Parks and Recreation Director

City of Corvallis, Oregon

The City of Corvallis has an exciting opportunity for a strategic thinking, visionary and solutions-oriented leader to become the next Parks and Recreation Director. The Parks and Recreation Director oversees the City’s park property, facilities, and programming which includes nearly 2,000 acres of natural areas and developed parks, recreation facilities, 24 miles of trails and offers over 1,000 recreation programs annually. The heavily utilized park system includes 44 parks and natural areas that range from a mixture of athletic fields, playgrounds, and a skate park to trails and environmental restoration work. The Osborn Aquatic Center hosts 230,000 visitors and 3,100 programs each year, providing programming for swim lessons, competitive swimming, and various rentals, both locally, regionally and nationally. The Majestic Theatre is a flagship cultural space for local theater in the region and this past year hosted over 150 performances seen by 25,000 patrons in the community. The newly renovated Corvallis Community Center is scheduled to open this summer with expanded classrooms and improved facilities throughout to better serve the community. The recreation division hosts over 1,000 programs annually with 210,770 registrations each year.

The Parks & Recreation Department has an operational budget of $9.1 million, with 39 full-time employees and 350 part-time employees at peak season. The current capital budget for the department has identified projects totaling $9.8 million.

The Department has received numerous awards including Environmental Leadership Award (ORPA), Planning Award (ORPA), Tree City USA (NADF), Growth Award (NADF), and Historical Preservation Award (City of Corvallis).

As the next Parks and Recreation Director, you will support the Parks and Recreation mission to preserve and create a community heritage by providing places and programs designed to enhance the quality of life.

Corvallis Community Corvallis is in the heart of Oregon's Willamette Valley. Ideally located, the City is 90 minutes from Portland and close to the Cascade Mountains and Pacific Coast shoreline. Located in Benton County, Corvallis is the County seat, has a residential population of 58,885 and is home to Oregon State University.

Corvallis is a community that focuses on livability. The downtown and University neighborhoods are walkable and Corvallis is one of the best cities in the nation for bicycling. In addition, the fareless public transit service, Corvallis Transit System (CTS) provides bus service throughout the City with connections to neighboring communities, Philomath and Albany.

With a beautiful waterfront and vibrant businesses, Corvallis is a place to shop. The downtown shops and restaurants are predominately locally owned and operated. Additional shopping opportunities are located throughout town and include major retail outlets mixed alongside trendy stores, unique coffee bars, and restaurants. From affordable to whimsical, Corvallis offers something to suit every style.

Surrounded by fertile countryside, Corvallis is home to many creative chefs whose restaurants serve wine from locally owned, nationally recognized wineries. Local brew masters from five different breweries make their home in Corvallis and produce quality craft beer. In addition to craft beers, fantastic ciders are made from locally produced apples, honey, and other special ingredients.

Corvallis has a thriving arts and cultural community. Great artists, photographers, musicians, and performing artists routinely display their talents at a variety of venues in town. The City has more than 40 beautiful parks and recreational areas with 2,000 acres of parks, play grounds, playing fields, trails, and natural areas. Given its location in the heart of the Willamette Valley, Corvallis is also minutes away from a multitude of other recreation opportunities.

Education plays an important role in Corvallis and begins early with an active preschool population. The well-regarded Corvallis Benton County Public Library emphasizes early literacy and hosts many events focused on lifelong learning for all ages. Benton County has the reputation for having some of the strongest schools in the State and the Corvallis School District is no different. With approximately 6,900 students, many of the local K-12 schools achieve awards for academics, activities, and athletics. The School District is currently working on constructing two new schools and remodeling several schools, as the community recently voted on a $200 million dollar bond measure to improve school facilities.

The presence of Oregon State University contributes to the City’s vibrancy. It is an integral part of the local community with approximately 31,900 students and roughly 10,000 employees. The University is considered one of the nation’s leading research universities and serves as Oregon’s leading source of basic applied research in forestry, agriculture, fisheries, engineering, electronics, home economics, and the sciences for the development of human, land, atmospheric, and oceanic resources.

Linn-Benton Community College (LBCC) based in Albany has a strong presence in Corvallis at the Benton Center, which serves more than 5,800 students each year. LBCC is the sixth-largest community college in Oregon and offers a wide variety of transfer, career, and technical programs. In addition, the college offers the LBCC/OSU Degree Partnership Program providing dual enrollment services to students.

The influence of a major research university, thriving sectors of high tech, agribusiness, biosciences, healthcare, and green energy, along with an educated workforce result in a solid local economy. In fact, Forbes magazine ranks Corvallis among its top 20 Best Small Places for Business and Careers. Additionally, scientists at Los Alamos National Laboratory and the Santa Fe Institute in New Mexico found that Corvallis led the nation in patented inventions as well as economic output, personal income, and preventing violent crime.

Need some more reasons to apply for the position? Here are just a few acknowledgements in the past few years that recognize Corvallis as a great place to live and work!

Corvallis ranked 1st in Oregon for bike commuting according to American Community Survey Corvallis ranked 3rd nationally in the Top 100 Best Places to Live by Livability.com Corvallis was ranked 5th nationally on the list of 10 Best College Towns from Livability.com Corvallis has a bike commute mode share of 12%, the 2nd highest in the country Corvallis ranked 4th on College Magazine’s list of Top 10 College Towns You’ll Never Want to Leave Corvallis was ranked 2nd on the Ten Most Educated Cities list compiled by SmartAsset.com Corvallis was ranked 8th among medium sized cities for sustainable transportation options

Position The Parks and Recreation Director plans, organizes, implements, and directs comprehensive park and recreation programs. Facilitates goal and objective development with division management personnel including long range planning.

Effectively supervises assigned staff. Responsible for the supervision and management of the Parks and Recreation department. Performs personnel duties such as selection, coaching/mentoring, training, employee/labor relations, evaluating performance, succession planning, discipline, and termination. Creates and maintains an effective work environment by communicating goals and expectations for staff performance, counseling employees as appropriate, and supporting employee engagement efforts.

Develops, manages, and monitors the budget for the Parks and Recreation Department, including annual and long range operating and capital improvement budgets. Establishes and monitors appropriate department financial measures. Interprets and uses financial data to make informed business decisions. Acts as Fund Manager for the Parks and Recreation General Fund and Parks SDC Funds.

Directs the acquisition, planning, construction, improvement, and maintenance of all parks, natural areas, and facilities. Ascertain present and future needs. Prepares short and long-range plans to meet those needs.

Evaluates the effectiveness of existing programs. Develops and implements new programs to meet the community’s changing needs.

Serves as a member of the City’s Senior Management Group to address overall policy issues under guidelines established by the City Council and the City Manager. Participates in City planning and budgetary efforts.

Provides support to various Boards and Commissions, City Council, City officials and staff, and community groups. Engages the public in discussion regarding planning and service levels.

Negotiates agreements for inter-agency programs, use applications, and contracts for services. Develops department policies, procedures, and regulations.

Develops revenue generating strategies, marketing, and solicits funds. Establishes fees to meet cost recovery methodology.

Promotes department programs and facilities to the public and various civic and school groups and responds to inquiries from the public.

Priorities and Opportunities

Manage the development and implementation of the Parks and Recreation action items as outlined in the City’s Strategic Operational Plan. As example:

Develop a strategic Urban Tree Canopy Plan

Develop an Asset Management Plan

Build out comprehensive trails network

Expand Outdoor programs & environmental education opportunities for youth

Hold classes and programs that enhance cultural awareness

Foster and maintain positive relationships within Parks and Recreation; and with the City Council, the Corvallis community, and Parks and Recreation Advisory Boards and Community groups.

Work to understand the current organization, operations, culture, and structure. Look for improvements in department’s delivery of service.

Build a strong internal management and staff development program that includes coaching, mentoring, training, and succession planning.

Foster a culture that embraces employee engagement, innovation, sustainability, creativity, and drives collaboration throughout Parks and Recreation, other city departments, and the community.

Ideal Candidate

Politically astute, effective communicator, and be equally comfortable leading a Council appointed board and an employee group.

Collaborative, confident, and emotionally intelligent leader, with an ability to set direction and measure results.

Lead as a working department director, partner effectively with other department directors, and help the organization prepare to serve community members today and in the future.

Manage multiple projects, prioritize, and remain focused to achieve results.

Value fairness, consistent application of policies, and have the ability to discern and advocate for what is best for the organization and the City.

Strong budget management and reporting skills.

Demonstrable commitment to, and understanding of, sustainability. Successfully use sustainability principles within the department and organization-wide to achieve objectives and in policy formation, evaluation, and implementation to achieve the overall goals and values of the organization.

Demonstrable commitment to diversity and the ability to promote diversity principles with employees in day to day operations.

Excellent supervisory skills. Ability to hold employees and supervisors accountable for personal goals and contributions towards organizational objectives and values. Ability to motivate staff and to delegate, supervise and review the work of staff in a union environment.

The selected candidate will have exceptional communication, management, and interpersonal skills. In addition, the selected candidate should be able to display outstanding character, integrity, and professionalism; communicate effectively both orally and in writing with the ability to build consensus and provide a positive example; effectively manage department operations with the ability to embrace and effectively implement new ideas; deal constructively with conflict with the ability to analyze and resolve complex and sensitive issues and situations; establish and maintain cooperative working relationships in the performance of duties.

Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in Parks and Recreation Administration or related field. Master’s degree is preferred. Seven years of related increasingly responsible management experience. Possession or ability to obtain and maintain a valid Oregon Driver License is required. Must have ability to pass a pre-employment background and/or criminal history check.

See our website for the complete position description. Must meet all qualifications and requirements as listed in the position description.

Compensation and Benefits

Annual Salary Range: $109,015.68- $139,134.36

The City of Corvallis offers an attractive benefits package, including: City-paid contribution to PERS/OPSRP, City-paid life insurance, 97% City-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance, HSA/HRA/FSA, deferred comp, and more. Excellent vacation and sick leave accrual rates with 10 paid holidays per year.

Apply

Please submit your application on the City of Corvallis website www.corvallisoregon.gov. Applications must be received by June 1, 2020 at 5:00 PM.

An Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer in Compliance with ADA.