Assistant Director of Parks & Recreation

City of San Luis

  • San Luis, AZ
  • $78,187 per year
  • Permanent
  • Full-time
  • 15 days ago
ABOUT THE POSITIONYOUR FUTURE BEGINS HERE!Join one of the fastest-growing cities in Arizona and the youngest in Yuma County!Under general direction of the Director of Parks & Recreation, this position assists in planning, organizing, directing, and reviewing the operations of the Parks and Recreation Department. Areas of responsibility include but are not limited to: park and facility maintenance and repair, and the management of recreation programs such as aquatics, cultural center, youth center and youth services, senior center and senior services, and other related initiatives. The role supports departmental leadership and helps coordinate activities with other City Departments and external agencies. It contributes strategic input for long-term planning and service enhancements, ensuring alignment with City Council priorities and community needs. Additionally, the position plays a key role in advancing innovation, digital transformation, and sustainability efforts across the Parks & Recreation system.As the Assistant Director, you will:
  • Assist with developing, planning, and implementing Department goals and objectives.
  • Assist with directing, overseeing, and participating in the development of the Department's annual work plan; assign work activities, projects, and programs; monitor workflow; review and evaluate work products, methods, and procedures.
  • Supervise and participate in the development and administration of the Department budget; direct the forecast of additional funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; monitor and approve expenditures.
  • Assist with selecting, training, motivating, and evaluating personnel; provide a high level of leadership; provide or coordinate staff training; conduct performance evaluations; implement discipline procedures; maintain discipline and high standards as necessary for efficient and professional operations of the Department.
  • Promote and implement equity, diversity, and inclusion strategies in programming, hiring, and service delivery.
  • Assist with planning, organizing, directing, and evaluating all operations relating to aquatics, cultural center, youth center, youth services, senior center, senior services, and related programs.
  • Assist with coordinating activities with those of other departments and outside agencies and organizations.
  • Participate in the development of the City's capital improvement program for parks, landscaped areas, and renovation of facilities.
  • Assist with preparing plans to meet community needs based on studies of local conditions and projections of the future composition of the community; recommend additional, altered, or expanded public parks and recreation facilities; coordinate and direct fund-raising activities; and sponsor special events.
  • Serve as a liaison to neighborhood associations and community coalitions to assess needs and develop culturally relevant programs.
  • Assist with the evaluation and recommendation of using professional consultants and contracts.
  • Assist with implementation and management of recreation and parks software systems (e.g., facility booking, work order management, and program registration platforms).
  • Evaluate and recommend new technologies or digital tools to improve department operations, customer service, and public access.
  • Assist with researching and preparing technical and administrative reports and studies, and preparing written correspondence as necessary.
  • Represent the Department to outside groups and organizations; participate in outside community and professional groups and committees; provide technical assistance as necessary.
  • Perform other related duties as assigned.
IDEAL CANDIDATEWill possess knowledge of:
  • Principles, practices, and methods for development and maintenance of parks and open space, facility operation and maintenance, and recreation programming.
  • Principles and techniques for building inclusive, equitable community programs.
  • Recreational, cultural, human, and social needs of all ages, ethnic, and economic groups.
  • Current trends in recreation services, youth development, senior engagement, and public health promotion.
  • Best practices in sustainable park design, native landscaping, and green infrastructure.
  • Pertinent local, state, and federal laws, rules, and regulations, including environmental regulatory requirements.
  • Organizational and management practices as applied to the analysis and evaluation of programs.
  • Principles and practices of organization, administration, and human resource management.
  • Principles and practices of budget preparation and administration.
  • Grant writing, fundraising, and financial stewardship in a government or nonprofit setting.
  • Principles and practices of leadership, motivation, team building, and conflict resolution.
Will possess the ability to:
  • Develop and implement department policies and procedures.
  • Supervise, train, and evaluate personnel.
  • Assess and prioritize multiple tasks, projects and demands.
  • Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions, and implement recommendations in support of goals.
  • Establish and maintain collaborative relationships with City employees, officials, and representatives from other local, state, and Federal agencies, as well as community organizations, school districts, nonprofit groups, and sponsors to enhance collaboration and resource sharing.
  • Gain cooperation through discussion and persuasion.
  • Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
  • Identify and respond to public and City Council issues and concerns.
  • Represent the City's interests before boards and commissions of local agencies and special water and sewer districts as directed by the City Manager.
  • Interpret and apply federal, state, local, and department policies, procedures, laws, and regulations.
  • Manage construction and repair projects.
  • Pass and extensive background check.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTSEducation, Training, and Experience:
  • A Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Community Resources Development, Recreation, or a closely related field, and two (2) years of increasingly responsible professional experience in a municipal agency, with one (1) of those years in a lead/supervisory capacity; OR
  • Associate's degree in a related field and four (4) years of increasingly responsible professional experience in a municipal agency, with (2) of those years in a lead/supervisory capacity.
  • Job-related experience may substitute for the required education on a year-for-year basis.
Licenses and Certificates:
All required Licenses and Certifications must be maintained throughout employment.
  • A valid Arizona Driver's License at the time of appointment.
  • Fingerprint Clearance Card, Level 1 or the ability to obtain it before the first day of employment.
Special Requirements:
  • Residency in the United States and within 25 miles of the City of San Luis.
  • Ability to work after hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.
  • Flexibility to respond to urgent departmental issues after hours, while maintaining balance through proper time management and support from the leadership team.
Desired/Preferred:
  • Bilingual in Spanish
  • San Luis Residency
  • Governmental experience
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATIONPHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS:The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by employees to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.Physical DemandsWhile performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, walk, and stand; talk and hear; use hands to finger, handle, feel, or operate objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; and perform repetitive movements of hands or wrists. The employee is frequently required to lift up to 30 pounds unaided. Specific vision abilities required for this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus. Employee must be able to perform routine job visits for all operational divisions under Parks & Recreation, including construction sites.Mental DemandsWhile performing the duties of this class, an employee uses written and oral communication skills; reads and interprets data, information and documents; analyzes and solves problems; uses math and mathematical reasoning; performs highly detailed work and multiple concurrent tasks; and interacts with colleagues and members of the public, including occasional interactions with dissatisfied individuals.Work EnvironmentThe employee works in an office environment where the noise level is usually quiet. Additionally, the employee may work outdoors where the he/ she may be exposed to extreme weather conditions such as excessive heat and cold.The City of San Luis is committed to Professional Growth and Career Development -Current employees may be given preferred consideration if they meet the position's minimum requirements.OPEN UNTIL FILLEDApplications will be reviewed 10 days after the posting date, and interviews will be conducted if a pool of qualified applicants is determined.
Interested incumbents are encouraged to apply promptly.Candidates with the most relevant backgrounds will be invited to participate in the interview/assessment process.APPLICATION PROCESS:To be considered, online applications MUST include all required documents listed under the Minimum Requirements section of the Job Posting. All documents should be uploaded as attachments.Please note:The online application must be completed in full.Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application.Incomplete applications will not be considered.

City of San Luis