DIRECTOR OF RECREATION - Onondaga County (NY) : Job Details

DIRECTOR OF RECREATION 38330

(Competitive)

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS

The work involves administration and implementation of a comprehensive community recreation program. Under general direction of a Commissioner of Parks and Recreation in County or City service, or of the Chief Executive Officer or a Recreation Commission or Committee in Town or Village service, an employee in this class plans a wide variety of recreation activities, including the use and maintenance of recreational parks and facilities, for all age groups within a community. Planning is done in accordance with policy established by a Recreation Commissioner, Legislative Committee or advisory board. Program administration consists primarily in the coordination of the work of professional and non?professional personnel and of community resources. In County service, an employee in this class exercises general supervision over the historical and nature interpretive programs. Where the program is limited, the Director may spend considerable time in leading particular activities. Supervision is generally exercised over a substantial number of titles such as, Park Superintendent, Recreation Supervisor, Recreation Leader, and other park staff. Does related work as required.

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES

Plans a comprehensive recreation program embracing several types of activities and events, which involves:

Conducting studies to assess the effectiveness of existing programs and the probable public acceptance of new programs;

Researching catalogues, legislation, periodicals to locate sources of funds for recreational use;

Preparing funding proposals and applications;

Preparing and managing program budgets as well as assisting in preparing the overall parks department budget, including personal services, materials, supplies, and estimates of revenues;

Consulting with architects and engineers for the acquisition, design and construction of parks and facilities;

Evaluates the effectiveness of ongoing programs and services through research, study, and application of recreation principles and practices.

Recruits, selects, trains and assigns professional and non?professional personnel; directs or supervises their activities in a manner conducive to good work relationships.

Organizes and implements leisure time activities by scheduling events, reserving facilities, arranging for presentations by guest speakers, organizing field trips, etc., which are consistent with the needs and interests of senior citizens within the community.

Coordinates separate and co?sponsored programs and events with other community groups.

Directs, controls and accounts for the fiscal operation of the department in accordance with the state uniform system of accounts.

Plans and implements a public relations program; prepares publicity releases; attends and represents the department at meetings involving other departments, community organizations and the general public.

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

Comprehensive knowledge of recreation principles and practices.

Thorough knowledge of recreation principles and practices as applied to the management of a municipal recreation program.

Thorough knowledge of the methods, procedures, and objectives of an organized recreation service.

Thorough knowledge of community program organizations.

Thorough knowledge of principles and practices of administrative supervision.

Some knowledge of principles and practices of fiscal management and budgetary control.

Ability to plan, organize, implement, and evaluate a municipal recreation program.

Ability to promote and publicize recreation programs and special events.

Ability to establish good working relationships with community organizations, organized youth leagues, cemetery associations and the public.

Ability to supervise personnel in a manner conducive to full performance and high morale.

Ability to prepare written and oral reports.

* 2- 38330

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Promotion:

Three (3) years of permanent competitive class status as a Recreation Supervisor, or Park Superintendent, or Park Superintendent 1; or,

Two (2) years of permanent competitive class status as a Nature Center Superintendent, or Park Superintendent 2, or Park Superintendent 3, Assistant Director of Recreation, or Director of Natural Resource Facilities and Services.

Open-Competitive:

* Graduation from a regionally accredited college or university or one accredited by the New York State Board of Regents to grant degrees with a Master's Degree with a minimum of fifteen (15) semester credit hours in recreation courses plus two (2) years full time work experience, or its part-time equivalent, in the conduct of recreation activities in which incumbent independently assessed participants' needs, developed recreation programs or activities to fill those needs, evaluated activities and programs and redesigned activities as necessary; or,

* Graduation from a regionally accredited college or university or one accredited by the New York State Board of Regents to grant degrees with a Baccalaureate Degree with a minimum of fifteen (15) semester credit hours in recreation courses plus three (3) years of full time work experience, or its part-time equivalent, in the conduct of recreation activities in which incumbent independently assessed participants' needs, developed recreation programs or activities to fill those needs, evaluated activities and programs and redesigned activities as necessary; or,

* Seven (7) years of full time work experience, or its part-time equivalent, in the conduct of recreation activities, at least three (3) years of which must have been work experience in which incumbent independently assessed participants' needs, developed recreation programs or activities to fill those needs, evaluated activities and programs and redesigned activities as necessary; or,

* An equivalent combination of training and experience as defined by the limits of (a), (b) and (c) above.

NOTE: If qualifying under (c), successful completion of college level recreation courses may be substituted for work experience at the rate of fifteen (15) semester credit hours equivalent to one (1) year of work experience up to the maximum of four (4) years of non-specialized recreation experience.

1/2014 Revised