Director of Community Programs and Recreation - City of Newton

Job Description

Primary purpose:

The Director of Community Programs and Recreation is an executive level non-union position that receives direction from the Commissioner of Parks, Recreation & Culture. The Director plans, directs and coordinates the services and activities of the department including athletics and aquatics, youth and adult services, facility rentals, contracts, classes and services, cultural programs, a contract-managed golf course, and events. Key responsibilities include managing and participating in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies and priorities for assigned programs; coordinating and supervising long-range departmental planning activities; participating in the development and administration of the department's annual budget; and directing the acquisition, planning, improvement, inspection and maintenance of all department facilities.

The ideal candidate will have the ability to connect with people and groups from a wide variety of backgrounds; possess a level of political acumen and ability to gain buy-in; be a proven leader, able to build and grow cohesive teams; ability to work in a fast-paced environment with decisiveness and responsiveness; and have experience planning and overseeing large, complex, community, and special events.

Performs all other related work as required and directed.

Supervision:

Supervision Received: 

Works under the policy direction of and reports to the Commissioner of Parks, Recreation and Culture and/or designee. Follows department rules, regulations, and policies, requiring the ability to plan and perform operations, and to independently complete assigned tasks according to a prescribed time schedule.

Supervision Given: 

Provides general supervision of up to fifteen (15) full time staff running a comprehensive City recreation program; responsible for safety, costs, methods, and personnel.

Essential Functions:

(The essential functions or duties listed are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed.  The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.)

Plans, directs, and coordinates the services and activities of the Recreation Division of the Parks, Recreation, and Culture Department including athletics and aquatics, youth services, facility rentals, contracts, classes and services, cultural programs, golf course, events, and coordinating projects with other units of the Department including the Parks and Open Space and Grounds Maintenance groups.

Manage and participate in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies, and priorities for assigned programs; recommend and administer policies and procedures.

Employee will assume complex administrative, supervisory and professional work in all functions of the Recreation Division. Employee will lead, support, and direct a team of recreation professionals; oversee all aspects of employee management.

Monitor and evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; recommend, within departmental policy, appropriate service and staffing levels.

Coordinate and supervise long-range departmental planning activities; plan, coordinate, and implement department activities.

Participate in the acquisition, planning, improvement, inspection, and maintenance of all department facilities; administer multiple City contracts with outside agencies.

Establish, within City policy, appropriate service and staffing levels; monitor and evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; allocate resources accordingly.

Plan, direct, and manage the Department's work plan and staff; assign projects and programmatic areas of responsibility; review and evaluate work methods and procedures; meet with staff to identify and resolve highly sensitive and/or complex problems.

Oversee all social media, marketing, advertising, website for the Department.

Oversee and participate in the development and administration of the department's annual operating budget and all revolving funds; participate in the forecast of funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; monitor and approve expenditures; implement adjustments.

Serve as a key liaison for the Parks, Recreation & Culture Department with other departments and outside agencies and divisions, the Park and Recreation Commission, City Council, community groups, and schools; negotiate and resolve sensitive and controversial issues; respond to and resolve difficult and sensitive citizen inquiries and complaints.

Serve as staff on a variety of boards, commissions and committees; prepare and present reports and other necessary correspondences.

Provide responsible staff assistance to the Commissioner.

Conduct a variety of organizational studies, community surveys, and operational studies; recommend modifications and introduce new and innovative services to recreation programs; maintain effective policies and procedures as appropriate.

Attend and participate in professional group meetings; stay abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of parks and recreation.

Position requires ability to work typical work schedule as well as ability to work early mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Attends and participates in Department and other meetings internally and externally as well as various special events. 

Performs similar or related work as required, directed or as situations dictate.

Qualifications:

(To perform successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential functions. We encourage all candidates who feel they are capable of successfully performing the responsibilities as outlined in this position description, regardless of the qualifications listed below to apply.)

Education, Training and Experience: 

Bachelor’s Degree in Recreation, Public or Business Administration, or a related field required. Five (5) years of increasing responsible recreation, community services, and cultural programming experience including two (2) years of administrative and supervision of management and professional staff responsibility, preferably with a public agency is required, or any equivalent combination of education and experience. Broad knowledge of recreation programming, behavioral science, finance or business administration and use of equipment, including personal computers and computer software. Must possess a valid Massachusetts’s driver’s license. A strong commitment to public service is required. 

Special requirements:

Must possess a certification in first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or ability to attain. Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP) or Certified Park and Recreation Executive (CPRE) accreditation preferred. 

Knowledge, Ability and Skill:   

Knowledge: Broad knowledge of recreation programming, behavioral science, finance or business administration and use of equipment, including personal computers and computer software. Knowledge of specific department operations and policies related to recreation programming. Knowledge of first aid methods and safety precautions used in recreational programming. Knowledge of personal computer hardware and software. 

Ability: Ability to set priorities; ability to follow through on ideas; ability to multitask. Ability to manage multiple tasks in a detailed, accurate and timely manner. Must be capable of exercising independent judgment. Ability to prepare and manage budgets, departmental finances and grants. Ability to train, supervise and evaluate employees and volunteers effectively. Ability to communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing. Ability to read, analyze and interpret professional journals, financial reports, and safety regulations. Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from citizens, outside contacts, regulatory agencies, or employees of the City. Ability to present information which may be controversial in nature, in a style consistent with tact and sensitivity. Ability to present information effectively, to top management, public groups, employees of the city and/or governing boards.

Skill: Good listening skills; strong organizational and record-keeping skills; imaginative and creative; personnel management skills, excellent oral and written communication skills. Experience working with various computer and spreadsheet programs in order to maintain accurate financial records. Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in written or diagram form and deal with abstract and concrete variables to make decisions within the limits of established policies 

Work Environment

The following work environment and physical conditions described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions and expectations. This position works in an indoor office and outdoor environments with exposure to the elements including regular park and facility inspections, and site visits at active construction sites and may require maintaining physical condition necessary for walking, standing, sitting, or driving a vehicle for prolonged periods of time; light lifting, and carrying. Operates computers, printers, facsimile machine, copier, calculator, telephone, and standard office equipment. Has frequent contact with other City departments, current employees, and vendors/service providers. Has access to all department-level confidential information, which requires the application of appropriate judgment, discretion, and professional office protocols.

Physical skills and effort

(The physical demands described here represent those requirements that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.)

Tasks require the ability to exert light physical effort in sedentary to light work, which may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of light weight (5 - 10 pounds). Tasks may involve extended periods of time at a keyboard or workstation. Some tasks require the ability to perceive and discriminate sounds and visual cues or signals. Some tasks require the ability to communicate orally. Requires the ability to operate, maneuver and/or control the actions of equipment, machinery, tools, and/or materials used in performing essential functions.

Performance Standard

Employees at all levels are expected to effectively work together to meet the needs of the community and the City through work behaviors demonstrating the City’s values. Employees are also expected to lead by example and demonstrate the highest level of ethics.

(This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change, subject to collective bargaining obligations, where applicable.)

Company Description

THE CITY:

The City of Newton is a wonderful place to live and work. Newton has safe and attractive neighborhoods, an excellent public school system, an active community life, multiple transportation systems, proximity to Boston and a well-managed and financially strong City government. The City of Newton has a population of approximately 88,900, with 32,600 housing units and occupies a land area of 18.3 square miles. Newton is principally suburban-residential in character. Unlike many other communities that are established around a single Main Street or downtown, Newton is comprised of thirteen distinctive villages. Newton has a diversified economic base with approximately 4,700 establishments employing approximately 79,500 people. Newton is special in many ways. It is home to a variety of private secondary and post-secondary schools including a portion of Boston College, Lasell University, William James College, Hebrew College, and the UMass Amherst – Mount Ida Campus.  The longest stretch of the Boston Marathon runs through the City, including the well-known Heartbreak Hill. Newton-Wellesley Hospital, part of the Mass General Brigham health care system, serves as an important partner to the City. In September 2018, Newton was again ranked #1 in Massachusetts as the best place to live and #12 in the U.S.

OUR GOVERNMENT:

Newton has what is known as a “strong Mayor” form of government with the Mayor having the executive and administrative powers of the City. The legislative branch is comprised of 24 City Councilors. Mayor Ruthanne Fuller was sworn in on January 1, 2018 after serving on the City Council. She ran on a platform of providing Newton’s children with a top-notch education in an inclusive environment where empty nesters, seniors, young families, and people of diverse incomes can live together in vibrant villages and neighborhoods. Mayor Fuller is committed to keeping Newton safe, improving the city’s infrastructure, addressing climate change, providing excellent and responsive city services, and fostering art, culture and community life. The first female Mayor of Newton, she is a tireless advocate for all the city’s residents and is committed to making sure the city is welcoming, inclusive and diverse. The City of Newton was evaluated by Moody’s Investors Services in February 2020 and assigned its highest rating of AAA. Newton was thus well-positioned to weather the pandemic and economic downturn.

AS AN EMPLOYER:

The City of Newton believes that its employees are its greatest asset.  To that end, we are committed to supporting our employees by providing competitive wages and growth, a comprehensive benefits package which includes a defined municipal pension plan, quality health and dental insurance plans, generous paid leave benefits, paid holidays, and access to supplemental benefits such as deferred compensation, short term disability plans, flexible spending accounts, and other employee benefits.  We also provide access to an Employee Assistance Program and access to employee training and professional development opportunities.  We continuously work to review and expand upon our benefit offerings.  We encourage you to visit our Human Resources Department website to learn more about our organization and benefits which are available to our employees.  And as always, you are encouraged to reach out to our dynamic HR Team by emailing hr@newtonma.gov.

Human Resources Diversity Statement

We recognize our workforce is a source of strength that is vital to our ability to effectively serve the City of Newton’s diverse community. We will:

•   Actively recruit, develop, and retain a diverse and talented workforce.
•   Proactively address discrimination through education and in partnership with other departments and leaders.
•   Serve as a role model to celebrate and nurture diversity.
•   Foster inclusion by staying curious and clarifying assumptions.
•   Evaluate and develop policies and practices that reflect the diverse nature of our workforce.
•   Build and strengthen accountability at all levels to support diversity efforts.

Benefits

• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• 457 Deferred Compensation plans
• Metro Credit Union
• Verizon Wireless discount
• Employee Assistance Program
• Generous paid leave time benefits and paid holidays.
• City Retirement (Mandatory)
• Weekly Direct Deposit
• Opportunity to serve the public and join a dynamic team of dedicated employees