Parks and Recreation Director

The City of West Linn is seeking an innovative, collaborative, and community-minded Parks & Recreation Director to lead one of the most visible and valued areas of our organization.

Nestled in the Willamette Valley and deeply rooted in community, West Linn is known for its beautiful parks, natural spaces, recreational opportunities, and strong sense of community. We are looking for a leader who can build on that foundation while helping shape what comes next.

This is more than a parks job. It's a chance to shape a community.

Under direction from the City Manager or designee, directs and supervises the Parks and Recreation Department. Provides both strategic and operational leadership for departmental functions, serving as a resource to staff on parks, recreation, natural resource management, and community services issues while advancing Citywide priorities and organizational objectives. Oversees the delivery of parks and natural areas, recreational facilities, along with diversified community recreation and senior services program including, evaluation of services and programs, and training personnel. Supervises staff in recreation program, park maintenance, and Adult Community Center; establishes programs, policies and procedures; develops and administers Parks and Recreation budget.

(An employee in this classification may perform any of the following duties; however, these examples do not include all the specific tasks that an employee may be expected to perform)

• As a Department Head is a leader in the organization in contributing to a positive work environment.
• Maintains a positive relationship with contacts specific to them and positions outside the City organization.
• Develops, schedules, and implements work projects on a short and long-term basis including maintenance and new park amenities.
• Communicates with community to provide proactive information about parks and recreation projects and programs.
• Supervises support staff including prioritizing and developing work plans, evaluating staff performance, monitoring progress on reports and projects, interpreting policies and procedures, providing training and development for staff, and making hiring and termination decisions.
• Works collaboratively with other City departments to advance projects and sets the tone of collaboration within the Parks and Recreation Department.
• Addresses citizen requests and complaints, and works towards resolving issues regarding the Parks and Recreation services and activities. Determine information to be disseminated and the approach for releasing information to the general public. 
• Serves as part of City Leadership team and relays information to Parks and Recreation Department staff. 
• Acts as a liaison with the City Manager, other department heads, Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, elected officials, outside agencies, business and community representatives and other organizations regarding parks and recreation related issues. 
• Works with supervisors to plan, organize and implement programs within areas of responsibilities including stating goals and objectives, short- and long-range work plans, establishing policies and procedures and ensuring quality services. 
• Prepares the annual Parks and Recreation Departmental budget.  Is responsible for monitoring budgetary expenditures and ensuring that expenditures are within the established budget. 
• Oversees implementation, and enforcement of the City’s Tree Ordinance on City park properties. 
• Oversees the acquisition of parks maintenance equipment. 
• Directs and coordinates short and long-range planning efforts for parks and recreation facilities and infrastructure including land acquisition, concept plans and development, and system development charges. Oversees contracts including determining services needed, selecting consultants and contractors, working with architects in determining concepts and designs, conducting public processes. 

(Job preparation and prior work experience requirements are minimum standards. Other equivalent combinations of education, training and experience may be considered)

Education and Experience:

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s degree in Ornamental Horticulture, Park and Recreation Management, Public Administration or related field; seven (7) years of related work experience, including five (5) years in a supervisory capacity. Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the necessary knowledge and abilities is qualifying.

Training:

• General familiarity with parks maintenance equipment, tools, materials necessary.
• Requires skill in writing and public speaking in a clear, concise and effective manner.
• Requires general knowledge of recreation programming, special event management.

Supervision:
Received: Work is performed highly independently under direction of the City Manager or designee who gives broad policies and assignments with work reviewed for effectiveness, results obtained, and conformance with established rules and regulations.

Exercised: Supervises all employees in the Parks and Recreation Department, including Adult Community Center.  This includes two managers who oversee these functions.

Communication:

• Ability to work and communicate with local organizations, city officials, boards and commissions, staff, agencies and the general public.
• Ability to effectively communicate with members of the general public, other employees, contractors and residents.
• Contact with the City’s residents is oriented in community outreach but includes responding to requests, complaints, and phone inquiries. Attends evening meetings per month and may present updated information to neighborhood groups and/or other public meetings. Meets with neighborhood groups and/or other public meetings.  
• Maintains working relationships with local sports association representatives. 
• Requires regular communication and coordination with local partners for special events and sponsorships.

Cognitive Functions:

• Knowledge of State, Federal and City laws, ordinances, codes and OSHA requirements when supervising the application of pesticides, installation of irrigation systems, plumbing, electrical and miscellaneous building repairs, equipment operation, etc.
• Position requires knowledge and experience in urban forestry and natural resources, including the ability to apply best practices in environmental stewardship.  Knowledge of ecological systems and ability to support programs that protect and enhance natural areas.
• Position is responsible for developing standard operating procedures, systems and methodologies for implementing Park and Recreation Advisory Board and City Council.
• Provides pertinent departmental expertise regarding policy and plan development in conjunction with the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board and City Council.
• Innovation is necessary in the area of new park development, renovation and maintenance.  Innovative approaches to funding projects is important as well as developing more cost-effective methods of providing service.

Working Conditions:

• Adverse working conditions include occasional work in inclement weather and exposure to chemicals, evening meetings and at times, dissatisfied citizens and staff.
• Physical risks exposed to include toxic substances, specialized equipment and some heavy lifting.

Resource Accountability:
Administers the Parks and Recreation Department budget.

The job classification description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

EEO Policy: The City of West Linn is committed to equal employment opportunity as a way to recruit, hire, and retain the most qualified employees. Moreover, it is the intent of the city to actively support and comply with local, state and federal law. Accordingly: We conform to all the laws, statutes, and regulations concerning equal employment opportunities and affirmative action. We strongly encourage women, minorities, individuals with disabilities and veterans to apply to all of our job openings. We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin, age, disability status, Genetic Information & Testing, Family & Medical Leave, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We prohibit Retaliation against individuals who bring forth any complaint, orally or in writing, to the employer or the government, or against any individuals who assist or participate in the investigation of any complaint or otherwise oppose discrimination.

Veterans Preference: The City of West Linn provides qualifying veterans, disabled veterans, state service members, or former state service members” with preference in employment in accordance with state law. Any candidate wishing to have their qualifying veteran's preference applied to the process must submit a qualifying document (DD Form 214 or 215) at the time of application as well as the City's Veteran's Preference Form, providing proof of eligibility that includes discharge status.

Disabled veterans must also submit a copy of their Veteran's disability preference letter from the US Department of Veterans Affairs at the time of application, unless the information is included in the DD Form 214 or 215.

Current and former State Service Members may submit The Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (a federal DD Form 214); or (b) The National Guard Report of Separation and Record of Service (a federal NGB Form 22 or DD Form 214-1)

An applicant for a position with a public employer claiming state servicemember, former state servicemember, veteran or disabled veteran percentage points may submit a summary of benefits letter from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs or any other official document, provided that the letter or other official document demonstrates that the applicant is a state servicemember, former state servicemember, veteran or disabled veteran, with the application for employment.