Parks and Recreation Director

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college in Parks and Recreation Management, Public Administration, Environmental Science, Landscape Architecture, Planning, or related field.
• Eight (8) years increasingly responsible experience in parks, recreation, community service, including a minimum of three (3) years of supervisory or managerial experience.
• Certified Parks and Recreation Professional (CPRP) is required or ability to obtain within 12 months from date of hire.
• Complete a comprehensive criminal background screening prior to hire, pursuant to RCW 43.43.830/832 where an employee will or may have unsupervised access to children, developmentally delayed persons, or vulnerable adults.
• Valid Washington State driver’s license and ability to provide driver’s abstract showing a good driving record.

• Local government executive level management experience.
• Certified Parks and Recreation Executive (CPRE).

Provide leadership, direction, vision, planning, marketing, and management operations oversight of employees and activities of the Parks and Recreation Department, in accordance with state law, federal law, and the City of Oak Harbor Municipal Code. The position is responsible for development, implementation, maintenance, and operations of the City parks, including grounds, facilities, structures, preservation of open spaces, and scenic environments including City beaches and downtown landscaping. The Director is responsible for strategic goals based upon present and future service demands and community needs to service citizens; providing leadership, resources, systems, and processes to facilitate the effective operations of Parks Operations and development, Recreation Services, Senior Services. Work involves significant community engagement and public involvement with elected officials/policymakers, community organizations, and citizens. Considerable and frequent contact is maintained with other department leaders, the Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission (PRAC), Arts Commission, representatives of state and local governments, Federal government, consultants, and vendors. The department assists in the success of several large special events that take place in City parks. The Director is responsible to ensure the City’s mission and core values are incorporated into Parks and Recreation operational activities and services, and to ensure the effective utilization of department personnel, funds, equipment, facilities, and time.

Essential Job Functions

Work activities involve multiple skills and may include, but are not limited to, any of the following depending on area of assignment, crew needs, emergency services, special projects, and seasonal factors:

• Manage operations for all City parks, facilities, recreation programs, community use areas, and services following best practices for the industry in conformance with the City’s strategic plan for Parks and Recreation in Island County.
• Personnel management including recruitment, hiring, evaluating, mentorship, disciplinary or recognition, and support for ongoing training and continuing education for organization development.
• Approve and manage construction and professional service contracts, and revenue generating opportunities, for example, fee collections, rentals, reservations, passports, travel program, bingo gambling, food service, and overall preservation of generated revenue and use of public funds for ongoing parks and recreation repair and improvement.
• Coordinate special events in community parks as well as sports, recreation, and  parks related day-to-day services with community organizations, service groups, athletic facility owners, and other organizations utilizing park facilities for events such as car shows, holiday events, festivals, fairs, parties, or other reasons; to determine needs, safeguard parks and recreation resources, schedule usage, and coordinate with Oak Harbor Police Department (OHPD) to control vandalism, and assure that repairs are made to vandalized facilities (if any).
• Influence and provide guidance for strategic collaboration, fundraising, and development with the PRAC, and Senior Center Foundation.
• Prepare, monitor, and evaluate the department’s efficiency and cost-effective operational needs, performance measures, business plan, and budget, to reflect long-term planning for existing and new parks, facilities, and capital improvements and to ensure revenue and expense goals are achieved.
• Research, prepare, submit, and administer grant applications with the assistance of the City’s Grants Administrator for enhancement of parks facilities, operations or special projects.
• Coordinate with Development Services and assist in parks and recreation planning, park acquisition, site plan review, development, landscaping, and construction of new and existing parks facilities and other functions for parks and recreation related projects as well as communication with clubs and other organizations as applicable.
• Administer safety and risk management programs and ensures work is performed in accordance and compliance with environmental standards and other regulations.
• Identify and initiate the use of technology to enhance operations and customer service.
• Serve as a member of the City’s Leadership Team assisting with a broad range of municipal service issues.
• Coordinate purchasing in accordance with established policy and procedure, coordinate public/media relations, marketing, and promotions with the Communications Officer, works with OHPD and Oak Harbor Fire Department (OHFD) for emergency services and emergency management plans.
• Maintain electronic records of operations, maintenance, equipment, and materials used in accordance with records retention under the guidance of the Public Records Officer (PRO).
• Serve as staff liaison for Oak Harbor Park Board meetings and facilitate relations with other organizations such as the North Whidbey Pool, Park, and Recreation District (NWPPRD), Oak Harbor School District, Boys & Girls Club, and Naval Air Station Whidbey Island (NASWI). Facilitate regular meetings and coordinate special projects with recreational leagues, school district, Navy, NWPPRD, and outside groups such as the Oak Harbor Garden Club, Oak Harbor Garry Oak Society, Greater Oak Harbor Chamber of Commerce and Oak Harbor Main Street Association.
• Respond to emergency service matters, direct crew activities, and help coordinate parks activities with Public Works, OHPD, OHFD, and other agencies.
• Prepares, presents, or delegates agenda bills, ordinances, and resolutions for City Council.
• Coordinate department’s response to customer and public inquiries and oversee or perform duties such as assessing concerns or complaints, problem solving, and follow-up with customers or the public, personnel, or other colleagues.
• Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with City officials, other managers and supervisors, civic groups, other City departments, PRAC, Arts Commission, Senior Services Foundation, and the public, and respond in a courteous and helpful manner to resolve problems in stressful situations.

Associated Job Functions

• Attend various workshops, continuing education, meetings, seminars, and conferences.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibility
Parks and Recreation staff.