This is highly responsible executive level work in planning and directing activities of the Park and Recreation Department.

An employee in this class is responsible for planning, directing and supervising diversified operations in the provision of park and recreational services to the public. Emphasis of the work is on providing administrative direction and coordination to all phases of departmental operations, directing long and short-range planning to meet community park and recreation needs, determining leisure service needs of the public and establishing priorities to provide park and recreation services in an economical and efficient manner, and coordinating departmental activities with other county executives. The incumbent exercises extensive independent judgment and professional managerial knowledge in formulating departmental policies and in directing diversified departmental operations. Supervision is exercised through various levels of subordinate executives, managers and supervisors over a large and varied staff of professional, technical, administrative, specialized and clerical employees assigned to various departmental activities. General direction is received from the County Manager who holds the incumbent responsible for the efficient and effective provision of park and recreation services to the public for the professional management of departmental operations.

ILLUSTRATIVE TASKS

Directs and coordinates, through subordinate executive, managerial, professional, administrative and supervisory employees, complex and varied divisional and staff activities such as park construction, maintenance and repair, recreational programming, countywide landscape projects, park planning and development, county beach maintenance, park and beach safety, natural areas management, museum operation, zoo operation, historical preservation, cultural and artistic programming and administrative services.

Formulates departmental fiscal administrative and budgetary policies and revises or modifies as necessary to improve efficiency and effectiveness of departmental operations.

Evaluates park and recreation operations, programs and service and assesses their effectiveness in meeting the leisure service needs of the public; directs the development of plans to provide for future services.

Coordinates departmental operations with other county executives and with senior county management to ensure the provision of departmental services required by other county agencies, plan and review park and recreation policies and activities and to resolve administrative, operational and fiscal problems.

Meets with individuals and community groups to keep abreast of public desires for leisure services; represents the department to the news media and promotes the public use of recreational facilities; periodically visits park and recreation areas to inspect operations and ensure the provision of quality park and recreation services to the public.

Reviews periodic expenditure and revenue reports, financial and fund reports; assures the sound financial management of park and recreation activities consistent with budget requirements.

Convenes meeting with key department personnel to discuss major operating problems, program accomplishments and the status of expenditures in various categories.

Directs and supervises the development of budget proposals for operations; reviews and approves department budget; attends budget meetings and hearings to justify proposed expenditures.

Makes decisions regarding hiring, discipline and promotion of subordinates; reviews performance reports prepared by subordinates and rates employee performance; exercises authority for departmental personnel actions consistent with collective bargaining agreements, county personnel rules and all other applicable rules and regulations.

Performs related work as required.

KNOWLEDGES, ABILITIES AND SKILLS

Extensive knowledge of the principles and practices of public park and recreation administration, public and business administration.

Extensive knowledge of the operations and activities of a large park and recreation system.

Extensive knowledge of the principles of management and their application to the administration of government activities.

Thorough knowledge of supervisory principles and practices.

Thorough knowledge of applicable county, state and federal laws, rules and regulations pertaining to departmental operations.

Thorough knowledge of the principles of public personnel administration and of county personnel policies and procedures.

Thorough knowledge of public relations principles and techniques.

Thorough knowledge of community demands and needs for park and recreation services.

Ability to use advanced professional knowledge of the principles of management and public administration to formulate departmental policy and control departmental activities.

Ability to plan, organize and supervise, through various levels of executives and supervisors, the work of subordinates in a manner conducive to full performance and high morale.

Ability to delegate the authority to subordinates necessary to complete responsibilities in varied departmental activities.

Ability to effectively evaluate the impact of alternative possible courses of action on departmental operations, future developments and circumstances of a new or unprecedented nature.

Ability to exercise judgment and discretion in devising, installing and interpreting departmental and county policies, rules and regulations.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with senior county management, and officials in other county departments.

Ability to communicate clearly, concisely and persuasively, verbally and in writing to individuals and groups.

Ability to evaluate results in achievement of departmental goals and objectives and to redirect efforts and priorities as needed.

REV 05/98