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Bellevue, WA - Director of Parks & Community Services

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City of Bellevue: Director of Parks & Community Services

JOB TITLE:

Director of Parks & Community Services

JOB FAMILY:

Parks/Recreation

JOB TITLE CODE:

  

EEO CODE:

Official/Administrator

DEPARTMENT(S):

Parks & Community Services

WAGE SCHEDULE:

E

FLSA STATUS:

Exempt

EFFECTIVE DATE:

January 1, 2001

JOB SUMMARY

Provides direction leadership and general oversight to the City's Parks and Human Services Department. Facilitates the development of strategy and policy in collaboration with the City Manager's Office and other City departments. Ensures that the City's mission, council direction and core values are incorporated into operational activities and services. Represents the City in the community, the region and nationally with regards to policy and operational initiatives. Serves as a member of the City's senior leadership team.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

· Allocates, directs, motivates and evaluates departmental personnel to help: (1) achieve their individual goals; (2) collectively achieve the department's mission; and (3) lead to employees' growth and accountability for their actions.

· Recruits and retains qualified personnel at all departmental levels, consistent with applicable laws, regulations.

· Establishes and maintains a working environment conducive to positive morale, individual style, quality, creativity, and teamwork.

· Prepares and updates short and long range strategic plans to ensure the department's contribution to the City's overall plans and strategies.

· Develops and analyzes the department's organizational structure and organizes major accountabilities and functions into effective and measurable units within this structure.

· Directs ongoing research into new technologies and trends, and recommends implementation of programs and equipment to help the Department achieve its objectives more efficiently.

· Directs planning and presentation of public involvement programs for neighborhoods, businesses, and other community groups.

· Serves as a member of senior management on task forces and committees participating in the City's strategic planning efforts, and addressing City-wide policy and management issues.

· Presents departmental issues and recommendations on major issues requiring policy direction to appropriate advisory bodies and to the City Council.

· Coordinates the Department's activities with those of other City departments and offices to ensure a consistent approach towards common projects and interests.

· Prepares realistic and fiscally sound annual and special budgets to enable the department to achieve its objectives, including special activities assigned by the City Council; ensures that the department functions within budget appropriations.

· Plans, coordinates and directs a diversified year round, city-wide parks and community services program including the management of the community/recreation centers and municipal swimming pool and beaches/boat launches, and various fields, farms, parks and open spaces; oversees the 60 community services programs.

· Coordinates the recreation program with the parks program, other city departments, and outside organizations such as the school districts and various community-based organizations.

· Promotes interest in parks and recreation programs through publicity, joint program brochures with various community groups, and public contacts; speaks before citizens groups, students and other organizations.

· Prepares cost estimates to plan and provide for improvements in the park facilities; oversees construction projects and park improvements.

· Maintains liaison with other departments as well as state, local, and other public officials.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Works under the broad policy guidance of the City Manager.

Exercises supervision over all employees of the department, either directly or indirectly through managers and supervisors.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRMENTS

Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in Public Administration, recreation or other related field.

Ten or more years of progressively responsible related experience in parks, recreation, community service, and finance as well as supervisory experience.

Or any equivalent combination of education, experience, and training that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of modern parks and recreation programs; thorough knowledge of the equipment and facilities required in a comprehensive park and recreation program; extensive knowledge of the principles and practices of maintenance, construction, and use of public buildings and park facilities; considerable knowledge of community recreation needs and resources.

Ability to plan, organize, coordinate and implement a comprehensive community park and recreation program; ability to coordinate, analyze, and utilize a variety of reports and records.

Knowledge of the principles, practices and procedures of public and business administration as applied in a large organization.

Skill in conflict resolution and negotiating.

Skill in effective, clear and persuasive oral and written communications to individuals and groups.

Ability to negotiate and administer contracts with outside vendors and service providers.

Ability to provide leadership, counsel, motivation and constructive performance reviews to department personnel at all levels, securing their respective commitments to the department's goals.

Skill in resolving conflicts and gaining cooperation among competing interest groups.

Skill in identifying, implementing, and refining the department's organizational structure to generate desired results as efficiently as possible.

Ability to identify the department's future direction in response to changing community needs, and to develop, implement, and monitor appropriate plans, schedules, and action steps.

Ability to develop and maintain productive relationships with elected officials, business leaders, advisory boards, the news media, and the general public.

Understanding the City's political environment and sensitivities; ability to function effectively within that environment.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work involves walking, talking, hearing, using hands to handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls, and reaching with hands and arms. Vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

The employee may be required to push, pull, lift, and/or carry up to 20 pounds.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderately quiet while in the office and moderately loud when in the field.

The employee may be required to work in outside weather conditions or in wet and/or humid conditions.