Job Summary
The City of Rancho Palos Verdes is seeking an enthusiastic and collaborative
Deputy Director of Recreation & Parks where you will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the City’s parks and recreation programs.
This recruitment has been reopened to further extend our candidate pool. The in-person Oral Panel is scheduled for the week of February 10th, please plan accordingly.
A cover letter and resume must be attached to your application for consideration.
Deputy Director of Recreation & Parks Brochure
COMMUNITY
The City of Rancho Palos Verdes is located on a coastal peninsula overlooking the Pacific Ocean in Los Angeles, California. It rests atop the Palos Verdes Hills and bluffs of the Palos Verdes Peninsula and maintains a low density and semi-rural environment. The City's diverse and active population enjoys all the benefits of a bedroom community within a beautiful seaside location.
DEPARTMENT
The Recreation and Parks Department is responsible for managing and operating a comprehensive park system, the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve, and recreational programs and classes. The Department oversees recreational facilities, open space, ranger program, preserve and trails, programs and classes, special events, the REACH program serving the needs of the developmentally disabled community, and support services.
The Department’s Ranger Program is an integral part of the Open Space and Trails (OST) Division, which is comprised of a Senior Park Ranger and three Park Rangers. The City of Rancho Palos Verdes has over 50 miles of trails, 1,500 acres of Nature Preserve and breath-taking beaches. Park Rangers patrol the City's trails and open space, to educate visitors on proper use, enforce the City's Municipal Code, and enhance the experience and safety of the public.
The Recreation & Park Department manages the operations of these 9 locations and programs:
- Abalone Cove Park: A park site and nature preserve
- Eastview Park: The City's dog park
- Fred Hesse Park/ Robert E. Ryan Park/ Ladera Linda Community Center: Three different park sites that host a variety of events, classes, programs, activities
- Ken Dyda Civic Center: A community hub offering a variety of public services, including government offices, recreational programs, meeting spaces for residents and Rancho Caninos public dog Park.
- Open Space and Trails: The City's nature preserve and open space
- Point Vicente Interpretive Center: A facility that features museum exhibits, a gift shop, exquisite park grounds, and a banquet room for special events
- REACH Program: A therapeutic recreation program for young adults, teens, and disabled adults with developmental disabilities.
POSITION
The Deputy Director of Recreation and Parks is an executive-level, non-represented, at-will position that reports directly to the Director of Recreation and Parks.
The Deputy assists in planning, organizing, managing, and providing administrative direction and oversight to three divisions of the Recreation and Parks Department that includes Administration, Parks and Facilities, and Open Space. This requires the Deputy to support the Director in the development, operations, and maintenance of the City's recreation/social services programs and parks; oversight of projects and initiatives for the department; and assisting in coordinating assigned activities with other City departments, divisions, clients, local residents, community groups, private businesses, and the public.
The Deputy Director fosters cooperative working relationships among City departments, divisions, and with intergovernmental and regulatory agencies and various public and private groups; providing highly responsible and complex professional assistance to the Director of Recreation and Parks in areas of expertise. The position also performs related work as required.
The incumbent assists in short- and long-term planning, development, and administration of departmental policies, procedures, and services. This class is distinguished from the Director of Recreation and Parks in that the latter has overall responsibility for all recreation and parks programs, activities, facilities, and community events and for developing, implementing, and interpreting public policy.
Essential Job Functions
The successful candidate will demonstrate proficiency in the following key areas:
- Effective leadership, employee, community and City Council relations
- Implementation and maintenance of procedures and practices that benefit staff and the community
- Administration of programs and contract negotiations in compliance with City policy
- Organize and prioritize of a variety of projects effectively
In This Role, You Will
- Develop and implement goals, objectives, policies, procedures, work standards, and internal controls for the department.
- Prepare and administer large, complex budgets; allocate limited resources cost effectively.
- Ensure compliance with Federal, State, and local laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
- Direct the work of supervisory, professional, and technical personnel.
- Conduct negotiations and effectively represent the City and the department in meetings with other agencies, contractors, vendors, and various businesses and professional organizations.
- Prepare clear and concise reports and correspondence.
- Conduct complex research, evaluate alternatives, make sound recommendations.
- Use tact, initiative, good judgment and establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships.
The Ideal Deputy Director is knowledgeable in administrative principles and practices, able to develop and implement goals, programs and manage and evaluate staff. The candidate should be familiar with public agency budgets, administering contracts and general principals of risk management.
As a department leader, evaluation of projects, programs, policies, procedures, and operational needs, a broad understanding of the principals and practices of municipal government administration, and the ability to effectively demonstrate and communicate them is crucial. This is an excellent opportunity for a proven leader to implement guidance and planning, for a variety of recreation and leisure activities and programs promoting community participation with knowledge of applicable Federal, State, and local laws, rules, regulations, ordinances, and organizational policies and procedures.
The Deputy should be able to effectively schedule, assign, review and evaluate department programs while providing training and disciplinary oversight to supervisory staff. With a track record of implementing and maintaining methods and techniques for exemplary staff development, internal and external communications, contract negotiations, and distribution of information adhering to record keeping principals and procedures.
The Deputy should come with foundational office related skills, effectively using computer equipment, software and applications for efficiency while guiding staff in productive use. Demonstrated techniques for professionally representing the City in contacts with governmental agencies, community groups, and various business, professional, educational, regulatory, and legislative organizations. A high level of customer service is required in regular dealings with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff. Candidates shall possess, or have the ability to obtain a valid CPR and First Aid certificate by time of appointment.
Qualification Guidelines
Candidates for this position
must possess the equivalent of graduating from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in Recreation Administration, Public or Business Administration, or a related field AND
four (4) years of management and/or administrative recreation and parks experience.
Candidates should have a solid understanding of the principles and practices of recreation and parks program development, maintenance, and management in a municipal setting.
Full-time Management/Confidential Employee Benefits
Effective - January 1, 2025
INSURANCE PLANS
The City has five (5) medical plans available to employees (3 HMO’s, 1 traditional PPO, and a high deductible PPO). The City pays the entire premium for the employee and 50% of the dependent care premium. Employees who show proof of insurance elsewhere and do not enroll in the City’s medical plan can receive up to 50% of the premium cost of the least expensive medical plan.
City annual contribution to employee’s HSA plan is $4,300 for single coverage or $8,550 for employee and dependent coverage when enrolled in the Blue Shield Silver Plan. Employees can make additional contributions, on a pre-tax basis, to their HSA account through payroll deductions, up to the IRS limits, based on their age (50+) and coverage level.
City paid dental and vision premium for employee only and 50% of the dependent care premium. The City offers two dental plans and one vision plan.
City paid confidential Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to all employees and immediate family members. Includes 8 sessions per individual, per issue, per year.
City paid term life insurance (with AD&D) policy with a value of twice the annual salary (up to $350,000). The City also provides group term life and AD&D benefits for Spouses ($5,000) and their children ($2,000). Option for additional insurance coverage for employee and dependents.
City paid long-term disability insurance with a benefit set at 66.7% of monthly earnings to a maximum benefit of $5,000 per month, after a 90-day waiting period (due to injury or illness).
The City does NOT participate in the Social Security program for full time employees; however, participation in MEDICARE is mandatory. The 1.45% mandatory contribution is paid by the employee.
Employees participate in the State Short-Term Disability Insurance program. Annual premium is determined by the state and based on gross annual pay. The premium is deducted from the employee’s paycheck.
Optional Benefits
AFLAC plans, Legal Access Plan, 529 College Savings Plan, Pet Insurance, Credit Union membership, and Flexible Spending Accounts (Section 125).
HOLIDAYS
Five (5) fixed holidays, one (1) floating holiday, plus the winter holiday break (see below).
- Memorial Day (last Monday in May)
- Independence Day (July 4th)
- Labor Day (first Monday in September)
- Thanksgiving (fourth Thursday in November)
- Friday after Thanksgiving
- Winter Holiday Break (work days between and including December 24th and January 1st)
- Floating holiday to be designated by City Manager
- Floating Holiday to be designated by employee
LEAVES
Sick leave is accrued at the rate of 8 hours for each full calendar month of service (96 hours per year).
Employees are eligible to earn wellness leave of 4.5 hours of paid wellness leave for each designated block of 10 consecutive weeks of attendance without using any sick leave time. Maximum accrual of 9 hours.
An Employee’s Vacation Accrual Rate Is Typically Determined By The Years Of Full-time Service To The City Of Rancho Palos Verdes In The Manner Specified Below. A Management Employee’s Years Of Full-time Paid Service In The Private Or Public/government Sector Will Be Recognized And Used To Calculate The Vacation Accrual Rate. Additionally, Employees Will Have The Option Of Being Paid For Up To 50% Of Accrued Vacation Leave With The Approval Of The City Manager. The Vacation Leave Schedule Is As Follows
- 80 hours per year, 1st month through 2 years
- 96 hours beginning 3rd year
- 120 hours beginning 6th year of service
- Additional hours are accumulated beginning in years 16-20 (up to maximum of 160 hours/year)
Administrative leave up to 80 hours per fiscal year for Executive Management; up to 62 hours per fiscal year for Management. Initial allotment will be pro-rated, based on start date within fiscal year (July 1 to June 30).
RETIREMENT
The City participates in the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS). California PERS 2% @ 60 for employees with continuing PERS employment with a 7% employee contribution OR 2% @ 62 for new PERS members with an employee contribution of 50% of the normal rate. Employee contributions are made on a pre-tax basis. Final compensation for both plans is determined by the three-year average option.
Employees have the option to contribute to a 457 deferred compensation account (on a pre-tax basis), up to IRS limits. The City contributes up to a 3% match of 457 employee contributions to a 401(a) defined contribution plan for management/confidential employees.
Employees will be enrolled in the City’s Retirement Health Savings (RHS) account the first of the month following date of hire. The City contributes $77.93 per pay period into the account and employees contribute 1% of their base salary.
WORK SCHEDULE
Full time employees work 80 hours in 9 days (9/80) and receive every other Friday off. City Hall hours are Monday – Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Management employees may be required to work outside their regular schedule to attend meetings and/or City sponsored events as needed.
Additional Benefits
Auto allowance of $150 per month for Department Heads.
Reimbursement of up to $500 per fiscal year for tuition, fees and books for job-related coursework.
Employees are eligible to receive monetary awards of up to 5% of their gross annual pay in recognition of exemplary performance, subject to the approval of the Department Head and City Manager.
01
Indicate the highest level of formal education you have achieved.
- Some high school
- High School diploma or equivalent
- Some college
- Associate's Degree
- Bachelor's Degree
- Master's Degree
02
List your degree and/or major coursework related to this position.
03
Describe your experience in the management or administration of recreation and parks facilities and programs in a municipal setting. Include specific examples of your involvement in program development, maintenance, and overall management.
04
Indicate your level of experience leading and/or supervising staff.
- Less than 1 year
- More than 1 year, but less than 3 years
- More than 3 years, but less than 4
- 4 years or more
- None
05
Tell us why you are the best candidate for this position.
