Job Abstract

The Department is seeking its next Deputy Director of Park Operations, and desires an innovative, collaborative and visionary leader to build upon the Department's success and continue to pursue constant improvement across all aspects of service delivery. This Deputy Director, among other responsibilities, will directly manage the day-to-day operations of the Park Operations Division of the Department. The Deputy Director of Park Operations Division will provide direction and oversight to mission critical and department-wide operations, safety and business functions, including (but not limited to) financial management, human resource management, relationship management, reporting and analysis and strategic initiative management. Performs related work as required.


The ideal candidate will have a proven record visioning and implementing innovative solutions to complex issues, as well as extensive professional experience in land management, park and recreational facility maintenance, capital planning, project design and implementation, community engagement and change management. Additionally, the ideal candidate will possess traits that provide for resiliency, creativity, accountability and flexibility as well as high levels of self-motivation.

The preferred hiring range for this position is between $102,502.40 - $125,548.80 Annually. Starting offer is based on applicable education, experience, and internal equity. This is a full-time, exempt, position which provides excellent benefits including 13 paid holidays plus 1 floating holiday, paid vacation and sick leave, health insurance options with employer contribution, employer-paid life insurance, City's retirement options, gym membership reimbursement, and continuing education/training opportunities. As a Deputy Director or equivalent, the incumbent will receive 40 hours of discretionary leave per calendar year.

• For a general summary of benefits offered by the City, please click the 'benefits' tab on this posting, or visit https://www.charlottesville.gov/1047/Employee-Benefits.
• The City of Charlottesville manages its own retirement system and does not participate in VRS, however the City has a Portability Agreement with VRS and there are certain provisions that must be met. For questions pertaining to the Portability Agreement, please contact the City's Benefits Administrator at 434-970-3462.

Under administrative direction of the Parks and Recreation Director, serves on the Department Leadership Team and serves as a Deputy Director; with direct management responsibility of a large portion of agency operations. Working with the Leadership Team, develops management policy, plans, goals and strategies for the department; administers and analyzes citywide park services and operations; plans, directs and supervises all agency programs related to park operations division; overseeing business development, business services, facility planning and development, and information technology. Working independently, directs the operations and management of one or more broad and diversified programs; providing general direction to agency functional groups; performs other tasks related to the effective management of the Parks and Recreation Department. Assisting and leading efforts toward equity, diversity, and inclusion as it pertains to the parks' facilities, services, and programs, as well as the City's initiatives. Under general direction, serves on the Department's leadership team, and directs the operations of the Park Operations Division. Plans and directs the overall operation, personnel, services and maintenance of the Division's multiple diverse sites. Completes administrative, financial, and planning duties related to the management of the park system. Represents Parks and Recreation Department in the Director's absence, and may serve as Acting Director when necessary. Designated as essential staff during declared emergencies.

Operations and Safety

• Provides general direction to the work efforts of the divisions functional groups to coordinate work supporting goals and strategies of the City Council;
• Recommends management priorities to the Director and establishes schedules and work plans;
• Identifies operational deficiencies and projects operational requirements for new and expanded facilities;

• Serves as a member of the division senior management team which includes participating in the formulation of policy and advising on decision-making at the division level;
• Reviews and approves policies and procedures and implements or recommends changes as appropriate;
• Ensures that division plans and programs complement agency goals and objectives;
• Plans, develops and implements the five year capital improvement plan (CIP) for the agency in coordination with the Park & Recreation Director;

• Establishes performance standards and evaluates the performance of subordinate personnel;
• Coaches subordinate personnel, and ensures the availability of training and professional development programs;
• Oversees a staff of professionals and has overall responsibility for all programs within their assigned functional area;

• Provides staff support to the Parks and Rec Advisory Board and other boards and commissions for issues within the assigned functional area(s);
• Oversees special project work directed by the City Council, Parks and Rec Advisory Board and/or agency director;
• Represents the agency in meetings with public and private-sector officials and citizen groups;

• Analyzes prior years' expenditures and revenues, and compiles and submits the annual operating budget for the assigned unit;
• Supervises preparation of the division's budget, participates in presentation of the budget to the City Council, and monitors program expenditures;
• Reviews and prioritizes capital improvement budgets and estimates the costs of new and/or renovated facilities;

• Develops management indicators for budget development and evaluation of organizational performance;
• Analyzes programs' use patterns and performance compared to goals, reports the results and recommends improvements;
• Evaluates suggestions for new programs and for improvements to existing programs;
• Evaluates and reports on the effectiveness of division programs;
• Conducts service needs assessments, and analyzes city-wide Park and recreation needs;
• Prepares, presents, and is held accountable for implementation of the Department's annual plan as it relates to the assigned functional area(s);

Minimum Qualifications:

• Any combination of education and experience equivalent to a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university appropriate to the functional area (recreation, park management, business administration, etc.).
• Six (6) years of administrative experience in the appropriate functional area in a diverse and full service municipal parks and recreation system or related field, with a minimum of three (3) of those years at the supervisory or managerial level.
• Possession of a valid appropriate driver's permit issued by the Commonwealth of Virginia (To view our driving eligibility requirements, visit https://www.charlottesville.gov/faq.aspx?qid=166).

• Master's degree preferred.
• Certified Playground Safety Inspector; Certified Facility Manager; Certified Park and Recreation Professional or Executive; Certified Pool Operator or Aquatics Facility Operator, and National Accreditation Visitor certification preferred.

• Ability to keep abreast of developments in the field;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships peers, other City employees, Board members, public and private sector officials and citizen groups;
• Ability to prepare and present clear, concise financial and administrative reports;
• Ability to develop and evaluate budget requests and project future expenditures;
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team;
• Ability to evaluate programs against pertinent standards;
• Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of public administration;
• Ability to plan and conduct staff development programs;
• Ability to plan and direct the activities of a large staff;
• Demonstrated skills in needs assessment and strategic planning;
• Oral and written communication skills;
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of the assigned functional area;
• Extensive knowledge of the principles, methods and challenges of organization and management;
• Ability to speak eloquently in a public setting to large groups;
• Must demonstrate ability to communicate ideas, delegate directions specifically with defined outcomes, and follow up to ensure timely completion of tasks;
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing;
• Must have ability to think and act strategically, be proactive in planning of recreation programs, facility operations, revenue development initiatives and patron services;

Physical requirements for this position as outlined by the Department of Labor:
LIGHT WORK: Ability to lift up to 20 lbs. occasionally and/or up to 10 lbs. frequently and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. If the use of arm and/or leg controls requires the ability to lift or move more than 20 lbs. for sedentary work and the worker sits most of the time, the job is rated for light work. Physical demand requirements are in excess of those for Sedentary Work.

This position may be required to work weekends, nights, holidays, standy-by/on-call, emergency on-call, and/or weather-related emergency on-call.

This is a safety sensitive position subject to drug and alcohol testing for pre-employment, reasonable suspicion, post-accident and random testing.

Time spent in this position involves inside and outside work which may involve exposure to extreme temperatures, extreme brightness, chemicals/hazardous waste, gases/gas leaks, blood-borne pathogens, acidic or harsh substances, electrical hazards, extreme darkness, fumes/airborne particles and fuels.

This position also requires the regular use of or subject to traffic/roadways, driving light equipment and/or driving a City vehicle. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

The City of Charlottesville conducts job related background checks, reference checks, and pre-employment drug tests, in accordance with federal, state, and local law, of applicants who reach the final stages of the employment selection process. The City’s policy has not changed because of the decriminalization of marijuana in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Marijuana remains an illegal drug under federal law, and it continues to be a violation of the US Department of Transportation regulations and the City’s policy prohibiting employees from testing positive for marijuana.