Deputy Director, Parks & Recreation - Parks

About the role

The Town of Queen Creek is seeking an experienced leader to serve as Deputy Director of Parks & Recreation – Parks. This executive leadership position oversees the Town's Parks Maintenance and Park Ranger Divisions and partners with the Parks & Recreation Director to advance strategic initiatives, operational excellence, and exceptional service to the community.

Responsibilities

• Plans, directs and oversees assigned divisions in Parks & Recreation.
• Collaborates with the Parks & Recreation Director in the development and implementation of the department’s long- and short-term plans, goals, and objectives including serving as the department’s liaison with capital improvements; evaluates efficiency and effectiveness of operations, services, procedures, and use of resources; recommends and/or implements modifications or improvements as needed.
• Plans, directs, and oversees park and trail development initiatives; manages projects through all phases including concept development, planning, design, construction, and final operational implementation.
• Supervises, directs and evaluates assigned staff, processes employee concerns and problems; directs work; counsels, disciplines, and completes employee performance appraisals; interviews and selects new employees.
• Organizes, prioritizes, and assigns work; monitors status of work in progress and reviews completed work; confers with assigned staff, assists with complex/problem situations; provides technical expertise; coordinates staff development and training activities.
• Communicates with the applicable stakeholders as needed to coordinate work activities, reviews status of work, exchanges information, resolves problems, or gives/receives advice/direction.
• Responds to requests for information; responds to politically sensitive inquiries and concerns; resolves the most complex issues, often in collaboration with the Parks & Recreation Director; provides advice and counsel as needed.
• Facilitates meetings with internal departments and a variety of committees; prepares presentations for Council, management, staff, and citizens as needed.
• Manages customer service activities relating to area(s) of assignment.
• Prepares, reviews, approves, completes, processes, or retains various forms, reports, correspondence, personnel information, performance evaluations, invoices, budget reports, financial records, contracts, codes, ordinance, policies, procedures, manuals, reference materials, or other documentation.
• Attends meetings, serves on committees, and makes presentations as needed.
• Prepares Council Action reports as needed.
• Assists in the preparation and monitoring of the annual departmental budget.
• Conducts special projects and reviews.
• Assumes the duties and responsibilities of the Parks & Recreation Director in his/her absence.

Qualifications

• Education and Experience: Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university in Business or Public Administration, Parks, Recreation, Community Services or a related field; 10 years of related experience; and 5 years of supervisory experience, or an equivalent combination of directly related education and experience. Master’s Degree preferred.
• LICENSING/CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: Driver’s License; Maintain all certifications/licenses required at job entry.
• KNOWLEDGE: Managerial principles, practices, techniques and options to successfully motivate and supervise staff; Parks and recreation operations principles, methods and practices; Budgeting and finance principles and practices; Project management principles and practices; Applicable state, local and federal laws relating to parks and recreation operations; Personnel related laws and policies; Standard office equipment including the computer and programs relevant to the performance of applicable duties and responsibilities; Applicable Federal, state and local laws, codes, ordinances, rules and regulations; Customer service principles and practices.
• SKILLS: Supervising and leading staff; Managing, identifying, communicating and carrying out the objectives of the Parks & Recreation department and assigned divisions; Interpreting and applying community services principles, methods and practices; Using computers and related software applications; Interpreting and applying applicable Federal, state and local laws, codes, ordinances, rules and regulations; Solving problems and proposing sound decisions; Communication and interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with coworkers, supervisor, the general public, and other interested parties sufficient to exchange or convey information and to receive work direction.