Deputy Director - Parks

POSITION: Deputy Director

DEPARTMENT: Parks & Recreation

WORK SCHEDULE: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM, M-F

JOB CATEGORY: PAT (Professional, Administrative, Technological)

SALARY: $64,537

STATUS: Full-Time

FLSA STATUS: Exempt

To perform this position successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed in this document are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. St. Joseph County provides reasonable accommodation to qualified employees and applicants with known disabilities who require accommodation to complete the application process or perform essential requirements of the job, unless the accommodation would cause an undue hardship.

Incumbent serves as Deputy Director for the St. Joseph County Parks & Recreation Department, responsible for assisting Director and administering countywide park maintenance, safety, planning and development.

Benefits

Affordable Medical, Dental, and Vision Plans

Paid Vacation, Personal, and Sick Days

Employer Paid Life Insurance

Short-Term and Long-Term Disability (STD/LTD)

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) for healthcare and dependent care

Gym Membership Discounts

Employer-Funded Public Employees' Retirement Fund (PERF)

Access to additional voluntary benefits and resources

Responsibilities

Administers and oversees the operations of County Parks and regularly inspects facilities, grounds, vehicles, equipment, and program areas to evaluate conditions, identify needs, and ensure safe and efficient operations.

Oversees maintenance and capital improvement projects, including planning, coordination, implementation, and monitoring of project progress.

Reviews operating procedures and practices to improve efficiency, ensure compliance, and support department goals.

Negotiates, coordinates, and monitors contracts with vendors, contractors, and subcontractors.

Oversees the maintenance and management of park infrastructure, including roads, parking lots, pumps, lift stations, utility lines, telecommunications systems, and internet infrastructure.

Oversees the department’s computer systems in conjunction with the County IT Department, while independently managing the department’s telephone, alarm, network, website, security cameras, and wired and wireless systems.

Creates and maintains computerized maintenance schedules, routine tasks, and work-order systems, ensuring information is updated regularly.

Collaborates with the Director and supervisory staff to review, develop, and implement personnel policies, procedures, and practices.

Supervises assigned personnel, including recruiting, interviewing, hiring, onboarding, training, performance evaluation, goal setting, work assignment, discipline, corrective action, and recommendations for promotion, demotion, or termination.

Assists the Director with park land acquisition, long-range planning, capital improvement planning, and the development of departmental goals and objectives.

Participates in short- and long-term departmental planning, including assisting the Director with the development, implementation, and periodic review of the Department’s Five-Year Master Plan; coordinates with the Management Team and assists with stakeholder engagement, public meetings, and community input to establish priorities, program scope, and public service objectives.

Oversees and justifies facilities and operations-related budgets and prepares financial reports and supporting documentation as required.

Develops public bid specifications and oversees the purchasing, sale, trade, and disposal of equipment, machinery, and other department assets.

Maintains required records and documentation for state and federal programs, including well logs, water testing, boiler inspections, and other regulatory requirements.

Ensures compliance with applicable local, state, and federal laws, regulations, safety standards, and department policies.

Serves as a technical advisor to the Director and Park Board and attends County Council, County Commissioners, and other meetings as required.

Serves as a liaison with organizers of special events utilizing County Parks facilities.

Maintains current knowledge of trends, practices, and developments in the parks and recreation profession through professional organizations, conferences, meetings, training, and continuing education.

Performs related duties as assigned.

Job Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Park and Recreation Administration, Natural Resources, Public Service Management, or a related field, with a minimum of three years of related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Master's degree preferred.

Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of parks and recreation administration, including the ability to apply applicable local, state, and federal laws, regulations, codes, and standards.

Knowledge of and ability to apply department policies and procedures, including applicable OSHA safety requirements.

Working knowledge of county and department financial management practices, including budgeting, financial reporting, recordkeeping, and cost-effective operations.

Working knowledge of standard English grammar, spelling, and punctuation, with the ability to independently prepare detailed written reports and deliver public presentations, with limited reliance on artificial intelligence tools.

Ability to supervise and effectively manage assigned personnel, including recruiting, interviewing, hiring, onboarding, training, evaluating performance, establishing goals and standards, delegating work, administering discipline, and recommending personnel actions.

Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with employees, other County departments, professional organizations, contractors, community partners, and the general public, using sound judgment and limited reliance on artificial intelligence tools.

Ability to maintain professional ethics and effectively work with individuals of diverse backgrounds, abilities, and perspectives.

Ability to operate standard office equipment, computers, department software and hardware, telephones, radios, and other technology used in park operations.

Ability to comply with all employer and department policies and work rules, including those related to attendance, safety, drug-free workplace, and personal conduct.

Ability to provide public access to or maintain confidentiality of department information and records in accordance with applicable laws and requirements.

Ability to understand, retain, and carry out oral and written instructions.

Ability to compile, analyze, and evaluate information; make sound decisions; and present findings in written or oral form.

Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and effectively as part of a team, often under time constraints and while managing multiple priorities.

Ability to plan and coordinate projects, understand site conditions, and read and interpret blueprints, specifications, plans, and maps.

Ability to identify appropriate steps to achieve objectives, develop practical solutions, and implement changes to policies, procedures, and operations.

Ability to work extended hours, evenings, weekends, and holidays as necessary and travel for meetings, conferences, or other department business, including occasional overnight travel.

Possession of a valid driver's license and demonstrated safe driving record.

Must meet all employer and department hiring requirements, including successful completion of a drug screening.

Supervisory Responsibility and Direction

The Deputy Director exercises independent judgment in the administration of department policies, procedures, and operations and receives general direction and guidance from the Director. Work is reviewed primarily for its impact on department goals and objectives and for compliance with department policies, applicable laws, and professional standards. Unusual or unprecedented situations are discussed with the Director at the Deputy Director's discretion.

Difficulty of Work

The Deputy Director performs work that is broad in scope and substantial in complexity, involving numerous variables, competing priorities, and operational considerations. The position oversees a wide range of park operations, facilities, projects, and personnel and requires independent judgment in managing operations, developing and implementing programs and procedures, addressing operational challenges, and supporting departmental goals and objectives.

Personal Work Relationships

The Deputy Director maintains frequent communication with County employees, other County departments, professional organizations, contractors, community partners, and the general public. The position develops and maintains positive working relationships with County departments and offices, including the County Commissioners, County Council, Auditor, Highway Department, and other downtown departments, to facilitate communication, coordination, and collaboration on Countywide matters. Contacts involve exchanging and explaining information, developing and implementing policies and procedures, providing instruction and guidance, coordinating projects and services, and resolving problems.

Provides support to the Director in staff liaison responsibilities with the St. Joseph County Parks Foundation Board and assists in maintaining communication and coordination between the County Parks Board and Parks Foundation Board, a 501(c)(3) organization, to support alignment in mission, communication, and strategic priorities. Assists the Director and Foundation Board with fundraising efforts that advance projects and programs aligned with the County Parks mission and Five-Year Master Plan. Assists the Director in representing the Department at Parks Foundation meetings, events, and donor cultivation activities to strengthen partnerships and community support.

The Deputy Director reports directly to the Director.

Physical Effort and Work Environment

The Deputy Director works in both a standard office environment and outdoors in County Parks. Duties may include sitting, standing, walking, driving, walking on uneven terrain, and working in varying weather conditions. The position requires the ability to lift and carry objects weighing less than 25 pounds; reach, grasp, handle, and manipulate objects; operate a keyboard and other office equipment; communicate clearly; hear verbal and radio communications; and use close, distance, color, and depth perception.

The position may require extended hours, evenings, weekends, and occasional overnight travel for meetings, conferences, or department business. The Deputy Director is also required to respond to department emergencies on a 24-hour basis.