Provide leadership, direction, vision, planning, marketing, and management operations oversight of employees and activities of the Parks and Recreation Department, in accordance with state law, federal law, and the City of Oak Harbor Municipal Code. The position is responsible for development, implementation, maintenance, and operations of the City parks, including grounds, facilities, structures, preservation of open spaces, and scenic environments including City beaches and downtown landscaping. The Director is responsible for strategic goals based upon present and future service demands and community needs to service citizens; providing leadership, resources, systems, and processes to facilitate the effective operations of Parks Operations and development, Recreation Services, Senior Services. Work involves significant community engagement and public involvement with elected officials/policymakers, community organizations, and citizens. Considerable and frequent contact is maintained with other department leaders, the Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission (PRAC), Arts Commission, representatives of state and local governments, Federal government, consultants, and vendors. The department assists in the success of several large special events that take place in City parks. The Director is responsible to ensure the City’s mission and core values are incorporated into Parks and Recreation operational activities and services, and to ensure the effective utilization of department personnel, funds, equipment, facilities, and time.
Work activities involve multiple skills and may include, but are not limited to, any of the following depending on area of assignment, crew needs, emergency services, special projects, and seasonal factors:

Manage operations for all City parks, facilities, recreation programs, community use areas, and services following best practices for the industry in conformance with the City’s strategic plan for Parks and Recreation in Island County.
Personnel management including recruitment, hiring, evaluating, mentorship, disciplinary or recognition, and support for ongoing training and continuing education for organization development.
Approve and manage construction and professional service contracts, and revenue generating opportunities, for example, fee collections, rentals, reservations, passports, travel program, bingo gambling, food service, and overall preservation of generated revenue and use of public funds for ongoing parks and recreation repair and improvement.
Coordinate special events in community parks as well as sports, recreation, and parks related day-to-day services with community organizations, service groups, athletic facility owners, and other organizations utilizing park facilities for events such as car shows, holiday events, festivals, fairs, parties, or other reasons; to determine needs, safeguard parks and recreation resources, schedule usage, and coordinate with Oak Harbor Police Department (OHPD) to control vandalism, and assure that repairs are made to vandalized facilities (if any).
Influence and provide guidance for strategic collaboration, fundraising, and development with the PRAC, and Senior Center Foundation.
Prepare, monitor, and evaluate the department’s efficiency and cost-effective operational needs, performance measures, business plan, and budget, to reflect long-term planning for existing and new parks, facilities, and capital improvements and to ensure revenue and expense goals are achieved.
Research, prepare, submit, and administer grant applications with the assistance of the City’s Grants Administrator for enhancement of parks facilities, operations or special projects.
Coordinate with Development Services and assist in parks and recreation planning, park acquisition, site plan review, development, landscaping, and construction of new and existing parks facilities and other functions for parks and recreation related projects as well as communication with clubs and other organizations as applicable.
Administer safety and risk management programs and ensures work is performed in accordance and compliance with environmental standards and other regulations.
Identify and initiate the use of technology to enhance operations and customer service.
Serve as a member of the City’s Leadership Team assisting with a broad range of municipal service issues.
Coordinate purchasing in accordance with established policy and procedure, coordinate public/media relations, marketing, and promotions with the Communications Officer, works with OHPD and Oak Harbor Fire Department (OHFD) for emergency services and emergency management plans.
Maintain electronic records of operations, maintenance, equipment, and materials used in accordance with records retention under the guidance of the Public Records Officer (PRO).
Serve as staff liaison for Oak Harbor Park Board meetings and facilitate relations with other organizations such as the North Whidbey Pool, Park, and Recreation District (NWPPRD), Oak Harbor School District, Boys & Girls Club, and Naval Air Station Whidbey Island (NASWI). Facilitate regular meetings and coordinate special projects with recreational leagues, school district, Navy, NWPPRD, and outside groups such as the Oak Harbor Garden Club, Oak Harbor Garry Oak Society, Greater Oak Harbor Chamber of Commerce and Oak Harbor Main Street Association.
Respond to emergency service matters, direct crew activities, and help coordinate parks activities with Public Works, OHPD, OHFD, and other agencies.
Prepares, presents, or delegates agenda bills, ordinances, and resolutions for City Council.
Coordinate department’s response to customer and public inquiries and oversee or perform duties such as assessing concerns or complaints, problem solving, and follow-up with customers or the public, personnel, or other colleagues.
Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with City officials, other managers and supervisors, civic groups, other City departments, PRAC, Arts Commission, Senior Services Foundation, and the public, and respond in a courteous and helpful manner to resolve problems in stressful situations.

Associated Job Functions:

Attend various workshops, continuing education, meetings, seminars, and conferences.
Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibility:
Parks and Recreation staff.

Performance Requirements (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities):
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Knowledge of:

Principles and practices of parks and recreation administration and management of facilities and operations.
Community recreation needs and resources.
Principles and practices of funding processes in a local government environment as related to budgeting, cost accounting, financial planning, and management.
Tools and equipment, parts, supplies; oversee traffic controls and safety; and conduct meetings and trainings.
Performance based budgeting principles and practices. Operation and understanding of computers and typical office equipment.
Principles and practices of professional services contracts and program development and administration.
Principles and practices of leadership, management and supervision, training, and performance evaluation.
Specialized parks division, maintenance, playground and other safety requirements; as well as repair practices, and Federal, State, and City regulations applicable to large parks, neighborhood parks, and parks development.
Applicable OSHA/WISHA safety regulations and standards, playground and park facilities safety and inspection requirements, and the ability to implement, train or ensure training of staff in the safe and effective operation of equipment and facilities.
Lead, train, direct and develop the skills of parks crews, special project teams, community service or inmate crews, and seasonal workers.
Botany sufficient to perform landscape design, plant selection, and maintenance.
Read and interpret blueprints, specifications, maps, and technical materials.
Assist in maintenance management system activities, planning, and budgeting.
English, spelling, grammar, vocabulary, punctuation, and accounting.

Skill in:

Strong oral and written communication skills to perform supervisory duties and provide information, communication, and coordination with City staff, outside agencies and the public.
Good judgment and problem-solving skills to lead activities and resolve unusual and critical problems.

Ability to:

Establish and maintain effective working relationships with the public, elected and appointed officials, and City employees. Maintain a customer service orientation, be courteous and diplomatic in the exchange of information and present a positive image of the city in a variety of circumstances.
Communicate effectively and persuasively, both verbally and in writing in representing the parks and recreation department and employees with clubs, customers, and the public.
Create, execute, and report on departmental work plans.
Provide leadership, counsel, motivate and construct performance reviews to department staff at all levels, securing their respective commitments to the department goals.
Delegate authority and responsibility.
Negotiate and administer contracts with outside vendors and service providers.
Identify the department’s future direction in response to changing community needs, and to develop, implement, and monitor appropriate plans, schedules, and action steps.
Develop, implement, and administer departmental goals, objectives, and procedures.
Apply, interpret, and explain complex legal and administrative information to the public, employees and officials lacking technical knowledge.
Provide decisive, thoughtful leadership to an organization engaged in a diverse array of activities in a manner that empowers and instills confidence in department employees.
Prepare and administer large and complex budgets.
Interpret and apply federal, state, and local policies, laws, and regulations.
Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions and implement recommendation(s) in support of goals.
Oversee leaders with specialist performance requirements, supporting special events, department maintenance, customer service and complaints.
Initiate and maintain good working relationships with community boards, leagues, clubs, contractors, and others.
Utilize a variety of specialized parks and recreation equipment.
Utilize, enhance, and improve electronic usage of maintenance management system.

An equivalent combination of education, training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential job functions may be considered.

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college in Parks and Recreation Management, Public Administration, Environmental Science, Landscape Architecture, Planning, or related field.
Eight (8) years increasingly responsible experience in parks, recreation, community service, including a minimum of three (3) years of supervisory or managerial experience.
Certified Parks and Recreation Professional (CPRP) is required or ability to obtain within 12 months from date of hire.
Complete a comprehensive criminal background screening prior to hire, pursuant to RCW 43.43.830/832 where an employee will or may have unsupervised access to children, developmentally delayed persons, or vulnerable adults.
Valid Washington State driver’s license and ability to provide driver’s abstract showing a good driving record.

Preferred Qualifications:

Local government executive level management experience.
Certified Parks and Recreation Executive (CPRE).

APPLICATION PROCESS
The review and selection of applicants is based on the information provided on the application; we encourage all applicants to improve our ability to judge by providing complete information. Information can include such things as: resumes of experience, letters of recommendation, specific education and/or training, skills and work history that is related to the position for which the applicant is applying, and other job-related data that might enhance the applicant's chances for selection.

Required Information:

Cover letter and resume
The past 10 years of work experience on application, do not use "see resume" anywhere on application
Three professional references on application, including one previous supervisor and one previous subordinate

If you do not meet the basic required qualifications or did not fully complete the application, you will not be considered further. Please review job description posting carefully for full details on job duties and requirements.The physical demands and characteristics of the work environment described here are representative of those occurring in the performance of the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential functions.

Work is primarily performed in an office with prolonged periods of remaining stationary, must be able to travel from site to site, to other meetings and job locations. Work is also performed outdoors, often for site visit assessments, in all types of terrain and weather conditions, around water, under dirty, uncomfortable spaces, with a noise level in the work environment that may be moderately loud, may be exposed to fumes, airborne particles or bloodborne pathogens, potential toxic or caustic chemicals, grease, smoke, gases, heat, cold, vibration, and other hazardous conditions. Work requires the ability to communicate information and ideas so others understand, ability to observe details at a close range and the ability and stamina to perform heavy manual labor; to crawl, climb, bend, twist, stoop, kneel, stand, sit, and walk, to operate equipment, and perform repetitive moving of items more than fifty (50) pounds, and to maintain such activities throughout a work shift. Work may be performed in elevated areas using fall restraints or other safety equipment. Weekend and after-hours work may be required as well as after-hours response to situations and emergencies.

Safety Statement:
We expect employees to ensure compliance with all applicable safety practices and policies, including those established by OSHA/DOSH regulations and the City’s Accident Prevention Program (APP). This includes, but is not limited to, actively identifying, and correcting potential hazards that may affect employee and public safety, including those identified by co-workers. Leading by example to promote a positive culture of workplace safety through everyday action, emphasizing safe completion of work throughout all aspects of developing and carrying out work plans.

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