Parks Superintendent-Operations

County of San Luis Obispo; San Luis Obispo (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

County of San Luis Obispo is seeking a Parks Superintendent to plan, organize, and direct operations and maintenance of the County Parks Division. You will oversee a diverse system including community and regional parks, beaches, trails, and concession operations.

The role leads 30+ full-time staff, seasonal workers, and volunteers, ensuring safe and high-quality recreational opportunities for residents and visitors.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Recreation or Park Administration or related field.
• Four years of experience developing, implementing and evaluating operational and recreational programs, preferably with supervision.
• May require driving; valid California driver license may be required at appointment.

Responsibilities

• Plan, organize and direct operations and activities of County Parks Division.
• Train, supervise and evaluate assigned staff; hire and discipline as needed.
• Develop and monitor annual budget; control expenditures within limits.
• Ensure compliance with laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures.

Skills

Leadership

Budget planning

Public administration

Staff supervision

Operations management

Regulatory compliance

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Recreation or Park Administration, Natural Resources Management, Park Planning or a closely related field

Job description

The San Luis Obispo County Parks & Recreation Department is actively recruiting for a Parks Superintendent!

The Parks Superintendent plans, organizes, and directs the comprehensive operations, maintenance, and public use within the San Luis Obispo County Parks & Recreation Department. This role provides critical leadership over a diverse, county-wide system spanning community parks, regional parks, major recreational lakes, coastal beaches, open space preserves, multi-use trail networks, and commercial concessionaire operations. The Superintendent leads and coordinates a ranger team of over 30 full-time field staff, seasonal temporary workers, and dedicated volunteers to ensure safe, sustainable, high-quality recreational opportunities that meet the needs of SLO County residents and visitors alike.

This recruitment may be used to fill future permanent, substitute, limited term, and temporary positions, both full-time and part-time throughout the County.

Typical Tasks and Representative Duties

(Not in order of importance)

• Plan, organize and direct either the operations and programs of the County Parks Division or the operations and activities involved in the maintenance of County parks and designated grounds and landscaped areas; assure related functions and County parks comply with established laws, codes, ordinances, regulations, policies and procedures.
• Coordinate and direct assigned staff, communications and/or resources to meet community and County needs and assure smooth and efficient activities; assure proper and timely resolution of related issues, inquires, problems and discrepancies.
• Train, supervise and evaluate the performance of assigned staff; interview and select employees and recommend transfers, reassignment, termination and disciplinary actions; assign duties and review work to assure compliance with established guidelines and procedures; develop and monitor training and employee development programs; ensure compliance with Division, County, State and Federal regulations, policies and procedures.
• Participate in the planning, design, development and implementation of construction, alteration and installation projects for the County Parks Division; inspect and provide recommendations concerning new and existing construction projects and related plans and specifications or assist with contract negotiations for construction projects as directed.
• Assist in the development and preparation of the annual preliminary Parks budget; review and evaluate budgetary and financial data; control and authorize expenditures in accordance with established limitations.
• Serve as a technical resource to County Parks Division staff concerning parks, playgrounds and grounds maintenance operations, pesticide application, projects and activities; respond to inquiries and provide detailed and technical information regarding related laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures.
• Prepare and maintain a variety of reports, records and files; coordinate the development and preparation of the annual preliminary budget for grounds maintenance functions; review and analyze budgetary and financial data; control and authorize expenditures in accordance with established limitations.
• May plan, organize and direct the development and implementation of a variety of park programs and services including recreational activities, enforcement functions, phone reservations and cashiering systems; coordinate park ranger activities to prevent illegal or improper use of parks.
• May manage the development and implementation of revenue-generating park and recreational operations, programs and projects; direct related marketing and promotion functions; organize and direct concessionary functions at County parks to maximize profitability; submit, implement and manage grant programs including financial reporting responsibilities to State and Federal agencies; manage operations for financial effectiveness and operational efficiency.
• May inspect, monitor and evaluate pest control operations and playground structures to assure compliance with established State and Federal Regulations and maintain required program documentation; review and provide advice concerning the implementation of plant selection and irrigation systems.

Distinguishing Characteristics

This is the management level class in the County’s Parks Division and is distinguished from the Deputy Director-County Parks in that the Deputy Director-County Parks is responsible for managing and directing all aspects of the County’s Parks and Golf facilities. This class is distinguished from the lower-level Supervising Park Ranger in that the Supervising Park Ranger is the first-line supervisor of the unit.

Employment Standards

Knowledge of:

• Practices, procedures, standards and techniques used in the management of the assigned area of the County Parks Division
• Applicable County, State and Federal codes, ordinances, requirements, regulations and safety precautions as pertain to assigned area
• Proper methods, materials, tools and terminology used in grounds and facility maintenance and repair
• Principles of public administration, accounting, planning and marketing
• Requirements of maintaining County parks, pools, grounds and landscaped areas in a safe and healthy condition
• Techniques, standards and procedures involved in the development and implementation of concessionary activities and other revenue-generating functions
• Basic budget preparation and control
• Oral and written communication skills
• Principles and practices of supervision and training
• Interpersonal skills using tact, patience and courtesy
• Consumer Product Safety Commission and ASTM guidelines for safe playgrounds
• County, State and Federal laws and regulations pertaining to pesticide application, written recommendations and safe applications
• Current computer applications and office equipment
• Operate standard office equipment, and computer applications
• First Aid and CPR procedures

Ability to:

• Plan, organize and direct operations and activities involved in the maintenance or operations of County parks, pools and designated grounds
• Direct personnel, communications and information to meet County needs and assure smooth and efficient activities
• Supervise, train and evaluate the performance of assigned personnel
• Inspect projects for completeness and compliance with established requirements and procedures
• Participate in the design, development and implementation of construction, alteration and installation projects for County parks, grounds and landscaped areas
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing
• Interpret, apply and explain rules, regulations, policies and procedures
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work
• Operate a computer and assigned office equipment
• Direct the maintenance of a variety of reports, records and files related to assigned activities
• Work independently and maintain safe and productive work environment
• Plan, implement and monitor State and Federally-mandated safety programs
• Learn First Aid, CPR and use of Automated External Defibrillator (AED)
• Prepare comprehensive narrative and statistical reports
• Make presentations before government bodies and public organizations

Education and Experience

A combination of education, training, and experience resulting in the required knowledge, skills, and abilities. An example of qualifying education and experience includes:

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Recreation or Park Administration, Natural Resources Management, Park Planning or a closely related field. In addition, four years of experience developing, implementing and evaluating operational and recreational programs at a regional park, preferably with emphasis on day-use or camp-oriented service programs (one year of such experience being in a supervisory position).

Licenses and Certificates

Certain positions within this classification may require driving. When driving is an essential function of the position, a valid CALIFORNIA driver license will be required at the time of appointment and must be maintained throughout employment.

Must obtain and maintain valid Red Cross First Aid, CPR and AED certificates or their equivalent within six months from date of appointment.

Must obtain and maintain a California Qualified Applicator Certificate – Landscape Maintenance (B) and Right of Ways (C) within one year of appointment.

When determined to be a requirement of the position, the following must be acquired within one year of appointment: A Pest Control Advisor License (categories A – insects and E – weeds minimum) as issued by the California Department of Food and Agriculture; a Certified Playground Safety Inspector certification as issued by the National Parks and Recreation Society, National Playground Safety Institute may be required.

All required licenses and certificates must be maintained throughout employment.

Other Conditions of Employment

Employees in this classification may be required to work holidays, weekends and evenings.

Special Subclass Recruitment: Recruitment for Parks Superintendent operations and maintenance positions are conducted according to the specific assignment within the Parks Division in which a vacancy exists and the special requirements for each position.

This class specification generally describes the duties and responsibilities characteristic of the position(s) within this class. The duties of a particular position within a multi-position class may vary from the duties of other positions within the class. Accordingly, the essential functions of a particular position (whether it be a multi-position class or a single-position class) will be identified and used by medical examiners and hiring authorities in the selection process. If you have any questions regarding the duties or the working conditions of the position, please contact the Personnel Department at [phone].