PARKS & RECREATION DIRECTOR

City Of Walla Walla

Walla Walla (WA)

On-site

USD 120,000 - 160,000

Full time

14 days+

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Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance

Wellness Program

PERS Retirement Plan

Paid Holidays

Job summary

City Of Walla Walla is seeking a Director of Parks and Recreation to plan and direct all city facilities, parks, and programs, including golf, cemetery, aquatics, and events. You will develop the biennial budget, supervise staff, and work with the City Manager on strategic priorities.

The role requires a Bachelor’s degree with 8+ years of relevant experience and 4+ years in a supervisory capacity, plus a valid driver’s license. Master’s degree and ISA certification are advantageous.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree required; eight years relevant experience and four years supervisory experience in parks and recreation.
Strong leadership, budgeting, and policy development capabilities are essential.
Valid driver’s license and ability to coordinate across departments.

Responsibilities

Plan, organize, control, and direct the City's facilities, parks, and recreation programs and activities.
Develop and prepare the biennial budget for parks, recreation, and facilities; monitor expenditures.
Represent the City at meetings; communicate with the public, vendors, and partners.
Supervise staff; interview, select, and provide training for subordinates.
Lead the Leadership Team; contribute to strategic planning and continuity of operations.

Skills

Leadership

Budgeting

Strategic planning

Policy development

Staff supervision

Contract negotiation

Communication

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in recreation, public administration, or related field

Master’s degree preferred

Job description

NATURE OF POSITION

Plan, organize, control, and direct the City's facilities, parks, and recreation programs and activities including golf, cemetery, aquatics, sports, and other recreation programs.

Description

Plan, organize, control, and direct the City's facilities, parks, and recreation programs and activities including golf, cemetery, aquatics, sports, and other recreation programs.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

General direction and oversight are provided by the City Manager.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

Employees of the City of Walla Walla are expected to model and foster the City’s core values: Service – Integrity – Collaboration – Equity – Leadership – Community
Provide technical expertise regarding assigned functions; formulate, develop, and modify policies and procedures.
Develop and implement future strategic objectives and short-range plans and activities.
Develop and prepare the biennial budget for parks, recreation, and facilities; analyze and review budgetary and financial data; monitor and authorize expenditures in accordance with established guidelines.
Represent the City at various meetings and conferences; communicate with public, vendors, and others to explain policies, implement actions, and exchange ideas.
Supervise the development of plans and bid specifications for facilities and park construction projects.
Negotiate contracts with concessionaires and other contractors.
Direct the preparation and maintenance of a variety of narrative and statistical reports, records, and files.
Communicate with other managers, City personnel and contractors to coordinate activities and programs, resolve issues and conflicts and exchange information.
Supervise and evaluate the performance of assigned staff; interview and select new and promoted employees; recommend transfers, reassignment, and corrective actions including separation of employment; plan, coordinate and arrange for appropriate training for subordinates.
Serve as a member of the City’s executive Leadership Team, participating in the City's strategic planning efforts and addressing Citywide policy and management issues.
As a member of the Leadership Team, assist in the development and administration of the Continuity of Operations Plan to ensure the City can provide essential services to the community under all threats and conditions including pandemics and disasters. Serve on the City Incident Management Team.
Develop and maintain an effective customer service program for external and internal City customers, providing information and services as requested and required.
Responsible for the oversight and management of the City’s urban forest. May serve as City’s municipal arborist in the absence of the Arborist.

Other Job Functions

Demonstrate punctual, regular, and reliable attendance, which is essential for successful job performance.
Present a positive, professional image; maintain cooperative and effective working relationships; assure excellent customer service with internal and external customers.
Execute assignments, projects, and job responsibilities efficiently and within defined timeframes, work independently and effectively with little direction.
Demonstrate good judgment and employ critical thinking to execute duties, identify issues, seek solutions, and recommend improvements in support of departmental goals.
Provide assistance to staff and higher-level management; participate in resolving operational or interpersonal concerns; participate in training, meetings, and on committees as assigned.
Respect the value of diversity in the workplace and the community.
Perform other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

Administration, programming and maintenance of municipal parks, cemetery, golf course, and aquatics operations.
Learn City organizational and operational objectives including applicable laws, codes, regulations, policies, and procedures including relevant health and safety protocols.
Principles and practices of administration, supervision, and leadership.
Lead with culture of values.
Lead change management.
Demonstrate understanding of principals and methods for effective project management.
Analyze situations accurately; demonstrate superior collaboration skills; appropriately define alternate solutions; resolve conflicts and create productive partnerships with stakeholders.
Budget preparation, control, and fiscal accountability.
Demonstrate effective communication both orally and in writing.
Demonstrate tact, patience and courtesy while working with customers and employees.
Interpret, apply, and explain rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
Prepare comprehensive narrative and statistical reports.

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED

Operate a computer terminal; drive a vehicle for work purposes.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Sitting and standing for extended periods of time; navigating uneven terrain on foot; climbing steps and ladders; seeing, hearing, and speaking to exchange information; repetitive hand movements; intermittent walking, kneel down, stoop, bend at the waist and lift up to 20 pounds.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Office environment; outdoor environment; driving a vehicle to inspect parks and programs; regular interaction with the public; occasional encounters with dissatisfied customers and critical situations.

Required Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in recreation, public administration, or related field; eight years progressively responsible relevant experience and four years increasingly responsible supervisory experience in parks and recreation activities; or an equivalent combination of education and experience to provide sufficient evidence of the successful performance of the essential elements of the job such as those listed above. Valid State driver's license.

Desired Qualifications

Master’s Degree preferred. Public sector experience in either a city or county environment. International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) certification. Bilingual in Spanish.

This organization participates in E-Verify, click the link below to view more information:

Click here to see more information regarding E-Verify

Summary Of Benefits

The benefits listed below are those currently enjoyed by full-time Directors of the City of Walla Walla. It is important to remember that over the course of time these benefits may change - they are not permanent. Benefits may change through the City Council or administrative action, contracts or changes mandated by state and federal law.

Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance

Employees are eligible the first of the month following the first day of employment.

Employees and all eligible dependents are covered for Medical, Dental, and Vision for only $139.34/month.

Low-Deductible Plans

Medical – 4 plans to select from:

Regence Blue Shield HealthFirst 250
Kaiser (HMO) 200

High-Deductible Plans – eligible for H.S.A (City will contribute $750 for an individual and $1500 for a family)

Regence Blue Shield High-Deductible Health Plan (HDHP)
Kaiser High-Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) HMO

Dental – Delta Dental of Washington PPO. $2,000 per year max; Class I, II and III no deductible. Orthodontia paid at 50% max lifetime payment of $1,500 per covered member.

Vision – VSP and AWC Plan B. Well Vision Exam every 12 months - $0 copay. Prescription glasses $10 copay, plus various allowances for frames, lenses, and contacts.

Hartford Life Insurance

Employees are eligible the first of the month following the first day of employment.

City paid: $50,000 Basic Life Insurance and $50,000 AD&D coverage.

Employee Voluntary: Supplemental Life/AD&D and Long-Term Disability coverage available at low premiums.

Deferred Comp

Employees are eligible with their first paycheck upon enrollment. No vesting requirements

The City will match an employee’s monthly contribution up to 3.5% of the employee’s monthly base rate of pay. Three options include Baker Boyer Bank - BPAS, MissionSquare, or the Washington State Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). Employee contribution options for pre-tax and Roth.

Retirement Plan

Directors are members of the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS). The City and the employee both contribute toward the plan. PERS provides regular retirement and disability retirement benefits. City employees also participate in the Social Security Program. Rates effective as of 09/01/2024. (www.drs.wa.gov)

PERS

Employee Contribution Rate

Employer Contribution Rate

Plan II

Employee Contribution Rate 5.38%

Employer Contribution Rate 5.58%

Plan III

Employee Choice

5.58%

(6 available options)

Paid Holidays

New Year’s Day
Independence Day
Martin Luther King Day
Labor Day
President’s Day
Thanksgiving Day
Memorial Day
Day after Thanksgiving Day
Juneteenth
Christmas Day

Floating Holiday Hours

On January 1, each employee shall be granted forty (40) floating holidays. Employees hired during the year shall receive prorated floating holiday hours based on their start date. Floating holidays must be used by year-end or will be forfeited.

Vacation Time

Employees will accrue vacation time based on years of service outlined in the schedule below. As of December 31st, no employee shall have an accumulated amount of vacation leave in excess of 240 hours. Employees may elect to cash out up to forty (40) hours of vacation time each year, provided the employee has taken forty (40) hours of vacation during the preceding calendar year.

Vacation Accrual Per Month

0 – 15 years
13.33 hours
16+ years
16.67 hours

Sick Leave

All Full-time Employees Earn 8 Hours Of Sick Leave Per Month To a Maximum Accrual Of 960 Hours. The City Also Offers a Sick Leave Cash-out Policy Of 25% Of Hours Over 960 At Year-end, And a Sick Leave Conversion Policy As Outlined Below

Sick Leave Balance

Hours Earned Converted to Vacation

480 Hours
1.33 Hours per Month
720 Hours
2.67 Hours per Month
960 Hours
4.00 Hours per Month

Wellness Program

The City has received the AWC WellCity Award since 2014, which provides a 2% reduction in health insurance premiums. The City's Wellness Committee promotes healthy lifestyles, wise consumption of health care services, and mental, spiritual, and physical well-being. This committee sponsors numerous activities to encourage personal and professional health.

Employee Assistance Plan

An Employee Assistance Plan (EAP) is provided by the City to assist you and family members, providing counseling and treatment in such areas as stress, drug and alcohol abuse, and family counseling.

Safety Statement

In An Effort To Ensure All Employees Work Safe And Go Home Safe, We Expect Our Employees To Comply With All Applicable Safety Practices And Policies, Including Those Established By OSHA/DOSH/WISHA Regulations And By The City's Accident Prevention Plan. This Includes But Is Not Limited To Actively Identifying And Correcting Potential Hazards That May Affect Coworkers And Public Safety. All Employees Are Expected To Lead By Example To Promote a Positive Culture Of Workplace Safety Through Everyday Actions. The City Of Walla Walla Is Committed To Providing a Work Environment That

Is free of all recognized hazards.
Promotes safe and healthy tasks and workplaces.
Values and encourages worker input in all jobs regarding task/facility enhancements.
Is insistent on the full reporting and investigation of all incidents, i.e., injuries/ illnesses, property accidents and all near misses.
Is performed by workers and supervisors, who are trained in all operational safety aspects of their jobs, (both mandated by the applicable Washington State requirements and those of the City of Walla Walla’s policies and procedures).

Other Benefits Offered