Assistant Superintendent for Recreation

Location: Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB), MN Download: Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) - Assistant Superintendent for Recreation Brochure

Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board
Assistant Superintendent for Recreation

Organization Structure
The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) is an independent, semi-autonomous body responsible for maintaining and developing the Minneapolis Park system to meet the needs of citizens of Minneapolis. This unique structure allows independent decision-making so the MPRB can efficiently oversee a diverse system of land and water. Nine Park Board Commissioners are elected every four years: one from each of the six park districts within the city and three that serve at-large. The policy-making Board of Commissioners appoints the Superintendent to provide high-level oversight and leadership to the nationally renowned park system. A Deputy Superintendent and three Assistant Superintendents, all appointed by the Superintendent, oversee administration, operations, planning and recreation with a staff of 465 full-time and 1,200 part-time employees and annual operating budgets of $83 million and a $16-$18 million annual capital projects budget. The MPRB is one of five Minnesota park agencies and one of only 102 agencies in the United States that is accredited by the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA).

Mission
The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board shall permanently preserve, protect, maintain, improve and enhance its natural resources, parkland and recreational opportunities for current and future generations.

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board exists to provide places and recreation opportunities for all people to gather, celebrate, contemplate and engage in activities that promote health, well-being, community and the environment.

Residents Recognize Value of Parks
Minneapolis residents recognize the value of parks - 99 percent think the Park System plays an important role in serving the public, 96 percent think the parks and lakes play a key role in the physical health and wellness of city residents, and 94 percent say the Park System contributes to the economy by increasing the value of properties near parks.

The Way We Work
The Employees of the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board:

Work and accept responsibility to search for, create and execute new and innovative approaches to improve the performance of Park Board services and objectives.
Assist external and internal customers to serve their needs and take responsibility for continuously improving customer service.
Foster meaningful interaction among people through the exchange of information to produce understanding.
Continuously develop and use effective strategies and interpersonal styles to engage and guide others toward the accomplishment of identified objectives and goals in the best interest of the Park Board and community.
Consistently work toward the common good of the organization and encourage others to do the same.
Conduct themselves at all times in a professionally appropriate and respectful manner.
Apply the proper safety/security practices according to established protocols, guidelines and policies.

The Recreation Services Division provides expertise to lead, provide and create affordable recreational, cultural, educational, and leisure opportunities to benefit and enhance the lives of all Minneapolis residents. The division oversees recreation facility operations, including recreation centers, golf courses, aquatic facilities and beaches, ice arenas, cross country skiing venues, and Wirth Winter Recreation Complex; recreation, education, and interpretive programming; use and event permitting; and athletic fields and complexes. The Assistant Superintendent for Recreation performs a variety of routine and complex work in managing all phases of the Park Board's recreation activities to effectively fulfill the organization's mission in serving the community.

Essential Job Duties

Responsible for the overall management of the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board Recreation Services.
Provide strategic leadership and management for Recreation Services to include highly responsible recreation and administrative work for all activities of the division.
Demonstrate leadership building a collaborative environment including working across division lines and forming partnerships that foster better citizen services, eliminate barriers to achieving results, build alliances with key decision makers, and take full advantage of available resources.
Direct and manage the current activities and long-range planning of the division to assure that recreation centers, golf courses, aquatic facilities, ice arenas, cross country skiing venues, and Wirth Winter Recreation Complex; recreation, education, and interpretive programming; youth and adult sports; use and event permitting; MPRB parking program; and athletic fields and complexes are compatible with the Park Board's mission and in compliance with all regulatory bodies.
Engagement in development and update of the Park Board's Comprehensive Master Plan, ensuring that current and future recreation facilities, programs and services are appropriately incorporated in the Park Board's Master Plan Develop and implement new systems to improve and streamline recreation work processes that are integrated and coordinated within the Recreation Division and across the organization when appropriate.
Develop and implement innovative partnerships and services.
Demonstrate political acumen.
Hire, supervise, train, evaluate, develop and discipline subordinate employees for development of a professional and support staff with a high degree of competence and sound judgment.
Staff representation to the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board and Committees and other citizen and governmental boards and committees to further the objectives of the Park Board.

Related Work

Prepare and administer the Recreation Services budget and corresponding revenue; analyze and recommend appropriate fees for programs and services.
Implement Park Board and City policies and guidelines.
Determine and implement Recreation Services policies and processes and make difficult technical and administrative decisions.
Oversee the documentation of all recreation related processes and projects using best practices and assure regulatory compliance and compliance with the Park Board retention plan.
Develop and maintain effective communications and relationships with other Park Board staff and Commissioners, public agencies, and the general public to assure understanding and coordination of recreation activities.
Confer with and advise staff on issues relating to recreation facilities, programs and services and ensure compliance with all regulatory issues and administrative matters.
Respond to administrative and Board requests.
Analyze and compile technical and statistical information and prepare technical reports.
Demonstrate continuous effort to improve operations, decrease turnaround times, streamline work processes, and work cooperatively and jointly to provide quality seamless customer service.
Oversee incorporation of technological improvements in Recreation Services.
Work to proactively resolve problems and conflicts that surface with recreation issues.
Keep the Superintendent promptly informed of matters as they relate to the Division and Park Board.
Perform other related duties as apparent or assigned.

Knowledge (position requirements at entry)
The Assistant Superintendent for Recreation will have the knowledge of:

Modern principles and best practices of recreation programming and facility management and child care programming and management.
Modern principles and best practices of specialized recreation facility and program management such as golf courses, ice arenas, pools, waterparks, beaches, athletic fields, event permitting, parking program, innovative partnerships and services.
Contemporary principles and best practices of public administration.
Modern principles and best practices of recreation program design, community implementation, and scheduling involved in city wide, multi-cultural recreation programs and services.
Contemporary principles and best practices of personnel management and supervision.
Contemporary principles and best practices of accounting, budget preparation, organization management and analysis of data.
Computers and software applications used in business settings and recreation work (e.g. word processing, spreadsheets, recreation program and facility management systems, asset management software system, and personnel management software).
Outstanding customer service principles and practices.
Basic contract laws and regulations.
Pertinent federal, state, county and city laws, codes, ordinances and regulations.

Training and Experience (position requirements at entry)

The Assistant Superintendent for Recreation will have the following training and experience:
Bachelors Degree from an accredited college or university with a major in Parks and Recreation, Recreation Administration, Public Administration or closely related field. (Master's Degree Preferred)
Increasingly responsible experience in recreation programming and service delivery, including youth, adult and families: at least five years
Increasingly responsible experience in varied recreation facility operation and management: at least five years
Increasingly responsible experience in leadership, management, and administration: at least four years
Experience supervising others: at least seven years
Experience supervising unionized employees: at least four years (desired)

Skills and Ability (position requirements at entry)
The Assistant Superintendent for Recreation will have the skills and ability to:

Understand, correctly interpret and effectively communicate with others applicable policies, procedures, laws and regulations.
Critically analyze operations, collaboratively design and institute improvements without disruption of existing operations.
Imaginatively and effectively identify and evaluate plan alternatives in relation to trends, costs, social pressures and needs.
Thoughtfully organize and creatively administer the functions of current and long-range recreation facility and program planning.
Thoroughly evaluate program alternatives and make recommendations for improvements in recreation programs, facilities, and service delivery.
As Assistant Superintendent, provide comprehensive support to assure the successful and effective performance of all division staff.
Provide both oral and written communication that is easily understood and direct in its content.
Listen effectively to understand thoroughly the intended message.
Analyze pertinent data and provide meaningful reports pertaining to the operations of the Recreation Division.
Establish and maintain effective, respectful, and productive working relationships.
Negotiate effective and appropriate solutions to difficult conflicts.
Set appropriate priorities while coordinating multiple facilities, programs and projects to meet community needs within the scope of the budget allowances while meeting critical deadlines.

Compensation and Benefits
The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board provides a competitive salary and benefit package.

Application Process
Interested applicants should forward a cover letter and resume to:

resumes@affionpublic.com
Reference: MPRB

Affion Public
20 North 2nd Street, Suite 200
Harrisburg, PA 17101
888-321-4922
Fax: 717-214-2205
www.affionpublic.com

Deadline to receive resumes: November 12, 2012

Posted: 03/22/2022