Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation

Supports and facilitates the leadership and management of the parks and recreation team. With the director, supports the development of the departmental leadership team. May oversee, supervise, and direct one or more operational divisions within the department. Assesses, evaluates, recommends improvements, and guides implementation.

May hire, train, and manage employees, oversee compliance with personnel policies, complete performance evaluations, provide guidance and leadership, delegate work, and set priorities.

Assists and participates in departmental strategic planning. Develops plans, goals, and budgets to support Council, department, and community goals. Formalizes an action plan, facilitates the implementation and reports on successes and challenges.

Develops, manages, implements, and evaluates projects and departmental policy initiatives. Serves as primary project manager for large-scale, sensitive, and highly impactful community projects and policy initiatives. Reaches out to the community and seeks public input to ensure projects/policies meet Council, department, and community goals. May create, manage, budget, and forecast project needs for the department’s park development program.

Serve as program manager for department-oriented/administrative programs, such as marketing and branding, contract maintenance management, private development, forestry, park ranger, budget and financial management, committee management, and purchasing.

Attends, participates in, and may serve as the staff lead in facilitating citizen committee meetings. Ensures compliance with open meeting law. Assist with the creation and development of the committee management program. Strives to improve community engagement and participation in committee meetings.

Is open, approachable, engages and supports team members, and encourages two-way communication and feedback. Positively guides and advises staff. Is easily accessible and encourages input and communication from employees under his supervision.  Encourages subordinates to strive for higher achievement, innovation, and greater responsibility.  Assists with job tasks whenever the need arises.

Acts as Director when assigned or in the Directors absence.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications for the position are as follows:

Ability to lead, manage, and supervise complex parks and recreation organizations.

Ability to manage and develop complex projects and policy initiatives.

Ability to maintain effective relationships with others.

Extensive knowledge of parks and recreation operations, facilities, and projects.

Parks and recreation-related certifications is highly preferred.  This may include Certified Parks and Recreation Professional, Certified Pool Operator, Certified Playground Safety Inspector, and Certified Youth Sports Administrator.

Extensive knowledge of project and policy management techniques, community outreach practices, design techniques, and best practices of recreation and maintenance techniques. 

Knowledge of public relations, outreach, marketing, and branding.

Knowledge of strategic, facility, and master planning principles and practices.

Bachelor’s of Science in Recreation, Leisure Services, Natural Resources, Management, Political Science, or equivalent, plus four years of progressive work-related experience and two years of supervisory experience. A Master’s degree or a certificate as a Certified Parks and Recreation Professional or Executive is preferred or any equivalent combination of training and experience.

Applications may be obtained from the City’s website at www.cortezco.gov, or from the Southwest Colorado Workforce Center.  Applications may be dropped off at City Hall located at 123 Roger Smith Avenue, 970-565-3402, or at the Southwest Colorado Workforce Center, 22 W. North Street, Cortez, CO 81321, phone 970-565-3759.  Applications may also be emailed to [email protected], or to [email protected].

To view benefits, go to:  https://www.cortezco.gov/138/Employee-Benefits