Deputy Superintendent

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

MPRB - Deputy Superintendent

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 485 full-time and 1,710 part-time employees and annual operating budgets of $80 million and a $12-$18 million annual capital projects budget. The MPRB is one of five Minnesota park agencies and one of only 118 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.

Deputy Superintendent - Position Responsibilities and Requirements
Under the direction of the Superintendent, the Deputy Superintendent leads and manages the internal service departments, and coordinates and facilitates improved performance for the various functions and activities of the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board. The Deputy Superintendent provides broad leadership aimed at assuring fiscal integrity and programming that is responsive to a diverse community, and maintaining extraordinarily high quality standards for a nationally recognized system of parks and related amenities and services.

Essential Job Duties

  • Serve as a partner and trusted advisor to the Superintendent.
  • Operate with an internal focus: Serve as the key link and connector on internal issues for the Superintendent with the organization. Lead and manage the internal service departments. Respond and address issues that are internal and cut across multiple departments and divisions. Lead internal service departments in audits and process improvements.
  • Serve in a support role: Provide support to the Board as requested by the Superintendent. Provide internal organizational support for the Superintendent. Create stability in a rapidly changing environment. Take the Superintendent's ideas, visions and goals and work with others to make them a reality. Link the silos in the organization. Provide consistent tools and processes for organizational use. Provide consistent and ongoing linkages between the Superintendent and the organization.
  • Provide a strategic focus: Keep the organization focused on the MPRB's Comprehensive Plan, performance measures and data driven decision making. Implement the organization's strategic plan and vision. Communicate planning processes and priorities that are outside of the Capital Improvements Plan.
  • Lead performance management efforts for the MPRB: Work within the organization to develop success metrics and measures of success. Measure the organization's progress and success. Keep the organization focused on the MPRB Comprehensive Plan, performance measures and data driven decision makings. Raise the MPRB's organizational capacity. Develop and lead critical thinking strategy efforts for improved organizational effectiveness.
  • Lead organizational change management efforts for the MPRB: Lead departments in audits and process improvements. Provide consistent tools and processes for organizational use. Raise organizational capacity. Develop and lead critical thinking strategy efforts for improved organizational effectiveness.
  • Champion strategic and business planning efforts for the MPRB: Organize and implement business planning; lead business planning development and analysis for departments; and lead business process improvement, business administration, and continuous improvement efforts for the organization. Lead cross-organization project management efforts. Organize the internal planning process.

Related Work

  • Effectively lead, motivate and communicate with a diverse and intensely committed workforce.
  • Assist in budget development and provide effective financial oversight of internal departments.
  • Represent the MPRB on citizen and governmental boards and committees to further the objectives of the Park Board.
  • Demonstrate continuous effort to improve operations, streamline work processes, and work cooperatively to provide effective customer service.
  • Demonstrate a high level of political acumen.
  • Consistently present a strong, positive image to all relevant stakeholders in order to obtain good public understanding and support for MPRB's mission, programs, and services.
  • Develop and maintain effective communications and relationships with MPRB staff and Commissioners, public agencies, and the general public to assure understanding and coordination of activities
  • Work to proactively resolve problems and conflicts that surface across the organization.
  • Serve as Acting Superintendent, as designated, in the Superintendent's absence.
  • Keep the Superintendent promptly informed of matters.

Knowledge (position requirements at entry)
The Deputy Superintendent will have the knowledge of:

  • Organizational climate and change management principles.
  • Business process improvement principles and best practices.
  • Performance management and performance measures.
  • Business plan development, implementation and management.
  • Advanced principles and practices of public administration.
  • Government, board, and legislative processes.
  • Principles and practices of program development and administration.
  • Minnesota data practices act.
  • 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 park and recreation work (e.g. Microsoft Office Suite, recreation program and facility management systems, asset management software, and personnel management software).
  • Outstanding customer service principles and practices with a diverse customer base.
  • Contract laws and regulations.
  • Pertinent federal, state, county and city laws, codes, ordinances and regulations.

Training and Experience (position requirements at entry)
The Deputy Superintendent will have the following training and experience:

  • Bachelors Degree from an accredited college or university with a major in public administration, parks and recreation administration, business administration or closely related field. (Master's Degree Preferred)
  • Ten years of progressively responsible management experience with at least six of those years in a senior executive role in an urban setting or large suburban environment.
  • Considerable experience working collaboratively with multiple private and public sector entities.
  • Service in large, complex organization serving a community with a minimum population of 250,000 is desirable.

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

  • Effectively lead, implement, and integrate fiscal and administrative accountability into the culture of a large, complex organization.
  • Effectively lead, implement, and integrate business planning and continuous quality improvement efforts to improve operations, streamline work processes, and work cooperatively to provide effective customer service.
  • Provide effective leadership and coordinate the activities of a large, integrated, and complex organization.
  • Effectively lead organizational change management efforts.
  • Develop, implement and manage a performance management system with performance metrics and measures of success.
  • Pursue and maintain cooperative relationships with excellent private/public partnerships through exceptional collaboration and consensus-building.
  • Identify and respond to sensitive community, organizational, and Board of Commissioner issues, concerns, and needs.
  • Handle multiple demands and priorities simultaneously.
  • Make effective public presentations.
  • Demonstrate awareness and appreciation of the cultural diversity of
  • Minneapolis communities and ability to improve how the organization reflects and serves its communities.
  • Effectively lead and work within a complex political environment.
  • Understand, correctly interpret and effectively communicate with others applicable policies, procedures, laws and regulations.
  • 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 business practices and service delivery.
  • Thoroughly evaluate program alternatives and make recommendations for improvements in business programs and service delivery.
  • Provide comprehensive support to assure the successful and effective performance of all staff.
  • Provide both oral and written communication that is easily understood and direct in its content.
  • Listen effectively to understand thoroughly the intended message.
  • Establish and maintain effective, respectful, and productive working relationships.
  • Negotiate effective and appropriate solutions to difficult conflicts.
  • Set appropriate priorities while coordinating multiple projects and 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: MPRBDS

Affion Public
2120 Market Street
Camp Hill, PA 17011
Phone: 888-321-4922
Fax: 717-214-8004
www.affionpublic.com

 

**Deadline to receive resumes: September 09, 2014

Posted: 03/22/2022