Deputy Director of Parks and Recreation

CITY OF WHEAT RIDGE•Wheat Ridge, CO

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Deputy Director of Parks & Recreation serves as a key member of the department’s leadership team, providing strategic direction, oversight, and collaboration across multiple divisions and programs. This role supports the Director in advancing departmental priorities, managing staff and projects, and ensuring operational excellence. The Deputy Director leads major planning efforts, oversees grants, special funds, and ensures compliance with policies, procedures, and regulations. The Deputy Director builds strong partnerships with City leaders, community members, and stakeholders, while ensuring compliance and advancing strategic plans. Acting as a champion for innovation, collaboration, and community impact, this role helps deliver exceptional parks and recreation experiences for all. The hiring range for this position is $116,529 - $144,900/year. Wheat Ridge was founded during the 1859 Gold Rush as a rest stop for miners and later named for its golden wheat fields. As unsuccessful miners turned to farming, the area thrived with orchards, vegetable fields, and later, greenhouses, earning the title “Carnation City.” Incorporated in 1969, Wheat Ridge now offers a central location with easy access to Denver and the Rocky Mountains. It operates as a home-rule city with a council-manager government, where the elected council sets policy, and the manager oversees daily operations and budgeting.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree required in Parks, Recreation, Planning, Administration and or related field is preferred. An equivalent combination of education, training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities may be considered in lieu of degree.
Minimum of five years of experience in strategic management and operations in a government and/or parks and recreation environment.
Must possess a valid driver's license and pass a criminal background and MVR check.
Knowledgeable of principles, practices, and methods used in parks and recreation management.
Experience in organizational and management practices as applied to the analysis and evaluation of programs, policies, and operational needs.
Knowledge and understanding of pertinent federal, state and local laws, rules, codes, and ordinances that impact Parks and Recreation.
Proficient in methods and techniques of effective project management, and technical report preparation and presentation.
Knowledgeable and able to execute the following principles
Contract negotiation, preparation, and administration
Budget preparation and administration.
Personnel management, supervision, training, and performance evaluation.
Leadership, team building, and conflict resolution.
Knowledge of office practices and technology, including personal computer hardware and software; computer-based project management and scheduling.
Ability to communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing.

Responsibilities

Acts as an integral member of departmental management team focusing on cross-program and cross-division collaboration to help drive key projects and initiatives forward.
Oversees the Grant Specialist position as well associated applications, presentations, and the administration of various grants and other funding sources.
Oversees the Events and Volunteer Coordinator, Garden Coordinator and Park Project Coordinator positions and all projects large and small as they relate to these positions.
Works with the procurement team to prepare and evaluate requests for proposals relating to projects requiring contract design, engineering, and construction work.
Builds and maintains positive working relationships with co-workers, City employees, City officials, City Commissioners, and the public while positively representing the Parks and Recreation Department.
Assists the Director in the preparation of department budget for annual review including presentations to the Executive Management Team and City Council with a focus on special funds.
Leads and manages comprehensive planning and community engagement initiatives (current, long range, master planning and strategic planning) for future and existing parks, trails, open space, recreation and including land acquisitions or purchases.
Leads the CAPRA re-accreditation process, ensuring ongoing review and management of qualifying records and collaborating with teams across the City to accomplish this.
Leads annual evaluation of policies and plans, and consequently helps develop/edit policies, procedures, standards, and ordinances to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
Evaluates operations including service sustainability and organizational structure, identifying and/or predicting departmental needs.
Stays up to date and informed of legislation and legal compliance (such as ADA) that impacts Parks and Recreation and disseminates and/or trains staff on that information in a timely and proactive manner.
Assists with the facilitation of quarterly department meetings and sharing department-wide communications.
Oversees the Parks and Recreation commission including creating agendas, work plan, and oversight of meetings.
Motivates and influences colleagues and stakeholders to facilitate organizational effectiveness and collaborative relationships to enable the implementation of the City's mission, vision, values, and goals.
Responsible for council communication related to various city council agenda items i.e., council action forms and resolutions.
Acts on behalf of the Director when needed.
Other duties as assigned.