Assistant Parks & Recreation Director

About This Position

THE ORGANIZATION

The City of Phoenix was named as one of Forbes 2023 America’s Best In-State Employers and is the 5th largest city in the country. Phoenix is also the vibrant center of one of the fastest-growing job markets and economies in the United States. With more than 14,000 employees working across 35 departments, the City of Phoenix offers opportunity for career growth and advancement. Whether you're an experienced professional or just starting your career, working in public service offers many rewards!

Parks & Recreation provides residents and visitors more than 41,000 acres of desert parks and mountain preserve land with more than 200 miles of trails; 187 parks; 33 community and recreation centers; eight golf courses; 29 pools where thousands cool off and learn to swim each summer; and classes, programs and sports leagues where kids and adults learn, stay active and have fun!

To learn more about the department and review the annual report, click here.

THE POSITION

The City of Phoenix is seeking an Assistant Parks & Recreation Director to lead one of the largest and most prestigious parks systems in the world. The Assistant Director will oversee citywide divisions responsible for various vital operations, ensuring the effective management and enhancement of our parks and recreational services. The Assistant Parks & Recreation Director will be instrumental in finding innovation ways to resolve problems with a strategic vision for the future while ensuring that day to day operational concerns are being addressed.

Responsibilities

• Natural Resources Division - Oversee all Mountain Parks and Preserves and associated trail systems, the Rio Salado, over 100 Park Rangers, environmental education programming and all natural resources facilities. $18.8 million.
• Special Operations Division - Manage 29 aquatic facilities and all aquatics programming, eight municipal golf courses, sports complexes, citywide forestry, water resource management, emergency management, the Gardener Apprenticeship program, maintenance facilities, and the department supplies warehouse. Budget $36 million.
• South Parks Division (60 parks) – Oversee all parks and recreation facilities including park maintenance and recreation programming within the South Parks Division which includes areas in Ahwatukee, South Phoenix, Laveen, Central and Downtown Phoenix. Budget $25.2 million.
• Northeast Parks Division (53 parks) – Oversee all parks and recreation facilities including park maintenance and recreation programming within the Northeast Parks Division which includes areas in northeast Phoenix, Sunnyslope and Central Phoenix. Budget $18.5 million.
• Advise and consult with the Parks and Recreation Board regarding department policies and procedures.
• Depending on work demands, incumbents are expected to work weekends, evenings, early morning hours, and holidays as required.
  
  
  

This position exercises considerable initiative and independent judgment and works under the general supervision of the Parks and Recreation Director. Supervision is exercised over Deputy Parks & Recreation Directors and other managers and administrative staff. The incumbent in this position is expected to research and resolve problems of a professional and technical nature and must effectively confront problems facing parks and recreation management while managing competing priorities.

IDEAL CANDIDATE

The ideal candidate will be a dynamic and innovative individual who is a collaborative, respectful, ethical, and engaging leader with a strong commitment to the Phoenix community. Their ability to solve problems, think strategically, identify alternative courses of action and provide recommendations will be imperative. This individual will have a strong focus on developing staff, creating a positive atmosphere for employees, and adhering to the highest ethical and moral standards. They will display transparency and commit to PHXRespect.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate exceptional communication and relationship builder skills by fostering collaboration, establishing and maintaining strong working relationships with various partners and community agencies, both internal and external such as boards, vendors, community stakeholders, etc.

The ideal candidate should be thoughtful, effective, and responsive. The ideal candidate will be an initiative leader with exceptional professional judgment and critical thinking skills, whose knowledge and expertise in the subject matter can inspire confidence, quickly establishing mutual respect and trust with City leadership, staff, and stakeholders.

SALARY

Pay Range: $146,640.00 to $190,632.00 annually.

Hiring Range: $146,640.00 to $170,023.15 annually.

Pay Range Explanation

• Pay range is the entire compensation range for the position classification.
• Hiring range is an estimate of where you can receive an offer. The actual salary offer will carefully consider a wide range of factors, including your skills, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, training, and internal equity.
  
  
  

Benefits

A comprehensive Executive benefits package is offered which includes:

• Traditional pension with employer and employee contributions, click here for more details: Pension Information
• 401(a) and 457 plans with employer contributions
• Choice of generous medical HMO, PPO, or HSA/HDHP plans
• Medical enrollment includes a monthly $150 City contribution to a Post-Employment Health Plan
• Wellness incentive of up to $720 annually
• Dental, vision, and life insurance options
• Employer paid long-term disability
• Free Bus/light rail pass
• Tuition reimbursement program up to $6,500 per year
• Paid time off includes 13.5 paid holidays, 12 vacation days, and 15 sick days and personal leave days
• Paid Parental Leave for eligible employees up to 480 hours (12 weeks) of paid leave for the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child during a 12-month period
• Federal Student Loan Forgiveness offered through Savi
  
  
  

For more details, visit: Executive Benefits .

Pension Information

Minimum Qualifications

• Four years of experience leading management-level staff in the direction of public parks or recreation programs, OR four years in municipal management at the middle manager level or higher.
• Bachelor's degree in recreation, parks management, public administration or a related field.
• Other combinations of experience and education which meet the minimum qualifications may be substituted.
• The City job description can be found here .
• All finalists for positions are subject to a criminal background check applicable to the department or position, which will include; media/social media, credit and degree verification.
• Some positions require the use of personal or City vehicles on City business. Individuals must be physically capable of operating the vehicles safely, possess a valid driver's license and have an acceptable driving record. Use of a personal vehicle for City business will be prohibited if the employee is not authorized to drive a City vehicle or if the employee does not have personal insurance coverage.
• For information regarding pre-screening and driving positions, click here .
  
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

The minimum qualifications listed above, plus:

• Experience leading a large park and recreation department in a large and diverse community.
• Experience with working with labor groups.
• Experience supervising a large team of professional level staff.
• Experience with all elements of a parks and recreation system.
• Experience working with an oversight governance board.
• Experience working with elected officials.
• Experience with capital improvement programs and operations.
  
  
  

RECRUITMENT DATES

Recruitment closes August 9, 2024. All materials must be received by 11:59 p.m. on this date.

This is a position-based recruitment and will not result in any ongoing eligibility list.This recruitment and any selection processes resulting from this recruitment may be used to fill other related vacancies within the organization now or in the near future.

How To Apply

Apply online by completing the required information and attaching, as one document, your cover letter and resume. Please include your experience as it relates to the qualifications stated above. Only the highest qualified may be posted to the eligible to hire list. The results of the resume screening process will be sent to your primary email address.

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• If you need assistance applying for this job, please contact our HR Connection Center at (602) 495-5700 .
  
  
  

REFERENCE

Asst Parks & Rec Director, JC:41670, ID# 54984, 07/12/2024, USM, MA, Benefits: Executive

Building the Phoenix of tomorrow.

#DoWorkThatMakesPhoenixWork

City of Phoenix is an equal opportunity employer. AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other national service alumni who meet the required qualifications are encouraged to apply.