Director, Office of Parks and Recreation

Overview

Director of the Office of Parks and Recreation

Overview

Middlesex County Office of Parks and Recreation is actively seeking an experienced professional to serve as the County’s next Director of the Office of Parks and Recreation. The Middlesex County Park System encompasses over 11,000 acres of active recreation parks, open space, conservation areas and preserves for passive recreation and natural areas for natural resource protection. Reporting to the Department Head of Infrastructure Management, the Director of the Office of Parks and Recreation oversees the following:

Responsibilities

Reporting to the Department Head of Infrastructure Management, the Director of the Office of Parks and Recreation is responsible for and oversees the following:

Administration:

• Budgeting for Operating, Capital and Salaries and Wages
• Responsible for all full-time, year-round, and seasonal staff
• Grant Application, Management and Compliance with NJDEP Green Acres Program (Acquisition, Park Development and Jake’s Law Playground), National Park Service – Federal Lands to Parks Program and American Battlefield Protection Program
• Works closely with labor unions and Middlesex County Park Rangers Association

Park Maintenance and Development

• Long-range planning and capital budgeting for upkeep and maintenance
• 19 Parks and Recreation Facilities over 3000 acres
• Over 500,000 park users annually for sporting events, picnics, walks, and recreational use

Recreation and Programming

• Reservations and Special Event Scheduling
• Stephen J. Capestro Theatre – full and part time staff deliver three Broadway caliber performances during the summer, a children’s show during the fall and a winter performance at the State Theater
• Roosevelt Park Skating Rink – ice skating Nov – Mar, roller-skating Apr- Jun & Sept – Oct
• County sponsored Co-ed Softball Leagues

Conservation and Open Space Stewardship

• 8500 acres of open space, natural areas, conservation areas and preserves
• Middlesex Conservation Corps – Volunteer and Youth Corps provide workforce for trail work on 40 miles of hiking trails, invasive species removal and habitat restoration
• Manages Wetland Restoration Projects with NJDEP; Deer Management Program; USDA/NRCS Wildlife Services Division – Nuisance Wildlife Program

Middlesex County Park Ranger Unit

• Full-time, year-round Park Ranger Unit provides public safety, event coordination and park protection throughout the Park System

Open Space:

• Chair of the Middlesex County Open Space Advisory Board
• Evaluates applications, makes recommendations and process grants and payments for Middlesex County Recreational Grant Program for Municipalities
• Implements Middlesex County Open Space and Recreation Plan

Qualifications

Requirements

Nine (9) years of professional experience in planning, promoting, organizing and/or administering a comprehensive recreation program for community, including the maintenance of parks, playgrounds or other recreational facilities, five (5) years of which shall have been in a supervisory capacity.

OR

Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university; and five (5) years of the above-mentioned professional supervisory experience.

OR

Possession of a Master's degree in Recreation or in Parks and Recreation Management from an accredited college or university; and four (4) years of the above-mentioned professional supervisory experience.

Must possess effective communication, interpersonal, organizational, and technology-related skills.