Placer County

(Unclassified)

To plan, organize, direct, and review the activities and operations of the Department of Parks & Open Space, including the management of regional, community, and neighborhood parks, open space, trails, and other public spaces; to coordinate assigned activities with other departments and outside agencies; and to provide highly responsible and complex administrative support to the County Executive Officer.

Receives policy direction from the County Executive Officer.

Exercises direct supervision over assigned management, professional, supervisory, technical, and clerical personnel.

• Develop, plan, and implement department goals and objectives; recommend and administer policies and procedures.
• Coordinate department activities with those of other departments and outside agencies and organizations; provide staff assistance to the County Executive Officer and Board of Supervisors; prepare and present staff reports and other necessary correspondence.
• Direct, oversee and participate in the development of the department's work plan; assign work activities, projects, and programs; monitor workflow; review and evaluate work products, methods, and procedures.
• Plan, oversee and direct the development and operation of parks, open space and trails and their maintenance.
• Oversee park, open space and trail master planning and associated outreach; coordinate with developers and community stakeholders on park and trail development.
• Direct park, open space and trail funding and financing efforts for capital and ongoing costs, including development and administration of land development-related fee programs, user fees and grant solicitations; administer professional consultant contracts.
• Supervise and participate in the development and administration of the department budget; direct the forecast of funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; monitor and approve expenditures; implement mid-year adjustments.
• Select, train, motivate and evaluate personnel; provide or coordinate staff training; work with employees to correct deficiencies; implement discipline and termination procedures.
• Represent the department to County commissions and committees and outside groups and organizations; participate in outside community and professional groups and committees; provide technical assistance, as necessary.
• Research and prepare technical and administrative reports and studies; prepare written correspondence, as necessary.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other County employees and the public using principles of good customer service.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Experience: Seven years of increasingly responsible experience in park planning, design, and development including four years of administrative and management responsibility.

Training: Equivalent to a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in landscape architecture, parks and recreation, environmental design, or a related field.

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of park planning and development, including environmental and land development processes and associated fee programs.
• Principles and practices of leadership, motivation, team building and conflict resolution.
• Pertinent local, state, and federal laws, rules, and regulations.
• Organizational and management practices as applied to the analysis and evaluation of programs, policies, and operational needs.
• Principles and practices of organization, administration, and personnel management.
• Principles and practices of budget preparation and administration.
• Principles of supervision, training, and performance evaluation.

Ability to:

• Plan, direct and control the administration and operations of the Department of Parks & Open Space.
• Develop long-range and short-range plans in alignment with anticipated funding.
• Interact successfully with elected officials, citizen groups and individual citizens, recognize politically sensitive issues and handle appropriately.
• Analyze budget and technical reports; interpret and evaluate staff reports; know laws, regulations and codes; observe performance and evaluate staff; problem solve department related issues; remember various personnel rules; and explain and interpret policy.
• On a continuous basis, sit at desk and in meetings for long periods of time. Intermittently twist to reach equipment surrounding desk; perform simple grasping and fine manipulation; use telephone and write or use a keyboard to communicate through written means.
• Develop and implement department policies and procedures.
• Gain cooperation through discussion and persuasion.
• Successfully develop, control, and administer departmental budget and expenditures.
• Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions and implement recommendations in support of goals.
• Interpret and apply County policies, procedures, rules, and regulations.  

Length of Probation:

This classification serves at the pleasure of the Appointing Authority and has no specific term and no right to continuous employment.  

Bargaining Unit:

Unclassified Department Head