GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:

The Parks & Recreation Director provides leadership, direction, and is responsible for oversight and management of the day-to-day operations of the Parks & Recreation department including senior services, recreation, park planning and maintenance, and building maintenance. The Director oversees the city’s community center and is responsible for implementing the city council’s visions and goals and the City’s plans for community park and recreational amenities, facilities, and programs. This position requires significant interaction and engagement with the public, co-workers, elected officials, volunteers, and outside agency personnel.

The Director is responsible for developing and managing budgets, applying for and analyzing grants, evaluating program effectiveness, managing projects, and overseeing and executing special events. The position requires specialized professional knowledge in the theory, principles, practices, and techniques of implementing parks and recreation programs and services, strategic planning, organization design and development, public budgeting and financial management, and personnel management.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Responsible for all Parks and Recreation Department services and activities including parks, recreation, trails, open space, community center, senior services, and the Community Center facility.
• Select, train, motivate, and evaluate Parks and Recreation Department personnel. Oversee and manage the development and administration of the Parks and Recreation Department.
• Appropriate service and staffing levels; monitor and evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; allocate resources accordingly.
• Plan, direct, and coordinate, through subordinate level managers, the Parks and Recreation Department’s work plan; assign projects and programmatic areas of responsibility; review and evaluate work methods and procedures; meet with management staff to identify and resolve problems.
• Represent the Parks and Recreation Department to other City departments, elected officials, and outside agencies; coordinate Parks and Recreation Department activities with those of other departments and outside agencies and organizations.
• Serves as a staff advisor to the Parks and Trails Advisory Board.
• Plans and directs the development and construction of City-owned parks, trails, open spaces, and community gardens. 
• Attend and participate in professional group meetings; stay abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of parks and recreation.
• Respond to and resolve difficult and sensitive citizen inquiries and complaints. Negotiate and resolve sensitive and controversial issues.

Necessary Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Requires in-depth knowledge of the theory, principles, practices and modern trends in the fields of recreation, leisure and community services programs.
• Requires the ability to plan, direct, and integrate the sub-functions within the department, including, but not limited to comprehensive park operations, recreation and sports programming, senior services, trail systems and building maintenance program.
• Requires basic knowledge of the full range of functions performed by the City, including general management, financial, and public policy issues. Requires in-depth knowledge of research and analysis methods.
• Requires well-developed communication and interpersonal skills to deliver presentations to large and diverse audiences in a public setting, present ideas clearly, resolve conflict, and manage and review performance.
• Requires the ability to understand, interpret, explain and apply all policies, laws, regulations, codes, and ordinances applicable to assigned community services in the City.
• Requires the ability to analyze, interpret and explain proposed legislation and programs and the implications and impact on departmental operations.
• Requires the ability to work cooperatively and effectively with senior citizens.
• Requires the ability to work as a contributing member of a team, work productively and cooperatively with other teams and external customers, and convey a positive image of the City and its services.

JOB SPECIFICATIONS:

A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, preferable with major course work in recreation, public administration, physical education, or a related field is required.  At least eight years’ experience, preferably in a park recreation environment or public administration, three of which must be in a managerial capacity. A Master’s degree is preferred and may substitute for some experience. Other combinations of education and work experience can be considered.

Highly qualified candidates should have at least five years of increasingly responsible experience in the administration, developing, planning and implementing of recreational programming and social and cultural programs.

Experience in park facilities planning and design is preferred. Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP) credentials and experience with CAPRA Accreditation are preferred.

Please see our job website for more details and job application requirements. https://www.ci.sandy.or.us/hr/page/parks-and-recreation-director

About City of Sandy

The City of Sandy is looking for a Parks and Recreation Director to our join our incredible staff in one of Oregon’s fastest growing cities, with a population est. of 11,300. Our Parks and Recreation Director should appreciate a small and resourceful community amidst the splendor of Oregon. Our city embodies a rare, independent spirit that combines the pioneer and the visionary, and defines the Sandy way of life. The City of Sandy, “Where Innovation Meets Elevation”. Elevation. Location. Sandy is perfectly positioned between two Oregon icons. Right next door, Mt. Hood National Forest puts 50-foot trees in our backyard and postcard views of the region's tallest mountain at every turn. Just 25 miles to the west is Portland, a city close enough to share its culture and conveniences —restaurants, shopping and higher education —and far enough away to keep the sprawl at bay. Staying small is a big deal to our community. We make the most of our notable neighbors but have an identity all our own. With the get-it-done attitude of the pioneers who started this city, we take a cutting-edge DIY approach to everything from public safety and metro transit to municipality-owned fiber internet.

Connections working at City of Sandy