What are the responsibilities and job description for the Recreation Strategic Advisor 1 position at Seattle Parks and Recreation?
Position Description
Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) is a national leader and innovator in the services and programs we provide to our residents who enjoy our public spaces such as parks, community centers, specialty gardens and swimming pools. Our mission is providing welcoming and safe opportunities to play, learn, contemplate and build community and promote responsible stewardship of the land. We promote healthy people, a healthy environment and strong communities. We strive to deliver excellent customer service to each visitor and participant. SPR is also deeply committed to advancing the City of Seattle's Race and Social Justice Initiative (RSJI) by working to end institutional and structural racism.
The Recreation Division operates over 50 recreation facilities (community centers, teen centers, pools, school-based learning centers, environmental learning centers, and boating and sailing centers) and provides opportunities for people to play, learn, and lead healthy, active lives. Our programs and events include fitness and athletics, licensed childcare and preschool, swimming and boating, youth development and job preparation, academic enrichment, and more--including programs designed for older adults and people with disabilities, as well as grant and partnership programs designed and implemented with immigrant and refugee communities. The current priorities of the Recreation Division are to build positive workplace culture, advance racial equity and social justice, provide excellent customer service, proactively address staff and patron safety, and strengthen our performance management systems.
The Strategic Advisor 1 is a key part of the Director's office of the Recreation Division, working closely with members of the executive team and other high level department officials, under the supervision of the Division's Strategic Advisor 2. The position's focus is on performance management, budget development and monitoring, and strategic analysis in support of successful operations.
This position is very important to the daily operation of the Recreation Division; as issues arise they need quick resolution. The ability to provide clear analytic information and to develop thoughtful recommendations in a fast-paced environment is critical to the success of this position.
A successful candidate for this position must be able to:
The candidate selected for this position may provide subject matter expertise in one or more of the following areas:
Evaluations And Analysis
Performance Management
This position will have a lead role in the division's performance management efforts, focused on measuring our impact in order to (i) better tell our story and (ii) empower staff to plan with data for program improvement. This work includes:
This position will assist the Strategic Advisor 2 in developing, submitting, and monitoring the Division's annual operating budget. The division has a $35 million expense budget, including $9 million in Seattle Park District funds, an $11 million cost recovery goal, and significant private and public grant funds. This work includes:
This position will play a key role in developing and implementing policy direction and special initiatives for the Division, with an eye toward organizational excellence and making progress toward the Division's priorities. This work includes:
Minimum Qualifications:
License/Certification And Other Requirement
Please Submit The Following With Your Online Application
Who May Apply: This position is open to all current, regular SPR employees that meet the qualifications. Seattle Parks and Recreation values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Seattle Parks and Recreation encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQIA , people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experiences.
Job offers are contingent on the verification of credentials and other information required by the employment process, including the completion of a background check. The background check will involve a criminal history check, which includes conviction and arrest records in compliance with theSeattle’s Fair Chance Employment Ordinance, SMC 14.17and theCity of Seattle Personnel Rule 10.3. A driving history review may be conducted in compliance withSMC 4.79.020. Applicants will be provided with an opportunity to explain or correct background information.
The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation time, 12 paid holidays, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents. More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at: https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits/employees-and-covered-family-members/most-employees-plans.
Want to know more about Parks and Recreation? Check out our web page: Seattle Parks and Recreation - Parks | seattle.gov
SPR’s Core Competencies Are
Accountability & Action: Holding yourself accountable for achieving goals, completing tasks, and delivering quality work. Demonstrating thoughtful initiative in actions and decision-making and promoting high quality standards.
Equity and Inclusion: Supporting the goals of the Race and Social Justice Initiative and the City's commitment to workforce equity.
Communication: Sharing and exchanging information and ideas with people in a variety of ways to help them understand and remember the information.
Service: An ongoing commitment to base decisions and actions on the needs and priorities of the City.
Teamwork: Participating as an engaged member of a team to achieve group goals. Effectively working with internal and external people to complete tasks and achieve work group goals.
Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) is a national leader and innovator in the services and programs we provide to our residents who enjoy our public spaces such as parks, community centers, specialty gardens and swimming pools. Our mission is providing welcoming and safe opportunities to play, learn, contemplate and build community and promote responsible stewardship of the land. We promote healthy people, a healthy environment and strong communities. We strive to deliver excellent customer service to each visitor and participant. SPR is also deeply committed to advancing the City of Seattle's Race and Social Justice Initiative (RSJI) by working to end institutional and structural racism.
The Recreation Division operates over 50 recreation facilities (community centers, teen centers, pools, school-based learning centers, environmental learning centers, and boating and sailing centers) and provides opportunities for people to play, learn, and lead healthy, active lives. Our programs and events include fitness and athletics, licensed childcare and preschool, swimming and boating, youth development and job preparation, academic enrichment, and more--including programs designed for older adults and people with disabilities, as well as grant and partnership programs designed and implemented with immigrant and refugee communities. The current priorities of the Recreation Division are to build positive workplace culture, advance racial equity and social justice, provide excellent customer service, proactively address staff and patron safety, and strengthen our performance management systems.
The Strategic Advisor 1 is a key part of the Director's office of the Recreation Division, working closely with members of the executive team and other high level department officials, under the supervision of the Division's Strategic Advisor 2. The position's focus is on performance management, budget development and monitoring, and strategic analysis in support of successful operations.
This position is very important to the daily operation of the Recreation Division; as issues arise they need quick resolution. The ability to provide clear analytic information and to develop thoughtful recommendations in a fast-paced environment is critical to the success of this position.
A successful candidate for this position must be able to:
- Build and maintain relationships and open lines of communication with staff at all levels of the organization.
- Coordinate processes to gather, synthesize, and communicate information (about budget, performance data, and other issues including HR, policy, accounting, etc).
- Provide technical assistance and training to staff at all levels, translating complex information related to performance management, budget, equity, contracts, policy, and more.
- Maintain administrative systems related to hiring, accounting, contracts, and more, to keep the division running smoothly.
The candidate selected for this position may provide subject matter expertise in one or more of the following areas:
Evaluations And Analysis
- Collect and analyze data and develop compelling recommendations
- Develop, track, measure and manage data to demonstrate achievement of Divisional / Departmental goals and objectives
- Based on data, observation, engagement: create policies and protocols to improve Divisional performance
- Serve as the Divisions liaison to Departmental partners to include HR, Communications, Accounting, etc.
- Lead Divisional efforts on high level initiatives
Performance Management
This position will have a lead role in the division's performance management efforts, focused on measuring our impact in order to (i) better tell our story and (ii) empower staff to plan with data for program improvement. This work includes:
- Working with the performance management work group to establish a system to track, monitor, assess, and report on the division's performance measures.
- Coordinating quarterly data collection, analysis, and reporting processes for dozens of programs, with an eye toward data quality and timeliness.
- Leading workshops, division-wide communication, and other efforts geared toward building the capacity of staff to mobilize performance data for program improvement.
This position will assist the Strategic Advisor 2 in developing, submitting, and monitoring the Division's annual operating budget. The division has a $35 million expense budget, including $9 million in Seattle Park District funds, an $11 million cost recovery goal, and significant private and public grant funds. This work includes:
- Analyzing data and problem-solving for the Division's monthly budget monitoring.
- Developing and leading training for staff related to budget and financial management.
- Assisting with division grant-making and receiving processes.
- Supporting the budget process through planning, analysis, and data-preparation.
- Serving as a liaison between line staff and the Finance and Accounting teams, helping to translate and navigate on complex issues.
This position will play a key role in developing and implementing policy direction and special initiatives for the Division, with an eye toward organizational excellence and making progress toward the Division's priorities. This work includes:
- Providing research, analysis, input, and recommendations on financial and policy issues for the Division as a member of the senior management team
- Promoting equitable policy development through use of the Racial Equity Toolkit, collaboration with the department's Equity and Engagement Strategic Advisor, and more
- Communicating to internal and external audiences about financial management, policy decisions, and program and procedural direction.
- Participating in (and sometimes coordinating or facilitating) cross-functional, departmental or jurisdictional teams.
- Representing the Recreation Division in discussions with community groups, labor unions, DPR's Budget office, the City Budget Office, and Council Central Staff.
Minimum Qualifications:
- The equivalent of a Bachelor's degree in public administration, business management, recreation management or related field (or a combination of education, training and/or experience that provides an equivalent background required to perform the work of the class).
- Two years of experience in business management, operations, and/or recreation, including progressively responsible experience for monitoring performance measures and budgets.
- Strong computer skills in MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
- Five or more years of experience in parks and recreation or a closely related field.
- Demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships with staff of all levels in an organization.
- Experience developing data-informed recommendations for senior management on policy options and program direction.
- Strong project management skills, with a demonstrated ability to achieve results.
- Two years of experience with staff training or group facilitation.
- Significant experience with performance management efforts, including developing and tracking performance measures, and engaging staff in understanding performance reporting.
- A demonstrated ability to create and use Excel for data analysis (including pivot tables), and proficiency with data visualization software (Excel, Tableau, PowerBI).
- Strong commitment to equity, and engagement with the Race and Social Justice Initiative or similar organizational effort toward undoing institutional racism.
- A track record of working positively with colleagues, the community, elected officials, partners, and diverse neighborhood and advocacy groups.
License/Certification And Other Requirement
- Washington State driver's license or evidence of equivalent mobility required
- Work is usually performed in an office environment
- Incomplete Applications will not be considered*
Please Submit The Following With Your Online Application
- A cover letter in which you clearly describe how your knowledge, experience, skills, and abilities prepare you for the job responsibilities and qualifications outlined in the job announcement.
- A current resume of your educational and professional work experience.
Who May Apply: This position is open to all current, regular SPR employees that meet the qualifications. Seattle Parks and Recreation values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Seattle Parks and Recreation encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQIA , people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experiences.
Job offers are contingent on the verification of credentials and other information required by the employment process, including the completion of a background check. The background check will involve a criminal history check, which includes conviction and arrest records in compliance with theSeattle’s Fair Chance Employment Ordinance, SMC 14.17and theCity of Seattle Personnel Rule 10.3. A driving history review may be conducted in compliance withSMC 4.79.020. Applicants will be provided with an opportunity to explain or correct background information.
The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation time, 12 paid holidays, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents. More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at: https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits/employees-and-covered-family-members/most-employees-plans.
Want to know more about Parks and Recreation? Check out our web page: Seattle Parks and Recreation - Parks | seattle.gov
SPR’s Core Competencies Are
Accountability & Action: Holding yourself accountable for achieving goals, completing tasks, and delivering quality work. Demonstrating thoughtful initiative in actions and decision-making and promoting high quality standards.
Equity and Inclusion: Supporting the goals of the Race and Social Justice Initiative and the City's commitment to workforce equity.
Communication: Sharing and exchanging information and ideas with people in a variety of ways to help them understand and remember the information.
Service: An ongoing commitment to base decisions and actions on the needs and priorities of the City.
Teamwork: Participating as an engaged member of a team to achieve group goals. Effectively working with internal and external people to complete tasks and achieve work group goals.
Salary : $52 - $78