Director of Parks & Community Services

Come Join the City of Bellevue!

Please fill out your application as fully as possible. The City evaluates candidates based on the information provided in the online application only. Do not submit resumes and cover letters. Read the Hiring Process section below to learn more.

New hires typically receive between minimum and midpoint however we may go slightly higher based on experience internal equity and market.

ABOUT THE PARKS & COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT

Vision: In Bellevue everyone can connect to each other and to nature through experiences that help them to live grow and thrive.

Mission: We build a healthy community through an integrated system of exceptional parks natural areas recreation arts and culture and a broad base of community services.

The Parks and Community Services (PCS) Department is comprised of four municipal services:

• Parks amenities and services
• Recreation facilities athletics programs and services
• Human services
• Probation services

As a supplement to county and state services the Human Services Division administers over fifty contracts with community-based organizations that provide front-line social services. The division provides additional staffing in partnership with the school district as wraparound services to support students in need. The staff also conducts research and analysis in service of ensuring investment align with city council policy and direction.

Additional recreation and cultural arts programs include a broad spectrum of interests and activities for all ages and abilities with an emphasis on removing barriers to participation. The Enterprise Division manages the Bellevue Municipal Golf Course indoor tennis center and adult sports programming as a full-cost-recovery model. The department actively seeks partnerships with a multitude of community organizations to provide recreation and community services.

The director of the Parks and Community Services (PCS) Department is a member of the citys executive leadership team and must be effectively able to navigate the Citys political environment. The director advises the city council in coordination with and under the leadership of the City Managers Office provides competent and inspirational leadership citywide and for the department and oversees the programs and services of the department. This position will report directly to a deputy city manager.

The City of Bellevue follows the model of high performing organizations (HPO) as defined by the Leading EDGE curriculum of the Public Management Center of the University of this model the PCS director is expected to lead with an organization-wide perspective and work collaboratively on an interdepartmental basis in partnership with the entire leadership team. The selected individual will have excellent interpersonal communication skills with the ability to develop positive working relationships with the citys executive team elected officials community leaders business leaders representatives of other governmental agencies and the public. The selected candidate will have a proven track record of representing the city in the community and more broadly with regards to policy and operational initiatives.

• Allocates directs motivates and evaluates departmental personnel.

• Recruits and retains qualified personnel at all departmental levels consistent with applicable laws and regulations.
• Establishes and maintains a working environment conducive to positive morale individual style quality creativity and teamwork.
• Prepares and updates short and long range strategic plans to ensure the departments contribution to the citys overall plans and strategies.
• Develops and analyzes the departments organizational structure and organizes major accountabilities and functions into effective and measurable units within this structure.
• Directs ongoing research into new technologies and trends and recommends implementation of programs and equipment to help the department achieve its objectives more efficiently.
• Directs planning and presentation of public involvement programs for neighborhoods businesses and other community groups.
• Serves as a member of senior management on task forces and committees participating in the citys strategic planning efforts and addressing citywide policy and management issues.
• Presents departmental issues and recommendations on major issues requiring policy direction to appropriate advisory bodies and to the city council.
• Coordinates the departments activities with those of other city departments and offices to ensure a consistent approach towards common projects and interests.
• Prepares realistic and fiscally sound annual and special budgets to enable the department to achieve its objectives including special activities assigned by the city council; ensures that the department functions within budget appropriations.
• Plans coordinates and directs a diversified year-round city-wide Parks and Community Services programs including: the management of the community/recreation centers municipal swimming pool and beaches/boat launches and various fields farms parks and open spaces.
• Oversees the selection process to recommend funding of community-based human services providers.
• Oversees adult misdemeanant probation program
• Coordinates the recreation program with the parks program other city departments and outside organizations such as the school districts and various community-based organizations.
• Promotes interest in parks and recreation programs through publicity joint program brochures with various community groups and public contacts; speaks before citizens groups students and other organizations.
• Oversees the preparation of cost estimates to plan and provide for improvements in the park facilities; oversees construction projects and park improvements.
• Maintains liaison with other departments as well as state local and other public officials.

Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university and ten (10) or more years of progressively responsible related leadership experience in visioning systems strategy management and program development for parks and recreation are essential. A working knowledge of providing a broad range of community services-including human services and adult misdemeanant probation programs developing successful partnerships experience in effectively advancing equity and a basic knowledge of community planning strategies will be an advantage. Applications will be evaluated on the combined merits of education experience and demonstrated effectiveness. The successful candidate must obtain a valid drivers license in the state of Washington within ninety days of appointment.

Knowledge Skills Abilities and Competencies

• Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of modern parks and recreation programs; thorough knowledge of the equipment and facilities required in a comprehensive park and recreation system; extensive knowledge of the principles and practices of maintenance construction and use of public buildings and park facilities; considerable knowledge of community recreation needs and resources.
• Ability to plan organize coordinate and implement a comprehensive community park and recreation program; ability to coordinate analyze and utilize a variety of reports and records.
• Knowledge of best practices in data analysis and contracting to provide human services for the most vulnerable in the community
• Knowledge of the principles practices and procedures of public and business administration as applied in a large organization.
• Skill in conflict resolution and negotiating.
• Skill in effective clear and persuasive oral and written communications to individuals and groups.
• Ability to provide leadership counsel motivation and constructive performance reviews to department personnel at all levels securing their respective commitments to the departments goals.
• Skill in resolving conflicts and gaining cooperation among competing interest groups.
• Skill in identifying implementing and refining the departments organizational structure to generate desired results as efficiently as possible.
• Ability to understand and collaborate cross-functionally about the citys future direction in response to changing community needs and to develop implement and monitor appropriate plans schedules and action steps.
• Ability to develop and maintain productive relationships with elected officials business leaders advisory boards the news media and the general public.
• Understanding the citys political environment and sensitivities; ability to function effectively within that environment.

HIRING PROCESS
The City evaluates candidates based on the information provided in the online application only. Do not submit resumes and cover letters. To evaluate all candidates fairly and equitably the City will make all applicants anonymous when we are screening the applications. We will redact information from our application such as your name address and other demographics. To help us please complete the online application form as fully as possible.

• Answer the Supplemental Questions when requested which can be found on the Questions tab of the Job posting.
• We do not accept resumes and cover letters during the anonymous application screening stage unless otherwise stated in the job description.
• Applicants advancing to the next stage may be required to provide a cover letter resume writing sample and references.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• All candidates will be required to establish employment authorization and identity at the time of hire. The City is not able to sponsor work visas.
• All positions require the completion of references checks including at least one prior supervisor.
• Some positions may require completion of a criminal background checkprior to start employment
• Some positions may require obtaining a commercial drivers license (CDL) licensures or additional certifications.

At the City of Bellevue youll be part of a team committed to providing exceptional customer service upholding the public interest and advancing the community vision. The six essential and enduring principles that guide our individual actions our interactions and our decision making in the City of Bellevue organization is: Exceptional Public Service Stewardship Commitment to Employees Integrity Innovation and Diversity Equity & Inclusion. Youll work in an environment that is innovative collaborative future focused and committed to excellence. Bellevue welcomes the world. Our diversity is our strength. We embrace the future while respecting our past. Its what makes the City of Bellevue an exciting place to work live and explore.

Have we piqued your interest yet Come join our team! The City of Bellevue supports workplace diversity. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race color religion gender gender identity or expression sexual orientation marital status national origin genetic information disability age veteran status or any other protected status. Persons needing assistance with the application process may call the Human Resources Office at or .If you are invited to participate in the selection process and need ADA accommodations please notify HR before you are scheduled for an interview or testing.

The City of Bellevue participates in the E-Verify program. Learn more about the E-Verify program.

any technical difficulties with your application please contact the NEOGOV support line at .

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