Conservation and Parks Manager 2024

*This position will remain open until filled with application review to begin on December 2, 2024.
*Anticipated hiring range: $89,461 - $105,269

The primary function of this role is to oversee conservation & parks by developing strategies for environmental conservation, ensuring alignment with city sustainability goals, fostering a community connection to the natural environment and encouraging park and recreational opportunities for residents. The Manager will lead policy and planning efforts for parks, recreation, natural resources and sustainability in the city and will be lead staff to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board and the City Tree Board. Ensures program and policy development, data collection, communication and outreach are completed in alignment with City values and strategic priorities. Research, develop, lead and administer parks, trails, and facility planning as directed or needed for community development as portrayed in the Outdoor Recreation Plan, Comprehensive Plan, Kinni Corridor Plan and Bike/Ped Plan. Serve as the City Forester.ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Develop short and long-range planning and policy goals for the City’s stewardship, sustainability and recreation needs including but not limited to a forestry plan, climate action plan, a clean water policy, and an open space management plan
• Oversee maintenance strategies for native/sustainable landscaping on city properties
• Policy communication and negotiation of Memorandum’s of Understanding (MOU’s) with community associations
• Prepare, administer, and oversee annual and longer-term budgets of operations and capital improvements
• Direct, supervise, coach, and evaluate staff; hire and train seasonal staff
• Ensure programs and activities and the entire park & recreation system are effectively promoted and inclusive of all sectors in the community, maintains at least the current level of service while adding improvements, modernizations and increased partner collaboration.
• Oversee the scheduling and staffing of activities and programs for the park & recreation system, including coordination with partner groups
• Collaborate with representatives of community groups, schools, and special interest groups to coordinate community recreation efforts, interpret program goals and objectives, and provide input
• Oversee playground and pool inspections
• Evolve and maintain street and park tree inventory GIS database
• Provide guidance on development review and calculate tree escrow
• Develop and manage emerald ash borer management plan including canopy retention plan
• Develop a storm damage management plan to be implemented and followed in large tree damage events
• Plan and oversee disease and invasive or exotic plant interventions and control programs in cooperation with State Department of Natural Resources and/or the U.S. Department of Agriculture or appropriate local, state and/or federal agencies.
• Enforce city tree ordinance rulings, including investigating complaints and questions, and attend meetings and events as needed.  
• Develop annual and long-range plans for selecting, planting, inspecting, pruning/trimming, and removing trees.
• Educate and train staff as needed in proper tree or plant care maintenance practices.
• Educate the public regarding urban forestry and green space sustainability through newsletters and other publications. Periodically plan, schedule, and coordinate special events promoting trees, such as annual Arbor Day celebrations and Earth Day.
• Maintain collaborative working relationships with departments including public works, facilities, engineering, planning and more
• Actively manage and pursue revenue sources including grants, endowments, and revenue producing programs
• Prepare and submits report, memorandums, RFPs, and public communications 
• Keep immediate supervisor and designated others fully and accurately informed of work progress, including potential issues and suggestions for new or improved methods
• Represent the department and serve as liaison to a variety of departments, commissions, committees and agencies; provides presentations to the same
• Attend meetings, conferences, workshops and training sessions and reviews publications and audiovisual materials to become and remain current on the principals, practices and new developments for parks, recreation, natural resources and forestry.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS and ABILITIES

• Support the City’s Mission/Vision/Values by personal example and encourage others to do so
• Extensive knowledge of and experience in all areas of parks, trails, natural resources, forestry and recreation programs
• Understand, manage and communicate complex ideas, project and situations
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with peers, community groups, commissions, elected officials, employees, other agencies and the general public
• Evaluate and report on community expectations and existing performance of the park and recreation system through a variety of methods
• Must have excellent analytic, writing and presentation skills and able to produce credible, succinct, technically accurate and understandable quality written reports using MS Office products
• Strong interpersonal and organizational skills are essential
• Perform a wide variety of duties and responsibilities with accuracy and speed under the pressure of time sensitive deadlines

QUALIFICATIONS/EDUCATION and EXPERIENCE
Minimum

• Bachelor’s degree in Forestry, Recreation, Parks and Leisure Services, Urban Planning, Environmental Science, Public Administration or related field
• Three years’ experience in a diverse and full-service municipal park and recreation system or related field 
• One years’ experience in supervision 
• Valid driver's license
  
  

Preferred

• Master’s Degree in one of these areas or related field
• Three years’ experience in supervision 
• Society of American Foresters (SAF) Certification
  
  

WORKING CONDITIONS
We strive to provide a supportive and inclusive work environment, including office setup, equipment, and facilities. Flexible work hours including some evening hours as needed. Remote work opportunities based on position and department needs.

Work is performed primarily in a standard office environment that requires:

• Use of computer equipment with sitting and/or standing on a continuous basis
• Sufficient mobility to move about an office setting with ease
• Occasionally lift, bend, stoop and retrieve files and boxes weighing up to 25 pounds
• Operate office equipment requiring repetitive finger/hand movement 
  
  

Work performed outside the office environment may include:

• Standing, sitting, movement at events held outdoors on grass, concrete, or trails
• Occasional work near moving mechanical parts, high precarious places
• Occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, extreme cold or extreme heat 
• Occasionally lift, bend, stoop and move items weighing up to 75 pounds
  
  

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Salary : $89,461 - $121,056