Assistant Director of Parks, Recreation and Leisure Services

Assistant Director of Parks, Recreation and Leisure Services

Department: Parks, Recreation, Leisure Services
Location: Branford Community House
Reports to: Director of Parks, Recreation & Leisure Services
Employment Type: Exempt/Full Time
Hours: Monday-Friday, 40 hours p/week
Pay : $66,475 to $78,205 annually plus Generous Employee Benefits
PLEASE SEND YOUR RESUME & COVER LETTER TO: CAREERS@BRANFORD-CT. GOV
The purposes of this position are to assist in planning, organizing, and supervising a comprehensive recreation program for the community including special programs and activities, and varied seasonal indoor and outdoor activities and programs. Assumes the duties and responsibilities of the Director in his/her absence. Evaluates the needs of the various populations it serves and seeks out new ideas and methods to provide the appropriate services. The Assistant Director of Parks, Recreation and Leisure Services is required to exercise considerable independent judgment in administering and managing the department and is responsible for maintaining and improving upon the efficiency and effectiveness of all areas under his/her direction and control.

Essential Job Functions:
(The essential functions or duties listed below 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.)

• Plan, organize, and administer diversified and balanced recreation programs and special events at Town recreational facilities.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of programs and recreational needs of the community; develop short term and long-range programming recommendations. Participate in needs assessments; coordinate activities with public, private cultural and recreational organizations.
• Promote proactive, customer – focused services; respond and follow up with constituent complaints and concerns; refer unusual issues to the Director or other departments, as appropriate
• Manage the department payroll process; request checks within authority limits. Schedule staff to meet program needs and track seasonal staff expenses against program revenues.
• Manage the scholarship fund; screen applicants for financial need; apply for grants as appropriate.
• Prepare and administer annual operating budget for program budgets and assign staff. Oversee program revenues including financial summaries and track program expenditures by line item. Assist the Director with the annual operating and capital budget, bid specs, obtaining cost estimates and requisitioning supplies, materials and equipment. Authorize expenditures within parameters established by the Director.
• Participate in the preparation and dissemination of department public information materials including brochures, booklets and press releases and prepare and deliver oral presentations to local, civic and cultural organizations.
• Coordinate IT upgrades and system implementation. Manage the department’s functional software program(s) and provide program content for the Town website.
• Prepare narrative and statistical reports to the Board of Recreation and represent the department at various Town Board meetings, as required.
• Participate in the acquisition, planning, construction, improvement and maintenance of all departmental areas and facilities.
• Supervise, train, assign work, counsel and evaluate employees; personnel functions are conducted with the approval and direction of the Director of Parks, Recreation and Leisure Services

Other Functions:

• Performs similar or related work as required, directed or as situation dictates.
• Continued professional development
• Assists other departments, offices or staff as needed to promote a team effort to serve the public

Supervision:

Supervision Scope: Performs responsible duties requiring independent judgment and initiative in planning, organizing and directing programs. Also performs a wide variety of special professional and administrative responsibilities requiring thorough knowledge of recreation programming.

Supervision Received: Works under the general direction of the Director of Parks, Recreation and Leisure Services, following professional standards, procedures and policies.

Supervision Given: Directly supervises the Program Supervisor, Program Coordinator(s), Administrative Program Assistant, Lead Maintainer, Maintainer, Clerical and various part time and seasonal positions, developing job direction, assigning tasks, providing instructions as needed, and monitoring performance.

Minimum Required Qualifications:

Education, Training and Experience:

The qualifications required would generally be acquired with a bachelor’s degree in Recreation Management or some closely related field and 5 years of responsible recreation experience, including supervisory experience; or an equivalent combination of education, work experience and training.

Special Requirements:

A valid CT driver’s license
Provisional Parks and Recreational Professional (PPRP) and Certified Playground Safety Inspector (CPSI) preferred.
CPR, Basic First Aid and AED certifications required within the first 6 months of employment.

Knowledge, Ability and Skill:

Knowledge: Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of municipal recreation programming and administration; thorough knowledge of parks administration; knowledge of recreation, sports and social activities as are usual in a public recreation program; knowledge of and ability to coordinate the programming of indoor and outdoor facilities; knowledge of beachfront, aquatics, skating rink and pool operations; knowledge of social trends and indicators and their impact on recreational policy; strong knowledge of functional computer applications; knowledge of municipal park and recreation budgeting.

Ability: Ability to develop short term and long range plans for programs and activities, and to implement and evaluate such programs and activities; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with town staff and officials, the public and the media; ability to handle multiple projects and programs at one time; ability to assign, train, and supervise programs and staff, including aquatics and beachfront; ability to prepare and administer an operating budget for programs; ability to coordinate the information technology function and the payroll and timekeeping process for the department.

Skill: Excellent verbal and written communication skills; aptitude for working with people and maintaining effective working relationships with various groups; aptitude for working with paperwork and details; skill in using standard office equipment; skills associated with handling numerous projects at one time; skills associated with the supervision and training of staff.

Job Environment:

Administrative work is performed in a moderately noisy office with regular interruptions during the day from the general public; frequently required to perform inspections of outdoor and indoor recreation programs, parks, fields, rinks and beaches under possible adverse weather conditions, including extreme hot and cold; frequently driving to recreational facilities and sites.

Requires the operation of an automobile, telephones, computers, copiers, facsimile machines, and other standard office equipment.

Makes frequent and periodic contact with other municipal departments, including the Counseling Center, Police, Fire and Department of Youth and Family; sports groups, civic groups, health district, vendors and the general public. Communication is frequently in person, by telephone, fax, and email in writing or at meetings. Contacts require a high level of persuasiveness and resourcefulness to influence the behavior of others or to resolve problems.

(This position description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee. It is used as a guide for personnel actions and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.)

The Town of Branford is an equal opportunity employer, women, minorities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Candidates who are offered positions must successfully pass a substance/drug abuse test, and background screening is given at the Town’s expense.

PLEASE SEND YOUR RESUME AND COVER LETTER TO: CAREERS@BRANFORD-CT.GOV

(This position description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee. It is used as a guide for personnel actions and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.)