Deputy Director - Parks

POSITION Deputy Director DEPARTMENT Parks & Recreation WORK SCHEDULE 800 AM - 430 PM M-F JOB CATEGORY PAT Professional Administrative Technological SALARY 64537 STATUS Full-Time FLSA STATUS Exempt To perform this position successfully an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed in this document are representative of the knowledge skill andor ability required. St. Joseph County provides reasonable accommodation to qualified employees and applicants with known disabilities who require accommodation to complete the application process or perform essential requirements of the job unless the accommodation would cause an undue hardship. Incumbent serves as Deputy Director for the St. Joseph County Parks & Recreation Department responsible for assisting Director and administering countywide park maintenance safety planning and development. Benefits Affordable Medical Dental and Vision Plans Paid Vacation Personal and Sick Days Employer Paid Life Insurance Short-Term and Long-Term Disability STDLTD Flexible Spending Accounts FSA for healthcare and dependent care Gym Membership Discounts Employer-Funded Public Employees Retirement Fund PERF Access to additional voluntary benefits and resources Responsibilities Administers and oversees the operations of County Parks and regularly inspects facilities grounds vehicles equipment and program areas to evaluate conditions identify needs and ensure safe and efficient operations. Oversees maintenance and capital improvement projects including planning coordination implementation and monitoring of project progress. Reviews operating procedures and practices to improve efficiency ensure compliance and support department goals. Negotiates coordinates and monitors contracts with vendors contractors and subcontractors. Oversees the maintenance and management of park infrastructure including roads parking lots pumps lift stations utility lines telecommunications systems and internet infrastructure. Oversees the departments computer systems in conjunction with the County IT Department while independently managing the departments telephone alarm network website security cameras and wired and wireless systems. Creates and maintains computerized maintenance schedules routine tasks and work-order systems ensuring information is updated regularly. Collaborates with the Director and supervisory staff to review develop and implement personnel policies procedures and practices. Supervises assigned personnel including recruiting interviewing hiring onboarding training performance evaluation goal setting work assignment discipline corrective action and recommendations for promotion demotion or termination. Assists the Director with park land acquisition long-range planning capital improvement planning and the development of departmental goals and objectives. Participates in short- and long-term departmental planning including assisting the Director with the development implementation and periodic review of the Departments Five-Year Master Plan coordinates with the Management Team and assists with stakeholder engagement public meetings and community input to establish priorities program scope and public service objectives. Oversees and justifies facilities and operations-related budgets and prepares financial reports and supporting documentation as required. Develops public bid specifications and oversees the purchasing sale trade and disposal of equipment machinery and other department assets. Maintains required records and documentation for state and federal programs including well logs water testing boiler inspections and other regulatory requirements. Ensures compliance with applicable local state and federal laws regulations safety standards and department policies. Serves as a technical advisor to the Director and Park Board and attends County Council County Commissioners and other meetings as required. Serves as a liaison with organizers of special events utilizing County Parks facilities. Maintains current knowledge of trends practices and developments in the parks and recreation profession through professional organizations conferences meetings training and continuing education. Performs related duties as assigned. Job Requirements Bachelors degree in Park and Recreation Administration Natural Resources Public Service Management or a related field with a minimum of three years of related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Masters degree preferred. Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of parks and recreation administration including the ability to apply applicable local state and federal laws regulations codes and standards. Knowledge of and ability to apply department policies and procedures including applicable OSHA safety requirements. Working knowledge of county and department financial management practices including budgeting financial reporting recordkeeping and cost-effective operations. Working knowledge of standard English grammar spelling and punctuation with the ability to independently prepare detailed written reports and deliver public presentations with limited reliance on artificial intelligence tools. Ability to supervise and effectively manage assigned personnel including recruiting interviewing hiring onboarding training evaluating performance establishing goals and standards delegating work administering discipline and recommending personnel actions. Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing with employees other County departments professional organizations contractors community partners and the general public using sound judgment and limited reliance on artificial intelligence tools. Ability to maintain professional ethics and effectively work with individuals of diverse backgrounds abilities and perspectives. Ability to operate standard office equipment computers department software and hardware telephones radios and other technology used in park operations. Ability to comply with all employer and department policies and work rules including those related to attendance safety drug-free workplace and personal conduct. Ability to provide public access to or maintain confidentiality of department information and records in accordance with applicable laws and requirements. Ability to understand retain and carry out oral and written instructions. Ability to compile analyze and evaluate information make sound decisions and present findings in written or oral form. Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and effectively as part of a team often under time constraints and while managing multiple priorities. Ability to plan and coordinate projects understand site conditions and read and interpret blueprints specifications plans and maps. Ability to identify appropriate steps to achieve objectives develop practical solutions and implement changes to policies procedures and operations. Ability to work extended hours evenings weekends and holidays as necessary and travel for meetings conferences or other department business including occasional overnight travel. Possession of a valid drivers license and demonstrated safe driving record. Must meet all employer and department hiring requirements including successful completion of a drug screening. Supervisory Responsibility and Direction The Deputy Director exercises independent judgment in the administration of department policies procedures and operations and receives general direction and guidance from the Director. Work is reviewed primarily for its impact on department goals and objectives and for compliance with department policies applicable laws and professional standards. Unusual or unprecedented situations are discussed with the Director at the Deputy Directors discretion. Difficulty of Work The Deputy Director performs work that is broad in scope and substantial in complexity involving numerous variables competing priorities and operational considerations. The position oversees a wide range of park operations facilities projects and personnel and requires independent judgment in managing operations developing and implementing programs and procedures addressing operational challenges and supporting departmental goals and objectives. Personal Work Relationships The Deputy Director maintains frequent communication with County employees other County departments professional organizations contractors community partners and the general public. The position develops and maintains positive working relationships with County departments and offices including the County Commissioners County Council Auditor Highway Department and other downtown departments to facilitate communication coordination and collaboration on Countywide matters. Contacts involve exchanging and explaining information developing and implementing policies and procedures providing instruction and guidance coordinating projects and services and resolving problems. Provides support to the Director in staff liaison responsibilities with the St. Joseph County Parks Foundation Board and assists in maintaining communication and coordination between the County Parks Board and Parks Foundation Board a 501c3 organization to support alignment in mission communication and strategic priorities. Assists the Director and Foundation Board with fundraising efforts that advance projects and programs aligned with the County Parks mission and Five-Year Master Plan. Assists the Director in representing the Department at Parks Foundation meetings events and donor cultivation activities to strengthen partnerships and community support. The Deputy Director reports directly to the Director. Physical Effort and Work Environment The Deputy Director works in both a standard office environment and outdoors in County Parks. Duties may include sitting standing walking driving walking on uneven terrain and working in varying weather conditions. The position requires the ability to lift and carry objects weighing less than 25 pounds reach grasp handle and manipulate objects operate a keyboard and other office equipment communicate clearly hear verbal and radio communications and use close distance color and depth perception. The position may require extended hours evenings weekends and occasional overnight travel for meetings conferences or department business. The Deputy Director is also required to respond to department emergencies on a 24-hour basis.