Deputy Director - Parks, Recreation & Arts

City of St Joseph; East Lansing (MI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

City of East Lansing is seeking a Deputy Director to lead Parks, Recreation & Arts initiatives. The role supports strategic planning, budget oversight, grant administration, and multi‑fund capital projects.

You will supervise staff, coordinate cross‑department efforts, and foster partnerships with community partners and city departments. Ideal candidates hold a relevant bachelor's degree and 3–5 years of project/administration experience with grants; substitute combinations are acceptable.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Recreation Administration, Public Administration, Natural Resources Management, or related field.
• 3 to 5 years’ experience in an Administrator or Project Manager role with grant management responsibilities.
• Equivalent combination of training and/or experience may be substituted

Responsibilities

• Supports the Director in executing department strategic plans and initiatives; directs operational activities.
• Administers and tracks the capital improvement planning budget; analyzes long-term needs; ensures compliance.
• Manages capital improvement planning projects for parks and facilities; oversees contracts and purchasing policy compliance.
• Participates in grant writing, reporting, and tracking for county, state, and federal funds; ensures compliance.
• Develops and implements department goals and strategic plans for parks, trails, recreation, and arts initiatives.
• Represents the department in meetings with community partners and stakeholders to build partnerships.
• Prepares reports and presents recommendations to City Council; performs related work as required.

Skills

Grant management

Budget management

Staff supervision

Policy analysis

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Recreation Administration

Bachelor's Degree in Public Administration

Bachelor's Degree in Natural Resources Management

Job description

East Lansing, home to Michigan State University, is a dynamic community of nearly 50,000 people with historic neighborhoods and a vibrant downtown, and you will be part of the team that keeps it all running.

The City of East Lansing is committed to becoming a fully inclusive place to live, work, visit, and do business. We believe an organization functions at its highest ability when a shared culture that promotes accepting, respecting, and valuing differences that include attributes such as age, income, race, gender, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender expression, sexual identity, ability, language, family circumstances and cultural backgrounds is fostered. We are seeking individuals who share our commitment to equity, inclusion and reflects the community we serve.

JOB SUMMARY

Supports strategic planning, community engagement, and policy development for parks, recreation, and arts initiatives. Manages budgets, projects, and grants for parks and facilities capital improvement planning, ensuring compliance and accuracy. Oversees staff, coordinates reports and presentations, and fosters partnerships with stakeholders and city departments.

Essential Functions & Responsibilities

• Supports the Director in the execution of department strategic plans, implementation of department-wide initiatives, and direction of operational activities; coordinates major projects and continuous quality improvement activities.
• Performs administrative and financial responsibilities to support capital improvement planning initiatives for parks and facilities by administering and tracking the budget; analyzing long-term budget needs; developing project budgets; and tracking transactions and documents for accuracy and compliance.
• Provides Capital improvement planning project management for parks and facilities by assisting with the development and tracking of bid documents; maintaining contract oversight; and monitoring compliance with city purchasing policy.
• Participates in grant writing, reporting, implementation, and tracking for county, state, and federal grant funds while ensuring compliance with applicable policies and guidelines.
• Supports strategic planning and implementation by assisting the Director in developing and implementing department goals, objectives and strategic plans for parks, trails, recreation programs, and arts initiatives.
• Maintains and develops community and stakeholder engagement by representing the department in meetings with community partners, other city departments, boards and commissions, and other stakeholders to develop and promote programs, address concerns and build partnerships.
• Assists with policy development and reporting by coordinating, synthesizing, and analyzing complex data to provide reports, recommendations, and items for City Council action and presentations.
• Performs related work as required.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Required Education and Experience
• Bachelor's Degree in Recreation Administration, Public Administration, Natural Resources Management, or related field; 3 to 5 years’ experience in an Administrator or Project Manager role with grant management responsibilities
• Any equivalent combination of training and/or experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be substituted

COMPETENCIES FOR SUCCESSFUL PERFORMANCE OF JOB DUTIES

Knowledge of:

• City departments, including Parks, Recreation, and Arts
• Recreation and Public Administration
• Accounting practices, budgeting, and purchasing policies
• Principles and practices of employee supervision

Skill in:

• Collaborating with elected and appointed leaders for budget development, capital improvement planning initiatives and developing strategic goals for parks, recreation and arts department
• Fostering partnerships with community partners, city departments and other stakeholders
• Grant writing, contract management, and reporting
• Effective verbal and written communication

Ability to:

• Develop, track and administer multi fund budgets
• Plan, direct, and evaluate division operations and personnel
• Develop and maintain effective and productive working relationships
• Organize and coordinate the efforts of multidisciplinary teams with diverse stakeholders
• Work independently using sound judgment
• Organize, manage and execute large, complex projects and events

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• This position primarily performs sedentary work and may occasionally work outdoors or at department facilities, construction sites, meetings, and events.

WHY SHOULD YOU APPLY?

• Competitive salary with annual cost of living increases
• Retirement programs including a hybrid pension (10% of salary) and 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan
• $1,000 annual employer contribution to post-employment Health Care Savings Plan.
• 14 paid holidays and 25 days of paid time off.
• Health coverage (or receive a $200 monthly buy-out if you have coverage from another source), with family dental and vision plan premiums fully covered by the City.
• Life insurance of 2x annual salary with optional supplemental coverage, and Long-Term Disability insurance.
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) to use pre-tax dollars for out-of-pocket health and daycare expenses.
• An Employee Assistance Program, offering free confidential counseling and support for employees and families.
• Qualify for “Public Service Loan Forgiveness” which forgives eligible student loans for borrowers who work at least ten years in public service!
• An ever-changing work environment! In the dynamic work of Parks, Recreation, & Arts, each day presents new and exciting challenges that keep your work fresh, engaging and stimulating.

*Benefits are subject to change.

PARKS, RECREATION & ARTS - DEPUTY DIRECTOR - FLYER