Parks Superintendent

Overview

The City of Louisville invites professional, dedicated and collaborative individuals to join our team as the Parks Superintendent. The Parks Superintendent advances City and Parks, Recreation & Open Space (PROS) department priorities by developing strategies and a vision for the Parks Division, as well as supervising three (3) Division Supervisors and collaborating with full-time professional, technical, and general staff members (and expanded part-time seasonal staffing during high use seasons) who assist in meeting these objectives.

This role is under the general guidance of the Director of Parks, Recreation & Open Space and performs administrative and managerial work in directing the Parks Division operations including oversight of the maintenance planning for 37 designated City Parks, Greenways & Horticulture, the Louisville Cemetery, Athletic Fields, and Urban Forestry program. The Parks Superintendent will perform professional and supervisory duties related to the planning of programs and projects, directing and mentoring staff, implementing a positive and productive workplace culture, and collaboratively coordinating additional activities associated with the Parks, Recreation & Open Space Department as well as other stakeholder or partner departments within the City. Work is performed with considerable independence in decision-making in accordance with established policies. The role also serves as a primary point of contact for the resolution of citizen concerns and City Council inquiries.

This position is open until filled with first review of applications by December 2nd.

All initial communication regarding your application will come via email usually from info@governmentjobs.com or the recruiter. Please check your email messages frequently and your junk mail during the application process.

Examples of Duties

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES:

• Advances city and department priorities by developing division work plans, objectives, and short and long term goals that support approved strategic plans, management plans, and City Council priorities.
• Prepares, monitors, and administers the Park’s Division annual operational and capital budgets. Authorizes and monitors requisitions, purchase orders, and purchasing card payments. Adheres to City policies and procedures for all expenditures.
• Oversees and leads professional, technical, general, and seasonal staff, contractors and consultants by hiring, assigning, scheduling, directing and mentoring staff while also evaluating work product throughout the Division.
• Strategic oversight and management of the Parks Division including: planning, assigning, team building & training, establishing priorities, coordinating, and directing all work activities related to the operation and management of:
  • City parks, greenways, and athletic fields: management of amenities including but not limited to turf, irrigation systems operations and repair, irrigation central control, lighting, playing surface conditions, playgrounds, trails, ponds, trash cans, signs, benches, snow removal, etc. Coordination with other PROS divisions and city departments on scheduling athletic fields, greenspace and park shelter use; parking lot maintenance and lighting; and regulatory enforcement concerns and compliance.
  • Cemetery: development of policy and procedures and management of plot sales and interments.
  • Horticulture: management of landscaping and maintenance plans for city planting beds & pots, medians, rights of way, etc. on public lands and in some cases via established agreements private property.
  • Forestry: Oversee implementation of City’s Urban Forestry program including condition assessments, citizen inquiries, tree replacement and pruning programs, staff safety trainings, and community education/partnerships.
• Implements change and develops or assists in development of new projects or activities.
• Determines work procedures, prepares work schedules, and expedites workflow; standardizes procedures to improve efficiency and effectiveness of operations.
• Develops staff training programs to ensure safety, positive workplace morale, accountability and transparent communication.
• Leads as Parks Division representative with schools, community groups, city departments, contractors, other agencies and outside resources for the planning and organization of special events, projects, and volunteer activities.
• Represents the department and city at various governmental and professional meetings.
• Develops and reviews proposed ordinances, regulations, plans, permits, grant applications, and technical reports for content, accuracy, feasibility, and in some cases division approval.
• Prepares written reports, presentations, and management and policy recommendations to City boards and commissions such as: Parks and Public Landscaping Advisory Board, Recreation Advisory Board, Open Space Advisory Board, Legal Committee, Planning Commission, Sustainability Advisory Board and City Council on a variety of Parks topics.
• Develops, reviews, and/or provides technical input on landscape and irrigation plans submitted to the City for park, open space, and median developments through the Development Review Process or in collaboration with other city projects.
• Develops project bidding documents and leads parks operational and capital projects.
• Manages a pro-active risk management program for city parks.
• Serves as the Staff Liaison to the Parks & Public Landscaping Advisory Board.
• Preforms related work as required.

This position is considered a critical/essential worker and is therefore responsible for responding to emergencies and/or disasters that may require additional overtime or adjustments to your normal schedule to fit the needs of the organization.

General Qualifications

Training and Experience:

• Completion of a Bachelor's degree in Parks and Recreation Administration, Turf Management, Horticulture, Natural Resources Management, Forestry, Sports Management or closely related field
• Minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in park maintenance operations, with a performance record of effective leadership, business, management, and organizational skills required
• A minimum of 3 years of supervisory experience
• Preferred: Parks certifications such as a Certified Arborist; CPSI (certified playground safety inspector); CSFM (certified sports field manager); CPRP (certified Parks and Recreation professional); or CPRE (certified Parks and Recreation executive)
• Equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of modern management methods of public parks development and maintenance.
• Knowledge of management and budgeting principles and practices.
• Knowledge of pesticides and their application.
• Knowledge of equipment and supplies supporting a parks maintenance function.
• Knowledge of forestry principles, practices and their application.
• Knowledge of Americans with Disability Act requirements in relation to parks and facility construction and development.
• Knowledge of methods and techniques of manual and automatic irrigation system installation, operation, and repair
• Knowledge of playground safety standards.
• Knowledge of snow removal methods.
• Knowledge of horticulture practices.
• Knowledge of project management.
• Knowledge of local government policies and procedures.
• Leadership skills including approachability, mentoring, employee learning and professional development, motivating high performance in employees, and delegating to foster independent decision making.
• Ability to successfully perform within all levels of the organization.
• Ability to work well within an evolving environment where direction may change or is unclear.
• Ability to plan and direct the work activities of parks maintenance crews.
• Ability to communicate effectively and diplomatically both orally and in writing with a wide variety of audiences including the general public, city staff, boards and commissions, and volunteers.
• Ability to handle conflicting requests for service in a diplomatic manner.
• Ability to think critically and strategically, multi task, be innovative, self-motivated, work independently and meet deadlines.
• Ability to establish, foster, and maintain effective working relationships with citizens, city staff, and other local, state, federal organizations.
• Skill in using Windows, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint and ArcMap GIS.

Additional Information

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS OF THE JOB:
While performing the duties of the job, the employee is regularly required to speak, talk, or hear. The employee frequently is required to sit and use hands, fingers, handle objects, tools or controls. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; reach with hands and arm. The employee occasionally may lift and/or move up to 25 lbs. unassisted and 50 lbs. with assistance. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The duties for this position are a mixture of office and field work. The employee is required to perform field visits for purposes of researching, analyzing, gathering, verifying or complying data and information. Noise level can range from very low to a moderate level.

FLSA STATUS: Exempt

WORKERS’ COMPENSATION CLASSIFICATION:0811

OTHER NECESSARY REQUIREMENTS:
Must be at least 18 years old. Candidates will be required to complete and pass a pre-placement physical, background check, and positive reference checks prior to employment.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:

The City of Louisville offers Equal Opportunity for employment and advancement to all qualified applicants and employees. It is the City’s policy not to discriminate on the basis of race, religion, creed, sex, age, national origin, ancestry or disability unless related to a bona fide occupation qualification. This policy applies to all aspects of employment and the provision of the municipal services. The Human Resources Manager has been designated as the compliance coordinator for persons with disability seeking employment and will provide reasonable accommodations for testing and employment to qualified applicants.