PARKS AND RECREATION DIRECTOR

General Statement of Duties

The employee in this class performs administrative and management work directing the County's parks and recreation programs.

An employee in this class performs a variety of administrative and management recreation duties in the development of a county wide parks and recreation program. Work involves developing short term and long range program plans, developing department operational procedures, administering district specific recreation events, promoting department activities and preparing grant proposals. The employee is responsible for budgeting and fiscal management of department activities, capital improvement plans, and hiring and supervising fulltime, temporary and volunteer staff. Work subjects the employee to inside and outside environmental conditions and extremely hot and cold temperatures. Work requires extensive public contact with private groups, civic organizations, County officials, and the general public in the promotion development of the parks and recreation program. Work is performed under general direction of the County Manager and is reviewed through an evaluation of program effectiveness.

Essential Duties and Tasks

Plans, coordinates and participates in providing an expanding and flexible program of recreational and athletic activities for all segments, groups, ages, and interest levels of the community.
Develops short and long range plans for the provision of recreational facilities and open space for the leisure time enjoyment of the public.
Presents department programs and receives input from community and civic groups, neighborhood groups, and individuals with regard to the recreation and park needs, problems, and utilizes such input for overall planning and programming;
Promotes new recreational programs through various media and promotional materials.
Participates in the planning and implementation of daily recreational activities and events.
Compiles annual department and capital improvement budget; submits final recommendation to County Manager; administers budget and approves department expenditures.
Researches, coordinates and prepares grant proposals for available government and private funding; administers grant appropriations, maintaining records and preparing reports for submission as required by funding authorities; maintains files of grant sources and supporting data.
Participates in the activities of subordinate personnel and volunteers ensuring adherence to established laws, regulations, policies, and procedures; assists and advises subordinates as necessary, resolving problems as non?routine situations arise.
Administers or makes recommendations for routine personnel matters affecting subordinates, including interviewing applicants, hiring, disciplining, terminating, etc.
Inspects recreational activity sites to determine adequacy, safety and maintenance needs; supervises procedures to addresses concerns from public or employees.
Represents department at public and private functions to promote department and recreation activities.
Establishes and maintains various files, records, reports and correspondence; develops and produces various forms and charts for registration, facility reservations, issuing equipment, surveys, inventories, etc.

Knowledges, Skills and Abilities

Considerable knowledge of the philosophy and objectives of public recreation.
Considerable knowledge of the standard resources, materials, practices and facilities utilized in a parks and recreation program.
General knowledge of the principles of supervision, organization and administration.
General knowledge of the current literature, trends and developments in the field of parks and recreation development.
General knowledge of department and count policies and procedures and federal, state, and local laws and regulations.
Skill in the use of computer applications used to develop promotional material and store administrative operational data.
Ability to develop and compile grant proposals for parks and recreational programs, and to administer grant requirements.
Ability to plan, direct and coordinate the work of subordinate employees.
Ability to develop a small to medium scaled parks and recreation program.
Ability to effectively express ideas orally and in writing.
Ability to make presentations before groups of people.
Ability to deal effectively with public officials, civic groups and the general public.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships as necessitated by work assignments.

Desirable Education and Experience

Graduation from a four-year college or university with a degree in Parks and Recreation and considerable experience in supervision of formalized public recreational programs or an equivalent combination of education and experience.