SENIOR SUPERINTENDENT

About the role

The Houston Parks and Recreation Department is dedicated to building a sustainable community and enhancing the quality of urban life by providing safe well-maintained parks and offering affordable programming for our community. To achieve this mission, HPARD is seeking a Senior Superintendent to join its Greenspace Management-Grounds Maintenance team.

Responsibilities

• Direct and manage staff to complete departmental projects, habitat restoration, invasive species control, and landscape maintenance.
• Hire, train, coach, and evaluate staff; ensure compliance with City policies and performance expectations.
• Develop, recommend, and implement operating policies, procedures, letters of agreement, and contracts.
• Work with contractors and department managers on joint projects, scopes, bids, contractor selection, and conflict resolution.
• Investigate complaints, evaluate productivity, and implement solutions to improve service delivery.
• Represent the department at internal meetings, external organizations, committees, and public events.
• Assist the Natural Resource Manager in overseeing natural resources, habitat restoration, and urban forestry operations.
• Write, secure, and administer government, private, and corporate grants.
• Interpret and enforce City ordinances related to Natural Areas and Urban Forestry.
• Oversee purchasing processes including scope creation, bid gathering, contractor selection, and procurement documentation.
• Manage habitat restoration projects, contractor work, purchasing, reporting, and reimbursement requests.
• Maintain native landscapes, bioswales, slopes; prune vegetation; propagate native plants; design seasonal plantings; repair irrigation systems.

Requirements

Requires a Bachelor's degree in Recreation, Business Administration, Construction Management or a closely related field. Six years of progressively responsible professional and/or skilled experience closely related to the activities of the section are required. Directly related professional experience may be substituted for the education requirement on a year-for-year basis.

Preferences

• Bachelor’s degree in environmental studies, Geography–Resource, Natural Resources, Planning, Business Administration, or a closely related field.
• Experience with SAP for budgeting, purchasing, and financial tracking.
• Demonstrated grant management experience, including writing, administration, reporting, and compliance.
• Preference shall be given to eligible veteran applicants provided such persons possess the qualifications necessary for competent discharge of the duties involved in the position applied for, such persons are among the most qualified candidates for the position, and all other factors in accordance with Executive Order 1-6.

Work Environment and Physical Effort

The position is physically comfortable, the individual has discretion about walking, standing, etc. There are occasional minor discomforts from exposure to less-than-optimal temperature and air conditions. The position may involve dealing with modestly unpleasant situations, as with occasional exposure to office chemicals and/or extensive use of a video display terminal.

Salary and Benefits

Pay Grade 27. Factors used in determining the salary offered include the candidate's qualifications as well as the pay rates of other employees in this classification.