Deputy Director of Parks and Recreation

The Parks and Recreation Department is seeking a Deputy Director of Parks and Recreation

Why Join Our Department?

Be a part of the San Mateo Parks and Recreation Department team, which is a regular recipient of both local and statewide awards for its park design, program creativity, and staff accomplishments.  We provide a full spectrum of landscape maintenance, park design, and recreational opportunities for the San Mateo community.  There are 31 fully developed parks, six community recreation centers, two aquatic facilities, and an 18-hole golf course.

The Deputy Director will take a lead role in overall Department administration and the formulation and implementation of the Department’s overall goals, budget, training, and evaluation of programs. We are seeking a motivated candidate to join our diverse and passionate team dedicated to providing exceptional public service.

Collaboration, innovation, thoughtfulness, leadership, continuous learning, and adaptability are attributes and competencies that we are seeking in candidates for Deputy Director of Parks and Recreation.

What You’ll Do

The Deputy Director is responsible for the planning, directing, managing and administration of a variety of operation and support services and intradepartmental projects in all divisions within the Parks and Recreation Department, performs responsible and innovative administrative management in support of the City’s goals and objectives and is a participating member of the Department’s management team. The incumbent has a broad range of independence within policy parameters and works under minimal direction, following general guidelines or professional and administrative standards in accomplishing assignments.

The Deputy Director is expected to identify policy issues and work either independently or with other staff to develop options and recommend solutions. The position is distinguished from the Director of Parks and Recreation in that the Director has overall management responsibility for all aspects of the Parks and Recreation Department.  It is distinguished from other division manager positions in the department in that the Deputy Director will take a lead role in overall Department administration and the formulation and implementation of the Department’s overall goals, budget, training, and evaluation programs.

Some of the duties of this position are as follows:

• Assist the Department Director with planning, managing, directing and evaluating the activities, programs and operations of the department, including the strategic planning, coordination and implementation of overall division and department policies, goals, objectives and procedures.
• Monitors and evaluates the efficiency, effectiveness and quality of service delivery methods and operations within the various Divisions.
• Represent the Parks and Recreation Department to other City departments, divisions, elected officials and outside agencies; explain and interpret Parks and Recreation Department programs, policies, and activities.
• Receive and respond to public inquiries, requests for assistance and complaints regarding department projects and activities; resolve sensitive and contentious issues within City and department guidelines.
• Select, train, motivate and evaluate Parks and Recreation Department personnel; provide or coordinate staff training; work with employees to correct deficiencies.
• Assist in planning, directing, and coordinating the Parks and Recreation Department’s work plan; meet with staff to identify and resolve problems; assign projects and programmatic areas of responsibility; review and evaluate work methods and procedures.
• Assist in managing and participating in the development and administration of the Parks and Recreation Department’s operating and capital improvement budgets; direct the forecast of additional funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; direct the monitoring of and approve expenditures; direct the preparation of and implement budgetary adjustments as necessary.
• Prepare technical and complex administrative reports and makes presentations to the City Council and to various commissions and committees as required.
• Serve as a liaison with employees, public and private organizations, community groups, and other organizations; provide information and assistance regarding parks and recreation programs and services.
• Participate on a variety of committees and task forces; attend and participate in professional group meetings; stay abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of parks and recreation
• Assumes the role of Director of Parks and Recreation in their absence.

The Deputy Director receives general direction from the Director of Parks and Recreation and exercises direct supervision over management, supervisory, professional, technical, and administrative support staff.

For a complete list of duties, reference our job specifications at https://www.cityofsanmateo.org/DocumentCenter/Home/Index/86

Who You Are

We are seeking candidates that show collaboration, innovation, accountability, creativity, prudent decision-making, and adaptability. Some of the knowledge and abilities for this position are:

• You possess the knowledge of the principles and practices of recreation programs and facilities, golf and park management procedures and design.
• You possess the ability to lead as a member of a networked team.
• You possess the knowledge of organizational, management and strategic planning practices as applied to the analysis and evaluation of programs, policies and operational needs.
• You possess the ability to engage in ongoing process improvement review and implementation.
• You possess the knowledge of contemporary trends and best practices related to community programming needs and park and golf maintenance, operations and design.
• You possess the ability to maintain and exhibit discretion, honesty and integrity when handling sensitive situations and deal constructively with conflict and develop solutions.
• You possess the knowledge of project management principles and concepts.
• You possess the ability to participate in a collaborative and positive manner with internal and external stakeholders and generate options and make recommendations.
• You possess the knowledge of the principles and practices of budget preparation and administration.
• You possess the ability to understand, interpret and explain codes, regulations and policies.
• You possess the knowledge of the principles and practices of personnel management, supervision, training, employee development, and performance evaluation and the principles and practices of leadership, motivation, team building and conflict resolution.
• You possess the ability to provide vision and set operational goals to achieve this vision and set priorities and multi-task.
• You possess the ability to learn quickly and think strategically and to be innovative and willing to take initiative.
• You possess the ability to take responsibility and determine when to seek assistance, refer, inform or escalate a problem.
• You possess the ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• You possess the ability to establish, maintain, and foster positive and harmonious working relationships with those contacted in the course of work, including both internal and external stakeholders
• You possess the ability to identify and create strategic partnerships with community organizations including school districts, user groups, and other providers of recreation programs and services.

What You Bring

Any combination equivalent to experience and education that would provide the required knowledge and abilities would be qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

• Five years of progressively responsible experience in parks and/or recreation administration, community service program delivery, project management, or park maintenance and design three years of which have been in a supervisory or management role.
• Equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in parks and recreation administration, leisure studies, public administration, landscape and facility design or a closely related field. A Master’s degree is desirable.
• Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California driver’s license.

Bonus Points (highly desirable):

• Master’s Degree

Salary:  $15,304 – $16,873/month, plus a comprehensive benefits package

To apply, review the complete job announcement, benefits information, etc., please go to https://www.calopps.org/san-mateo/job-20422572

Application Deadline – This recruitment will close by 5 p.m. on October 2, 2023, or upon receipt of the first 50 applications, supplemental questionnaires, and résumés (required) whichever occurs first.