Assistant Director, Parks

Starting annual salary: $72,488+, DOE

To be considered for the position, please submit a cover letter, resume, and writing sample.

General Statement of Duties

Manage and coordinate the Parks, Cultural, and Natural Resources Department’s activities, programs, facilities, and services in a way that promotes the department’s mission and values.

Classification Summary

The primary function of an employee in this class is to perform a variety of management, supervisory, and technical duties in coordinating, and managing Parks, Cultural, and Natural Resources Department programs and functions. The position assists with the supervision of full-time, part-time, and seasonal personnel. The Assistant Director reports to the Director, with considerable latitude granted for the exercise of discretion, independent judgment, and initiative concerning matters of significance. The principle duties of this class are performed in a general office environment and outdoors, which may include exposure to inclement weather.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

* In coordination with the Director, establish priorities, policies, and strategic direction for Parks, Cultural, and Natural Resources; promote the department’s strategic initiatives; develop procedures to implement policies;

* Recommend, develop, and implement short and long-range goals and objectives for the Parks, Cultural, and Natural Resources programs and projects;

* Effectively plan, organize, evaluate, and manage the activities of program areas and perform a full range of managerial responsibilities;

* Supervise and coordinate projects as assigned from inception to completion; acquire subject matter expertise in program-specific departmental projects;

* Hire, train, and evaluate staff; delegate and prioritize work and provide coaching and mentoring. Establish and maintain effective working relationships;

* Supervise and guide staff in achieving departmental goals; establish and maintain effective project teams;

* Assist the Director in managing and monitoring the work performance of department managers and staff, including evaluating work plans, policy and procedures, and broad organizational goals;

* Facilitate, coordinate, and negotiate between staff members of different County and non-County departments and offices;

* Develop and maintain strategic internal and external partnerships; represent the department at internal and external meetings; make decisions and commitments within scope of authority;

* Assist the Director in planning, preparing, and monitoring the departmental budget;

* Analyze and evaluate many complex and significant variables and issues. Requires the exercise of considerable initiative and independent analytical and evaluative judgment;

* Read memos, contracts, budgets, maps, audits, proposals, reports, legal documents, e-mails, plans and specifications, manuals and various correspondence;

* Write staff reports, press releases, letters, memos, grants, public education pieces, specifications, government reports, requests for proposals and general correspondence;

* Perform planning responsibilities including: administrative duties, overseeing both time-sensitive and ongoing special projects, conducting department-wide process improvement analyses, assisting in the development of five, ten, and fifteen-year plans, compiling and defending budget projections, and performing managerial duties as assigned;

* Coordinate and assist federal, state, local, and private efforts to acquire, protect, and develop outdoor recreation environments, cultural, and natural resources and provide outdoor recreation opportunities;

* Serve as acting Director in the absence of the Parks, Cultural, and Natural Resources Director as assigned;

* Performs all work duties and activities in accordance with County policies, procedures, and safety practices.

Other Duties and Responsibilities

* Performs other related duties as required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of:

* Public speaking and presentation skills;

* Organizational, economic, and political issues as related to County government;

* Management, administrative and operational functions, public administration, policies, procedures, organizational structure, interdepartmental relationships and finance and budgetary practices;

* The functions of programs and services provided by parks, recreation and enterprise facilities

* Principles, policies, and objectives of customer service;

* Management research and evaluation techniques, methods, and procedures;

* Research and analysis techniques regarding budget planning, review and adjustments;

* Effective communication techniques with individuals and small and large groups;

* Project planning, coordination, implementation, and management;

* Supervision and personnel management principles and practices;

* Team building and conflict resolution.

Ability to:

* Work cooperatively and constructively with fellow workers and members of the public to provide public service of the highest quality and quantity;

* Establish partnerships with community leaders, businesses, sports associations, educational groups, and local citizens;

* Establish and maintain effective working relationships with committees, commissioners, outside agencies, County employees, elected and appointed officials, and the public;

* Plan and lead public meetings;

* Perform a broad range of supervisory responsibilities over subordinates;

* Provide excellent leadership;

* Utilize creative business management strategies to address service and budget concerns;

* Evaluate operational activities and recommend and implement improvements;

* Gather pertinent facts, make thorough analysis and arrive at sound decisions;

* Present ideas concisely and effectively both orally and in writing;

* Readily adjust to a variety of work assignments and procedural changes;

* Represent the Parks, Cultural & Natural Resources Director at various meetings;

* Work cooperatively with the general public and other County departments and employees;

* Work well under stressful situations with a wide range of people involved;

* Listen well and communicate effectively verbally and in writing with employees and citizens;

* Operate standard office equipment, including a personal computer using program applications appropriate to assigned duties;

* Perform a wide variety of duties and responsibilities with accuracy and speed under the pressure of time-sensitive deadlines;

* Perform multiple tasks simultaneously, including handling interruptions, and return to and complete tasks in a timely manner;

* Perform time management and scheduling functions, meet deadlines, and set project priorities.

* Work in more than one Departmental office location as needed including but not limited to Lake Lowell Office and Celebration Park.

Acceptable Experience and Training

* Bachelor’s degree in business, public administration, education or a related field is required; and

* Five (5) years of experience in management, administration or teaching is required and experience in personnel supervision, public speaking and media relations is preferred; or

* Equivalent combination of experience and training may be considered.

Special Qualifications

* Valid Idaho driver’s license;

* Must successfully complete a background investigation.

Essential Physical Abilities

* Sufficient clarity of speech and hearing, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to discern verbal instructions and communicate with others in person and by telephone;

* Sufficient visual acuity, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to comprehend written work instructions; observe and determine park/recreation/waterways program effectiveness, and prepare and evaluate a variety of written and text documents, including maps and blueprints;

* Sufficient manual dexterity, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to operate a motor vehicle, boat, hand and power tools, a personal computer, and standard office equipment;

* Sufficient personal mobility, flexibility, strength, and agility to work in an office environment and in outdoor conditions.

Disclaimer:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the primary job responsibilities

satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodation. The above statements are intended to

describe the general nature and level of work being assigned to this job. They are not intended to be

construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of individuals in the

job. This job description is not an employment agreement and/or an expressed or implied employment

contract. Management has the exclusive right to alter this job description at any time without notice.

Canyon County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions related to recruitment and

selection are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics.