What are the responsibilities and job description for the Park Unit Manager position at East Bay Regional Park District?
The Park District is currently recruiting for a Park Unit Manager. This role is an exciting opportunity to oversee parklands spanning Alameda, Hayward, San Leandro, Oakland, Berkeley, Richmond, and San Pablo — each with its own unique challenges and characteristics reflective of the diverse communities they serve. The Park Operations Division is seeking a motivated, self-starting leader who is ready to help set the foundation for staff success in this unit. As the largest Division in the District, Park Operations plays a vital role in enhancing the visitor experience, ensuring public safety, and maintaining sensitive habitats across our parklands.
Tentative Date of Onsite Oral Panel Interviews: Week of June 1 (likely either June 2 or June 4)
Supplemental Questions Review: Week of May 4
Selection Interviews: Mid to Late June
**All dates are subject to change.**ABOUT US:
The East Bay Regional Park District is a system of beautiful parklands in Alameda and Contra Costa counties to the east of San Francisco. The system comprises 73 parks spanning across 126,809 acres, 1,330 miles of trails, and 55 miles of shoreline. We manage and preserve natural and cultural resources for all to enjoy and protect. The regional parks are ideal for healthful recreation and environmental education. Learn about our Mission and Vision, History, and our contributions to the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
OUR MISSION:
EBRPD preserves a rich heritage of natural and cultural resources and provides open space, parks, trails, safe and healthful recreation and environmental education. An environmental ethic guides the District in all of its activities.
OUR VALUES:
- Respect – We honor the land we steward, each other, and the park visitors we serve.
- Resilience – We creatively adapt to change. We address challenges with empathy, perspective, and determination.
- Relationships – Our greatest strength lies in the trust, accountability, and teamwork we cultivate with our colleagues, partners, and the public we serve.
- Responsiveness – We communicate openly, honestly, and reliably.
- Transparency – We hold the public's trust through meaningful stakeholder engagement and access to timely and reliable information on decisions and performance.
WHY WORK FOR EBRPD?
- Work with a purpose for a better world today and for future generations through the preservation of open space, public access to the outdoors, and a commitment to the conservation of the natural world found east of the San Francisco Bay across 33 cities in Alameda and Contra Costa counties
- A community of colleagues who are passionate about public service and the East Bay Regional Park District, the communities it serves, and its mission
- Excellent benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, Flexible Spending, and pension benefits through California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS). Click here for details regarding additional benefits
- Tuition reimbursement and professional development
- Free on-site parking
- Free parking permit for EBRPD parks (for up to 2 privately owned vehicles)
- Employee discounts for certain EBRPD park amenities (reservations, daily fishing permit, public boat launch.
WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING:
Under general direction, plans, organizes and implements the objectives, and administrative and operational activities of a Park Unit within the Park Operations Department, including parks and facilities consolidated by their environmental and recreational similarities (i.e., shorelines, lakes, parklands, regional trails, recreation areas and interpretive parklands); plans, develops, and achieves operational goals and standards by coordinating and overseeing the operations of assigned parks, facilities, and programs; supervises and evaluates program and operational staff; ensures program compliance with regulatory agency and Park District requirements; performs representational duties internally and externally with unit staff, Park District departments, outside agencies, concessionaires, special interest groups, and the general public; and performs related duties as assigned.
IDEAL CANDIDATE:
- Strong supervisory and leadership experience in the field of park landscape and open space maintenance
- Proven track record of developing, implementing, and evaluating park operations to ensure standards, goals, and objectives are in line with an agency's mission
- Ability to develop and defend proposed budgets; experience using budgetary tools to provide direction and ensure operational and financial goals are met
- Experience collaborating with internal departments to resolve broad challenges
- Experience developing short and long-term plans to ensure compliance with established laws and regulations
- Plans, develops, implements and evaluates park operations within a Park Unit
- Develops program standards, goals and objectives in line with the Park District’s mission, vision, and Master Plan
- Develops short and long-term plans for the unit
- Supervises, motivates, develops and evaluates parks and facilities staff
- Exercises second and third level supervisory responsibilities over a large workforce of regular, seasonal, and temporary park maintenance classifications and support personnel
- Indirectly oversees a large number of volunteers, and both directly and indirectly oversees contract concessionaires
- Makes recommendations concerning programmatic policies and procedures
- Ensures compliance with established laws and regulations; allocates appropriate resources necessary to operate and maintain parks and trails
- Manages physically dispersed parks and facilities through coordinated leadership
- Assumes overall responsibility for a significant operating and capital budget
- Develops, justifies, and defends proposed budget submissions, including annual Budget Objectives
- Provides direction and oversight for the diverse elements of a complex unit, ensuring ongoing and annual operational and financial objectives are met
- Resolve internal problems and issues and coordinates with other Park District staff on broader problem and issues
- Confers with the Division Lead of Park Operations, Unit staff, and other Park District departments to address issues
- Participates in negotiating, managing, and monitoring contracts, leases, and agreements
- Responds to public agency and public inquiries and complaints
- Oversees and ensures the overall maintenance of good public relations, including making public presentations
- Serves as a Park District representative to external organizations related to assigned unit, such as public agencies, water districts, local municipalities, and park neighbor associations, as necessary
- Ensures the Park District's operational, maintenance, and financial interests receive maximum attention and that decisions are consistent with overall Park District goals and objectives
- Serves on internal Park District committees, working groups, and/or ad hoc task forces, providing parkland operational expertise and contributing to the attainment of successful results
- Prepares and analyzes complex reports
- Conducts analysis and research
- Maintains records
- Prepares and reviews a variety of written reports and correspondence
- May present to or prepare material for the General Manager and/or Board of Directors
- Provides oversight and guidance to subordinate supervisors in personnel and labor relations matters
- Develops maintenance and operational standards and evaluates staff's performance
- Oversees project management on a variety of Park Operations projects
- Responds to on call incidences, including public operation or maintenance emergencies, as well as disasters caused by fires, flood, earthquakes, or other natural events; and performs related duties as assigned.
Education: A Bachelor's degree in park management, environmental science, public administration or a related field from an accredited college or university,
AND
Experience: Four years (4) of full-time experience in park operations, including two (2) years of supervisory responsibility. Additional experience in park and facility maintenance is desirable.
License or Certificate: Possession of a valid Class C California Driver’s License is a condition of initial and continued employment.
Knowledge of:- Park operations
- Operational programs of the assigned specialized unit category of parks and facilities
- Routine parks and facilities maintenance
- Park design, blueprint reading, traffic circulation, revenue collection
- Wildlife and vegetation management
- Cultural resource management
- Principles of ecology
- Land acquisition process
- Land use planning process
- Principles of effective supervision
- The Park District's Equal Employment Opportunity Policy objectives
- A supervisor's role in the Equal Employment Opportunity Policy objectives and the processes available to meet objectives
- Information technology and its uses to enhance business performance and efficiency
- Labor relations principals
- Fiscal and budgetary practices and policies
- Principles and practices of program planning, administration and evaluation
- Related laws, rules, regulations, and policies.
Ability to:
- Plan, direct, organize, and coordinate the operational activities of the assigned Park Unit
- Represent the unit and Park District with other Park District staff, external organizations, and the public
- Review plans and technical documents
- Evaluate program activities and staff
- Plan, organize, assign, and review the work of subordinates
- Train, guide and evaluate the development of subordinates
- Effectively contribute to the Park District's equal employment policy objectives
- Interpret and apply administrative/operational polices, practices and procedures, including applicable memoranda of understanding with the Park District’s labor groups
- Provide technical consultation to internal and external customers and stakeholders
- Set and achieve measurable goals and objectives
- Communicate clearly and effectively both orally and in writing
- Prepare detailed reports and correspondence
- Demonstrate interpersonal sensitivity
- Exercise sound judgment, initiative, and tact; analyze and problem solve
- Manage multiple competing priorities
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work at all levels, including a culturally diverse general public, with a focus on quality service to internal staff and external customers.
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
- Must pass a Level 2 Background Check.
- This position is designated as a Mandated Reporter under the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA). Mandated reporters are individuals who are obligated by law to report suspected cases of child abuse and neglect. As such, you will be required to sign an acknowledgment of having received the District’s policy and your responsibilities.
- This position requires a Supplemental Questionnaire for Employment in compliance with Public Resources Code §5164
- May be required to attend public hearings and other meetings which may be scheduled outside of normal work hours.
Management Designation: This position is not affiliated with a union and is considered part of the Management group and is exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (i.e. is not eligible for overtime); in addition to the regular work schedule, this position may require availability to work evenings and/or weekends. The probationary period for this position is one year. This position is designated as “at-will” and serves at the pleasure of the General Manager.
Internal Promotions: Placement shall be made at the first step in the salary range for the new position (Step A) unless the salary rate at Step A of the new position is less than a 5% increase. In such instances, the employee will be placed at a step in the new salary range that ensures at least a 5% increase.
Application materials for these positions consist of two (2) required parts:
Notification: All applicants will be notified of the status of their application via email, generally within two to three weeks after the closing date. You may also sign into your GovernmentJobs.com account to view your current application status and notifications. If you have questions about the status of this recruitment, please contact HR Analyst, Christina Souza at csouza@ebparks.org.
Selection Process: The application materials for all applicants meeting the minimum qualifications will be reviewed by a screening panel to select the best qualified for testing or oral examination/interview. The District reserves the right to set up a written test, performance test, and/or other assessment procedures before or after the interview process. Possession of minimum qualifications does not guarantee an interview or invitation to test. Pursuant to the Federal Immigration and Reform Act of 1986, all applicants who are hired will be required to provide proof of identity and appropriate work authorization documents prior to commencement of employment.
Special Testing Arrangements: If you require special arrangements due to a verified disability or medical condition, please contact the Human Resources Department at (510) 544-2154 at least five business days before the test.
Application materials for these positions consist of two (2) required parts:
- A current East Bay Regional Park District application submitted online, and
- Completed supplemental questions
Notification: All applicants will be notified of the status of their application via email, generally within two to three weeks after the closing date. You may also sign into your GovernmentJobs.com account to view your current application status and notifications. If you have questions about the status of this recruitment, please contact HR Analyst, Christina Souza at csouza@ebparks.org.
Selection Process: The application materials for all applicants meeting the minimum qualifications will be reviewed by a screening panel to select the best qualified for testing or oral examination/interview. The District reserves the right to set up a written test, performance test, and/or other assessment procedures before or after the interview process. Possession of minimum qualifications does not guarantee an interview or invitation to test. Pursuant to the Federal Immigration and Reform Act of 1986, all applicants who are hired will be required to provide proof of identity and appropriate work authorization documents prior to commencement of employment.
Special Testing Arrangements: If you require special arrangements due to a verified disability or medical condition, please contact the Human Resources Department at (510) 544-2154 at least five business days before the test.
Equal Opportunity Employer:
The East Bay Regional Park District is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values and respects a diverse workforce and community. It is committed to promoting an equitable and inclusive workspace that is welcoming to all. Applicants from all backgrounds and life experiences are encouraged to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment.
Salary : $159,162 - $213,304