Director of Parks and Recreation

Director of Parks and Recreation

Your future begins here! Join one of the fastest-growing cities in Arizona and the youngest in Yuma County! Under administrative direction, plans, organizes, directs, and reviews the activities and operations of the Parks and Recreation Department, including, but not limited to, recreation programs and services; aquatics; cultural center operations and programs; youth center and youth services; senior center and senior services; parks maintenance and operations; open spaces and related natural areas; recreation facilities; and related programs and services. Provides leadership and strategic direction to the Department and contributes to the overall leadership of the city organization; coordinates assigned activities with other City departments, governmental agencies, community organizations, and other outside agencies; and provides highly responsible and complex administrative support to the City Manager.

As the Director of Parks and Recreation, you will:

• Develop and implement Department goals, objectives, policies, programs, and short- and long-term strategic plans consistent with City priorities; directs and evaluates Department operations and services.
• Coordinate Department activities with City departments, governmental agencies, community organizations, and outside agencies; provides staff support to the City Manager and City Council; and prepares and presents reports, recommendations, and correspondence.
• Direct the development and implementation of the Department's annual work plan; assigns and monitors programs and projects; evaluates operations and service delivery; and ensures effective and efficient use of Department resources.
• Develop and administers the Department budget; forecasts resource needs; monitors expenditures; and oversees the allocation of personnel, equipment, materials, and other resources.
• Select, train, develop, supervise, and evaluate Department personnel; provides leadership and direction; and promotes professional, efficient, and effective Department operations.
• Plan, organize, direct, and evaluate Department programs, services, and operations, including recreation, aquatics, cultural center, youth and senior services, parks maintenance and operations, open spaces, community events, and related facilities and services.
• Assess community needs, participation trends, and other relevant data to develop and recommend programs, services, facilities, parks, and open space initiatives that address current and future community needs.
• Oversee the operation, maintenance, improvement, renovation, and development of parks, open spaces, recreation and community facilities, aquatic facilities, and other Department assets; and participates in related capital improvement planning and projects.
• Represent the Department before community and professional organizations; develops partnerships and sponsorships; and supports community engagement, outreach, and resource-development efforts.
• Administer and monitors contracts, consultant agreements, leases, partnerships, and other agreements related to Department programs, services, facilities, parks, and open spaces.
• Research, analyzes, and prepares reports, studies, presentations, recommendations, and correspondence.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Ideal Candidate

Will possess knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of leadership, team building, employee development, performance management, conflict resolution, organizational management, and strategic planning.
• Laws, regulations, policies, and best practices applicable to municipal government, Parks and Recreation programs, services, facilities, parks, and maintenance operations.
• Principles and practices of municipal budgeting, fiscal management, program development, implementation, evaluation, and service delivery.
• Principles and practices for the administration and delivery of recreation, aquatics, cultural, youth, senior, community, and related programs and services.
• Principles and practices of parks, open space, facility, and landscape maintenance; facility operations, programming, scheduling, utilization, repair, and maintenance coordination.
• Methods for assessing community needs, developing and evaluating programs and services, and responding to changing demographics, interests, and community priorities.
• Recreational, cultural, social, and community needs of diverse populations and individuals of all ages, backgrounds, and socioeconomic circumstances.
• Principles and practices of community engagement, public relations, outreach, partnerships, sponsorships, special events, grant development, fundraising, and resource development.

Will possess the ability to:

• Plan, direct, coordinate, and evaluate Department administration and operations, including recreation programs and services, parks maintenance and operations, facilities, and open spaces.
• Develop and administer Department budgets, policies, procedures, programs, strategic initiatives, and operational priorities.
• Lead, supervise, develop, and evaluate personnel while fostering accountability, teamwork, and high-quality service delivery.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with City employees, elected and appointed officials, community organizations, and local, state, and federal agencies.
• Prioritize and manage multiple programs, projects, operational needs, and deadlines while exercising sound judgment and fiscal responsibility.
• Analyze complex issues, evaluate alternatives and potential impacts, and implement effective solutions consistent with City goals, policies, and community priorities.
• Interpret and apply applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, policies, and procedures governing municipal operations, recreation, parks, facilities, and maintenance activities.
• Represent the City and Department before community groups, boards, commissions, agencies, and other organizations; identify and respond appropriately to public, community, and City Council concerns.
• Communicate clearly and effectively, orally and in writing; prepare professional reports, presentations, recommendations, and correspondence.
• Assess community needs and develop, recommend, and implement recreation programs, services, facilities, parks, open space, and maintenance initiatives responsive to changing community needs and priorities.
• Build consensus, foster collaboration, resolve conflicts, and effectively negotiate with diverse individuals, groups, and stakeholders.

Minimum Requirements

Education, Training and Experience:

• A bachelor's degree in Parks & Recreation Administration, Recreation Management, Public Administration, Business Administration, Parks Management or closely related field; AND
• Five (5) years of progressively responsible administrative and management experience in parks and recreation, community recreation, community services, or a related municipal/public sector environment.

Licenses and Certifications: All required licenses and certifications must be valid at the time of appointment and maintained throughout employment.

• Arizona Driver's License at the time of appointment
• Level 1 Fingerprint Clearance Card
• First Aid/CPR Certification

Special Requirements:

• Residency in the United States and within 25 miles of the City of San Luis.

Desired/Preferred:

• Bilingual in Spanish
• San Luis residency
• Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP)

Supplemental Information

The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by employees to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Demands While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, talk, and hear; use hands and fingers to operate computers, office equipment, vehicles, tools, and other controls; reach with hands and arms; and perform repetitive hand and wrist movements. The employee may be required to walk over uneven terrain and visit parks, open spaces, recreation facilities, and maintenance areas to observe operations and assess conditions. The employee is occasionally required to bend, stoop, climb stairs, and lift or carry items weighing up to 25 pounds. The employee must be physically capable of safely operating City vehicles for job-related purposes. Specific vision abilities required include close and distance vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Mental Demands While performing the duties of this class, an employee uses written and oral communication skills; reads, interprets, and analyzes complex information, data, reports, policies, regulations, and other documents; exercises sound judgment and discretion; analyzes complex issues and develops effective solutions; uses mathematical and financial reasoning; performs detailed and highly responsible work; manages multiple concurrent priorities, projects, and deadlines; makes decisions with significant operational, financial, and community implications; adapts to changing circumstances and priorities; and establishes and maintains effective working relationships with employees, elected and appointed officials, community members, stakeholders, and representatives of other agencies and organizations. The employee must be able to effectively respond to sensitive, controversial, or dissatisfied individuals and situations while maintaining professionalism, composure, and a customer-service focus.

Work Environment Works primarily in an office environment with regular interaction with City officials, employees, community members, outside agencies, and representatives of community and professional organizations. Regularly visits and works at