Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Director

Burien is one of the fastest growing cities in WA and home to more than 365 acres of parks and open space. Parks department works to enrich and inspire the community through high quality experiences, people and places. The department promotes a healthy, livable community with opportunities for physical activity as well as personal and cultural enrichment. Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and explore the opportunity to join a fantastic team and make a difference in the community.

General Position Summary
Leads, plans, organizes and directs the activities of the City’s Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services including recreation programs, arts, public parks program, and facility and grounds maintenance.

Essential Functions
•Supports and models the identified vision, values and behaviors of the organization.
•Plans, organizes, directs and evaluates the parks, recreation, and cultural services functions.
•Establishes direction, goals, objectives, and priorities for the department.
•Supervises, assigns work and evaluates performance of staff, assists in the selection of new employees, evaluates and disciplines employees according to city policies and procedures. Responsible for staff development.
•Reviews and monitors proposed changes to federal, state, and local laws to determine their impact on departmental policies and practices; prepares, coordinates, and implements responses and recommendations to the City Manager, City Council, and other department directors.
•Develops and administers departmental budget, including the forecasting of funds for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies, and monitoring of expenses.
•Provides managerial assistance to subordinates in planning and implementing programs.
•Plans and directs short- and long-range projects related to the development and maintenance of the city’s long range master park plan, maintenance plan and recreation plan. Manages the implementation and development of these plans; gathers, interprets, and prepares data; submits grant applications; coordinates department activities with other departments and agencies as needed.
•Prepares scopes of service, construction cost estimates, contract bid documents and evaluation criteria and arranges for the bidding and award of construction contracts.
•Participates in the selection of consultants; negotiates and monitors contracts and services of outside firms to assure compliance with specifications, timelines, and City ordinances and policies.
•Oversees land acquisitions and management including: negotiations, contracts and agreements.
•Prepares materials for and makes presentations to elected officials and the public.
•Investigates and responds to complaints regarding Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Services operations.
•Provides staff support to City Council Committees and citizen advisory bodies.
•Represents the department to other City departments, elected officials and outside agencies; coordinates assigned activities with those of other departments, outside agencies and organizations.
•Serve as primary contact to Highline School District for joint use of facilities and programming.
•Actively participates and provides leadership in city-wide long range planning and policy recommendations, council relationships and executive leadership team.

Education and/or Experience
Four year degree in Parks and Recreation, Business or Public Administration or related field; AND a minimum of nine years of progressively responsible experience including five years in a supervisory capacity OR a combination of education, training and experience which provides an equivalent background sufficient to perform the work of the position. Master’s Degree Preferred. Proficiency in a secondary language preferred.