Under administrative direction, directs and manages the administrative, service-related and operational activities of the Parks Division of the General Services Department; may act for the Director or Assistant Director in their absence; and does related or other work as required.
CLASS CHARACTERISTICS
The class of Parks Administrator is a single position, at-will class that is exempt from the San Joaquin County Civil Service system. The incumbent is responsible for directing, organizing and staffing the full spectrum of County park services and activities, including community/visitor services, park maintenance, and park development. The incumbent also has broad administrative responsibility for short and long-range strategic planning, policy and procedure development/implementation, and budgetary control.
TYPICAL DUTIES
This specification is a general guideline for the class. The statements below are not restrictive, and the responsibilities and duties assigned to a position in this class may expand beyond those identified in the specification.
Plans, develops, manages, directs and supervises Parks Division activities and programs, including park development, maintenance, operations, safety, security, and financing, while ensuring compliance with applicable County policies and/or external laws and regulations; directs administrative and program operations to maximize efficiency, improve service levels, reduce costs, and ensure effective utilization of resources; exercises good judgment and makes sound business decisions in managing assigned activities; provides strategic leadership through communication, demonstration, and accomplishment of the organizational mission, vision, and values.
Through subordinate managers and supervises, oversees and directs a multi-disciplinary staff engaged in a wide variety of park activities; supervises and monitors staff work activities and responsibilities; directs and administers personnel matters, including employee selection, assignment, and evaluation; directs employee discipline as required; directs and oversees staff development training; coordinates Division activities with other departmental administrative staff, other County managers, outside agencies, vendors and/or contractors.
Manages and directs the provision of parks-related community/visitor services and ensures visitor safety/protection; directs and oversees the development and implementation of quality park interpretive programs, special events, and park use programs; ensures the appropriate and efficient collection of fees and maintenance of records; manages and directs the effective use of technology, including the park reservation system; oversees and directs Division marketing and promotional activities and the use of volunteer services; serves as a managerial-level liaison to other organizations seeking assistance with special services, events and/or projects.
Manages and administers parks-related County Service Area agreements and ensures the appropriate allocation of resources; directs and oversees the maintenance, development and administration of Service Area facilities and activities.
Directs and manages park maintenance and development projects, and oversees the Division’s capital improvement program; identifies and recommends project priorities, goals and objectives; reviews and recommends plans for proposed maintenance and/or improvement projects; provides administrative control over contracts and/or other procurement agreements for services and commodities and ensures their compliance with administrative requirements.
Develops operational, service and fiscal plans, goals and objectives to assure effectiveness and efficiency of Parks activities; prepares and administers Division budgets and participates in departmental budget development activities; identifies and solicits potential funding sources; prepares, administers and manages grants; directs and supervises Division accounting and reimbursement activities.
Implements and administers County, Department and Division policies and procedures as directed; recommends and develops Division policies and procedures as appropriate; reviews and analyzes state and federal laws, regulations and reports to identify relevant issues, determine their impact on assigned operations, and recommend an appropriate response.
Manages special projects; researches and analyzes information and statistical data; conducts research and surveys; prepares complex correspondence, reports and other documents; makes oral and written presentations; negotiates effective solutions to difficult problems.
Coordinates and attends meetings and conferences, including meetings of the Board of the Board of Supervisors; provides recommendations on matters germane to areas of assignment; participates on committees and task forces, as well as in-service trainings and seminars as assigned; interprets and presents information on County park programs to interested groups and individuals; develops and maintains collaborative working relationships with various state, local and county officials, managers, community groups, regulators, and the public; may represent General Services as assigned.
Effectively utilizes technology to improve assigned systems and processes.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
Education: Graduation from an accredited university with a master’s degree in park management, landscape architecture, public administration, business administration, or closely related field.
Experience: Five years of progressively responsible managerial experience, preferably in a public agency setting, including two years of park management that included responsibility for directing and overseeing visitor services, facilities management, and operational activities.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
License: Possession of a valid California driver’s license.
KNOWLEDGE
Principles, practices and objectives of public park management, including effective organization, administration, fiscal management and supervision; principles and practices of organizational behavior, organizational structures, business methods, procedures, rules, and regulations common to park management; effective supervision and personnel management; effective staff education and training techniques; short and long-term planning methods; principles and procedures of park facility and grounds maintenance, improvement and development; hazards and safety precautions related to park improvement and maintenance work; principles and practices used to maintain park security and safety; effective public relations and customer techniques; principles and practices of effective communication; modern office automation technology and software relevant to assigned operations.
ABILITY
Plan, assign, and direct the services, operations and administrative activities of a multi-facility public park system in a cost effective manner while ensuring excellent customer service; provide appropriate and effective leadership and management over diverse staff teams, including pertinent stakeholders, to achieve successful outcomes; exercise good judgment and make sound managerial decisions; exercise analytical and critical thinking to evaluate complex problems and recommend appropriate solutions; understand, interpret and apply complex rules and regulations pertaining to assigned operations; analyze and implement program mandates and work within federal, state or other types of regulatory systems; formulate and present short and long range plans; recommend the development and utilization of effective automated systems; prepare and administer annual budgets and financial records; communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; prepare and present complex reports and analytical/statistical information; establish and maintain professional working relationships with others, including advocacy groups and the general public.
PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS
Mobility—frequent operation of a keyboard, walking, driving; occasional sitting for long periods, standing for long periods, pushing, pulling, bending, squatting, operating heavy equipment, climbing stairs/ladders, crawling; Lifting—frequently 30 pounds or less; occasionally 30 – 70 pounds; Visual—frequent good overall vision, color perception, hand/eye coordination and reading/close-up work; occasional depth perception and peripheral vision; Hearing/Talking—constant hearing normal speech; frequent hearing/talking on the telephone, talking in person, talking on the telephone, hearing on the telephone/radio; Emotional/Psychological—constant decision making and concentration; frequent public contact; occasional weekend and night work; Environmental—occasional potential for exposure to noise, dirt, dust, smoke, fumes, varied outdoor weather conditions, and hazardous materials.
San Joaquin County complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and, upon request, will consider reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.
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