City of Signal Hill
PARKS, RECREATION, AND LIBRARY SERVICES DIRECTOR
Bargaining Unit: N/A – Management
Date: June 11, 2024
CENTRAL PURPOSE OF JOB
Under administrative direction, plans, organizes, assigns, manages and coordinates the activities of the Parks, Recreation, and Library Services Department, providing a full range of community programs, including before and after school recreation, transit, library, contract administration, animal control, park development and capital planning, and a variety of recreational programs; fosters cooperative working relationships among City departments; provides highly responsible and complex professional assistance in areas of expertise to the City Council, City Manager, Parks and Recreation Commission, City supported non-profits, and City staff; and perform other related duties as required.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:
This is a department director, executive management level classification, which oversees all functions, operations, and personnel of the Parks, Recreation, and Library Services Department, which includes comprehensive parks, community, library, transit, animal control, and recreational programs. The incumbent is expected to exercise independent judgment and initiative in establishing efficient and effective departmental operations consistent with established City policies and administrative guidelines; provide responsible and complex staff support to the City Council, Parks and Recreation Commission, City Manager, and other advisory and community groups.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include, but are not limited to the following characteristic duties, responsibilities, knowledge, skills and other characteristics. The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.
Assumes full management responsibility for all Parks, Recreation, and Library Services Department programs, facilities, and services.
Exhibit DExhibit DFormulates and evaluates department goals, objectives, programs, policies, and practices given community needs and available resources related to afterschool childcare, sports, facilities use, senior programs, special events, and transportation services.
Exhibit D
Exhibit D
Analyzes the effectiveness of departmental practices, programs, and staffing and makes corresponding recommendations for improvement; considers appropriate utilization of regular and non-regular personnel and volunteers.
Meets with individuals, community groups, and various officials to assure that facilities, programs and activities are meeting the changing needs of the community.
Prepares, approves, and makes oral and written presentations of departmental plans, studies, activity and agenda reports, and recommendations on behalf of the department to the City Manager, City Council, commissions, advisory groups and professional associations.
Manages, develops, and administers the department's annual budget; directs the forecast of additional funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; directs the monitoring of and approval of expenditures; and directs and implements adjustments as necessary.
Determines departmental staffing needs; selects, trains, motivates, and directs department personnel; evaluates and reviews work for acceptability and conformance with City standards, including program and project priorities and performance evaluations; works with employees to correct deficiencies; recommends and implements disciplinary procedures in consultation with the Human Resources Department.
Supervises and conducts survey of community recreation requirements; identifies areas of community needs and develops service delivery systems; and elicits community and organizational support for programs.
Organizes and promotes major community events.
Directs the development of grants and administers funding, sponsorships, donations, and other fundraising programs to support services and programs.
Negotiates, institutes, and oversees general and professional services contracts.
Monitors changes in laws, regulations and technology that may affect the City or departmental operations; implements policy and procedural changes as required.
Coordinates animal control services; monitor and evaluate services; responds to citizen requests and inquiries.
Serves as liaison to the Parks & Recreation Commission and community organizations.
MARGINAL FUNCTIONS
Perform various related duties as required.
Minimum Training and Experience
Any equivalent combination of education, training, and work experience to demonstrate possession of the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform in the position is qualifying. Typical qualifications are:
Education: Bachelor's degree in sociology, arts, recreation, public administration or related field is required.
Experience: Seven (7) years of increasingly responsible experience in professional and managerial experience in the delivery of human and leisure services involving recreation, parks, sports, social services and senior citizen programs is required including at least four (4) years in a supervisory capacity.
Licenses and Certificates: Valid Class C California driver license, acceptable driving record, and evidence of insurance are required.
HIGHLY DESIRABLE
A Master’s Degree in Recreation and Leisure Services, Public Administration, Human Services, Social Services, or a related field.
KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES REQUIRED TO PERFORM ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
Knowledge of:
Administrative principles and practices, including goal setting, program development, implementation, and evaluation, and supervision of staff, either directly or through subordinate levels of supervision.
Public agency budgetary, contract administration, City-wide administrative practices, and general principles of risk management related to the functions of the assigned area.
Organizational and management practices as applied to the analysis and evaluation of projects, programs, policies, procedures, and operational needs; principles and practices of municipal government administration.
Principles and practices of community services program development and management in a municipal setting.
Principles and techniques of community services long-term maintenance planning and budgeting.
Methods, materials, and techniques used in the construction of community services projects.
Principles, procedures, and practices for planning, implementing, and maintaining a variety of recreation and leisure activities and programs through community participation.
Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, codes, and regulations.
Principles and practices of employee supervision, including work planning, assignment, review and evaluation, and the training of staff in work procedures.
Principles, practices, methods, theories, and trends in volunteerism and volunteer management.
Technical, legal, financial, and public relations problems associated with the management of community services programs. Methods and techniques for the development of presentations, contract negotiations, business correspondence, and information distribution; research and reporting methods, techniques, and procedures.
Modern office practices, methods, computer equipment and computer applications.
Techniques for effectively representing the City in contacts with governmental agencies, community groups, and various business, professional, educational, regulatory, and legislative organizations.
Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors and City staff.
Ability to:
Develop and implement goals, objectives, policies, procedures, work standards, and internal controls for the department and assigned program areas.
Provide administrative and professional leadership and direction for the department and the City.
Prepare and administer large and complex budgets; allocate limited resources in a cost effective manner. Interpret, apply, explain, and ensure compliance with Federal, State, and local policies, procedures, laws, and regulations.
Plan, organize, direct, and coordinate the work of management, supervisory, professional, and technical personnel; delegate authority and responsibility.
Select, train, motivate, mentor and evaluate the work of staff and train staff in work procedures.
Research, analyze, and evaluate new service delivery methods, procedures, and techniques.
Effectively administer special projects with contractual agreements and ensure compliance with stipulations; effectively administer a variety of community services programs and administrative activities.
Conduct effective negotiations and effectively represent the City and the department in meetings with governmental agencies, contractors, vendors, and various businesses, professional, regulatory, and legislative organizations.
Prepare clear and concise reports, correspondence, policies, procedures, and other written materials.
Conduct complex research projects, evaluate alternatives, make sound recommendations, and prepare effective technical staff reports.
Organize and prioritize a variety of projects and multiple tasks in an effective and timely manner; organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical time deadlines.
Operate modern office equipment including computer equipment and specialized software applications programs.
Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
Physical Requirements:
Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer, with occasional outdoor inspection and job walks of City development sites, including traversing uneven terrain, climbing ladders, stairs, and other temporary or construction access points, to operate a motor vehicle, and to visit various City and meeting sites; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person, before groups, and over the telephone. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures. This is primarily a sedentary office classification although standing in work areas and walking between work areas may be required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push and pull materials weighing up to 25 pounds.
Environmental Adaptability:
Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Class specifications are only intended to present a descriptive summary of the range of duties and responsibilities associated with specified positions. Therefore, specifications may not include all duties performed by individuals within a classification. In addition, specifications are intended to outline the minimum qualifications necessary for entry into the class and do not necessarily convey the final qualifications of incumbents within the position.
Pursuant to California Government Code Section 3100, all public employees are required to serve as disaster service workers subject to such disaster service activities as may be assigned to them by their supervisor or by law.