Under the general direction of the Assistant City Manager, the Director of Parks and Recreation is responsible for leadership of the Parks and Recreation Department, including strategic planning, assigning, and directing the work of personnel engaged in the maintenance and care of the City parks, park facilities and athletic fields, aquatic facilities and programming, cemeteries, recreational programming, the public library, special events and performs related work in a manner consistent with the City’s vision, mission, values, and culture. This includes developing innovative approaches to future developments in a manner that preserves the City’s natural features and ensures that developed projects are sustainable.

The following duties are typical for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to demonstrate competence and satisfactory performance of these duties. Other duties may be required and assigned.

1. Creates a vision for the department that will raise the bar and gain recognition in North Texas. Develops a strategic plan to implement the vision coordinating activities with various plans and activities of other departments within the City. Work with the public, special interest groups, outside agencies and various boards, commissions, or Council for development of the Vision
2. Develops departmental policies and procedures. Coordinate development of policies with other departmental practices as well as those that are standards within the profession. Communicate adopted policies with others including departmental employees, Parks and Recreation Board, Cemetery Advisory Board, Library Advisory Board, Texoma Health Foundation, City Council, and the public. Creates work plans, transition plans, succession plans, and strategic plans in accordance with the adopted policies, City’s Vision, Mission, and Values
3. Prepares and administers the departmental budget, including operation and capital improvement, forecasting funding needs and administering budgetary decisions. Assures that assigned areas of responsibility are performed within budget; performs cost control activities, monitors revenues and expenditures to assure sound fiscal control; and prepares annual budget requests and reports. Responsible for general fund and sales tax budget expenditures and revenue projects
4. Recommends park projects, purchases, and develops park land, writes requests for proposals and project scopes for all capital projects, selects professional design firms for design of approved projects in full compliance with state Law and the Professional Procurement Act, engage the public in project design development, bid projects and supervise construction services of general contractors as required to ensure compliance with Contract Documents
5. Recruits, approves, and retains high performing employees, providing opportunities for employee development through departmental meetings, outside training, and proper leadership. Evaluates the ongoing performance of department personnel to ensure positive, productive performance. Acts as needed to correct or terminate employment of those who do not conduct themselves in accordance with the City’s culture and value system
6. Plans, assigns, directs and evaluates the work of parks, recreation, aquatic, cemeteries, and athletic personnel and the operation and maintenance of recreation facilities and equipment 
7. Directs and monitors the repair, maintenance, and beautification of all parks, open spaces, and recreational facilities
8. Effectively executes and oversees the implementation of strategic plans and policy documents, such as the Parks and Trails Master Plan, in alignment with the City of Denison Comprehensive Plan, as well as other relevant thoroughfare and master plans
9. Assists other departments, including Community Engagement and Denison Public Library, in planning and staffing special events and activities
10. Provides support for the development and implementation of diverse youth and adult sports programs. Provides programming, maintenance, and operational assistance for designated recreational and supports facilities and complexes
11. Meets with civic and other groups and gives talks or aid in planning and organizing programs.
12. Establishes and coordinates recreational activities and programs for the Senior Citizen Center
13. Manages contracts for recreational programming, facility and grounds maintenance, and other contracted services as necessary
14. Performs other duties as assigned

 
KNOWLEDGE SKILLS AND ABILITIES 

1. Performs many tasks which require the use of personal judgement and decision-making based on knowledge gained from experience 
2. Accomplishes routine assignments without supervisory direction. The Director consults the Assistant City Manager regarding unusual, sensitive, or controversial matters. Resolves routine and non-routine problems by referring to policies or procedures and applying their judgment. The Director’s work is reviewed when problems arise or at the Director’s request
3. Confers with vendors in person, by mail and by telephone; maintains contact with citizens, with employees in their work unit and with employees in other departments; with members of City Council and the Mayor; with local leaders and/or representatives of special interest groups and with representatives of the media
4. Confers with employees in their department and with employees in other departments to give and receive information on schedules, priorities, operating problems and department or City policy
5. Confers with members of City Council and the City Manager to give and receive information, to receive approval for projects to defend or explain departmental actions or recommendations 
6. Confers with people employed outside of the City to conduct interviews for employment and/or to discuss recreational projects 
7. Confers with vendors and suppliers for price information and information on their product, equipment or service, with representatives of the media and with local leaders and/or their representatives to give and receive information on projects and programs and to defend or explain departmental policies, procedures or activities
8. Ability to plan, assign, coordinate and supervise maintenance activities
9. Skill in communicating orally and in writing to give and receive information to resolve problems and/or in writing reports

Nothing in this job description limits management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change. 

MINIMUM REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Must have valid driver’s license.
• Must have driving record sufficient for coverage by City’s liability insurance carrier.
• Bachelor’s Degree with five (5) years’ experience in the management of parks and or recreational programming or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Considerable knowledge of:
  1. Recreation activities in the community and ability to coordinate these into a program for all ages and interests
  2. Facilities and equipment needed in a recreation program
  3. Design and construction of recreational facilities
  4. Building and grounds maintenance standards and practices
• Skill in communicating orally and in writing to give and receive information from directors or other personnel
• Skill in the preparation and management of operating and capital budgets
• Skill in establishing and administering departmental policies and procedures in line with best practices as established by the National Recreation and Park Administration

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s degree in Recreation, Public Administration or a related field
• Certified Parks and Recreation Professional preferred

The physical and work environment characteristics described in this description are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions or as otherwise required by law. Employees needing reasonable accommodation should discuss the request with the employee’s supervisor or Employee Services.

• Long periods of sitting and using computer
• Intermittent periods of standing and walking
• Constant talking, listening, concentrating, judgment and writing abilities
• Must be able to attend evening meetings that may go long into the night, availability to work weekends and odd hours when needed.