Parks, Recreation And Cultural Arts Director

Summary

Provides leadership, direction and strategic oversight to the city’s Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts Department. Responsible for the development, administration, maintenance and operation of the city’s recreation programs, park maintenance, facilities, street right-of-way landscaping and golf course. Facilitates the development of strategies and policies in collaboration with the mayor and other city departments. Ensures the city’s vision, strategic plan, council direction and core values are incorporated into operational activities and services. Work involves significant community engagement and public involvement with elected officials and community members. Serves as a member of the city’s leadership team and collaborates with the mayor and other departments to ensure the city’s vision and strategic priorities are incorporated into operational activities and services. This position is an FLSA-overtime exempt, non-represented position.
More information about this position can be found in the recruitment flyer.
https://www.lynnwoodwa.gov/files/sharedassets/public/v/1/human-resources/prca-director-brochure.pdf (Download PDF reader)

Essential Functions

Includes, but is not limited to, such essential functions as listed below:

• Plans, organizes, directs, and evaluates the work of the department. Administers the day-to-day operations including budget, capital projects, on-going maintenance, program development and evaluation.
• Allocates, directs and evaluates department personnel to ensure employees achieve the department’s mission and lead employee growth and development.
• Works with advisory boards, elected officials and other city departments to create strategic plans related to the department’s comprehensive plan.
• Develops and analyzes the department’s organizational structure and efficiencies.
• Establishes and maintains a working environment conducive to positive morale, creativity and teamwork.
• Provides for the training in, promotion of, and accountability for safe work practices and working conditions for employees.
• Serves as a member of senior management on the development of the city’s strategic planning efforts and addressing citywide policy and management issues.
• Presents departmental issues and recommendations to appropriate advisory board and commissions and to the City Council.
• Prepares realistic and fiscally sound budgets to allow the department to achieve its objectives. Prepares revenue estimates, grants and other funding sources.
• Coordinates the department’s activities with those of other city departments.
• Promotes and develops equity and accessibility throughout the department’s programs, services, and long-range planning.
• Assure that all employees are properly trained and supervised.
• Assure the effective and efficient utilization of department personnel, funds, equipment, facilities, and time.

Minimum Qualifications

• A valid Washington State Driver’s License and a driving record acceptable to the City’s insurance carrier.
• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in public administration, parks and recreation administration or related field.
• Seven years of related experience in parks and recreation.
• A master’s degree is preferred.
• Must be able to successfully pass extensive pre-employment background check.

Additional Information

Job Location and Equipment Utilized
Work is normally performed in an office environment. Equipment utilized includes standard office equipment including personal computer with associated software and peripherals. Visits to ongoing construction projects and department sites are required.
Supervisory Relationships
Reports to the Mayor. Work is performed under general guidance and direction according to city policies, procedures and various State and federal regulations. Supervises staff directly or through assigned staff members.
Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of a municipal parks and recreation department including knowledge of recreation programs, equipment and facilities, operations and maintenance.
• Skills in planning, organizing, coordinating, and implementing a comprehensive community park and recreation program, ability to coordinate, analyze and utilize a variety of reports and data.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of general business management as applied in a large organization.
• Skills in conflict resolution and negotiating.
• Skill in effective, clear and concise oral and written communications with individuals and groups.
• Interpersonal skills for establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with staff, other departments, elected officials, media and public.
• Highly effective team building and leadership skills.
• Strong business and fiscal management experience and skills.
• Excellent strategic planning, organizing and time management skills.
• Skills in problem analysis and decision making, adaptability/flexibility in a visible public environment.
• Ability to provide leadership, counsel, motivation and constructive performance reviews to department personnel, securing their respective commitments to the department’s goals.
• Ability to identify the department’s future direction in response to changing community needs and to develop, implement and monito appropriate plans, schedules and action steps.
• Understanding the city’s political environment and issues and functioning effectively within that environment.
• Ability to work independently under general policy and strategic guidance.

• Manual dexterity and visual acuity to operate a personal computer and other standard office equipment.
• Ability to utilize telephone system.
• Visual acuity to observe the quality of in-process program events and activities.
• Ability to speak and hear to exchange information.
• Ability to sit or stand for extended periods of time.
• Ability to walk and climb stairs to conduct facility inspections.