alternatives, make sound recommendations, and prepare effective technical staff reports.
• Effectively represent the department and the City in meetings with governmental agencies, community groups, and various businesses, professional, and regulatory organizations, and in meetings with individuals.
• Direct the establishment and maintenance of a variety of filing, record keeping, and tracking systems.
• Operate modern office equipment including computer equipment and specialized software applications programs.
• Organize and prioritize a variety of projects and multiple tasks in an effective and timely manner; organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical time deadlines.
• Make sound, independent decisions within established policy and procedural guidelines.
• Use English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone, and in writing; make effective presentations before the public, commissions, and City Council.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy and legal guidelines in politically sensitive situations.
• Maintain confidentiality of sensitive information.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and harmonious working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Provide quality customer service.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Physical Demands:

Mobility: frequent use of a keyboard; frequent walking, standing, and sitting for long periods of time; occasional climbing, bending, and squatting.   

Lifting:  frequently up to 10 pounds; occasionally up to 40 pounds.   

Vision:  constant use of overall vision; frequent reading and close-up work; occasional color and depth vision.  

Dexterity:  frequent repetitive motion; frequent writing; frequent grasping, holding, and reaching.  

Work Environment:

Work is performed in a typical temperature-controlled office environment, subject to typical office noise.

Incumbents in these classes may be required to work during irregular business hours and travel on an occasional basis. 

Salary : $116,709 - $128,690