Director of Recreation & Cultural Arts

College Park, City of•College Park, GA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

A successful candidate is responsible for professional and administrative work in planning, organizing and directing the activities of the City's Recreation & Cultural Arts Department. Work involves responsibility for the administration and direction of the parks and recreation system. The Director of Recreation & Cultural Arts will provide direction, leadership, and oversight to the city’s cultural, recreational, athletic, and community health and fitness programs. Facilitate the development of strategy and policy for the department, and ensure that the city’s mission, core values, and goals are incorporated into activities and services. The individual in this position serves as the department head and is responsible for the overall supervision of department employees. Plans, directs, and supervises City staff employed with the parks and recreation system of the City. Schedules, assigns, inspects, and evaluates work; instructs and trains in correct methods and procedures; monitors work on a daily basis; reviews and evaluates employee performance. Administers the City's Parks and Recreation program; directs through subordinates the planning, scheduling, and coordination of divisional activities; develops policies, procedures, and priorities to meet established goals. Develops, implements, and maintains strategic, fiscal, and capital improvement plans for the Department. Prepares and monitors the department budget and prepares special reports as required; analyzes and prepares budget for submission to the Mayor and Council; assumes full responsibility for complete adherence to the monies allocated to the department. Coordinates and maintains communication with other department heads; Directs the formulation and routine updating of department goals and objectives consistent with the mission of the City. Interprets for the public and other City departments the philosophy and objectives of City public parks, recreation, and leisure services. Directs the review and evaluation of overall operations of the department; plans, coordinates, and directs staff training, disciplinary actions, and performance evaluations. Develops and implements departmental policies, goals, and procedures. Directs the acquisition, planning, design, and construction of new recreational parks and facilities. Maintains various departmental records on program activities, personnel records, inventory, etc. Inspects outdoor facilities and major projects on a daily basis; Conducts studies and prepares reports evaluating program effectiveness and/or assessing current service levels. Performs other duties as required. We seek candidates who are flexible, well-organized, creative, inquisitive, resourceful, detail-oriented, ethical, collaborative, and committed to inclusive educational excellence. The ability to prioritize and juggle multiple tasks in a dynamic environment while maintaining quality work products is essential for success in this position. The candidate will have experience planning, organizing, and directing the activities of the City’s Recreation & Cultural Arts Department, supervising personnel, and completing the annual budget for the Department.

Requirements

Advanced knowledge of the principles and practices of Parks and Recreation management, operations, and planning.
Advanced knowledge of all Federal, State and local regulatory requirements applicable to parks and recreation.
Advanced knowledge of the funding process in a municipal environment as related to budgeting, cost accounting, financial planning and management.
Advanced knowledge of a wide variety of recreation activities.
Advanced knowledge of facilities and equipment needed in a broad parks and recreation program.
Advanced knowledge of the principles, practices and procedures of supervision, organization and administration.
Advanced knowledge of budgetary practices and the ability to interpret and justify operating and capital budgets.
Ability to plan, implement, and coordinate technical and administrative programs.
Ability to organize and direct subordinates.
Ability to exercise mature and good judgment in evaluating and rendering decisions in pressurized situations.
Ability to express ideas effectively, both orally and in writing.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the general public, co-workers, elected and appointed officials.
Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
Ability to interpret and apply rules, regulations, policies, procedures and ordinances to ensure compliance.
Ability to maintain involvement with multiple, complex projects as required.
Must be able to present information clearly and in an interesting manner to elected officials and the general public.
Must be able to deal fairly and calmly with issues requiring conflict resolution.
Must be able to establish and maintain effective working relationships with City officials, employees, and the public.
Must be able to use tact and courtesy in dealing with the public.
Must be able to analyze and evaluate procedures and work processes and to exercise appropriate judgment in establishing priorities and work methods.
Must be able to establish and maintain effective working relationships to deal effectively and courteously with others, and to work independently and in team settings.
Must be able to type or use a personal computer with word processing and related software and to enter and retrieve information with reasonable speed and accuracy.
Moderate physical activity. Requires handling objects of average weight up to fifty (50) pounds, standing and/or walking for more than four (4) hours per day.
Bachelor’s degree in Recreation, Public or Personnel Administration, Business Management, or related field.
Seven (7) to nine (9) years of progressive management experience within a professional recreation setting.
Possession of a valid Driver's License issued by the State of Georgia.
Strong organizational and communication skills.
Proficiency in MS Office Suite, as well as knowledge and understanding of the organizational structure, workflow, and operating procedures.
Pre-employment screening is required: criminal background check and drug testing.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree preferred.
Certified Leisure Professional and certified Youth Sports Administrator desired.

Responsibilities

Provide direction, leadership, and oversight to the city’s cultural, recreational, athletic, and community health and fitness programs.
Facilitate the development of strategy and policy for the department, and ensure that the city’s mission, core values, and goals are incorporated into activities and services.
Serve as the department head and be responsible for the overall supervision of department employees.
Plan, direct, and supervise City staff employed with the parks and recreation system of the City.
Schedule, assign, inspect, and evaluate work; instruct and train in correct methods and procedures; monitor work on a daily basis; review and evaluate employee performance.
Administer the City's Parks and Recreation program; direct through subordinates the planning, scheduling, and coordination of divisional activities; develop policies, procedures, and priorities to meet established goals.
Develop, implement, and maintain strategic, fiscal, and capital improvement plans for the Department.
Prepare and monitor the department budget and prepare special reports as required; analyze and prepare budget for submission to the Mayor and Council; assume full responsibility for complete adherence to the monies allocated to the department.
Coordinate and maintain communication with other department heads.
Direct the formulation and routine updating of department goals and objectives consistent with the mission of the City.
Interpret for the public and other City departments the philosophy and objectives of City public parks, recreation, and leisure services.
Direct the review and evaluation of overall operations of the department; plan, coordinate, and direct staff training, disciplinary actions, and performance evaluations.
Develop and implement departmental policies, goals, and procedures.
Direct the acquisition, planning, design, and construction of new recreational parks and facilities.
Maintain various departmental records on program activities, personnel records, inventory, etc.
Inspect outdoor facilities and major projects on a daily basis.
Conduct studies and prepare reports evaluating program effectiveness and/or assessing current service levels.
Perform other duties as required.