Director of Parks & Recreation

Full Job Description

We are searching for a dynamic individual who thrives on designing, delivering, and evaluating innovative recreation and community-based programs.

If you're ready to join a dynamic team and make a difference in the lives of Lake Havasu City residents, we encourage you to apply today.

Please submit your application, along with a resume and a cover letter which includes your salary expectation.

TO VIEW THE ONLINE BROCHURE, CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING LINK: Director of Parks and Recreation

General Definition of Work

Performs complex executive work directing and administering all recreational programs, property, and activities related to the City Parks and Recreation department by planning, organizing, developing, and implementing all parks and recreation programs, operations and maintenance, supervising managerial staff, evaluating programs, services, and facilities, maintaining files and records, preparing reports, and related work as apparent or assigned. Work involves setting policies and goals under the direction of the City Manager. Departmental supervision is exercised over all personnel within the department.

Special Note: This is an executive position that serves at the pleasure of the City Manager.

Essential Functions

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required and are subject to change as needs and job requirements change. Position assignments may vary. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable an individual with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Manages departmental personnel; assigns, directs, trains, and inspects the work of staff; rewards, disciplines, coaches, counsels and evaluates staff performance; develops staff schedules; transfers, promotes, demotes, suspends, and terminates; ensures deadlines for the department are met; develops and achieves high performance and strategic objects for the department; supervises daily operations.

Evaluates Recreation and Aquatic programs to ensure they are meeting the needs of the community and recommends changes; monitors and establishes fees.

Develops, implements, and maintains policies and procedures, establishes goals and standards, and ensures compliance with laws and regulations.

Develops, implements, and evaluates long-range plans and strategic documents to be utilized in planning and decision-making.

Participates in both internal and external meetings to be sure the department and city are represented.

Prepares, presents, and manages the department's budget; monitors department revenues and approves expenditures.

Serves as a liaison between the Department and the City Council, City Manager, or outside agency.

Prepares reports for Council, boards, and commissions and presents as needed; oversees the preparation of departmental reports; maintains records and files.

Operates and maintains motor vehicles or other work-related equipment requiring a valid Arizona Driver License.

Job Specifications

Comprehensive knowledge of all phases of community recreational activities and their administration; comprehensive knowledge of the principles and methods of park and playground planning and development; thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of management and policy development; comprehensive knowledge of the principles and methods of program development, implementation, and promotion; thorough knowledge of the economic and social needs of senior adults and/or youth, and of the resources to meet those needs.

Skill in the use of personal computers, associated software packages, hardware, and peripheral equipment; skill in short-term and long-range strategic planning and recommendations; skill in analytical, quantitative, problem-solving, organization, and time-management; skill in planning, budgeting, supervision, public relations, and technical writing.

Ability to develop and execute a well-rounded program of recreational activities; ability to cooperate with and interpret recreational philosophies to City authorities, private groups and agencies and the general public; ability to communicate effectively in oral and written form; ability to prepare and present detailed reports; ability to lead committees and interact with elected officials and affiliated organizations; ability to cooperate with and interpret program philosophies to City authorities, private groups, agencies and the general public; ability to plan, organize, direct, and evaluate the work of subordinate employees; ability to deal courteously and effectively with the public; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, subordinates, Mayor, Council, commissions, boards, community leaders, media, contractors, public and school officials, vendors, civic organizations and agencies, businesses, and the general public.

Working Conditions

This work requires the occasional exertion of up to 25 pounds of force; work regularly requires speaking or hearing and using hands to finger, handle or feel, frequently requires sitting and occasionally requires standing, walking, reaching with hands and arms, pushing or pulling and repetitive motions; work has standard vision requirements; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels; work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, visual inspection involving small defects and/or small parts, using of measuring devices, operating machines, operating motor vehicles or equipment and observing general surroundings and activities; work has no exposure to environmental conditions; work is generally in a moderately noisy location (e.g. business office, light traffic).

Applicants for employment opportunities should be aware of the Lake Havasu City policies concerning the use of drugs and alcohol. These policies have not been altered by the passage of Proposition 207. The use of recreational marijuana is a violation of the City's Drug Free Workplace Policy. All positions within the City are required to submit to a pre-employment drug test. A positive result for drugs tested under the policy, including recreational marijuana, may be grounds for withdrawal of an offer of employment.

The City reserves the right to consider only the most highly qualified applicants. The succeeding examination processes may be required: training and experience, testing, panel interview, employment eligibility verification (EEV) requirements, personnel evaluation profile (PEP), polygraph test, background investigation and alcohol/drug screening test. Appointment subject to successful background investigation and City paid post-employment medical examination after offer of employment has been made.