Deputy Director, Parks & Recreation - Parks

The Town of Queen Creek is excited to announce an opportunity for an experienced leader to serve as Deputy Director of Parks & Recreation – Parks. This executive leadership position oversees the Town's Parks Maintenance and Park Ranger Divisions and partners with the Parks & Recreation Director to advance strategic initiatives, operational excellence, and exceptional service to the community.

The hiring range for this position is $140,191.76 – $175,239.69. The full salary range is $140,191.76 – $210,287.62. The starting salary will be determined based on qualifications, experience, internal equity, and budget considerations.

Please note that recruitment dates are tentative and subject to change.

Position assigned to this class is responsible for serving as second in command in the Parks & Recreation department; incumbent supervises, manages, and leads the activities and operations of assigned recreation, aquatics, grounds, and park ranger division(s) and is responsible for fiscal, budgetary, and personnel in assigned area(s) of responsibility; incumbent is heavily involved in goal setting and policy making alongside the Parks & Recreation Director. 

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This is a senior management level position, recognized as a supervisory and organizational authority within a specific discipline or demonstrates broad practical knowledge in several major functions. Work involves directing, planning and coordinating across staff and projects/programs. Assists with policy development within assigned functional area or the organization.  Typically reports to a department head and is a third- or higher-level supervisor.

The following are intended to describe core work functions of this classification.  While the level and broad nature of essential duties may not change, specific work tasks will vary over time depending on the Town’s needs.

• Plans, directs and oversees assigned divisions in Parks & Recreation.
• Collaborates with the Parks & Recreation Director in the development and implementation of the department’s long- and short-term plans, goals, and objectives including serving as the department’s liaison with capital improvements; evaluates efficiency and effectiveness of operations, services, procedures, and use of resources; recommends and/or implements modifications or improvements as needed.
• Plans, directs, and oversees park and trail development initiatives; manages projects through all phases including concept development, planning, design, construction, and final operational implementation.
• Supervises, directs and evaluates assigned staff, processes employee concerns and problems; directs work; counsels, disciplines, and completes employee performance appraisals; interviews and selects new employees.
• Organizes, prioritizes, and assigns work; monitors status of work in progress and reviews completed work; confers with assigned staff, assists with complex/problem situations; provides technical expertise; coordinates staff development and training activities.
• Communicates with the applicable stakeholders as needed to coordinate work activities, reviews status of work, exchanges information, resolves problems, or gives/receives advice/direction.  
• Responds to requests for information; responds to politically sensitive inquiries and concerns; resolves the most complex issues, often in collaboration with the Parks & Recreation Director; provides advice and counsel as needed.  
• Facilitates meetings with internal departments and a variety of committees; prepares presentations for Council, management, staff, and citizens as needed.
• Manages customer service activities relating to area(s) of assignment.
• Prepares, reviews, approves, completes, processes, or retains various forms, reports, correspondence, personnel information, performance evaluations, invoices, budget reports, financial records, contracts, codes, ordinance, policies, procedures, manuals, reference materials, or other documentation.
• Attends meetings, serves on committees, and makes presentations as needed.
• Prepares Council Action reports as needed.
• Assists in the preparation and monitoring of the annual departmental budget.
• Conducts special projects and reviews.
• Assumes the duties and responsibilities of the Parks & Recreation Director in his/her absence.
• Performs related work as assigned.

• Provides full operation oversight of the Town's parks and trails system, including maintenance, safety, asset management, park ranger operations, and day-to-day service delivery.
• Direct parks operations through supervisory staff, ensuring effective coordination of field activities, maintenance programs, and service standards across all facilities and open spaces.
• Establishes operational priorities and service levels for parks maintenance and ranger functions to align with departmental goals, community needs, and available resources. 

• Oversees integration of new and improved park assets into ongoing operations, including coordination with capital improvement projects and facility transitions.

• Leads parks system planning and improvement initiatives, including master planning, accreditation efforts, and operational assessments to enhance long-term service delivery.

• Represents the Parks function in interdepartmental planning efforts, regional partnerships, and community engagement related to parks, trails, and open space.

Education and Experience:

Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university in Business or Public Administration, Parks, Recreation, Community Services or a related field; 10 years of related experience; and 5 years of supervisory experience, or an equivalent combination of directly related education and experience. Master’s Degree preferred. 

LICENSING/CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

• Driver’s License;
• Maintain all certifications/licenses required at job entry.

KNOWLEDGE

• Managerial principles, practices, techniques and options to successfully motivate and supervise staff;
• Parks and recreation operations principles, methods and practices; 
• Budgeting and finance principles and practices; 
• Project management principles and practices;
• Applicable state, local and federal laws relating to parks and recreation operations;
• Personnel related laws and policies;
• Standard office equipment including the computer and programs relevant to the performance of applicable duties and responsibilities;
• Applicable Federal, state and local laws, codes, ordinances, rules and regulations;
• Customer service principles and practices.

SKILLS

• Supervising and leading staff;
• Managing, identifying, communicating and carrying out the objectives of the Parks & Recreation department and assigned divisions;
• Interpreting and applying community services principles, methods and practices;  
• Using computers and related software applications;
• Interpreting and applying applicable Federal, state and local laws, codes, ordinances, rules and regulations;
• Solving problems and proposing sound decisions;
• Communication and interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with coworkers, supervisor, the general public, and other interested parties sufficient to exchange or convey information and to receive work direction.

OVERALL PHYSICAL STRENGTH DEMANDS:

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Note: This is intended as a description of the way the job is currently performed. It does not address the potential for accommodation.

MACHINES, TOOLS, EQUIPMENT, SOFTWARE AND HARDWARE:

Standard office equipment; vehicle

ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS:

PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT REQUIRED:

None

NON-PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

PRIMARY WORK LOCATION:

Salary : $140,192 - $210,288