Responsible for administering all Ashland Parks & Recreation functions and for attaining goals approved by the Ashland Parks & Recreation Commission.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:
The Director is a single position classification with broad responsibility for managing all operations and activities for Ashland Parks & Recreation.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED
Receives general direction from the Ashland Parks and Recreation Commission.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
The employee in this classification will have direct supervisory responsibility over subordinate management, supervisory, professional, and clerical employees, and indirect supervisory responsibility over professional, technical, and/or other employees.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
The duties listed below are only intended as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related and/or a logical assignment to the classification.
The Ashland Parks & Recreation Director works closely with Ashland Parks & Recreation Commission per City Charter to carry out policies and directives established at properly noticed public meetings. Provides adequate information to assist the Commissioners in making decisions and establishing policies. Collaborate with the Commission Chair to prepare the agenda and information related to Commissioners’ meetings. Works with the Ashland Parks & Recreation Commission to initiate and develop policies for approval. Keeps the Ashland Parks & Recreation Commission informed on the status of projects, activities, programs, issues, and financial operations.
The Ashland Parks & Recreation Director will supervise and be responsible for Ashland Parks & Recreation’s financial operation. Prepare the biennial Ashland Parks & Recreation budget for the Commission’s review and approval. Present the biennial Ashland Parks & Recreation budget to the City Council and City of Ashland’s Budget Committee. Inform the Ashland Parks & Recreation Commission of needed changes to the budget. Periodically review and report to the Ashland Parks & Recreation Commission about recreational programs regarding revenues, expenditures, and number of community participants, with a goal of seeking savings, enhancing revenues, and determining what programs can be sustained.
Carry out the acquisition, construction, improvements, and maintenance of parks and open space lands. Direct recreation programs, including but not limited to, general recreation, aquatics, and environmental education. Seek creative approaches to augment revenues via grants, donations, and other means.
Empower staff through clear communication, set exacting standards and expectations for staff accountability without micromanaging subordinates. Provide administrative direction to all Ashland Parks & Recreation employees, directly or through subordinate supervisors and other managers; conduct performance appraisals and ensure that subordinate managers and supervisors do the same for their subordinates; ensure resolution of personnel matters. Hire, discipline, and as necessary, terminate Ashland Parks & Recreation employees; maintain standards of efficiency and morale among all department employees on matters relating to personnel, employee relations, conflicts, and grievances. The Ashland Parks & Recreation Director must be impartial and fair with the ability to generate trust in the organization and the community.
Work with various citizen and business groups, attend meetings, and represent Ashland Parks & Recreation in multiple organizations and groups. Explain Ashland Parks & Recreation issues and projects, promote citizen participation and support, respond to citizen inquiries, resolve complaints, or refer them to the right departments as needed; follow through to ensure satisfactory citizen inquiry resolution. Serve as a responsible spokesperson for media and public relations purposes.
The Director will bring new ideas and solutions to the Ashland Parks & Recreation Commission and the community. Under the direction of Ashland Park Commission, establish and prioritize short-term and long-term goals. They will be a problem-solver with the ability to multi-task and communicate simultaneously with the Commission, community, and staff in a transparent manner.
Keep Ashland Parks & Recreation positioned as a leader in climate action, healthy forests, wildlife preservation and other ecological values. Promote a workplace culture that embraces the core values of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
AUXILIARY JOB FUNCTIONS:
Maintain safety standards in assigned work areas. Maintain proficiency by attending training conferences and meetings, reading materials and meeting with others in areas of responsibility. Maintain work areas in a clean and orderly manner. Perform other duties as assigned.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Knowledge of:
Advanced, modern, and sophisticated principles and practices of municipal government.
Parks & recreation administration and functions, including organizational and economic development functions and services.
Principles and practices of municipal finance, budgeting, public administration, and public policy development.
Principles of effective public relations and interrelationships with community groups, public agencies, private businesses, firms, and other government levels.
Methods and techniques of volunteer recruitment.
Current social, political, and economic trends, as well as operating problems of municipal government.
Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations.
Principles and practices of employee selection, supervision, training, and professional development.
Ability to:
Provide effective leadership and coordinate the activities of a government organization.
Serve effectively as the administrative agent of a council or commission.
Select, supervise, and evaluate assigned staff, including senior managers.
Interpret and apply a wide variety of complex laws, rules, and regulations.
Analyze, interpret, summarize, and present administrative and technical information and data effectively.
Communicate effectively orally and in writing, and demonstrate strong presentation skills.
Establish and support effective working relationships with those contacted during work.
Demonstrate leadership to employees, contractors, public officials, other agencies, customers, and the general public;
Be resourceful, reach consensus with others, and exhibit a collaborative style with community members, elected and appointed officials, executive management and staff.
Gain cooperation through discussion and teamwork.
JOB QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE
Education: Possession of a Bachelor’s degree with major coursework in parks & recreation administration or a closely related field.
Experience: Five (5) years of progressively responsible professional experience and leadership in community recreation program management. One (1) year of supervisory experience.
Substitution: Any satisfactory equivalent combination of education, training and experience that demonstrates the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the duties of the job proficiently may substitute for the above requirements.
Desirable Qualifications: Previous experience working with council or commissions.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS/LICENSES: Possession of, or the ability to obtain and maintain, an Oregon driver’s license by the time of appointment.