The Position

This new Urban Landscape Manager will have a primary focus on park capital maintenance projects and all phases of park maintenance contractor service agreements under the direction of the Park Superintendent. Together both of the Urban Landscape Managers will manage park staff and contractors in the care and upkeep of parks, medians, municipal landscape and hardscape, trails and open space. This includes assisting the Park Superintendent with administrative duties, short and long-term planning, organizing and supervising park maintenance operations and functions.

Examples of Duties

• Oversee assigned park maintenance capital projects and ensure all purchasing and legal requirements are met.
• Plan, schedule, organize, manage and assign work within sections of the Park Maintenance Division.
• Supervise employees as needed in performing park maintenance activities.
• Assign, train, direct, evaluate and assist in selecting subordinate staff.
• Monitor and prepare employee performance evaluations and plan staff development.
• Determine the needs and direct the development of staff training in work techniques, safety and other work-related matters.
• With assistance from the Park Superintendent, review, mediate and resolve personnel problems, and administer discipline.
• Meet regularly with Park Superintendent to discuss program issues and receive input and/or direction on pertinent issues. When required, develop related recommendations to resolve problems.
• Develop and maintain work productivity measures and direct operational changes.
• Review field activities, confer with staff and direct the corrections of any noted deficiencies or deviations from accepted practices.
• Assigned projects should be completed within approved budget and timeline and any variance need to be communicated to the Superintendent for approval.
• Provide input for operating and capital improvement plan budget development.
• Prepare estimate of maintenance impacts due to park or landscape improvements.
• Monitor expenditures to ensure conformance with the Division’s budget.
• Prepare bid materials, contracts and specifications for the maintenance of City owned landscaped areas.
• Assist with consultants’ selection, contract administration and inspection of the work of contractors.
• Determine the type of work to be done, and the personnel and equipment required to complete the work.
• Coordinate with other departments as needed on assigned capital projects.
• Interpret and communicate appropriate application of policy and operational procedures.
• Confer with staff to review and monitor operations and program implementation.
• Coordinate activities of the Parks and Urban Landscape functions with those of other City units and outside agencies.
• Maintain records and prepare a variety of complex reports and memoranda on every aspect of the section including maintenance reports on proposed landscape development projects and chemical reports for the County Agricultural Commissioner
• Other related duties as assigned.

Education and Experience

Any combination of education and/or experience that has provided the knowledge and skills necessary to satisfactory job performance would be qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and skills would be: an Associate’s degree or higher in horticulture, recreation, business administration, or a related field and three (3) years progressively responsible experience in park operations, maintenance and/or construction (at least two years of experience must be at the supervisory level). A Master's degree in one of the fields listed above may be substituted for one (1) year of experience.

The following are highly desirable:

• Certification in Construction Management
• Certification as a Playground Safety Inspector
• Certification as an International Society of Arboriculture Arborist

Licenses/Certificates/Special Requirements

A valid Class C California Driver’s License is required at time of appointment.

Incumbents must obtain a California Qualified Applicator Certificate (Pest Control) within 6 months of date of hire.

The Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate will:

• Demonstrate exceptional leadership skills and have a background in construction project and contract management.
• Possess knowledge of the use of tools, equipment, supplies and methods used in the maintenance of parks, landscaped areas and related facilities; principles of supervision and work management; and public agency budgeting and using budget information.
• Have the ability to maintain effective working relations with park users, the public, City divisions, departments and outside agencies; and prepare and present complex information to Boards, Commissions and City Council.