Parks And Recreation Manager

Performs mid- to senior-level work planning, organizing, and directing the operation, programs, and staff of the Parks and Recreation teams. He/she manages the day-to-day operations, financial objectives, capital planning and marketing of assigned areas, and provides professional and technical assistance to the Assistant Director, Director, and City Administration. Generally, this position uses complex skills and works under limited supervision, with moderate latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

• Act as a liaison to select community groups, private sector, governmental agencies, educational institutions, businesses, non-profit groups, various boards, and resident groups to advance the overall goals of the Parks & Recreation Department.
• Assist in investigating and resolving complex or sensitive citizen complaints or problems.
• Provide management of contract service providers who are responsible for a variety of division programs and vendor services.
• Formulate and implement division strategic plans and work activities to coordinate and synchronize with City and Department directions and goals.
• Develop and prepare final annual budget for assigned divisions and monitor actual expenditures/revenues on an ongoing basis, adjusting as necessary. Assist with grant writing and submission.
• Participate in the recruitment, selection, training, progressive discipline, and all other Human Resources related processes.
• Develop and administer appropriate rules, policies, and processes to accomplish long-term and short-term goals and objectives and guide staff by defining standards and principles of operations in compliance with pertinent governing laws, regulations, and guidelines.
• Oversee the planning, organization, and supervision of the activities and staff of large recreation and educational programs such as, but not limited to, aquatics, athletics, special interest classes, and special events.
• Manage the Leander Activity Center (LAC), and directly supervise the Active Adult Program Coordinator and Special Events Coordinator. Coach for career development and provide an annual written reviews to direct reports.
• Prepare reviews, analyze, and evaluate a variety of narrative and statistical data and feedback regarding division programs, services, and activities to monitor success in terms of utilization, customer satisfaction, cost effectiveness, and overall value to the community.
• Assist the Department as intermediary to select community stakeholder groups. Serve as a resource to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, researching and reporting on various issues and concerns.
• Assist with planning and development of the capital improvement program and provides direction for growth related impacts that effect parks and recreation facilities, land, open spaces, trails, and parks. Develop estimates for capital and ongoing costs.
• Implement and administer contracts and agreements as well as negotiate with schools and community groups regarding fields, facilities, and classrooms.
• Establish strategies for long-term direction of division programs, services, and activities.
• Stay current with the profession’s methodology, practices, trends, and issues.
• Plan, manage, and monitor the proper allocation and utilization of staff according to projected needs and directives. Administer and enforce City policies and procedures in a supportive and productive manner.
• Develop and strengthen professional and administrative knowledge and skills. Remain visible within the professional community.
• Other related tasks, as assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in a closely related field.
• Minimum of six years of experience in Parks & Recreation administration, or closely related industry.
• Ability to work hours other than the regular daytime schedule such as special events, on-call, or emergency response situations.
• Minimum of three years of supervisory experience.

• Valid driver’s license from any state. (Approximately 10% driving time in a City vehicle.)
• First Aid certification required, or ability to obtain it within the six months of hire.
• Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP) certification required, or the ability to obtain one within six months of hire.

• Currently holds a First Aid certification.
• Currently holds a Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP) certification.
• Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in a closely related field.
• Texas Driver’s License or ability to obtain a Texas driver’s license within 90 days per state law.

• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with City employees, the public, elected officials, and boards and commissions.
• Ability to plan and schedule operations.
• When required, must be able to wear personal protective equipment to include steel-toed leather boots, gloves, eye protection, head protection, safety vest, and ear protection.
• Skill in using computers and related software applications.
• Skill in directing the activities of a complex and diverse organization.
• Ability to follow detailed verbal and written instructions.
• Skill in handling multiple tasks and prioritizing.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to communicate with other employees and the general public in a courteous and diplomatic manner.
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
• Skill in data analysis and problem solving.
• Workers must be in compliance with safety procedures and usage of safety equipment.
• Ability to work hours other than the regular daytime schedule such as special events, on-call, or emergency response situations.
• Knowledge of fiscal planning and budget preparation.
• Ability to plan strategically.
• Knowledge of Methods and techniques of scheduling work assignments; methods and techniques for record keeping and report preparation and writing with proper punctuation, spelling and grammar.
• Analyze situations and adopt quick, effect, and reasonable courses of action.

• Compliance with the Selective Service Registration for male US citizens and immigrants, who are ages 18-25.
• Legal authorization to work in the United States without sponsorship. *
• Satisfactory results from a pre-employment criminal history background and driving record check.
• Proof of education, certification(s) and experience as listed on the employment application based on the job posting requirements.

• The City of Leander participates in E-Verify! Information from each new employee’s Form I-9 will be provided to the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to confirm work authorization.

Your well-being and that of your family matters to you, and so it's important to us too. To support you and your loved ones through life's many challenges, we offer our full time employees access to a wide array of benefits including health, dental, vision, life, disability, accident, cancer, flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, employee assistance, paid holidays, paid sick leave, paid emergency leave, longevity pay, golf course discounts as well as generous retirement and deferred compensation programs and social security participation.

Medical
We offer two types of medical plans (a traditional PPO plan and a high deductible health plan) so that you can choose the one that best fits your needs. The premium you pay is based on which plan you select and who you cover. Covering just yourself? The City currently pays the entire employee-only premium for either plan. Covering qualified dependents in your family? Currently, we'll pay your employee premium and split the remainder of the spouse/child/family premium with you - we pay 60%; you pay 40%. That generous cost share reflects our philosophy that our employees and their families should have the best health care we can afford to provide.

Dental
Dental plans include a DMO option (no cost for employee-only coverage) and two more traditional plans whose premiums are also affordable. You can choose to cover yourself or any qualified dependents and choose which plan best suits your dental needs. Currently, for the DHMO option, we pay the employee premium and split the remainder of the spouse/child/family premiums with you – we pay 50%; you pay 50%. Under the more traditional plans, although we don't pay the entire employee-only premium, we still split the incremental dependent premiums with you 50/50.

Vision
Access to $10 eye exam co-pays and up to $150 frame and contact lens allowances make vision insurance a popular benefit among employees. Cover yourself for just a few bucks a pay period or all of your qualified dependents for not much more.

Life/AD&D
Your basic employee $15,000 term life insurance policy is paid for by the city. Accidental Death & Dismemberment under the plan would pay an additional $15,000 to your beneficiary if you die in an accident. More life insurance coverage is paid for by the City and provided through our Texas Municipal Retirement System (TMRS) program. If that's still not enough coverage, you can purchase more life/AD&D coverage for yourself and your qualified dependents. Over the age of 65? These coverages are subject to an age reduction schedule.

Disability
Both short and long term disability plans which provide up to 60% income replacement are available to purchase at competitive rates.

Accident & Cancer
Need extra coverage for off-the-job medical injuries or a cancer diagnosis? Supplemental plans that pay cash for some of life's most unexpected events are available for purchase.

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
Want to set aside some pre-tax dollars for health care expenses or dependent care expenses? If you select the traditional EPO medical coverage, you can set aside pre-tax money for medical expenses through the City's Section 125 medical FSA plan, which is managed by an outside carrier. You can do the same for dependent day care expenses, regardless of which medical plan you select.

Health Savings Accounts (HSA)
The high deductible health care plan has its own provisions for pre-tax health savings (HSA) so you can set aside money for your qualified health care expenses. The City will add $1000 to your health savings account to get you started each plan year.

Employee Assistance Program
We know that sometimes your needs are much different than a doctor visit or a prescription, so the City pays for a generous employee assistance program through Alliance to help you or any household member with counseling, legal referrals or simply a safe ride home.

Holidays
The City has thirteen designated holidays each year.

Vacation Leave
Most full time, regular employees (excluding firefighters on a 24 hour shift schedule and department heads) accrue 3.69 hours of vacation time each pay period and are eligible to use that time after just six months of employment. The longer you work for the city, the more vacation time you receive, with those accrual rates going up at 4, 9 and 14+ years of service. Never use your vacation time? Don't worry; you can bank up to two times your annual accrued hours before you stop accruing.

Sick Leave
As a full time regular employee (excluding firefighters on a 24 hour shift), you accrue 3.69 hours of sick leave each pay period, which you are eligible to use after your first pay period with the city. You can also continue to build your sick leave balance up to 480 hours for those unexpected emergencies.

Emergency Leave
The City allows up to five days of paid leave (or two 24 hour shifts for 24/48 hour fire department) for regular employees in the event of the death of an immediate family member (as defined in city personnel policy).

Longevity Pay
Regular full-time employees after they've been employed for one year or more are eligible for an annual payout of $5 for every month of City service. So, while that first year $60 check might not seem like a ton of money, that $1500 check (minus taxes of course) for your 25 years of service which is paid around Thanksgiving will likely help you feel very thankful for a little extra cash for Christmas shopping.

Retirement
All regular full-time employees participate in our Texas Municipal Retirement System (TMRS). Your 7% investment each payroll period is matched 2 to 1 by the City and is vested at 5 years. You can retire at age 60 with 5 or more years of service or younger if you have at least 20 years of service. You can also receive service credit for certain types of military service. The City's TMRS plan is one of the most generous retirement plans around.

Deferred Compensation
If saving 7% with a 2 to 1 match through TMRS isn't enough to meet your financial goals, you can stash even more on a pre-tax basis through the City's 457 plan. Start or stop saving at any time – up to $18,000 annually if you're under 50, and up to $24,000 if you're older.

Social Security
City of Leander employees also participate in the social security system under FICA regulations.

Golf Course
We have a gorgeous golf course. Want to learn how to play? As a City employee you can play for 50% off. Check it out!

See Benefits at a Glance for even more information on our many perks.