Senior Director of Parks & Recreation

This position will remain open until filled, with applications reviewed on an ongoing basis. This job posting may be removed at any time without prior notice. Interested applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible for full consideration.

Under limited supervision, plan, direct, manage and oversee the activities and operations of the Parks Department including parks, cemetery, convenience station, senior activity center, and recreation programs; coordinate assigned activities with other departments and outside agencies; provide highly responsible and complex administrative support to the Executive Director of Parks & Leisure Services and City Managers; and perform other duties as assigned.

Distinguishing Characteristics

This is a single-incumbent executive-level classification. The employee performs his/her duties under minimal supervision.

The duties listed below represent the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them if the work is related or a logical assignment to this class.

• Direct all department services and activities including parks maintenance, cemetery operations, convenience station operations, and recreation programs; recommend and administer policies and procedures.
• Manage the development and implementation of departmental goals, objectives, policies and priorities for each assigned service area.
• Establish, within city policy, appropriate service and staffing levels; monitor and evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; allocate resources accordingly.
• Plan, direct and coordinate, through subordinate level employees, the Parks department's work plan; assign projects and programmatic areas of responsibility; review and evaluate work methods and procedures; meet with key staff to identify and resolve problems.
• Assess and monitor work load, administrative and support systems, and internal reporting relationships; identify opportunities for improvement; direct and implement changes.
• Oversee the operation of Lee Penn Park Pool; coordinate with the Waxahachie Independent School District, Nicholas P. Sims Library, and other youth agencies to create various youth programs throughout the year; coordinate with various organizations for the use of City parks and facilities.
• Select, train, motivate and evaluate assigned personnel; provide or coordinate employee training; work with subordinate employees to correct deficiencies; implement discipline and termination procedures.
• Oversee and participate in the development and administration of the department budget; approve the forecast of funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials and supplies; approve expenditures and implement budgetary adjustments as appropriate and necessary.
• Work with consultants to develop concepts and/or plans for Park and related projects as detailed in the department’s Capital Improvement Plan. Additionally, have the capability of overseeing construction projects and reviewing progress of work to identify potential issues and bring to management’s attention and help develop contingency plans.
• Explain, justify and defend department programs, policies and activities; negotiate and resolve sensitive and controversial issues.
• Represent the Parks department to other departments, elected officials and outside agencies; coordinate assigned activities with those of other departments and outside agencies and organizations.
• Provide staff assistance to the City Manager’s office, participate on a variety of boards, commissions and committees; prepare and present staff reports and other necessary correspondence.
• Provide staff support to assigned boards and commissions.
• Attend and participate in professional group meetings; stay abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of Park operations and maintenance.
• Respond to and resolve difficult and sensitive citizen inquiries and complaints.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
  
  

Employment Standards

Knowledge of:

• Operations, services and activities of a comprehensive Parks program.
• Principles and practices of park planning.
• Principles and practices of program development and administration.
• Principles and practices of municipal budget preparation and administration.
• Recent developments, current literature and sources of information related to parks operation and maintenance.
• Principles of supervision, training and performance evaluation.
• Modern office procedures, methods and computer equipment.
• Methods and techniques of report preparation.
• Operations, services and activities of the city.
• Pertinent Federal, State and local laws, codes and regulations.
  
  

Ability To

• Manage and direct a comprehensive Parks program.
• Develop and administer departmental goals, objectives and procedures.
• Analyze and assess programs, policies and operational needs and make appropriate adjustments.
• Identify and respond to sensitive community and organizational issues, concerns and needs.
• Plan, organize, direct and coordinate the work of subordinate employees.
• Delegate authority and responsibility.
• Select, supervise, train and evaluate subordinate employees.
• Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions and implement recommendations in support of goals.
• Research, analyze and evaluate new service delivery methods and techniques.
• Plan and design park layouts.
• Prepare clear and concise administrative and financial reports.
• Prepare and administer large and complex budgets.
• Interpret, explain, and enforce departmental policies and procedures.
• Interpret and apply applicable Federal, State and local policies, laws and regulations.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
  
  

Education, Training And Experience

• Equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in recreation, park planning or a related field.
• Six years of increasingly responsible parks operations and maintenance experience including three years of management and administrative responsibility.
  
  

Licenses And Certificates

• A valid State driver license is required at the time of appointment and must be maintained throughout employment.
  
  

Special Requirements

• Have or be able to obtain a Certified Pool Operator certification, as well as, a Certified Pesticide Applicator certification within a year of hire date.
  
  

Physical And Mental Demands

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, walk and stand; talk and hear; use hands to handle, feel or operate objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; and perform repetitive movements of hands or wrists. Specific vision abilities required for this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

Mental Demands

While performing the duties of this class, an employee uses written and oral communication skills; reads and interprets data, information and documents; analyzes and solves problems; uses math and mathematical reasoning; performs highly detailed work; deals with multiple concurrent tasks; and interacts with others encountered in the course of work, including frequent contact with customers and/or the public and dissatisfied/abusive individuals.

Work Environment

The employee works in an office and field environment where the noise level is usually quiet. Certain positions within the classification may require availability to work flexible schedule.