Parks, Recreation & Libraries Director

at  City of Avondale AZ

JOB DESCRIPTION

The City of Avondale has an opportunity for a Parks, Recreation & Libraries Director position with the Avondale Parks & Recreation Department. This is a FLSA Exempt, full-time position with benefits.
Plans, organizes, and directs the activities, programs, facilities, special events and services of the Parks, Recreation & Libraries Department. Makes recommendations on operational and managerial problems, long-range plans, programs, and capital improvement plans for the department. Responsibilities include providing guidance and direction to citizen advisory boards and other supportive agencies, preparing presentations and reports for city management and council, reviewing the general operation of the department to determine efficiency, providing direction on major projects or problem areas, developing and implementing policies and procedures applicable to administrative functions, as well as providing overall policy guidance. In addition, the employee is responsible for overseeing the development, preparation, and implementation of the department budget.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor’s degree in a related field. Master’s Degree in Business, Finance, Parks & Recreation Management, Public Administration or similar.
Ten (10) years of experience managing daily operations, supporting the City’s Strategic plan, and working at a similar sized city or private entity.
Valid Arizona Operator’s Driver’s License.
Certified Parks & Recreation Professional, preferred.
Certified Parks & Recreation Executive, preferred.

Administers the Parks, Recreation & Libraries Department by planning, coordinating, and implementing park planning, recreation activities, developing and maintaining the city parks system, and oversight of library operations.
Serves as a technical advisor to the Assistant City Manager, City Manager, and City Council related to library and park operations and recreation programs and all department program areas.
Selects, trains, motivates, and evaluates personnel. Establishes and monitors employee performance objectives, prepares and presents employee performance reviews, provides, or coordinates staff training, works with employees to correct deficiencies, and implements discipline and termination procedures.
Meets and confers with departmental management staff to coordinate projects and programs, implement the special event process, resolve issues, and assist in planning division operations. Formulates rules and regulations governing the use of parks & recreation facilities and programs.
Develops long range plans, master plans, and other strategic documents and interprets results for use in planning evaluation and decision making. Monitors and evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery, assesses work load, and reports opportunities for improvements within the programs.
Develops, administers, and monitors the department’s operating budget and capital improvement program. Conducts fiscal/economic impact studies and cost/benefit analyses to prepare budget projections. Manages capital improvement projects and construction projects for the department.
Provide oversight and lead the Parks Commission and public outreach events.
Provides oversight of library operations, programs, and public events. Coordinates with the leadership team to enhance public interface and safety protocols.
Provides oversight of Public Art Program, Public Arts Commission, and ensure regular updates to the Public Art Master Plan.
Provides oversight and monitors the parks capital improvement program as it relates to new park development, redevelopment, equipment replacement and improvements, trail development, and public open space areas.
Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with elected officials, City leaders, department directors, and other City staff. Meets with citizens or special groups on behalf of elected officials and City leaders. Represents the City at community meetings.