Director of Parks and Recreation
GENERAL PURPOSE:
Performs a variety of complex professional and administrative work in planning, developing, scheduling, directing, and implementing a year-round, city-wide parks and recreation program.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED
Works under the broad policy guidance and direction of the City Manager and/or Assistant City Manager.
SUPERVISION EXERCISED
Exercises administrative direction over the Parks Maintenance and Recreation Departments, and other support staff, part-time, contracted or seasonal either directly or through subordinate supervisors.
SAFETY SENSITIVE DESIGNATION
This position is not designed as a safety sensitive position and is not subject to random drug screening.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Management of the Parks and Recreation Department by supervising, supporting, and assisting staff and implementation of work plans and evaluating operational efficiency; identifies opportunities for improvement and directs change implementation.
Provides leadership and direction in the development of short and long range plans; gathers, interprets, and prepares data for studies, reports, and recommendations; coordinates department activities with other departments and agencies as needed.
Provides professional advice to supervisors; makes presentations to supervisors, boards, commissions, civic groups, and the general public.
Prepares and administers budgets for all areas under the parks and recreation department and assists in the development of the City budget, reviews City budget trends and data throughout the fiscal year and implements action to correct deficiencies; assists in prioritizing programs, ensuring the budget reflects the goals and objectives of the City Manager and City Council.
Plans, coordinates, and directs a diversified year-round, city-wide parks and recreation program including the management of Southwest Center, Swanger Sports Complex, Wallace Sports Complex and various fields, parks and open spaces.
Monitors and provides direction and management of the Parks Master Plan including capital projects in the areas of procedures, policies, budgeting/funding, planning, project development and department coordination.
Promotes interest in parks and recreation programs through publicity, joint program brochures with various community groups, and public contacts; speaks before citizens groups, students, and other organizations.
Reviews applicable laws, ordinances and regulations for compliance and makes recommendations where non-compliance issues might arise; develops and implements new ordinances and regulations to enhance, update, modify, or clarify existing ordinances.
Converts complex information to concise, comprehensible communications presented in a professional written or oral format.
Serves as the City’s liaison for the Friends of the Parks nonprofit, Partnership for the Pathway, Perot Theatre, Texarkana Convention Center, various Hotel Occupancy Tax funded organizations as well as with state, local, and other public officials.
Manages the City’s sports tourism efforts related to Hotel Occupancy Tax funds including securing sports and recreation tournaments that significantly increase out of town visitors to the area. Responsible for creating an annual sports and recreation tournaments calendar and tracking metrics related to out of town visitors.
Receives staff input on matters being considered by Council; assists with the preparing and accepting of items for inclusion in the agenda for Council meetings; develops and presents policy proposals for consideration.
Attends City Council meetings and takes necessary action regarding council agenda items; serves as a liaison between City and various groups; attends professional meetings and conferences and stays current on new trends and innovations in the field of public administration.
DESIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education and Experience:
(a) Graduation from a college or university with a Bachelor's Degree in recreation, education or physical education including course work in organization and administration.
(b) Five years of progressively responsible experience in parks and recreation programs.
(c) Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP) Certification required or the ability to obtain within twelve (12) months of hire date.
Necessary Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of modern parks and recreation programs;
- Thorough knowledge of equipment and facilities required in a comprehensive park and recreation program;
- Extensive knowledge of the principles and practices of maintenance, construction, and use of public buildings and park facilities;
- Considerable knowledge of community recreation needs and resources;
- Working knowledge of the principles and practices of office management, work organization, and supervision.
- Skill in the operation of listed tools and equipment.
- Ability to plan, organize, coordinate, and implement a comprehensive community park and recreation program;
- Ability to coordinate, analyze, and utilize a variety of reports and records;
- Ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing;
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, supervisors, other agencies, and the public.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
Valid State driver’s license or ability to obtain one
TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED
Personal computer and related software, calculator, phone, copier, and fax machine.
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 job functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to use hands to finger, handle, feel, or operate objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
The employee is occasionally required to lift and/or move up to twenty-five (25) pounds. The employee is occasionally required to walk, sit, talk, or hear. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
Employee will occasionally be exposed to seasonal temperatures.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
While performing the duties of this job, the employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts or in outside weather conditions. The employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes, toxic or caustic chemicals.
The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet while in the office, or moderately noisy when in the field.
The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.
The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.