General Management: Plan, organize, direct, and evaluate the work of the Parks & Recreation Department. Oversee the day-to-day operations of the Department, including personnel, budget, capital projects, and recreation programs. Ensure stewardship and development of park system assets and collaborate with external and internal partners to ensure proper maintenance of park facilities and amenities. Lead by example to carry out customer service excellence.
Strategic Planning: Work collaboratively across the organization and with other agencies and community stakeholders to identify opportunities to improve service delivery and/or implement new programs and services. Assist in the development of and coordinate the implementation of long-range plans for Victoria’s park system. Conduct research into new service delivery approaches and trends and recommend implementation of programs and services that allow the City to plan for the future.
Policy Development: Develop, recommend, and administer Parks & Recreation Department policies and procedures. Carry out City Codes and Ordinances related to Parks as well as all applicable federal and state laws, rules, and regulations.
Personnel Management: Develop and maintain a workforce committed to, and with highly developed competencies in, customer service, results orientation, and teamwork. Coach, mentor, motivate and manage Department staff. Develop staff to their fullest potential. Responsible for carrying out a positive workplace culture that promotes inclusivity, quality services, innovation, customer service excellence, and fiscal responsibility. Provide for the training in, promotion of, and accountability for safe work practices and working conditions for employees—ensure compliance with City-wide and Department policies and state and federal laws and regulations.
Program Development and Project Management: Oversee Parks & Recreation programs and projects for the City. Coordinate programs and activities of the Department in collaboration with other City departments, local and regional agencies, and community stakeholders to ensure that programs and activities meet the needs of all segments of the community. Research new approaches, technologies, and trends and evaluate and make recommendations to implement new programs and services or grow or modify existing programs and services based on trends, community needs, and Council vision. Participate in the planning and development of park system projects to ensure consistency with the City Council’s vision and the City’s goals and objectives. Lead the planning and construction management of park and trail development projects as assigned. Represent the City through participation on committees and events and engage with community partners to provide recreational programs and spaces. Manage the city’s park system sponsorship program; conduct regular program and event audits to ensure the community’s recreation and program needs and the City’s goals and objectives are met. Ensure park and recreation spaces and rentable facilities are operated effectively and efficiently and are being marketed and utilized.
Fiscal and Business Management: Ensure the financial well-being of the Department by establishing cost control measures and monitoring all fiscal operations of the Department. Prepare annual operations and capital budgets and manage the capital improvement plan (CIP) for the park and trail funds, justifying budget requests. Actively seek grant and partnership opportunities that reduce city costs.
Victoria Recreation Center Management: Oversee the day-to-day management of the Victoria Recreation Center (VRC) as a business enterprise. Ensure the VRC is financially responsible and make recommendations to improve the efficiency and usage of the space. Develop quarterly and annual reports of the VRC to showcase its success and progress. Develop, maintain and ensure compliance with the VRC’s policies and guidelines. Ensure the space is managed and utilized safely and that employees and patrons abide by set policies and regulations. Understand and execute the VRC Lease Agreement with the Eastern Carver County School District and manage the day-to-day interaction with District staff and coordination of facility operations and projects to ensure provisions of the contract are met. Prepare annual budget and justify budget requests. Complete monthly budget monitoring for the VRC special revenue fund.
Citizen Involvement and Communications: Represent the City at community events as directed and promote Department engagement with community members and stakeholders to facilitate efficient and meaningful public involvement and policy direction. Serve as the liaison to the Council-appointed Parks & Recreation Committee and other park-related committees, task forces, etc., as directed. Collaborate with Communications and other City Departments to share information on Parks and Recreation projects, educate the community on conservation or use of assets, and promote park system programs and amenities. Coordinate the City’s park volunteer program, including leading the Adopt-a-Park program, Victoria Garden Club, and Friends of Wasserman Lake.
Organizational Leadership: Provides information, education, and recommendations to the Assistant City Manager, City Manager, and City Council on strategic planning and progress and accomplishments related to adopted City goals and objectives. Serve on the City’s internal Management Team, providing organizational leadership, fostering interdepartmental collaboration, and ensuring a consistent approach towards common projects and interests and the cost-effective delivery of services.
Environmental Stewardship: Under policy direction from the City Manager and City Council, develop and implement strategies to protect the City’s parklands and facilities. Promote and develop effective facilities and systems to maximize the public’s enjoyment and use of parklands in harmony with environmental protection and stewardship. Works under applicable federal, State, County, and Watershed District regulation and protection measures for the protection of natural resources such as streams and forestland. Represent the City before regulatory agencies, which interface with the work of the Department.
Education and Experience
Bachelor’s degree in parks & recreation, public administration, or a closely related field.
Five years of experience in public sector management or the management of a parks and recreation department.
Any combination of education and/or experience that demonstrates possession of and competency in the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary for satisfactory job performance.
Desired Requirements
Certified Parks and Recreation Professional (CPRP) is preferred.
Experience managing a facility comparable to the City’s Recreation Center is desired.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Knowledge of principles and practices of general business management and municipal parks and recreation administration processes and management.
Knowledge of Parks and Recreation Department work and operations, stewardship, and maintenance of park lands, facilities, and community infrastructure.
Knowledge of City legislative processes, fiscal and budget management processes, and applicable administrative policies and procedures.
Skilled in building respectful and cooperative work relationships.
Skilled in excellent written and verbal communication skills, including public presentation skills.
Skilled in excellent strategic planning, organizing, and time management skills.
Skilled in strong business and fiscal management skills.
Skilled in problem analysis and decision-making, adaptability/flexibility, and stress tolerance in a highly visible public environment.
Skilled in excellent interpersonal skills for establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with staff, other departments, elected officials, the media, and the public.
Skilled in highly effective team building and leadership skills, including consensus-building to resolve conflicts, negotiate agreements, and gain cooperation among competing interest groups.
Ability to think differently about the field of municipal parks and recreation and transform and innovate how individuals experience the City’s park system.
Ability to demonstrate positive leadership qualities and create a well-functioning team.
Ability to demonstrate and promote collaboration and the spirit of teamwork within the organization, specifically connecting and including other departments and ways of thinking in Parks & Recreation Department projects, services, programs, and initiatives.
Ability to work independently under general policy and strategic guidance.
Ability to articulate the Organizational and Department goals and work in an understandable and appropriate manner for the particular audience or individual.
Ability to establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with citizens and stakeholders, both internal and external.
Ability to identify the Department's future direction in response to changing community needs and to develop, implement, and monitor appropriate plans, schedules, and action steps.
Ability to conduct oneself at all times in an ethical, professional, and respectful manner.
Ability to use Microsoft Office Suite applications and learn and use databases and/or specialized business software applications.
Ability to maintain confidentiality.
Ability to pass a criminal background.
Valid Minnesota Driver's License.
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
Work is performed indoors and outdoors in all weather conditions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and listen. The employee is regularly required to stand, walk, run, use hands to finger, handle or feel and reach with hands and arms. The employee is regularly required to sit and operate a computer and office equipment. The employee occasionally operates a variety of equipment, from small motorized tools to large vehicles and is exposed to noise and dust. This employee is sometimes required to lift up to 50 pounds.
This position description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and the employee and is subject to change as the needs of the city and requirements of the job change.
The City of Victoria is an equal opportunity employer in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. It will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.
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