Assistant Parks and Recreation Director

Nature of Work

This is very responsible professional position that assist the Director of Parks and Recreation with the supervision and management of City Maintenance, Park Maintenance and the Community Center for the City of Pigeon Forge.  Duties also include administrative work that includes planning, marketing, grant writing, grant management, and assisting with the community center and other parks and recreational facilities for the City of Pigeon Forge.  Activities associated with the job include assisting with overseeing the maintenance of the community center, city parks and recreational areas.  Assist in assessing and gathering information for future departmental needs, planning and organizing a comprehensive parks and recreation plans and programs, and designing and overseeing the construction and maintenance of recreational areas, greenways, and athletic facilities.  Additional activities include developing policies and procedures for all areas under the direction of the Parks and Recreation Department including park and recreational facilities, programs and program development, leagues, developing and assisting with the development of the annual operating budget, daily financial operations, overseeing and assisting with special holidays and public events.  The Assistant Director will also be responsible for the supervision and evaluation of departmental staff as assigned by the Director. 

Job responsibilities require extensive knowledge of parks and recreation program management, experience supervising a parks and recreation department, thorough knowledge of effective employee wellness programs, ability to effectively supervise and direct the activities of assigned personnel.  This position also requires knowledge of building maintenance operations, excellent interpersonal, organizational and decision-making skills and sufficient strength and agility to perform the physically demanding aspects of the job in a variety of weather conditions.  Job performance is evaluated by the Director of Parks and Recreation to determine the effectiveness of the Assistant Director to coordinate the functions of the following:  parks and recreation, building and ground maintenance, program development and delivery, and special events.   The evaluation will also include their ability to effectively supervise and direct the activities of staff, and to assist in administrative tasks, such as, all phases of grants, and the ability to establish and enforce operational policies and procedures.  The Assistant Director must be knowledgeable in recreational program initiatives, aquatics, developing and complying with budgetary goals and objectives, along with possessing organizational, interpersonal, and decision-making skills.

Illustrative Examples of Work

-Assist the Director in management and operations of the three city departments assigned to the Director of Parks and Recreation and serve as Acting Director in his/her absence.

-Assist in the development and implement of operational policies and procedures to ensure the effective supervision of staff and efficient use of resources.

-Assist with the planning, organization, and implementation of a variety of wellness, recreational and athletic programs and leagues.

-Assist the Director with all phases of grants including researching available grant, applying for grants, management during the grant and project phase, and closeout and reports required. 

-Assists with the development, review, and enforcement of policies and procedures for city facilities and programs.

-Assist in the development, preparation and organization of departmental files, records and related documentation and the preparation of departmental reports.

-Assists with the observation and evaluation of recreational activities for safety considerations, the proper conduct of supervisors and participants and consumer satisfaction.

-Assist in the development of the annual budget; makes recommendations for capital expenditures and assists with monitoring and approving purchases, receipts, and expenditure of funds.

-Assist in establishing and maintaining a safety awareness program for all departmental employees and ensures the proper certification of all employed staff.

-Assist in planning and developing recreational and aquatic programs and establishes short and long-range plans for future recreational program growth.

-Works with other recreational providers to help coordinate the municipal program recreational activities and assists representatives or other groups in developing and extending recreational programs for the public as assigned.

-Assists with coordinating the activities and related functions for the Forever Parks Foundation, and works with the Forever Parks Foundation in obtaining outside funding.

-Assist in addressing employee and/or patrons’ complaints, grievances and issues.

-Assist in the preparation correspondence pertaining to departmental programs and initiatives and directs the preparation of promotional materials.

-Assist the Director as needed in presenting at meetings with City Commission and various community and recreation groups.

-Assist in overseeing the purchasing of supplies, equipment and materials for daily maintenance activities and recreational programs.

-Oversees the maintenance of attendance records, time sheets and other payroll records for assigned personnel.

-Works with the Risk Manager to ensure the timely and thorough completion and submission of accident reports in the event of work related accidents and/or injuries.

-Assist in the development of special events such as holiday events and other activities as assigned.

-Oversees the preparation of buildings and other recreation venues for special events and activities by ensuring the planning and preparations are in place for the event. 

-Assist with supervising, evaluating and training full-time, part-time and contractual employees.

-Performs various public relations and public speaking activities when necessary to promote parks and recreation programs and related activities.

-Performs other duties as assigned.