Community Services Director

Position Description

RECRUITMENT OVERVIEW:

Thank you for your interest in the position of Community Services Director with the City of Tulare.

Tulare is a vibrant and steadily growing community with a population of 70,693 located in the heart of California's Central Valley. The organization, staffed with 389 full-time employees, enjoys a culture of fiscal conservatism, collaboration, teamwork and dedication to public service and our community.

To be considered for this position applicants must submit an application with detailed information in each section of the application: Education, Work Experience, Certificates and Licenses, and Skills. Resumes may be attached but will not be accepted in lieu of a complete, detailed application.

Additional details regarding the interview process will be sent via email, to qualified applicants after our screening process is complete on or before Wednesday, October 23rd at 5 p.m.

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

The Community Services Department is comprised of the Parks, Library, Recreation, and Senior Services divisions. Staffed with 29 full-time employees and more than 200 seasonal employees throughout the year, the department provides a wide array of programs for the entire community, maintains all city parks, and landscaping and lighting districts totaling 367 acres.

POSITION OVERVIEW

Under administrative direction, the successful candidate will be responsible for planning, organizing, managing, and directing the programs and activities of the department including, planning, acquisition, construction, and maintenance of city parks, city medians, landscape lighting districts, open spaces, and trails; overseeing the activities and operation of Tulare Public Library and providing oversight for the city’s recreation programs and activities including the Senior Center and Zumwalt Park amphitheater. They will also help foster cooperative working relationships among City departments and with intergovernmental and regulatory agencies and various public and private groups; provide highly responsible and complex professional assistance to the City Manager and City management staff in areas of expertise; serve as a member of the City’s executive management teamand perform related work as required.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives administrative direction from the City Manager. Exercises general direction and supervision over management, supervisory, professional, technical, and clerical staff through subordinate levels of supervision.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS

This department head classification oversees, directs, and participates in all activities of the Community Services Department, including short and long-range planning and development. This class provides assistance to the City Manager in a variety of administrative, coordinative, analytical, and liaison capacities. Successful performance of the work requires knowledge of public policy, municipal functions and activities, including the role of an elected City Council, and the ability to develop, continuously improveoversee, and implement projects and work flow processesand programs in a variety of areas. Responsibilities include coordinating the activities of the department with those of other departments and agencies and managing and overseeing the complex and varied functions of the department. The incumbent is accountable for accomplishing departmental planning and operational goals and objectives and for furthering City goals and objectives within general policy guidelines.

Examples of Essential Functions

Management reserves the rights to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

• Develops, directs, and coordinates the implementation of goals, objectives, policies, procedures, programs, events, and work standards for the Community Services Department; establishes, within City policy, appropriate service and staffing levels.
• Manages and participates in the development and administration of the department’s budget; directs the forecast of additional funds needed for staffing, equipment, and suppliesand capital projects and capital outlay; directs the monitoring of and approves expenditures; directs the preparation and implementation of budgetary adjustments.
• Contributes to the overall quality and continuous improvementof the department’s service by developing, reviewing, and implementing policies and procedures to meet legal requirements and City needs; monitors and evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods proceduresprocesses, and project management methods; assesses and monitors the distribution of work, support systems, and internal reporting relationships; identifies opportunities from improvement; directs the implementation of change.
• Selects, trains, motivates, and directs Community Services Department personnel; evaluates and reviews work for acceptability and conformance with department standards, including program and project priorities and performance evaluations; provides or coordinates staff training; works with employees to correct deficiencies; implements discipline and termination procedures; responds to staff questions and concerns.
• Explains and interprets department programs, policies, and activities; negotiates and resolves sensitive, significant, and controversial issues.
• Plans, directs, and coordinates the department’s work plan; meets with management staff to identify and resolve problems; supports the role of Park Ranger and the services provided to the homeless population; assigns projects and programmatic areas of responsibility; reviews and evaluates work methods and procedures.
• Represents the department to other City departments, elected officials, and outside agencies; explains and interprets department programs, policies, and activities; negotiates and resolves sensitive, significant, and controversial issues.
• Conducts a variety of organizational studies, investigations, and operational studies; recommends modifications to department programs, policies, and procedures as appropriate.
• Participates on a variety of boards and commissions; serve as Secretary and staff advisor to City Council appointed advisory commissions and committees consisting of the Recreation and Park Commission, Commission on Aging, City Tree Committee,Library Advisory Board; prepares agenda minutes and staff reports.
• Prepares, reviews, and completes various reports, including special management reports requested by the City Manager, City Council, and related documentation.
• Provides staff assistance to the City Manager and City Council; prepares and presents staff reports and other necessary correspondence, serves as acting City Manager when requested, during the absences of the City Manager.
• Actively seeks out receives, investigates, tabulatesand responds to the most complex citizen complaints, inquiries, and requests for services in order to structure the programs and services offered.
• Maintains and directs the maintenance of working and official departmental files.
• Monitors changes in laws, regulations, and technology that may affect City or departmental operations; implements policy and procedural changes as required.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications / Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:

• Administrative principles and practices, including goal setting, program development, implementation and evaluation, and supervision of staff, either directly or through subordinate levels of supervision.
• Public agency budgetary, grant funding and management, contract administration, citywide administrative practices; and general principles of risk management related to the functions of the assigned area.
• Principles and practices of contract review and administration with respect to contract subjects frequently encountered with department programs and activities.
• Municipal programs including Parks, Library, Recreation andSenior Services, and other related governmental programs as related to assigned functions.
• Principles and practices of employee supervision, including work planning, assignment, review and evaluation, and the training of staff in work procedures.
• Concepts and practices associated with administrative services programs and processesand project management best practices.
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations.
• Organizational and management practices as applied to the analysis, evaluation, and implementation of projects, programs, policies, procedures, processesand operational needs; principles and practices of municipal government administration.
• Modern office practices, methods, and computer equipment; related software application methods and procedures.
• Safe driving principles and work practices.
• Techniques for effectively representing the City in contacts with government agencies, community groups, and various business, professional, regulatory, and legislative organizations.
• Methods and techniques for writing and creating presentations, grant applications, contract negotiations, business correspondence, and information distribution; research and reporting methods, techniques, and procedures.
• Techniques for dealing effectively with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff, in person and over the telephone.

Ability to:

• Develop and implement goals, objectives, policies, procedures, work standards, and internal controls for the department and assigned program areas.
• Prepare and administer large and complex budgets; allocate limited resources in a cost effective manner; prepare, administer, and manage multiple and complex federal and state grants.
• Interpret, apply, and ensure compliance with federal, state, and local policies, procedures, laws, and regulations.
• Select, train, plan, organize, direct, and coordinate the work of management, supervisory, professional, and technical personnel; delegating authority and responsibility.
• Effectively administer a variety of City programs, special projects, and administrative activities, with contractual agreements and ensure compliance with stipulations.
• Conduct effective negotiations and effectively represent the City and the department in meetings with governmental agencies, contractors, vendors, and various businesses, professional, regulatory, and legislative organizations.
• Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions, and implement recommendations in support of goals.
• Prepare clear and concise reports, correspondence, policies, procedures, and other written materials.
• Make accurate arithmetic, financial, and statistical computations.
• Direct the maintenance of and maintain accurate records and files.
• Operate modern office equipment including computer equipment; operate related software applications, including word-processing, spreadsheet operations, and other related areas including research and statistical analysis.
• Operate a motor vehicle safely.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment to communicate in person, over the telephone, and in writing ,within general policy and legal guidelines in politically sensitive situations.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work.

Education and Experience: Any combination of training and experience which would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Equivalent to graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in public administration, parks administration, library science, recreation administration, or a related field. A master’s degree is desirable.

Five (5) years of progressively responsible management, supervisory, administrative and analytical experience in the collection, compilation, and analysis of data involving parks, recreation, senior services, library operations, or administrative issues, including three (3) years of management experience.

Licenses and Certifications:

• This classification requires the possession of a valid Class C California driver’s license at the time of appointment and satisfactory driving record. This classification requires the ability to travel independently within and outside of City limits.

Additional Information

Physical Demands

Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; to operate a motor vehicle; and to visit various city and meeting sites; inspect various recreation and park sites; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person, before groups and over the telephone. This is primarily a sedentary office classification, although the job involves field inspection work requiring frequent walking at inspection sites to monitor performance and to identify problems or hazards; standing in work areas and walking between work areas may be required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard, typewriter keyboard, or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, and push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 30 pounds and heavier weights with the use of proper equipment.

Environmental Elements

Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels and controlled temperature conditions; but may occasionally be exposed to loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, road hazards, vibration, confining workspace, chemicals, mechanical, and/or electrical hazards, and hazardous physical substances and fumes. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.

• Members of the California Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). In accordance with the California Public Employees Pension Reform Act of 2013 (PEPRA), the City of Tulare will offer the following retirement benefit (2.0% at 62) to new PERS members beginning January 1, 2013 with three (3) years final compensation. Existing PERS members with no break in service will receive the 2.5% at 55 formula with single highest year.
  
• City pays a portion of the employee and dependent coverage costs of group medical, dental and vision insurance. An opt-out plan is also available.
  
• Life insurance - Based on salary.
  
• Short and long term disability insurance.
  
• 10 working days vacation per year. Additional days based on years of service.
  
• 12 days sick leave per year.
  
• 15 holidays annually: 12 city observed holidays, plus birthday credit and 2 in-lieu holidays.
  
• Management leave - 88 hours per year.
  
• Flexible benefit program - IRS Section 125 Plan.
  
• Deferred compensation plan - 457 Plans available.
  
• Auto allowance of $400 per month.

Closing Date/Time: 10/20/2024 11:59 PM Pacific

Tulare, California United States View Map