Under direction of the City Manager, plans, directs, manages, and evaluates the activities, programs, and operations of the Parks and Recreation Department with specific focus on the overall site coordination of community initiatives involving parks, recreation, families, seniors, and children. This would include the development and implementation of grant-funded projects and assignments. Performs the professional and administrative functions of planning, directing, and coordinating the department’s activities, including fiscal and management services, capital planning, resource development, planning and development of personnel, and interdepartmental coordination, ensuring that all programs and facilities align with City goals and community needs.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives executive direction from the City Manager. Exercises direct and indirect supervision over assigned management, professional, technical, part-time, and administrative support personnel, as well as contract and seasonal staff.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS

This is a single-position executive management classification. The Parks and Recreation Director is responsible for overseeing the overall administration of the department, including planning, budgeting, operations, policy development, staffing, and community engagement. The Director serves as a key member of the City’s Executive Team, providing strategic guidance on capital projects, community partnerships, workforce programs, and grant compliance. The position requires extensive collaboration with elected officials, public agencies, schools, nonprofit organizations, businesses, and residents.

Examples of ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS (Illustrative Only)

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.

Plans, organizes, directs, and coordinates the operations and programs of the Parks and Recreation Department.
Serves as liaison/advisor to City Council, City Manager, and other boards or committees as assigned.
Analyzes community needs to determine programs, community services, parks design, construction, and facility improvements, and maintenance as appropriate; prepares and presents recommendations to the City Manager, City Council, and parks and recreation related committees.
Negotiates agreements and contracts with community groups, government agencies, and individuals.
Prepares grant applications and administers grant programs, compliance reports, and related funding documentation.
Develops and manages the Parks and Recreation Department budget; oversees expenditures and ensures efficient use of public funds.
Oversee the development and implementation of a variety of recreation programs to provide a broad scope of leisure activities serving diverse age groups and interests.
Confers with City departments and outside agencies regarding facility use, design and construction, maintenance, and scheduling.
Promotes Parks and Recreation Department programs; meets with community groups and school district officials to provide information, determine needs, and establish cooperative programs.
Maintains close and effective working relationships with the management staff of other City departments.
Oversees the selection of staff; provides for their training and development; reviews and approves performance appraisals and recommendations for disciplinary action, wage and salary actions, promotions, and related employment actions.
Analyzes complex parks and community services issues and problems; evaluates alternatives; and develops and implements effective courses of action.
Leads and coordinates the implementation of capital improvement projects and full-scope development efforts.
Develops and manages sponsorships, partnerships, and other resource development initiatives to enhance programs and facilities.
Formulates, evaluates, and implements departmental operating policies and procedures.
Receives, investigates, and resolves difficult and complex complaints and requests.
Represents the Parks and Recreation Department and maintains close and effective working relationships with officials of other agencies, recreational organizations, and community services groups.
Prepares and presents reports, proposals, and updates to the City Council, City Manager, and community.
Ensures that all customer service and safety regulations are communicated to department staff and followed.
Reviews and recommends appropriate fee adjustments for recreational services and facility use.
Develops and directs an ongoing training and staff development program for departmental personnel.
Performs related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONSKnowledge of:

Principles and practices of management in a diverse organization, including organization and management of work, effective delegation and supervisory practices, staff team-building and development, and personnel administration.
Philosophy, principles, and techniques of providing comprehensive public recreation and leisure services programs.
Community needs assessment, program development, and evaluation techniques.
Parks and facility development planning, construction, and use standards for community recreation and park facilities.
Grant funding, resource development, and partnership building
Principles of municipal finance; methods and techniques of budget development and administration.
Public communication and community engagement strategies.

Ability to:

Plan, organize, coordinate, and direct at an executive level, including long-range staff planning, organizational development, forecasting, benchmarking, etc.
Provide supervision, training, staff development, and appraisal of staff performance.
Make effective presentations to elected and appointed officials, city executives, the general public, community and neighborhood groups, business owners, and other governmental bodies.
Direct the preparation of and prepare a variety of comprehensive reports, grant applications, and correspondence.
Develop and manage budgets, contracts, and grant programs.
Drive an automobile.
Assess community recreational needs and develop programs to meet those needs.
Analyze complex issues and develop effective courses of action.
Establish and maintain cooperative relationships with City officials, community organizations, and the public.
Effectively and tactfully communicate in both oral and written forms.

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:

Bachelor’s degree in recreation administration, parks management, public administration, or a closely related field.
At least five years of increasingly responsible management or supervisory experience in parks and recreation, community services, or related public sector operations.
A master’s degree in public administration, recreation, or a related field is desirable.

License:

Possession of a Class C California Driver’s License and a safe driving record.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING CONDITIONS:

Physical, mental and emotional stamina to perform the duties and responsibilities of the position; manual dexterity sufficient to write, use telephone, computer, business machines and related equipment; vision sufficient to read printed materials, visual display terminals; hearing sufficient to conduct in person and telephone conversations; speaking ability in an understandable voice with sufficient volume to be heard in a normal conversational distance, on the telephone and in addressing groups; physical agility to push/pull, squat, twist, turn, bend, stoop and reach overhead; physical mobility sufficient to move about the work environment, physical strength to lift up to 20 lbs.; physical stamina sufficient to sit for prolonged periods of time; mental acuity to collect and interpret data, evaluate, reason, define problems, establish facts, draw valid conclusions, make valid judgments and decisions.

Business office working environment subject to sitting at a desk, bending, crouching, or kneeling at files, pushing/pulling of file drawers and supplies, reaching in all directions and prolonged periods of time working at a computer terminal.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills which may be required.

City of Soledad jobs

PARKS AND RECREATION DIRECTOR