Regional Director Parks and Recreation 1 - Genesee Region

Duties Description The Mission

The mission of the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation is to provide safe and enjoyable recreational and interpretive opportunities for all New York State residents and visitors and to be responsible stewards of our valuable natural, historic and cultural resources.

The Organization:

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation oversees more than 250 parks, historic sites, recreational trails, golf courses, boat launches and more, which were visited by 88.3 million people in 2024. The mission of the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation is to provide safe and enjoyable recreational and interpretive opportunities for all New York State residents and visitors and to be responsible stewards of our valuable natural, historic and cultural resources.

Duties Description:

The Genesee Region of the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation spans Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Orleans, and Wyoming Counties. The Genesee Region includes the “Grand Canyon of the East”, Letchworth State Park, voted the nation’s top-rated state park in 2015 and 2025. The region’s facilities welcomed approximately 2 million visitors in 2025.
While the official work location for this position is Letchworth State Park, operational need may necessitate that the Regional Director dedicate substantial time to working out of the Rochester area proper.



The duties of the Regional Director include but are not limited to:

• Manages and directs all park and site managers, and administrative and operational staff assigned to the Genesee Region.
• Oversees and evaluates all regional operations.
• Responsible for regional fiscal and expenditure planning, and budgeting.
• Represents the agency in dealings with local and other New York State agencies, professional societies, public interest groups, friends’ groups and any other entity having business with parks, historic sites, preserves, trails, and golf courses within the Genesee Region.
• Provides advice and recommendations to the Commissioner and other executive staff on the formulation, implementation and evaluation of agency policies, capital projects, programs, procedures and priorities impacting the Genesee Region.
• Assists with comprehensive and long-range planning through contacts with governmental agencies, municipalities, elected officials and national and community based not-for-profit organizations.
• Serves as the senior regional executive responsible for strategic leadership, coordination and performance of the agency’s Environmental Stewardship, Open Space Protection, Environmental Sustainability, and Natural Resource Management programs to ensure that the environmental stewardship program aligns with statewide policy and organizational priorities while fostering a culture that balances responsible recreation with the needs of the natural environment.
• Serve as the Agency’s lead in the planning, development and construction of High Falls State Park, a new, 40-acre park located in the City of Rochester. Engage proactively with community leaders, elected officials and residents on the phasing and planning associated with the new park. Advise the Commissioner and other executive staff on opportunities, pitfalls and operational needs.
• Coordinates regional security concerns with the appropriate Park Police district or zone commander.
• Oversees an effective health, safety, and emergency management program for all locations within the Genesee Region.
• Maintains an effective public relations program and social media presence for the region in collaboration with the Albany Bureau of Public Affairs.
• Directs the investigation of and response to complaints regarding regional operations and facilities and directs corrective actions to be taken when needed.
  

Minimum Qualifications Minimum Qualifications Required for Appointment:

Bachelor’s degree or higher in park or recreation management, public administration, business administration, engineering, landscape architecture, architecture, forestry, environmental studies, environmental, natural or physical science, or a closely related field AND EITHER seven years of experience with a large and well-organized park and recreation system OR seven years of administrative experience which includes responsibility for organizing and directing a major program or group of programs. Two years of the experience must be at a managerial level. Substitution: an associate’s degree in a related field and two years of the required specialized experience may substitute for the bachelor’s degree.



Preferred Qualifications:

• Commitment and demonstrated experience in leading and inspiring staff to provide outstanding customer service.
• Demonstrated experience in leading a team of employees and the ability and willingness to recruit, motivate, recognize and train staff members.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to respectfully represent the interests of OPRHP with competency, credibility, and confidence when interacting with others outside the agency.
• The ability to appropriately set priorities, work under pressure, and meet tight deadlines while maintaining productive working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Deep-seated curiosity about the business of the agency and its operations, and commitment to excellence in governance.
• The ability to work strategically and collaboratively with intra-agency business units.
• Valid driver’s license
  

Additional Comments The NYS Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation offers a generous benefits package that includes but is not limited to:

Paid Time Off:

• M/C: 39 days - 13 Vacation days, 8 Sick days, and 5 Personal Leave days, 13 Holidays.
• M/C: Eligible for professional leave to participate in professional development, but at the supervisor’s discretion.

Health Care Benefits:

• Eligible employees and dependents can pick from a variety of affordable health insurance programs.
• Family dental and vision benefits at no additional cost.

Additional Benefits:

• New York State Employees’ Retirement System (ERS) Membership
• NYS Deferred Compensation
• Access to NY 529 and NY ABLE College Savings Programs, as well as U.S. Savings Bonds
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
• Paid Parental / Family Leave
  

To learn more about our benefits, visit: https://parks.ny.gov/employment/benefits.aspx.