Title: Parks & Recreation Director
Department: Parks & Recreation
Reports to: Township Manager
Position(s) Supervised: Recreation Program Coordinator, Parks & Recreation Administrative Assistant, Seasonal staff, Volunteers
Employment Status: Full-Time; Exempt
Pay Range: $75,000 to $100,000

BROAD STATEMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES:
Under the direction of the Township Manager, the Parks & Recreation Director is responsible for overseeing strategic and operational management and development of Park Township parks and open space preserves, as well as related recreational programs and services.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
An employee in this position may be called upon to do any or all the following essential functions. These examples do not include all the duties which the employee may be expected to perform. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily.
1. Provide strategic and operational leadership of the department.
2. Oversee parks and recreation operations including but not limited to facility and park management, use, access, infrastructure upgrades/improvements, programming, invasive species control, and all other parks stewardship-related functions.
3. Facilitate Implementation, Review and Update as necessary the Five-Year Park Township Parks and Recreation Plan, capital improvements plan, asset management plans, etc.. Coordinate strategic planning for renovations, acquisition and/or expansion of parks and open space, and stewardship activities throughout the Township.
4. Prepare and monitor annual budget for Parks, Recreation and request budget amendments as needed.
5. Coordinate development of recreational and educational programming in collaboration with local schools, neighboring communities, and providers of existing recreational programs in the township. Create and publish Parks Townships Parks & Recreation information guides and activities calendar; provide public with appropriate notices regarding park activities, land preservation and stewardship activities, special events, recreation programs, class offerings and other forms of communication and social media as necessary.
• Manage and update website as needed for items related to Parks, Recreation and programing activities.
• Coordinates Park facility reservation requirements with appropriate staff.
6. Assist the township with planning for and execution of park’s mileages, including but not limited to analyzing and quantifying department needs, helping shape the proposal, responding to public inquiries, and otherwise collaborating with staff and the public to facilitate millage education, as appropriate and permitted under campaign finance regulations.
7. Hire, train, supervise, discipline, and termination of all department staff with oversight and approval from the Township Manager. Manage department staff and assign tasks, responsibilities, and projects. Evaluate performance, resolve workload and technical issues, and assure goals are communicated clearly, and achieved.
8. Coordinate with the Maintenance Director to arrange for maintenance and repair of park facilities, equipment, and open space preserves.
9. Serve as a staff liaison when needed to the Farmland Perseveration Committee and attend meetings of the Planning Commission, Township Board, and other Boards and Committees as needed.
10. All other duties as assigned

BASIC KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:
1. Effective administrative, managerial, organizational, and leadership skills
2. Understanding of/or hands on experience with millage planning, recreational programming and related software, invasive species management, ecological knowledge, horticultural history, and land management
3. Computer skills including Microsoft Office package, and parks & recreation digital tools
4. Forward-thinking, detail-oriented, creative, self-starter, able to work independently
5. Effective communication and writing skills
6. Strong interpersonal skills facilitating effective working relationships with public officials, consultants, contractors, staff, residents, and the public
7. Ability to make effective oral and written presentations to a variety of audiences
8. Ability to critically assess and respond to work-place challenges, problem-solve, and to otherwise work effectively under stress and within deadlines
9. Knowledge of governmental budgeting processes
10. Ability to meet deadlines, concentrate and pay close attention to details; also, ability to organize, prioritize, and work independently as well as schedule and produce work on a timely basis
11. Ability to attend meetings scheduled at times other than normal business hours, travel to other locations and respond to emergencies outside of business hours

MINIMUM EDUCATION & BACKGROUND:
• A minimum of three years’ leadership experience with a parks & recreation department in either the private or public sector or related experience and a passion for effective and collaborative leadership in this space. Leadership experience in related fields will also be considered
• Bachelor’s degree in Parks & Recreation/Environmental Studies/Natural Resources/Public Administration or related fields preferred. Please detail how your experience and education satisfy this requirement if you do not hold a related degree.
• Valid State of Michigan driver’s license

MINIMUM ENVIRONMENTAL EXPECTATIONS:
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works in an office setting
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works outdoors in all weather conditions and on all types of terrain

MINIMUM PHYSICAL EXPECTATIONS:
 Position requires keyboarding, telephone work and filing
 Physical activity that requires bending, stooping, reaching, climbing, kneeling and/or twisting. Also, activity that involves pushing and/or pulling over 50 lbs. and lifting objects weighing over 50 lbs. at or above waist level
 Position requires frequent visits to various township parks and other properties, with use of trails or pathways on foot, or the ability to operate motor vehicles
 Position requires the ability to operate machinery typically utilized in parks’ maintenance

The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this position. It is not construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements for the position.

LAST UPDATE: 2/6/25