Parks and Community Services Manager

City of Dublin (CA); Dublin (CA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government agency in Dublin, CA, is seeking a Parks and Community Services Manager to oversee the direction of the department. This position requires a leader skilled in managing recreational programs and staff, alongside budget administration and community engagement. The ideal candidate will possess a Bachelor's degree and significant experience in recreation management. Responsibilities include planning activities, negotiating contracts, and representing the agency in community meetings.

Qualifications

• Experience supervising recreational programs required.
• Must possess strong leadership and people's skills.
• Four years of relevant experience and two years in a supervisory role.

Responsibilities

• Directs and supervises Parks and Community Services activities.
• Coordinates with other departments and stakeholders.
• Prepares and manages the departmental budget.

Skills

Operational Leadership

Team Development & Supervision

Budget & Resource Management

Community & Stakeholder Engagement

Interdepartmental & Contract Coordination

Problem-Solving & Adaptability

Communication & Presentation

Education

Bachelor's degree in recreation administration or related field

Job description

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The City of Dublin is seeking an enthusiastic and dynamic Parks and Community Services Manager to help shape the future of our parks, recreation, arts, and community programs.

Overview

General Purpose: Under the direction of the Parks and Community Services Director, plans, directs, coordinates and supervises activities and programs that may include: revenue generation, special interest classes, youth programs; senior citizens; league sports; aquatics; facility and rental management; contract management; administrative functions; arts education programs; special events; and special programs as assigned. Duties include extensive work with other department, agencies and the community requiring problem solving, creativity, commitment, tact and discretion. This position functions as a member of the Parks and Community Services Department management team in Departmental policy development, administrative planning and addressing Departmental problems, budget development, personnel recruitment, and related work as required.

Distinguishing Characteristics

The Parks and Community Services Manager is a management position responsible for directing, supervising, and participating in the activities of the Department; provides direct and indirect supervision and management of professional, technical, contract and clerical staff; provides highly responsible and complex staff assistance to the Parks and Community Services Director. Incumbents in this classification have a broad range of independence within policy and procedural limitations and work under minimal supervision. The incumbent is accountable to the Department Director for the effective supervision of personnel and the quality and efficiency of services directed. While the general parameters of the job are defined, the employee is expected to select and put into effect work procedures and practices which will lead to the effective and efficient accomplishment of Department goals. Recommendations on the improvement of Departmental activities are expected.

Ideal Candidate

The successful Parks and Community Services Manager will be a well-rounded, energetic leader who bridges strategic insight with hands-on operational responsibility. Reporting to the Assistant Director or Director, this person will lead and oversee a portfolio of recreation, facility, arts, community services, and special event programs, while managing staff and ensuring high standards of service delivery across the Department.

The ideal candidate will be a polished professional with integrity, sound judgment, and strong people skills. They will be capable of leading and developing a multi-disciplinary team of administrative, technical, contract, and operations staff. They will be comfortable tackling both the big picture and the details.

Key strengths and characteristics include:

• Operational Leadership: Proven track record managing recreational programs, facility rentals, special events, arts initiatives, aquatics, and service contracts with the ability to translate strategy into day-to-day execution.
• Team Development & Supervision: Skills in coaching, motivating, evaluating, and building capacity within a diverse staff; ability to delegate, hold accountability, and equip supervisors.
• Budget & Resource Management: Strong experience preparing, monitoring, and controlling budgets; making recommendations on staffing, capital needs, equipment, and materials.
• Community & Stakeholder Engagement: Ability to engage effectively with residents, community groups, nonprofit organizations, and partner agencies. Comfortable presenting proposals, responding to public inquiries, and promoting participation in programs.
• Interdepartmental & Contract Coordination: Able to work smoothly with other City departments, external contractors, consultants, and artists to coordinate joint use, licensing, public art, and program agreements.
• Problem-Solving & Adaptability: Resourceful and responsive in resolving operational issues, staff challenges, and community concerns. Flexible in shifting priorities, program demands, and resource constraints.
• Communication & Presentation: Strong written and oral communication skills, able to prepare reports and deliver presentations to commissions, committees, and community stakeholders.

The ideal candidate will be someone who brings a positive, collaborative approach to leadership; someone who is approachable, responsive, and trusted by staff and community alike. They will operate with a service orientation, a responsiveness to community needs, and a steady, consistent presence. Most importantly, they will embody a sincere passion for parks, recreation, and community services and a commitment to making Dublin an even more vibrant, inclusive, and engaged place.

Responsibilities

• Plans, organizes, directs, and coordinates Parks and Community Services activities; plans, formulates, and implements program plans for activities, including the using various recreational areas, facilities, city-wide special events, and equipment effectively.
• Establishes general approaches to carry out projects and determines priorities; reviews activity reports and periodically checks work in progress and upon completion to ensure compliance with policy, standards and directions; resolves operational and personnel problems, which lower level supervisors cannot handle.
• Negotiates and implements agreements related to City public art projects and art projects required by private developers.
• Advises and serves as the contact point for private sector public art projects; manages consultant agreements; coordinates public art projects with other City Departments and artists.
• Investigates public complaints and requests related to functions supervised and makes determinations on action to be taken.
• Prepares recommendations on budgetary needs related to personnel, equipment and material, including related justifications; administers the Departmental budget, including the approval and control of expenditures; develops long-range plans and objectives for the Department; conducts a continuing review of activities to detect problem areas and increase efficiency.
• Evaluates Departmental staffing arrangements, staffing levels, and work assignments and makes necessary recommendations to Department Director; sets performance standards for staff and evaluates performance; submits hiring recommendations for staff to the Department Director.
• Reviews and makes recommendations regarding construction plans for facilities regarding program usage; monitors and manages projects; conducts periodic and special community meetings seeking public involvement in planning projects and other related activities as required.
• Provides information about the Department to local groups, agencies, and organizations; provides information for press releases; oversees production of educational and promotional materials, catalogs, or programs; makes presentations and lectures to local groups and agencies to gather support and encourage community participation.
• Coordinates activities with City staff, contractors and outside agencies; negotiates and implements concessionaire, joint use, and license agreements with commercial service providers, community organizations, and other public agencies.
• Represents the City in meetings of the City Council, City Commissions/Committees, and community groups; prepares and presents oral and written reports; develops agendas and staffs various Department committees.

Training and Experience

Any combination equivalent to education and experience is likely to provide the required knowledge and abilities. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Education: Equivalent to a Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university with specialization in recreation administration, leisure studies, business administration, or a related field.

Experience: Four (4) years of responsible recreation experience supervising various leisure and recreational programs and two (2) year of administrative and/or lead supervisory experience.

Licenses; Certificates; Special Requirements:

• This classification is designated as a Mandatory Reporter; Completion of Mandatory Reporter training is required within one month of employment.
• Possession of a valid California Class C driver's license and Certificate of Automobile Insurance for Personal Liability.

Knowledge of

• Principles, practices, methods and materials for municipal recreation programs, administration and activities.
• Methods and techniques of evaluating recreational program needs and effectiveness.
• Methods and techniques of coordinating facilities maintenance.
• Supervisory principles and methods, include goal setting, budget preparation, administration and employee supervision.
• Thorough knowledge of facilities, arrangements, resources, equipment, and safety practices necessary to administer broad recreational programs.
• Working knowledge of human behavior and psychology is applied to the various groups participating in recreational activities.
• Customer service techniques.
• Federal, state, and local laws, regulations and court decisions applicable to assigned areas of responsibility.

Ability To

• Develop, implement, and oversee all programs for the City.
• Plan, coordinate, and oversee programs.
• Plan, organize, assign, direct, review and evaluate comprehensive municipal recreation programs and activities.
• Address large and small groups of people.
• Select, train, motivate, and evaluate assigned staff; develop, implement and interpret policies, procedures, goals, objectives, and work standards.
• Analyze problems, evaluate alternatives, and make creative recommendations.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work.
• Operate office equipment, including computers and supporting word processing and spreadsheet applications.
• Represent the City effectively in meetings with others; maintain accurate records and prepare clear and concise reports, meeting agendas, and correspondence.

Physical Standards

The physical standard described represent those that employees must meet to perform the essential functions of this class successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

An employee is regularly required to sit for long periods; talk or hear, in person, in meetings and by telephone; use hands and fingers to handle, feel or operate standard office equipment; and reach with hands and arms. The employee must frequently bend and twist to reach files, walk, stand, and run while participating in recreational programs, activities, or special events. While performing duties, the employee is regularly required to use written and oral communication skills; analyze community service budgets and technical reports; read and interpret complex data, staff reports, information, and documents; analyze and solve problems; interact with City management, other governmental officials, contractors, vendors, employees and the public.

The employee's working hours may emphasize either outdoor or indoor work. There may be some light physical work or activity in the operation of recreational programs, and handling of event supplies and/or equipment. The employee's work hours may vary according to the program being offered.