Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation-Capital Planning&Operations

City of Sammamish•Sammamish, WA

9d•Hybrid

About The Position

The City of Sammamish is seeking an Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation to help shape the places where our community gathers, plays, and thrives. The Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation (Capital Planning & Operations) plays an integral role in the department’s leadership team, providing strategic direction, operational oversight, and technical guidance across the City’s parks capital planning and maintenance operation programs. This position oversees multiple functions including land acquisition, planning, design, construction, maintenance and operations of the city’s parks and facilities. The Assistant Director (Capital Planning & Operations)ensures projects and programs align with the City’s strategic goals, regulatory requirements, and community needs.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Landscape Architecture, Park & Resource Management, Public Administration, or related field
Supplemented by a minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in parks, recreation, facilities management, project management, or related fields
Including four (4) years of experience supervising professional and operational staff
Or an equivalent combination of education, certification, training, and/or experience.
Employees must be residents of Washington State.
May be required to possess and maintain a valid Washington State Driver License and the ability to drive a city owned vehicle per established policies, procedures, and safety guidelines.
Principles, practices, regulations, and techniques related to the planning and development of parks, open space, and facilities.
Modern landscape construction design and materials trends and methods and the ability to evaluate proposals and administer contracts.
Growth Management Act and State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA)
Skill in planning, organizing, and managing the activities and operations of a Capital Improvement Program(CIP).
Skill in conceptualizing open and/or repurposed spaces and evaluating existing facilities, defining deficiencies, and designing or contracting for the design of new facilities.
Skill in reading, analyzing, and interpreting program related laws and regulations and establishing necessary work processes and procedures.
Skill in applying project management techniques, with ability to effectively manage multiple priorities and competing deadlines.
Skill in negotiating and administering contracts and ability to formulate, initiate, and administer policies and procedures for effective fiscal control.
Skill in complex analysis and public speaking, and abilitytocomprehend,interpretandexplainrules,legalrequirementsandpoliciesto a diverse audience and advocate for the interests of the city and the department in a variety of forums.
Skill in Microsoft Office Suite and applicable department / organization specific software and ability to learn and become skilled in the use of other specialized software and online meeting platforms as may be required.
Skill in clearly communicating and understanding information in English, both orally and in writing, and ability to use professional composition, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
Skill in responsive and flexible handling of work assignments and prioritizing work to complete assignments accurately and timely
Skill in maintaining a customer service orientation and positive image of the city to the public, courteous and professional approach to exchanging information, and adheringto strict confidentiality requirements.
Ability to regularly attend work and arrive punctually for designated work schedule, including when working remotely per an approved hybrid schedule.
Depending on the functional area of assignment, tasks involve the ability to exert light physical effort usually involving some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of light weight (up to 20 pounds).
May involve some climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, walking, or standing.
Tasks may involve extended periods of time at a keyboard or workstation and extended periods of time standing and/or walking.
Tasks are regularly performed inside and/or outside with exposure to adverse environmental conditions (e.g., dirt, fumes, temperature, weather, and noise extremes).
Some tasks require manual dexterity, in addition to visual and hearing acuity.
Some tasks may involve identifying and distinguishing colors.
Some tasks require the ability to perceive and discriminate visual cues or signals.
Some tasks require the ability to communicate orally and in writing.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Landscape Architecture, Park & Resource Management, Public Administration, or related field
Five (5) years of professional experience, including two (2) years in Washington State, planning and developing parks, managing open space initiatives and land acquisitions, and assuring zoning compliance.
Previous experience as an Assistant or Deputy Director in a Washington State municipality is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

Directs and provides guidance to staff across multiple functional areas to accomplish departmental goals and operational plans.
Helps guide the vision for and develops the City’s six-year Parks and Facilities Capital Improvement Plans and Capital Replacement Plan for effective asset management, aligned with priorities established in the Parks, Recreation and Open Space (PROS) Plan.
Oversees workflow, staffing, and resource allocation; assigns and communicates daily activities, priorities, and deadlines.
Leads planning, design, bidding, and construction of parks, recreation facilities, and capital improvement projects; ensures compliance with budgets, schedules, and regulatory requirements.
Manages consultant and construction contracts, including selection, negotiation, administration, and performance monitoring.
Develops and monitors project budgets, authorizes payments, manages change orders, and ensures fiscal accountability.
Evaluates conditions of existing parks, facilities, and programs; recommends improvements, designs, or expansions in alignment with long-range plans.
Oversees parks and grounds maintenance operations, including preventative maintenance, staffing, inventory, and contractor management.
Obtains permissive use leases and easements for park, open space, and facility development.
Leads land acquisition efforts in accordance with the priorities established in the City’s Parks, Recreation & Open Space Plan.
Ensures compliance with all legal, safety, health, and funding requirements across all program areas.
Maintains effective community engagement, including addressing concerns, presenting at public meetings, and serving as a liaison to commissions, boards, schools, and community organizations.
Prepares reports, analyses, grant applications, and presentations for management, Council, or other stakeholders.
Serves in emergency management roles as assigned and supports city-wide initiatives.
Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with those interacted with during work regardless of race, color, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, genetic information, disability, political affiliation, military service, or diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds.
Reviews and evaluates work methods and procedures and meets with management staff to identify and resolve problems.
Assesses and monitors workload; identifies opportunities for improvement and implements changes.
Selects, trains, motivates, and evaluates employees; provides or coordinates staff training; works with employees to correct deficiencies; implements discipline procedures per established policies, procedures, and executive guidance.
Oversees and participates in the development and administration of the departmental budget; approves the forecast of funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; approves expenditures and implements budgetary adjustments as appropriate and necessary.