Director of Operations - The RiverFront

Summary:

Manages and coordinates the daily, monthly, and seasonal operations (maintenance and horticulture) tasks at a high level – pristine at The RiverFront, including staff scheduling, event set-up/tear down, maintenance and repairs of park landscaping features, equipment, and grounds:

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Responsible for overseeing the overall on-going maintenance, repairs and upkeep of The RiverFront grounds, concrete, plants, trees, grasses, buildings, lighting components, water features, playground equipment, artwork, furniture, and parking lots with coordination of both in-house staff and contractors.
• In leading the horticulture staff, develops a plan and executes that plan for controlling invasive species, insects, and plant diseases; care for soils, shrubs, trees, lawns, and gardens; provide for irrigation and drainage; clear brush, leaves and litter; maintain existing landscaped areas.
• Oversees and participates in soil cultivation, mulching, watering, raking, weeding, edging, pruning, seed sowing, plant bed preparation and planting.
• Recommends and implements individual work needed; estimates in-house and volunteer/seasonal labor, material, and equipment required to carry out assigned task; recommends adjustments in staff support, materials and equipment resources based on planned work and skills required; verify that material and staff are scheduled and productive.
• In consultation with additional staff, creates and reviews written maintenance and horticulture care procedures annually and recommended changes as needed.
• Consider, plan, direct and coordinate seasonal requirements and overall maintenance needs, inspect the assigned areas regularly to examine work accomplished and determine the action needed by year, season, and month.
• Directly administers and coordinates event set-up, change over and striking activities for all events held within the park property.
• Directs activities of the park operations staff including, electricians, HVAC, plumbing, mechanical, park horticulture and housekeeping/cleaning which includes identifying, verifying, and approving the scheduling needs of each position while maintaining staffing levels and minimizing labor costs/limiting over time.
• Manages third-party contractors with whom we have service agreements such as landscaping, snow removal, annual inspections/testing, trash removal, winterization which includes scheduling & prioritizing activities around events, budgeting for and approving related expenses.
• Research maintenance, horticulture and capital projects, budget for and work with the Office Coordinator throughout the purchasing process. Manage assigned projects after contracts have been awarded.
• Manages budget functions related to labor, equipment, and supplies for the operations department. This includes managing the inventory (equipment, backstock, site furniture, trees, plants, shrubs) along with long-term replacement budgeting ensuring all purchasing procedures are being followed.
• Conducts annual staff evaluations. Make recommendations for promotions, awards, discipline, and termination of maintenance & horticulture staff.
• Recruits, screens, hires, and trains the maintenance and horticulture staff.
• Provides event estimates and a summary of expenses, including labor, contracted labor, supplies, damages, fees, etc. from the operations department as needed.
• Assists in the development and implementation of policies and procedures for staff including workplace safety and security plans.
• This job will require working days, nights and on weekends.
• Regular and predictable attendance.
Other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

Will recruit, lead, and motivate the maintenance and horticulture team, carrying out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization’s policies and applicable laws. Responsible for the overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of the horticulture staff.

Competencies:

To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

• Analytical - Synthesizes complex or diverse information; collects and researches data; uses intuition and experience to complement data; designs workflows and procedures.
• Problem Solving - Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; gathers and analyzes information skillfully; develops alternative solutions; uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.
• Interpersonal Skills - Focuses on solving conflict; maintains confidentiality; listens to others without interrupting; keeps emotions under control; remains open to others' ideas and tries new things.
• Oral Communication - Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; listens and gets clarification; responds well to questions; demonstrates group presentation skills; participates in meetings.
• Written Communication - Writes clearly and informatively; edits work for spelling and grammar; varies writing style to meet needs; presents numerical data effectively; able to read and interpret written information.
• Teamwork - Balances team and individual responsibilities; exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views; gives and welcomes feedback; contributes to building a positive team spirit; able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives.
• Change Management - Develops workable implementation plans; communicates changes effectively; builds commitment and overcomes resistance; prepares and supports those affected by change; monitors transition and evaluates results.
• Quality Management - Looks for ways to improve and promote quality; demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness.
• Business Acumen - Understands business implications of decisions; displays orientation to profitability; demonstrates knowledge of market and competition; aligns work with strategic goals.
• Cost Consciousness - Works within approved budget; develops and implements cost saving measures; conserves organizational resources.
• Diversity - Demonstrates knowledge of EEO policy; shows respect and sensitivity for cultural differences; educates others on the value of diversity; promotes a harassment-free environment.
• Ethics - Treats people with respect; keeps commitments; inspires the trust of others; works with integrity and ethically; upholds organizational values.
• Organizational Support - Follows policies and procedures; completes administrative tasks correctly and on time; supports organization's goals and values.
• Strategic Thinking - Develops strategies to achieve organizational goals; understands organization's strengths & weaknesses; analyzes market and competition; identifies external threats and opportunities; adapts strategy to changing conditions.
• Judgment - Displays willingness to make decisions; exhibits sound and accurate judgment; supports and explains reasoning for decisions; includes appropriate people in decision-making process; makes timely decisions.
• Planning/Organizing - Prioritizes and plans work activities; uses time efficiently; plans for additional resources; sets goals and objectives; develops realistic action plans.
• Professionalism - Approaches others in a tactful manner; reacts well under pressure; treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; accepts responsibility for own actions; follows through on commitments.
• Adaptability - Adapts to changes in the work environment; manages competing demands; changes approach or method to best fit the situation; able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events.
• Dependability - Follows instructions, responds to management direction; takes responsibility for own actions; keeps commitments; commits to long hours of work when necessary to reach goals; completes tasks on time or notifies appropriate person with an alternate plan.
Innovation - Displays original thinking and creativity; meets challenges with resourcefulness; generates suggestions for improving work; develops innovative approaches and ideas; presents ideas and information in a manner that gets others' attention.

Qualifications and Requirements:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education/Experience:

• BS/BA degree in management is required.

• Five-to-seven years job related experience in management and execution.
• Experience working with maintenance and horticulture teams.
Experience overseeing, developing, and executing general maintenance and horticulture maintenance plans in a park environment.

Language Skills:

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.

Mathematical Skills:

Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.

Reasoning Ability:

Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Extensive knowledge of maintenance and horticulture care required.
• Experience maintaining carefully thought-out horticulture landscapes required.
• Experience leading a team of individuals to achieve a common task daily.
• Experience working with event set-ups in either an indoor or outdoor environment.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to produce high quality work.
• Excellent written, interpersonal, and verbal communication skills.

• Ability to complete multiple tasks and a high volume of work on deadline.
• Attention to detail and ability to edit and proofread.
• Excellent time management and organizational skills; ability to follow through on assigned tasks with limited supervision.
• Professional attitude and appearance.
• Ability to work under pressure, recognize problems and find solutions.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
Computer proficiency in Windows environment; Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee is regularly required to stand, walk, climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.

The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required for this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• This job is normally performed in an outdoor environment year-round.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.