Description

Are you an experienced Parks and Recreation professional with an exceptional ability to assist with a collaborative team, and who possesses a strong background demonstrating both analysis and effective implementation of programs and policies? If so the City of Cupertino has an excellent opportunity for an Assistant Director to join the Parks and Recreation Department. We are looking for a team member who is solution driven, a strategic thinker, thrives in a fast-paced environment, is able to connect with a diverse community, and can easily pivot on priorities. You will join a collaborative and innovative team that prides itself in providing leadership to staff, and service and accountability to the public.

Under general direction, this position assists the Director with development of plans, goals, and objectives to enhance services to the community. This class is distinguished from the Director of Parks and Recreation in that the latter has overall responsibility for all operational functions of the department and for developing, implementing, and interpreting public policy.

Supervision Received and Exercised

Receives general direction from the Director of Parks and Recreation. Exercises general direction and supervision over Parks and Recreation commission, department city work program items, department emergency procedures, and key planning for the parks and recreation department.

Essential Duties

Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

Works collaboratively with the Parks and Recreation Director to establish goals and policies consistent with the Department's mission and service levels.

Assists in the strategic planning, coordination, and implementation of departmental policy and administration.

Assists in evaluating department staffing levels, performance standards; and training and development of Department personnel.

Manages and participates in the development and implementation of the Department’s long- and short-term planning and goals and objectives.

Assists in annual budget process including the annual CIP prioritization, CWP prioritization, and project submission process.

Conducts studies and surveys on complex operational and administrative issues; analyzes findings and prepare reports of practical solutions for review by the Director of Parks and Recreation.

Manages large and complex projects collaboratively with other City Departments and other organizations and agencies.

Negotiates contracts and agreements; coordinates with City department representatives to determine City needs and requirements for contractual services.

Serves as Department liaison with community advisory groups, professional organizations, fundraising organizations, donors, and other groups external to the City organization. Prepares and presents staff reports and other necessary correspondence.

Serves as Director of Parks and Recreation as required.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Knowledge of:

Principles, practices, and methods used in parks and recreation administration, management, and program and facility acquisitions and maintenance.

Principles and practices of employee supervision, performance management and training.

Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, and make recommendations.

Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, rules and regulations related to Parks and Recreation operations.

Principles and practices of leadership, motivation, team building and conflict resolution.

Principles and practices of municipal contract procurement and management, grant management, and project management.

Principles and practices of budget preparation and administration.

Ability To

Identify opportunities for process improvement, make recommendations to enhance Parks and Recreation operations, and foster a culture of continuous improvement.

Supervise, train, and evaluate staff

Research, analyze, and evaluate new service delivery methods, procedures, and techniques.

Interpret, apply, explain, and ensure compliance with federal, state, and local laws, rules, regulations, ordinances, and standards.

Independently conduct complex research projects, evaluate alternatives, and make sound recommendations.

Manage the preparation of and prepare clear and concise reports, correspondence, policies, procedures, and other written materials.

Effectively represent the department and the City in meetings with governmental agencies, community groups, and various business and professional organizations and individuals.

Communicate effectively in both orally and in writing; make presentations; and prepare clear, organized, and accurate written materials.

Effectively utilize computer applications and technology related to the work.

Work independently under minimal supervision.

Balance multiple tasks concurrently with a focus on schedules, deadlines, and budgets.

Establish and maintain positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Education And Experience

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Equivalent to graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in Recreation, Sociology, Public Administration, or a related field and six (6) years of increasingly responsible professional experience in public Parks and Recreation including two (2) years of supervisory experience.

Licenses and Certifications

Possession and continued maintenance of a valid class C California driver's license or the ability to provide alternative transportation.

Physical Demands

Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; to operate a motor vehicle and to visit various City and meeting sites; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person, before groups, and over the telephone. This is primarily a sedentary office classification although standing and walking between work areas may be required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard, typewriter keyboard, or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 10 pounds.

Environmental Elements

Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.

Supplemental Information

Application and Selection Process

If you are interested in this opportunity, please submit your City of Cupertino employment application to Human Resources. Final Filing Date: 5:00 p.m., August 28, 2025. Applications must be filled out completely. Failure to complete the supplemental application will disqualify the applicant from the recruitment process. Failure to list work experience or stating “See Resume” in the work experience section of the application will be considered an incomplete application and subject to rejection. Resumes may be attached separately. Electronic applications may be submitted online through the City’s employment page at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/cupertino , or application materials may be submitted to: Human Resources, 10300 Torre Avenue, Cupertino, CA 95014. Late applications will not be accepted.

Applications will be screened according to the qualifications outlined in this job announcement. Applicants possessing the most desirable qualifications will be invited to continue in the selection process, which may include a written examination and/or panel interview. An eligible list will be established as a result of this process and will remain in effect for 3 months from the date established and may be extended up to one year.

Additional Information

The City of Cupertino is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in employment on the basis of a person’s race, religion, color, sex (including gender and pregnancy), sexual orientation (including heterosexuality, homosexuality, and bisexuality), national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, uniformed service member status, marital status, age, medical condition, genetic characteristics, and physical or mental disability. Candidates with a disability, which may require special assistance in any phase of the application or testing process, should advise City of Cupertino Human Resources upon submittal of application. Documentation of the need for accommodation must accompany the request.

The information contained within this announcement may be modified or revoked without notice and does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.

City of Cupertino offers excellent benefits. Click HERE for a description of benefits.

01

A completed supplemental application must be submitted along with a completed City of Cupertino application to be considered further. Please provide a response to each question and limit your responses to each question to no more than 300 words. Please select "Yes" below to confirm you have read these instructions and continue to the supplemental questions.

02

Do you possess the minimum education and experience requirement of graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in Recreation, Sociology, Public Administration, or a related field and six (6) years of increasingly responsible professional experience in public Parks and Recreation including two (2) years of supervisory experience?

03

What accomplishment or project are you most proud of in your career?

04

This position assists the Director with development of plans, goals, and objectives to enhance services to the community. Please describe the skills and strategies that you will use to be successful in this job.

Required Question

City of Cupertino

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Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation