ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF PARKS, RECREATION, & TRANSIT

DEFINITION

Under general direction of the Director of Parks, Recreation & Transit, assists in directing, planning, organizing, and administering the activities of the Parks, Recreation & Transit Department; coordinates departmental activities; provides highly responsible and complex administrative assistance and support to the Director; and serves as Acting Director in the Director's absence. With guidance from the Director, this position oversees assigned functions, including parks planning and development, capital improvement projects, recreation and community service programs, aquatics, youth and adult sports, special events, and transit services. This position participates in departmental policy development, administrative planning, budget administration, personnel management, and operational oversight, and performs related work as required.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Direct supervision and supervision through Division Managers is provided to personnel assigned to various Divisions within the Department. This position receives general direction from the Director of Parks, Recreation & Transit and exercises supervisory responsibility over other management, professional, technical, and administrative personnel. The incumbent may serve in an acting capacity in the Director's absence.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS

The Assistant Director of Parks, Recreation & Transit is considered a second-level management position. This position works closely with the Director of Parks, Recreation & Transit to develop and implement department-wide goals and objectives, and with division managers to achieve them. The Assistant Director oversees assigned divisions and assists in the administration of departmental programs, policies, procedures, and budgets.

Incumbents in this classification have a broad range of independence within policy and procedural limitations and work under minimal supervision. The incumbent is accountable to the Director for the effective management of assigned personnel and the quality and efficiency of assigned services. Recommendations regarding Department operations, programs, and services are expected. The Assistant Director of Parks, Recreation & Transit provides direct and indirect supervision to assigned personnel within the Department.

This classification is distinguished from the Director of Parks, Recreation & Transit, who serves as the Department Head of the entire Department. While the Assistant Director may act on the Director's behalf, overall responsibility for directing the Department remains with the Director.

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES

Essential Duties

Management may amend duties pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) so qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

• Assist the Director of Parks, Recreation & Transit in managing and directing the activities, operations, programs, and services of the Department.
• Assist in the development and implementation of departmental goals, objectives, policies, procedures, and priorities.
• Oversee assigned functions related to park planning and development, including the research, design, and construction of parks and recreational facilities, and the formation of Community Facilities Districts (CFDs) and other assessment districts.
• Direct, oversee, and evaluate assigned programs, projects, activities, and personnel; assign work activities; review work products, methods, and procedures; and recommend operational improvements.
• Participate in the selection, training, supervision, motivation, and evaluation of assigned personnel; provide staff development opportunities; and implement disciplinary actions as necessary.
• Monitor and evaluate service delivery methods, procedures, staffing levels, workloads, and support systems; recommend and implement improvements as appropriate.
• Plan, direct, and coordinate the work of assigned professional, technical, and administrative personnel through subordinate supervisory and management staff.
• Participate in the development and administration of the Department budget; forecast staffing, equipment, materials, contractual services, and capital improvement funding needs; monitor expenditures; and recommend budget adjustments as appropriate.
• Assist in directing and participating in the preparation, administration, and monitoring of contracts, agreements, requests for proposals, and professional service arrangements, including design, construction, and capital improvement contracts.
• Oversee assigned functions related to recreation and community services, aquatics, youth and adult sports, special events, park maintenance and development, and transit services.
• Assist in coordinating departmental activities with City departments, outside agencies, consultants, vendors, contractors, and partner organizations.
• Conduct organizational, operational, and administrative studies and recommend improvements to programs, policies, procedures, and service delivery methods.
• Prepare and present reports, correspondence, recommendations, and other materials related to departmental operations, including staff reports and presentations to the City Council, boards, and commissions as assigned.
• Represent the Department before City departments, outside agencies, committees, boards, commissions, professional organizations, and community groups.
• Respond to and resolve difficult and sensitive operational, personnel, customer service, and technology-related issues, including public inquiries and complaints regarding parks, recreation, and transit services.
• Attend and participate in professional meetings and training programs; remain informed of developments and trends related to assigned areas of responsibility.
• Monitor changes in laws, regulations, and technology that may affect Department operations; implement policy and procedural changes as required.
• Ensure staff observe and comply with all City and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
• Serve as Acting Director of Parks, Recreation & Transit during the absence of the Director.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of

• Principles and practices of public administration, organizational management, and municipal government operations.
• Principles and practices of leadership, supervision, employee development, performance management, and personnel administration.
• Principles and practices of budget development, administration, forecasting, and expenditure control.
• Principles and practices of project management, program management, organizational planning, and resource allocation.
• Principles and practices of contract administration, procurement, and vendor management.
• Principles and practices of parks, sports, and recreational facility planning, architecture, construction, and maintenance.
• Landscape design and horticulture related to park and landscape planning, design, and related recreational uses.
• Principles and practices of Community Facilities District (CFD) and assessment district formation and administration.
• Principles and practices of parks, recreation, and cultural arts program development and management in a municipal setting.
• Principles, procedures, and practices for planning, implementing, and maintaining recreation and leisure activities, parks services, transit services, and other assigned programs through community participation.
• Principles and practices of managing large capital improvement projects and completing projects on time and within budget.
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, policies, and standards related to parks, recreation, transit operations, and public agencies.
• Methods and techniques of organizational analysis, program evaluation, and operational improvement.
• Principles and practices of effective customer service.
• Modern office practices, procedures, and computer applications.

Ability to

• Assist in planning, organizing, directing, and evaluating departmental operations, programs, services, and personnel.
• Develop and implement departmental goals, objectives, policies, procedures, work plans, and priorities.
• Plan, organize, direct, and evaluate complex projects, programs, and initiatives involving multiple departments, stakeholders, consultants, contractors, and service providers.
• Coordinate and manage the design, development, and implementation of construction, alteration, and installation projects related to City parks, landscapes, recreation areas, and related facilities.
• Develop project plans, establish priorities and milestones, monitor progress, and ensure the successful completion of assigned projects and initiatives.
• Manage competing priorities, resources, schedules, budgets, and operational demands.
• Analyze organizational, operational, administrative, and technical issues and develop effective solutions.
• Plan, organize, assign, supervise, train, motivate, and evaluate the work of professional, technical, and administrative personnel.
• Participate in the development and administration of departmental budgets and monitor expenditures.
• Interpret and apply laws, regulations, policies, procedures, contracts, and administrative requirements.
• Prepare clear and concise reports, correspondence, recommendations, presentations, and other written materials.
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, City officials, consultants, contractors, vendors, outside agencies, and the public.
• Exercise sound independent judgment and decision-making within established policy guidelines.
• Represent the Department effectively in meetings, presentations, negotiations, and public forums.

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:

Education

Equivalent to a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in recreation administration, public administration, park planning, landscape architecture, or a related field. A master's degree is highly desirable.

Experience

Five (5) years of increasingly responsible experience in parks, recreation, transit, or a comparable public agency setting, including two (2) years of supervisory or management responsibility.

Preferred Qualifications: Experience in a municipal agency and possession of professional certifications related to parks and recreation management, project management, or public administration is desirable. Examples include Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP), Certified Park and Recreation Executive (CPRE), or Project Management Professional (PMP).

Licenses and Certifications

• Possession of a valid California Driver's License, to be maintained throughout employment.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; to operate a motor vehicle and visit City sites; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone. This is primarily a sedentary office classification although standing in work areas and walking between work areas may be required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer 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 CONDITIONS

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.

WORKING CONDITIONS

City employees are expected to work overtime, weekends, evenings, and holidays as required to accommodate the City's needs, in addition to responding as a Disaster Services Emergency Worker (California Government Code Section 3100-3109).