DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF POSCS (#GV8 )

$73.22-$98.07 hourly / $12,691.00-$16,998.00 monthly / $152,297.60-$203,985.60 yearly

Under general direction of the Director of Parks, Open Space and Cultural Services, to assist in the planning, supervising, and administering of the activities of the County Parks system; acts as the Director in the absence of the Director of Parks, Open Space and Cultural Services; and does other work as required.

Deputy Director of Parks, Open Space and Cultural Services is the fully functional assistant department head level and is responsible for operations, management, and supervision of several divisions of the department. 

This position is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Parks Department, up to and including the following:  recreation, cultural services, natural resources, field operations, fiscal, budget, environmental protection, communications, administrative services, parking services, special events and reservations, County facility management, trail development, planning, building maintenance and repair, plant acquisition, facility remodel and capital construction projects. 

This class is distinguished from the Parks Superintendent in that it manages the operations of a division. This class is further distinguished from the higher class of Director of Parks, Open Space and Cultural Services in that it is responsible for the overall administration and management for all County of Santa Cruz Parks, Open Space and Cultural Services functions, activities, and staff.

·         Oversees the planning, coordination, implementation, integration, evaluation and monitoring of County Parks functions through multiple levels of management and supervision;

·         Manages the planning, acquisition, development and redevelopment of properties and facilities;

·         Provides leadership and coordination between major department programs, working collaboratively with management staff, County boards and commissions, community groups, local municipalities, and state and regional organizations;

·         Assists in identifying short and long-range departmental requirements, and in developing, implementing and evaluating goals, objectives, policies, procedures, measurable performance standards, and best business practices for the department;

·         Directs the development and coordination of departments operating budget;

·         Responsible for the capital improvement program;

·         Determines appropriate levels of service;

·         Forecasts funding needs for program requirements, staffing and equipment;

·         Prioritizes and allocates resources to divisions;

·         Monitors and approves expenditures to ensure funds are expended consistently within designated funding sources and budget limits;

·         Supervises, trains and evaluates the work of subordinate managers;

·         Plans and directs the selection, professional development, supervision, review and evaluation of staff;

·         Oversees and/or participates in negotiating and managing contracts;

·         Develop, manage, and expand upon department policies, procedures, projects, and objectives that serve to conserve and sustain natural resources and the environment;

·         Overall responsibility for the department's Natural Resource Management Plan and ongoing response to climate change;

·         Proposes new legislation and state and federal policies in the areas of park and open space administration;

·         Addresses legislative regulatory bodies to defend and advocate the County's position;

·         Directs the development of reports, studies, board letters, grant applications and other documents;

·         May serve at the Emergency Operations Center when activated;

·         Represents the Director of Parks, Open Space and Cultural Services and the County at Boards, Commissions, and various community group meetings;

·         Acts in the absence of the Director of Parks, Open Space and Cultural Services.

Knowledge of:

Thorough knowledge of:

·         Administrative problems involved in the operation of a large, geographically dispersed and diversified governmental department or similar organization; 

·         Principles of management including training, hiring, evaluating and supervising staff; 

·         Property management, lease management, grant preparation and/or negotiation;

Working knowledge of:

·         Capital project planning and delivery;

·         Principles, practices and techniques of budget preparation, monitoring and control; 

·         Procedures for the interpretation and application of regulations, laws, practices and principles related to the operation of a complex organization; 

Some knowledge of:

·         Principles of management analysis and organizational design necessary to formulate and implement administrative policies;

·         Principals and practices of diversity, inclusion, and equity.

Ability to:

·         Supervise, train and evaluate the work of subordinate managers;

·         Plan, organize and direct a comprehensive administrative services program in a large department, develop and implement new methods and procedures; 

·         Exercise initiative, ingenuity and sound judgment in solving difficult administrative, technical and personnel problems;

·         Prepare clear and concise correspondence and reports;

·         Make cost and operational studies and analysis; 

·         Effectively represent the department on a variety of matters with other departments and agencies; 

·         Interpret and apply provisions of federal, state and local legislation, rules and regulations pertinent to the administration of department policies and programs; 

·         Act as department liaison to advise and/or resolve differences with public and private agencies, other departments, the general public, and departmental employees; 

·         Manage effectively;

·         Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Education and Experience:

Any combination of education and experience, which would provide the required knowledge and abilities, is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Equivalent to graduation from college with a major in Parks and Recreation Administration, Landscape Architecture, Natural Resources Management, Public Administration or Business Administration, or a related field;

AND

Four (4) years of progressively responsible experience in park management including at least two (2) years of supervisory and administrative experience. Experience supervising staff, programs, and/or functions with responsibility for planning, developing, or operating parks, recreation programs or public facilities can be substituted for two (2) years of the park management experience.

Special Requirements:

Possession of a valid California Class C Driver License from the start of employment or the employee must be able to provide suitable transportation, which is approved by the appointing authority. Mentally and physically capable of performing the essential functions of the job classification.

Other Special Requirements:  Availability to work a flexible schedule including evenings and weekends, and on an emergency, as needed basis.