OC COMMUNITY RESOURCES (OCCR) 
OC Community Resources is a multi-faceted department comprised of OC Animal Care, OC Community Services, OC Housing & Community Development, OC Parks, and OC Public Libraries. Click here for more information on the County of Orange. 
 
OC PARKS
OC Parks encompasses regional, wilderness, historical facilities, and coastal areas throughout the County of Orange in California. Featuring nearly 60,000 acres of parkland, open space, and shoreline, Orange County's award-winning parks and programs are enjoyed by millions of residents and visitors each year, in ways as diverse as the parks themselves. 
 
THE OPPORTUNITY
OCCR is seeking a strong leader to serve as one of the two Deputy Directors of OC Parks. OC Parks Deputy Directors (Operations and Maintenance Deputy Director) is responsible for providing guidance, direction, and coordination for the department in carrying out the department's mission of preserving the County's portfolio of regional parks and open spaces to provide economical recreational opportunities to the public.  
 
Reporting to the Director of OC Parks, each Deputy Director works with a diverse group of professional disciplines and will closely engage with staff to inspire, motivate, and empower them to further the County's and department's strategic initiatives. The incumbent will work closely with the department's management staff to establish priorities, policies, and direction. They will build consensus and continuity across divisions, and maintain a respectful, productive, caring, and ethical work environment.  
 
OC Parks is comprised of eight divisions, including three (3) park operation divisions; a systems and resources division; a business administration division; a strategic communications division; a planning and design division; and an entitlements division. The primary function and scope of the Deputy Director of OC Parks (Operations and Maintenance Deputy Director) divisions are described below:
 
Park Operations division includes the majority of OC Parks' field operations personnel, including park rangers, maintenance, visitor services, and interpretive/educational staff. Each of these divisions is responsible for the daily operation of a third of the County regional park system, including land and facility management, park visitor engagement, public safety and park ordinance enforcement, natural and cultural resource interpretation and education, and delivery of special events, programs, and volunteer activities. Park operations also include the Operations Support Group, which is responsible for the OC Parks Ranger Academy and field training, radio system and citation administration, and emergency/fire preparedness and incident command.
 
 The Systems and Resources division centrally coordinates key operational information systems, such as the department's computerized maintenance management system (CMMS) and the geographic information system (GIS). This division also provides administrative and technical support and services to the field operations divisions in functions such as maintenance inspection, playground safety, tree pest management, weed abatement, and heavy equipment. The division also provides for the management of the countywide regional trails and bikeways.
  
In daily operations, each Deputy Director provides direct oversight and management of one service area comprised of at least four of the eight divisions. These service areas are currently divided into Operations (Park Operations, and Systems and Resources) and Administration (Business Administration, Strategic Communications, Planning and Design, and Entitlements). However, this opportunity provides for some flexibility in the structure of the department, and the divisions may be realigned to maximize the benefit of the combined skills and experience of the Director and Deputy Directors.  The Deputy Director will provide support and backup in the absence of the fellow Deputy Director and OC Parks Director.
 
In fulfilling these responsibilities, the Deputy Director must be comfortable working with myriad County agencies and external organizations including, but not limited to, the Board of Supervisors, Orange County Public Works, Orange County Fire Authority, Orange County Sheriff, US Forest Service, US Fish and Wildlife Service, California State Parks, California Coastal Commission, US Army Corps of Engineers, and numerous municipalities, non-profits, and community groups. Additionally, the Deputy Director may be expected to serve as the executive officer to one of OC Parks related commissions and may also be appointed to represent the County or department in multi-jurisdictional organizations or boards.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS AND CORE COMPETENCIES
The ideal candidate will have six (6) or more years of significant and progressively responsible experience in a mid-to-upper-level managerial capacity with a park and recreation organization and must include two (2) years of supervisory experience.
 In addition, the ideal candidate will possess knowledge and experience in the following core competencies:
 
 TECHNICAL EXPERTISE

• Comprehensive knowledge of the principles of public administration, public contract procurement and administration, and best practices in internal/external communication
• In-depth knowledge of and experience in community needs analysis, program performance assessment, benchmarking, and balanced scorecard
• Strong analytical and research skills, and the ability to develop and execute comprehensive business strategies for the various program areas within the regional park system

COMMUNICATION

• Strong oral and written communication skills with experience in public speaking, meeting facilitation, and staff reports/briefs
• Ability to interact effectively with elected and appointed officials, other government agencies, public and private partners, community leaders and customers, and the general public

SUPERVISORY | MANAGEMENT

• Ability to direct and develop staff at all levels of the department with confidence, empathy, and respect
• Strong project management skills, and the ability to guide the implementation of major strategic initiatives that involve collaboration across organizational boundaries

About OC Parks

County of Orange - OC Parks

Connections working at OC Parks