Summary
Description
The Director of Parks, Open Space, and Cultural Arts (POSCA) is responsible for strategic and operational leadership for all activities of the department. The Director is accountable for financial and operational oversight of the department, parks development, administration of the open space program, parks and trail maintenance, parks capital construction, implementation of special events, cultural arts programming, and serving as a liaison to the Riverdale Golf Course management and the Colorado State University Cooperative Extension offices.
The Director builds trust with others through clear communication, consistent practices, and follow-through.
Examples of Duties for Success
- Leads the Parks, Open Space, & Cultural Arts team, establishes departmental priorities, assigns responsibilities, and aligns staffing and resources with approved county goals. Develops strong partnerships with the leadership team and elected officials.
- Builds and develops a strong leadership team within the department. Empowers and supports the Deputy Director, managers, and supervisors to strengthen the department’s effectiveness. Encourages growth and development of each leader within POSCA. Provides leadership to team members and performs supervisory duties including instructing, assigning, reviewing, and planning the work of others.
- Represents the Parks and Open Space Department to other County departments, elected officials and outside agencies; explains and interprets POSCA programs, policies, and activities; negotiates and resolves sensitive, significant, and controversial issues.
- Develops and maintains parks and open space-related intergovernmental partnerships. Represents the County and maintains strong relationships with regional partners, including cities, school districts, state agencies, and special districts.
- Manages and participates in the development and administration of the department budget; evaluates needs for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; directs the monitoring of and approval of expenditures; implements budgetary adjustments as necessary. Develops and implements performance metrics to improve business and operational efficiency.
- Monitors departmental operations and customer service to ensure quality control; identifies and resolves deficiencies; prepares and presents regular and special staff reports on departmental issues and projects. Balances advocacy for individual department wants/needs with commitment to and support for the best overall outcomes for the County and community.
- Participates on a variety of boards and commissions; attends and participates in professional group meetings; stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of parks management and administration.
- Collaborates with the County Manager's Office and other team members to develop innovative solutions that support and promote a high-performing organization.
- Provides leadership to the operations of the Adams County Fair in coordination with staff and the Adams County Fair Board.
- Provides leadership to the operations of the Adams County Open Space Program in coordination with staff and the Adams County Open Space Advisory Board.
- Provides leadership for open space grant preparation, submittal, project management, and close out of grants.
- Responds to and resolves difficult and sensitive inquiries and complaints.
- Performs other related duties and responsibilities as required.
Supervisory Responsibilities
- Exercises direct supervision over the Deputy Director, assigned managers, and staff, including department-wide management responsibility. Establishes performance expectations, oversees staffing and development, evaluates management effectiveness, and maintains accountability for departmental results.
- Selects, trains, motivates and evaluates team members; provides or coordinates staff training; partners with employees to correct deficiencies; implements discipline and termination procedures, as appropriate.
Qualifications for Success
- Knowledge of natural resource management, open space programs, parks, recreation, water resources, and related topics.
- Knowledge of the theories, principles, and practices of organizational leadership, management, business analytics, and public administration.
- Skilled in understanding public service to the community and demonstrating a global organizational perspective in decision making processes.
- Skilled in financial management, fiscal stewardship, budgetary preparation and oversight, and operational efficiency.
- Skilled in principles of supervision, training, and performance evaluation.
- Ability to successfully plan, organize, direct, and coordinate the work of supervisory, professional, technical, maintenance, and administrative personnel; delegate authority and responsibility.
- Skilled at developing, implementing, and administering goals, objectives, and procedures for providing effective and efficient parks and open space services.
- Ability to interpret and apply federal, state, and local policies, procedures, laws, and regulations.
- Ability to operate and maintain regional and satellite parks, trails, and open space system.
- Ability to develop and implement a parks capital improvement program, including the design and management of renovation and new construction projects.
- Skilled at communicating clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
- Ability to establish, maintain, and foster positive and harmonious working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
- Support/promote change; demonstrate flexibility and take calculated risks when appropriate.
- Consistent demonstration of high emotional intelligence, tact and diplomacy.
More Qualifications for Success
Experience: Seven (7) or more years of increasingly responsible parks and open space management or public administration experience, including five (5) years of supervisory and leadership experience.
Education and Training:
- Education is equivalent to a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in Business, Public Administration, Natural Resource Management, Parks and Recreation or a related field.
- A master's degree and experience in Natural Resource Management, Parks and Recreation, Economic Development, Public Administration, and/or Project Management is highly desirable.
License or Certificate: Possession of an appropriate, valid Colorado Driver's License.
Background Check: Must pass a criminal background check.
Location: Office located at Riverdale Regional Park, which is approximately five miles south of Brighton, and one mile west of U.S. Highway 85.
Adams County and the 17th Judicial District Attorney's Office complies with Colorado’s Job Application Fairness Act (“JAFA”). JAFA prohibits employers from asking individuals to disclose their age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation on an initial employment application. However, additional application materials such as certifications and transcripts containing this information may be required for certain positions; if such additional materials are requested, applicants may redact information that identifies the applicant’s age, date of birth, or dates or attendance or graduation.
