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SalaryPosition Description
Work, Serve, Thrive. With the City of Durham
Advance in your career while making a real difference in the community you serve.
Hiring Range: $95,049.00 - $123,546.00
Work Day/Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
some evenings, weekends, holidays required
Welcome to Durham NC, A.K.A. The Bull City! A city where the echoes of a rich history unite with the vibrant pulse of modern innovation and a promising future. Ideally positioned in the heart of the Triangle, Durham is proud to have a unique blend of culture, diversity, and opportunity. We have evolved into a thriving city, boasting a population exceeding 280,000 residents. Our diverse community is proud to embrace and strengthen all cultures and backgrounds and foster a spirit of inclusivity and collaboration.
As the third fastest growing city in the United States, our growth rate is a testament to its magnetic allure. Here, innovation knows no bounds, with a thriving economy fueled by a diverse array of industries from health care to technology, Durham offers a rich ground for a professional seeking to make their mark on the world stage.
In Durham, education reigns supreme, with renowned institutions such as Duke University, North Carolina Central University, and Durham Technical Community College shaping the minds of tomorrow's leaders.
Durham’s health care and technology industries stand as pillars of economic strength, with world class facilities and groundbreaking research initiatives shaping the future of health care and technology. At the heart of Durham’s innovation ecosystem lies the legendary Research Triangle Park, A global epicenter of research, technology, and entrepreneurship. Here, collaboration thrives, and groundbreaking discoveries are made, propelling Durham to the forefront of scientific innovation.
For entertainment and leisure, Durham boasts an impressive array of attractions, from the beloved Durham Bulls baseball team to the world class performances at the Durham Performing Arts Center. Nature enthusiasts can explore the city's picturesque Parks and Recreation areas, offering a sanctuary of tranquility amid the urban hustle.
Renowned for its livability, Durham has gathered numerous accolades including recognition as one of the best places to live, work, and play in the United States. From its thriving art scene to its commitment to sustainability, Durham offers a quality of life that is second to none.
Come be a part of the Bull City and help write the next chapter of Durham’s extraordinary story. Your journey starts here. #DoItInDurham Learn more here: Discover Durham
We Are
The Durham Parks and Recreation Department is a 100-year-old, nationally accredited team of 136 full-time passionate professionals, over 250 part-time team members and over 150 independent contractors devoted to building better lives and a better community through the power of parks and recreation. With an operating budget over $20M, our talented team is devoted to community service and provides a wide range of programs, services, opportunities, and experiences while being united through our core pillars. Internally, we’re focused on strengthening our culture through inclusion and equity and having fun. We believe, regardless of job title, each of us has a voice, an opportunity to make a difference and to be a part of something great.
You Are:
- An experienced servant leader and a manager who knows how and when to apply the principles of both. You can create a culture of accountability while building trust. You can conceptualize while inspiring a shared vision to large, diverse groups of people. You walk the talk consistently.
- Relentless in your commitment to the community and growing people on your team.
- Someone who can lead program improvement and expansion system-wide which is supported and verified by data.
- Genuine, personable, a great listener and has great communication skills. Your instincts tell you to collaborate. You are not threatened by questions but encourage a culture of inquiry that challenges thinking and process…even if it’s your thinking.
- A critical thinker. You don’t get rattled or frustrated when there are missing pieces to the puzzle. You appreciate and understand the complexity of problems without getting bogged down with “paralysis by analysis”.
- A person who knows how to have fun, how to play, and is not afraid to get dirty. You have demonstrated experience of programming best practices in the industry, can articulate the benefits to all audiences and is not afraid to jump in to help.
The Opportunity:
Reporting to the Parks and Recreation Director, you’ll serve as the leader of the Community Recreation Services Division and a team member to the department’s leadership team consisting of the Assistant Director over Business Services, the Assistant Director over Park Planning and Project Development and the Culture and Community Manager.
With a people-first focus and alignment with our 10 core pillars, you’ll lead and develop 7 full-time team members to serve the community through recreation programming, services and facilities. Oversight of the department’s largest division includes an operating budget of nearly $9.5M, 7 Community Recreation centers; 2 lakes and marinas (Lake Michie and Little River); 4 public swimming pools and all athletic fields. Programs include youth and adult athletics, health and wellness classes, summer camps, after-school care, outdoor adventure and environmental education, teen programs, senior programs, therapeutic recreation, and inclusion services.
Your success relies heavily on relationships. Whether it’s building trust, support and developing others internally or building and strengthening external partnerships you should be one of the most well-known DPR teammates, just behind our mascot Parkson Rex.
Duties/Responsibilities
- Manage the implementation of internal operations for the Community Recreation Services division; plan, coordinate, administer, and evaluate programs, projects, processes, procedures, systems, standards, and/or services; integrate operations and coordinate service areas; and ensure compliance with federal, state, and local laws, regulations, codes, and/or standards.
- Develop, implement, and evaluate policies, procedures, strategies and goals; maintain, update, and ensure procedural compliance; research, analyze, and implement or make recommendations for business process improvements and cost effectiveness; and design, administer, and evaluate department programs and services.
- Manage and participate in the preparation of department operating and/or capital improvement budgets; monitor expenditures and revenues; research and analyze financial and operational data; prepare financial forecasts; and approve and makes budget and purchasing recommendations.
- Coordinate with, and serve as a liaison to the City Council, public, City departments, and/or external agencies; serve on internal and external committees; represent the department at meetings, proceedings, and conferences; provides consultation in area of expertise; and responds to high-visibility and complex issues.
- Coordinate the preparation of, and prepare and review complex, technical, financial, and other reports, plans, and documents; coordinate operations data collection and analysis; develop, make and/or approve recommendations; and review the work of others to ensure accuracy and completeness.
Types of work you’ll perform:
- Supervise and review the work of others; guide team members on complex decisions, resident and guest relations; responsible for the quality of programs, projects and initiatives.
- Work with peers and Director in the development of goals, objectives, initiatives, and key performance indicators; and is responsible for clearly articulating internally and externally.
- Manage, lead and function quickly while creating high expectations for producing quality work, clearly articulating expectations, holding others accountable, and listening effectively while being honest, open, and transparent.
- Take ownership and responsibility on assignments, projects and initiatives while moving quickly and effectively through complex issues and group dynamics.
- Assist in preparing the annual operating, half-penny and capital improvement budgets; oversee, manage and adjust the division’s expenditures, spending, pricing and revenue strategies as needed.
- Create, coordinate, lead, support and strengthen internal and external collaborations and partnerships; seek to build consensus with all partners, i.e. General Services Department, Neighborhood Improvement Services Department, non-profit organizations, businesses and neighborhood associations.
- Perform administrative tasks including but not limited to, reviewing and approving payroll, scheduling meetings, developing, managing, and interpreting agreements.
- Review, modify and / or recommend changes to department operating procedures, policies, and guidelines as needed.
- Perform timely resident follow up; quickly resolves disputes to resident, guest, or contractor concerns.
- Perform other job-related duties and tasks as assigned.
Knowledge of:
- Advanced principles and application of:
o communication and presentation skills
o interpersonal skills to develop and maintain relationships
o program and event planning, implementation and evaluation best practices.
o conflict resolution with professionalism and tact
o change and project management
- Government budgeting, procurement, and HR procedures and processes.
- Organize and manage large, complex projects.
- Developing and implementing policies and procedures.
- Prioritizing, developing and overseeing the accomplishment of goals, objectives, and deadline-oriented projects.
- Equity and inclusion best practices.
- Developing, fostering and cultivating public private partnerships.
- Servant leadership.
- Emotional intelligence.
- Local, state and federal legislation, regulations and ordinances.
Skill in:
- Managing several diverse and complex topics, projects and personnel issues simultaneously and remaining composed under pressure, while completing them in a timely manner.
- Leading, coaching, developing others and inspiring large numbers of diverse professionals.
- Listening, communicating and presenting to diverse internal and external audiences verbally or in writing.
- Conflict Resolution.
- Creating a framework, implementing, following through and evaluating change.
- Tapping into team members’ higher needs and values and inspiring them with new possibilities. Raises the team members’ confidence, conviction and desire to achieve a common purpose.
- Recreation program planning, implementation and evaluation for large, diverse populations.
- Intermediate Microsoft applications and industry software.
Minimum Qualifications & Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in public administration or a directly related field
- Nine years of progressively responsible related experience
- Professional experience must includes significant management and supervisory experience.
Additional Preferred Skills
- Experience managing recreation programs and recreation facilities.
- Experience supervising full-time professional staff.
- Experience overseeing a personnel and operating budget.
Benefits – General Full-Time Employees
- 11-12 paid holidays per year
- 12 standard work days of vacation per year
- 12 standard work days of sick leave per year, which accumulates indefinitely; sick leave may be used toward early retirement
- 2 weeks paid military leave per year
- Medical, dental, vision, and supplemental life insurance plans
- State and City retirement plans
- Short and long term disability plans
- Paid temporary disability leave for specified conditions
- City contribution of 10.15% into the N.C. State Retirement System
- Paid funeral leave
- Employee Assistance Program - personal and family counseling
- Paid life insurance equal to annual salary
- 48 hours for volunteer work each year*
- 4 hours parental leave each year
- Workman's Compensation Insurance
- 457 Deferred Compensation Plans
- 401(k) retirement plan (5.0% of salary)
- State retirement plan
- 401(k) retirement plan (5.0% of salary)
- State retirement plan
- Health Insurance
