Job Details

Parks Superintendent

Under the direction of the Director of Parks & Recreation, this position is responsible for assisting in leadership of the Parks and Recreation Divisions. This position helps plan, assign, and direct the work of personnel engaged in the maintenance and care of the city parks, park facilities, athletic fields, and special events. Objectives include, but are not limited to, developing a high-performance team, maintaining compliance with regulations, implementing safety, infrastructure, and grounds sustainability, and meeting fiscal budgets. Superintendent will accomplish these objectives by leading, guiding, coaching, and holding team members responsible. This position is responsible in assisting the Director of Parks and Recreation by managing capital improvement projects, operations, programs, and business sustainability.

Essential Functions:

1. Provide vital support to the Director of Parks and Recreation in the planning, management, and direction of staff and operations for the Parks Divisions.
2. Provide administrative and technical direction, guidance and support to Park Services Supervisor, team members, and others as directed and necessary.
3. Provide oversight for operations, reviews, and evaluates efficiency, effectiveness, standards, and compliance.
4. Oversee functions and provides technical oversight for all areas of operations to include maintenance, repair, and beautification of parks, athletic fields, facilities, and open spaces.
5. Foster a collaborative team environment by promoting a culture of teamwork, facilitating open communication, encouraging contributions, and organizing regular team building activities.
6. Collaborate and assist the Director in the development and planning of department goals and objectives, while implementing and overseeing their successful achievement.
7. Collaborate and assist other city departments and divisions, including but not limited to Main Street, Recreation Division, and Denison Public Library, in planning and staffing special events and activities.
8. Develop and maintain strong partnerships with other city departments, stakeholders, and business contractors.
9. Develop correspondences, permits, staff reports, agendas, and other relevant administrative documents.
10. Develop and administer policies and standard operating procedures to ensure alignment with department goals, services, and functions.
11. Develop and implement special projects, operational change, new amenities, and services to improve operation efficiency. This will include developing detailed specifications and designs, obtaining, and evaluating quotes, and assisting the director in the procurement process.
12. Develop relevant and engaging meeting content and deliver presentations at various meetings to include but not limited to Advisory Boards, Commissions, and City Council to effectively communicate key information and facilitate productive discussions.
13. Manage contract compliance, oversee operations, and ensure standards are met for all capital improvement projects, and other contracted services, for the Parks & Recreation Department.
14. Plan, organize, manage, and oversee division activities by actively participating in the development and creation of the department's annual work plan including assigning work activities, projects, and programs, and monitoring workflow, reviewing, and evaluating work products, methods, and procedures.
15. Identify opportunities for improvement and present recommendations to the Director; manage the implementation of operational improvements and monitors the effects of the changes.
16. Assist the Director in the development and preparation of the annual operating and capital department budget. This may include assisting in the forecast of necessary funds for operations.
17. Implement and oversee fiscal and financial responsibilities to include requisitions, reconciliation, invoice management, purchase order management, and ensure adherence to budget controls.
18. Hire and conduct disciplinary actions when necessary; implement training programs to enhance employee skills, and provide counseling to support staff development and address performance issues.
19. Ensure that the department's vision is consistently upheld and positively communicated by actively relaying the director's voice and strategic objective to all staff to foster alignment and shared goals within the team.
20. Supervise the Parks and Recreation Department in the absence of the Director, as requested, and may act in Director's capacity in the absence of the Department's Director.
21. Maintain consistent and timely attendance.
22. Perform other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

1. Skill in communicating orally and in writing to give and receive information from directors or other personnel.
2. Skill in the preparation and management of operating and capital budgets.
3. Skill in establishing and administering departmental policies and procedures in line with best practices as established by the NRPA.
4. Considerable knowledge of: recreation activities in the community and ability to coordinate these into a program for all ages and interests; facilities and equipment needed in a recreation program; design and construction of recreational facilities; building and grounds maintenance standards and practices.
5. Ability to perform many tasks which require the use of personal judgement and decision-making based on knowledge gained from experience.
6. Ability to accomplish routine assignments without supervisory direction, consulting the supervisor regarding unusual, sensitive, or controversial matters.
7. Ability to resolve routine and non-routine problems by referring to policies or procedures and applying his/her judgment.
8. Ability to confer with vendors in person, electronically, by mail and by telephone;
9. Ability to maintain contact with citizens, employees in own work unit, employees in other departments, members of City Council and the Mayor, local leaders and/or representatives of special interest groups, and representatives of the media.
10. Ability to confer with employees in the division and in other divisions and departments to give and receive information on schedules, priorities, operating problems and department or City policy;
11. Ability to confer with members of City Council and the City Manager's office to give and receive information, to receive approval for projects to defend or explain departmental actions or recommendations;
12. Ability to confer with people employed outside of the City to conduct interviews for employment and/or to discuss recreational projects;
13. Ability to confer with vendors and suppliers for price information and information on their product, equipment or service,
14. Ability to confer with representatives of the media and with local leaders and/or their representatives to give and receive information on projects and programs and to defend or explain departmental policies, procedures or activities.
15. Ability to plan, assign, coordinate and supervise maintenance activities.
16. Skill in communicating orally and in writing to give and receive information to resolve problems and/or in writing reports.
17. Ability to be punctual and maintain consistent attendance.

Typical Qualifications:

• Must have a bachelor's degree in recreation, administration, a related field of study or an equivalent experience in the management of parks.
• Must have valid driver's license.
• Must have driving record sufficient for coverage by City's liability insurance carrier.
• Two (2) years' supervisory experience
• Five (5) years' experience in the management of parks and or recreational programming or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Physical & Work Environment:

• Long periods of sitting and using computer
• Intermittent periods of standing and walking
• Constant talking, listening, concentrating, judgment and writing abilities
• Varying indoor and outdoor environments including extreme weather scenarios including heat, cold, and precipitation
• Must be able to attend evening meetings that may go long into the night, availability to work weekends and odd hours when needed.