The Director operates under the executive direction of the City Manager and requires significant independence and initiative in accomplishing program objectiveness and effective operations. The Director performs professional administrative, managerial, and supervisory duties and is responsible for planning, directing, and coordinating the comprehensive operations/maintenance programs of the Parks and Recreation Department.  

Key Responsibilities

• Oversees all operations of the Buena Vista Parks and Recreation programs and facilities.
• Coordinates the selection of personnel to serve in the Department of Parks and Recreation; Supervises employees: hires, trains, schedules, assigns, and monitors work; evaluates performance; disciplines staff; prepares and submits timecards.
• Oversees all business transactions including accounting, purchasing, budgeting, and inventory management of assigned facilities.
• Maintains effective public relations and represents the City of Buena Vista
• Provides leadership and direction to employees to organize, coordinate, and manage the performance of professional, technical, maintenance and clerical support personnel to achieve the strategic goals of the Department of Parks and Recreation.
• Responsible for budget preparation, development and monitoring.
• Research and apply for grants as needed
• Recommends acquisition and directs the development and maintenance of park and playground areas, structures and facilities, pool and trails
• Manages a flexible program of recreational activities for all segments, social groups, ages, and interest levels within the community.
• Cultivates collaboration and partnerships among city and external agencies, and residents; identifies and develops plans to address neighborhood, parks, recreation, and open space needs
• Directs communications and promotional activities to encourage citizen support, participation, attendance, and interest in parks, recreation, and outdoor space programs.
• Collaborates with various public, private, non-profit, and individuals to promote departmental community-building activities and to ascertain desired or needed services.
• Reviews and analyzes systems and processes, equipment usage, and performance to find ways of increasing effectiveness, improving results, and achieving improved cost efficiency in service delivery.
• Performs as facilitator, advisor, and technical expert in terms of natural resources and management for the City Manager, City Council, municipal departments, and the public; makes formal presentations and public policy recommendations.
• Reviews and analyzes the effectiveness of projects and programs and revises in accordance with current customer needs and desires.
• Coordinates the development and implementation of programs and strategic plans for the betterment of the community.

Minimum/Preferred Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university in Recreation Administration, Business Administration, Physical Education, or a closely related field and Minimum of two (2) years of experience in operating a municipal facility or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• If there is an equivalent amount of experience and training in a related field that may be considered in lieu of a degree

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Must possess a valid Virginia Driver’s License.
• Extensive knowledge of recreational management and facility maintenance.
• Ability to coordinate and facilitate events
• Excellent communication skills: ability to interact positively with the public and maintain a congenial rapport with staff and patrons.
• OSHA certifications and swimming pool operator license preferred

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position, in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA):

• Physical Demands: Work is primarily performed in an office setting, with periodic outdoor work involving inspections of land use developments, construction sites, and public works facilities.  While performing job duties, the employee may be required to sit, stand, walk, talk, or hear; occasionally use hands to handle or operate objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. Occasional climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, and exposure may be required. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move objects weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Work Environment: Work is performed in office, vehicle, and outdoor environments, in varying weather conditions and temperature extremes, during both day and occasional night hours.

The employee may occasionally work near moving mechanical parts and be exposed to wet or humid conditions, fumes, airborne particles, or toxic or caustic chemicals. Noise levels are generally quiet to moderate.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by incumbents with this job. It is not designed to be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and working conditions required of employees assigned to this job. Management has sole discretion to add or modify duties of the job and to designate other functions as essential at any time. The job description is not an employment agreement or contract. The City of Buena Vista, Virginia is an Equal Opportunity Employer.