Director, Parks, Recreation and Forestry

~ Brookings is a city in Brookings County, South Dakota, United States. Brookings is the fourth largest city in South Dakota, with a population of 22,056 at the 2010 census. ~

Sustainability ensures that we have and will continue to have the water, materials and resources to protect human health and our environment.  

Position Overview

Under the direction of the City Manager, the Director is responsible for directing and implementing year-round, city wide parks, recreation and forestry programs and services to include supervision of personnel, policy/procedures development and implementation, budgets, fund-raising, programming and planning. Represents the City and Department before public and civic organizations. Implements parks best management practices with sustainability and quality of life programming. 

Responsibilities

• Oversee and develop the parks, recreation and forestry programs.
• Determine and implement procedures and processes for assessing community needs for new and existing facilities and programs.
• Research and analyze information and set realistic goals for department for short and long-range strategic planning based on City Manager direction, City Council goals and community desires.
• Prepare and submit annual departmental budget request to the City Manager.  Administer the budgets throughout the fiscal year. Review, verify, and approve all financial expenditures prior to submission to the City Manager.
• Responsible for preparing and overseeing capital improvement master plans, and developing new and sustainable operations and revenue strategies.
• Develop fee structure proposals for services and programs.
• Prepares, monitors and evaluates parks, recreation and forestry service contracts with various agencies.
• Responsible for negotiating and administering leases and contracts with other governmental, quasi-governmental, private businesses, and individuals.
• Create agreements and work cooperatively with other community related agencies to include SDSU, Brookings School District, Arts Council, Senior Activity Center, Food Pantry, Arts Festival and all youth and adult recreation/athletic associations to assess needs, planning for facilities, determining future needs, etc.
• Establish and maintain a good relationship with other agencies, departments and administration. 
• Develop new policies and procedures as well as propose revisions and updates pertaining to program and facility operations.
• Supervise and delegate duties and responsibilities to the superintendents and office manager.  Manage all subordinate staff through superintendents.
• Oversee and evaluate citizen complaints and respond accordingly. 
• Oversee development of programs for the purchase, inspection and disposal of equipment.  Remain abreast of latest technology and safety equipment.
• Through assistance from the Forestry Technicians, oversee the trail system, the health of public trees, and planting of new trees. Oversee urban re-forestation efforts.
• Play a critical role in the attainment of the City's Bike Master Plan and Parks, Recreation and Forestry Master Plans.
• Provide innovative programs and practices to complement the City's sustainability initiatives.
• Oversee park facilities including, but not limited to: turf management program, playground equipment, building/equipment/facility maintenance and operations.
• Prepare annual, monthly and quarterly reports as necessary or requested.
• Work cooperatively with the Park and Recreation Advisory Board.
• Find opportunities to engage employees to improve operational effectiveness and the community experience.
• Perform all duties in compliance with the safety standards established by the City.
• Perform such duties as the City Manager may direct.

Qualifications

Minimum/Preferred Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience:

• Bachelor of Science Degree in Parks, Recreation, or a related field, including course work in organization and administration is required.  A master's degree is preferred.
• Five (5) years of progressive leadership experience in parks and recreation programs, with some exposure to forestry, horticulture, and turf management or other related fields in an administrative supervisory capacity, with municipal or public sector experience required.   A combination of education, experience, and training may be considered in lieu of degree requirement.
• South Dakota or other state Park & Recreation Association Professional Certificate or eligibility desirable.
• Must have demonstrated experience in evaluating needs, designing programs, and continuously improving sustainable systems and processes. 
• Must have ability to create cohesive teams, establish a strategic direction, develop momentum, motivate staff, and manage change.
• Demonstrated experience using statistical data, financial information and outcome measures to develop budgets, evaluate operational performance, and strengthen organizational accountability and effectiveness.
• Experience supervising a large and diverse workforce with skill in creating a culture of respect, collaboration, productivity and accountability.
• Must have demonstrated skill in addressing politically challenging situations with tact, diplomacy, and sensitivity.
• Must have excellent verbal and oral communication skills, including experience communicating successfully with a broad range of stakeholders.
• Prior experience and working knowledge in computer technology and software programs to include Outlook, Word, Excel, and Powerpoint, etc.
• Must have philosophy of providing excellent customer service and outstanding customer service delivery.

Language Skills:

• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common scientific and technical journals, financial reports, and government regulations. 
• Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community. 
• Ability to write speeches and articles for publication that conform to prescribed style and format. 
• Ability to effectively present information to top management, elected officials, public groups, and/or boards of directors.

Compensation

~ The City of Brookings is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. The City of Brookings does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, sex, creed, religion, ancestry, national origin, familial status, disability, marital status, gender identity, or sexual orientation which results in the unequal treatment or separation or segregation of any person, or denies, prevents, limits or otherwise adversely affects, or if accomplished would deny, prevent, limit or otherwise adversely affect the benefit or enjoyment by any person of employment, membership in a labor union organization, ownership or occupancy of real property, a public accommodation, a public service or an educational institution. ~