PRSR HANDOUT #2 01-12-2011City of Elk River
Park and Recreation Director
ver Position Description
Department: Immediate Supervisor:
Park and Recreation Ci Administrator
Pay Grade: FLSA Status: Last Updated: (date)
14 Exem t 3/2006
Positions Supervised:
Recreation Manager, Park Maintenance Supervisor, Ice Arena Manager, Senior Citizen Coordinator,
Golf Course Su erintendent
Position Summary
The Pazk and Recreation Director is responsible for providing effective leadership in planning,
development, and implementation of a comprehensive park and recreation program to ensure
appropriate and high quality park facilities, recreation programs and park maintenance.
Essential Functions
Develops park system and facilities.
A. Directs the development of parks, facilities, and recreation programs for all the citizens of
the community that provide the opportunity for constructive use of leisure time.
B. Formulates short and long-range strategies for and oversees the acquisition and
development of land for parks and the preservation of sensitive ecosystems.
C. Executes the adopted park plans, selects and manages consultants and executes
construction contracts.
D. Coordinates review of land use applications (subdivisions) for consistency with the Master
Park Plan and identifies and negotiates for parks and trails dedication as part of the
development process.
2. Oversees the maintenance of the park system and facilities.
A. Establishes standazds for maintenance based on adopted budget and utilizes the most
current methods, including environmentally sensitive alternatives.
B. Supervises the maintenance of parks and recreational facilities, including the ice arena and
library grounds.
3. Oversees recreation programming.
A. Coordinates the planning of City recreational programs, including those at the ice arena
and library that include partnerships with the School District and other agencies.
B. Oversees the prepazation of and evaluates all recreational programming to make sure that it
meets the goals that have been established by the City and make recommendations for
changes as the need arises.
C. Oversees scheduling and use of park facilities; works with the School District for the
maximum utilization of facilities and resources.
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4. Coordinates Park & Recreation Commission activities.
A. Oversees and participates in preparation of Park and Recreation Commission agendas and
materials to assist the Commission in providing recommendations concerning the park
system and recreational programming to the City Council. Includes recommendations
from the Ice Arena Commission and Library Board when appropriate.
B. Schedules and attends park and recreation related meetings; both during daytime and
evening hours.
5. Acts as staff liaison to Library Board, Ice Arena Commission, and YMCA Board.
A. Oversees and participates in prepazation of Library Boazd agendas and materials to assist
the Boazd in providing recommendations concerning the library.
B. Represents the City in dealings with consultants and professionals involved in library
projects.
C. Attends daytime and evening Library Board related meetings.
D. Attend YMCA Board meeting and works with YMCA staff to develop project and
program parameters.
E. Oversees and reviews prepazation of Ice Arena Commission agendas and materials and
attends meetings.
6. Performs short and long-term planning & budgeting.
A. Initiates timely review and updates of the Master Park Plan and coordinates long-range
pazk planning with other jurisdictions; demonstrates creativity and innovation in pazk
planning. Monitors trends in pazks and recreation fox inclusion in the Master Park Plan.
B. Oversees the periodic survey of park and program constituents for planning purposes.
C. Directs the development oflong-range plans and budgets for the development of pazk and
recreational facilities to ensure the maximum utilizations of land, buildings, and monies set
aside for recreational use.
D. Provides expeztise on various land use controls and funding mechanisms that will promote
the maintenance and expansion of parks, trails and recreational programming in the City.
E. Aggressively seeks, develops and implements grants for the development of facilities and
programming as applicable.
F. Prepares and submits for approval the annual department budget, including fees and
charges. Oversees the implementation of approved budget.
7. Performs staffing and personnel activities.
A. Identifies staffing needs and recruits, trains, and supervises capable staff that can effectively
develop, maintain, and implement parks and recreation programs and facilities.
B. Delegates work, schedules employees and coordinates volunteers, athletic associations, or
civic groups for pazk system maintenance or programming purposes.
C. Assesses and manages employee performance, and disciplines employees when necessary;
performs timely annual performance reviews of all employees supervised.
8. Performs administrative activities.
A. Coordinates all department activities, monitors all operations, and ensures compliance to
all relevant guidelines; makes prudent decisions regarding exceptions to policy.
B. Evaluates on a continuing basis, recreational programs, facilities, maintenance activities and
safety conditions for making changes necessary to assure programs, facilities, etc. are
attaining the expected results. Uses appropriate data to support recommendations,
including site visits when appropriate.
9. Performs communication and reporting activities.
A. Composes documents, edits written materials and writes routine correspondence and
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Park and Rec Director
reports, responds to re9uests for information and complaints.
B. Communicates openly and effectively with staff, the Ciry Administrator, City departments,
Park and Recreation Commission, city officials, and the public.
C. Supervises the development and maintenance of a program of public information, which
will keep the public informed on the recreational facilities and activities available to them.
D. Develops and maintains sound community relations to assure a good image for the
department and the City, including advice to various civic clubs and organizations for the
coordination of community projects.
E. Reviews and evaluates innovative concepts and approaches in park planning, design,
construction and maintenance and informs City staff, Park and Recreation Commission,
and City Council of such concepts in a timely fashion.
10. Performs other essential job duties.
A. Regular and timely work attendance.
B. Follows all safety procedures.
C. Participates in safety training.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
^ Knowledge of design and landscaping principles for public parks, trails, parkways and facilities
used for recreation.
^ Knowledge of municipal park organizations and operational procedures as they relate to Parks and
Recreation.
^ Knowledge of Minnesota State regulations as they relate to Parks and Recreation.
^ Skill in conflict resolution and the ability to manage departmental issues and inter-jurisdictional
matters fairly.
^ Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
^ Ability to research and conduct studies related to park and recreation trends and issues and update
plans accordingly.
^ Ability to manage several projects at one time and to organize personnel for high levels of
productivity.
^ Ability to develop and maintain collaborative working relationships with a wide variety ofpark-
related interest groups.
^ Ability to supervise staff and motivate employees to work to their full potential.
^ Ability to remain up to date on professional knowledge and skills.
^ Ability to organize and guide public polity discussions that apply to parks, trail, and recreation
matters.
^ Ability to positively engage the public in ways that build constituent use and ownership of park and
recreation programs and facilities.
Minimum Qualifications
^ Bachelor's degree in Parks and Recreation Administration, Natural Resource Management,
Landscape Architecture, Ecology, Forestry, Geography, Biology, Environmental Studies, Planning,
Parks or related field.
^ Seven years progressively responsible experience in developing parks and trails, supervising
recreation programs, and developing constituencies for park and recreation facilities.
^ Five years supervisory experience.
^ Demonstrated experience working with volunteers, youth associations, or citizen groups.
^ Familiarity with natural resource management, including sensitive ecosystems, comprehensive park
and land use planning and the role of public spaces in developing a sense of community.
^ Grant writing experience.
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Park and Rcc D'vcttor
^ Valid driver's license.
Preferred Qualifications
^ Master's Degree in Parks and Recreation Administration, Public Administration, or closely related
field with more than five years job experience in the field of Parks and Recreation that indicates an
increase in responsibility.
^ Registered as a Certified Parks and Recreation Professional.
This Position Description is not intended to be all-inclusive. It is within the City of Elk River's discretion
to assign additional duties and responsibilities or remove duties and responsibilities at any time.
This Position Description does not constitute a Contract of Employment.
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