Director of Park Safety and Security

Location:  Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB), MN

Director of Park Safety and Security

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 policymaking 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, environmental stewardship, planning and recreation with a staff of 465 full-time and 1,200 part-time employees and annual operating budgets of $82 million and a $14-$21 million annual capital projects budget. The MPRB is one of five Minnesota park agencies and one of only 110 agencies in the United States that is accredited by the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA).

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.

Mission Statement:
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.

Director of Park Safety and Security - Position Responsibilities and Requirements
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.  The Park Safety and Security Department is responsible for policing within the Minneapolis park system. This includes: preventing crimes, answering calls for service, enforcing laws and related duties. The Park Safety and Security Department consists of sworn Police Officers, Park Patrol Agents and support staff. Members of the Park Safety and Security Department are devoted to developing strong relationships with the community and Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board staff with the goals of making parks safe and enjoyable.  The Director of Park Safety and Security is responsible for leading, directing, and coordinating the daily operations and service delivery for the department ensuring alignment with the mission, goals, policies and priorities of the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board.  As a sworn officer, the Director of Park Safety and Security performs under the general supervision of the Superintendent and is responsible for, but not limited to, the following duties.

Duties:
Performs under the general supervision of the Superintendent, and is responsible for, but not limited to, the following duties:

Essential Duties:

  • Responsible for overall management and direction of all services, functions and operations of the Park Safety and Security Department. 
  • Plan, coordinate and direct year-round, citywide Park police activities and services to ensure that the mission, goals, policies and priorities of the MPRB are incorporated into the department activities and services.
  • Support the work of Park Board employees by identifying safety issues and developing collaborative resolutions. 
  • Strategically lead and manage operations for park police that promote highly respected park police services, including planning and executing all administrative work; providing daily oversight; actively involving Park police in MPRB community outreach efforts and service delivery; establishing appropriate service and staffing levels; identifying and implementing appropriate safety practices; providing broad and specific direction in the training of department staff in duties, procedures, use of equipment and legal limitations; and addressing equipment and technology needs of the department.
  • Develop and maintain effective and collaborative working relationships with the City of Minneapolis Police Department, University of Minnesota Police Department, Hennepin County Sheriff's Office, Minnesota State Police and other law enforcement agencies.
  • Plan, prepare, and implement new or revised department policies, procedures, programs, and objectives that improve department services and are in compliance with current and new legislation and/or court decisions.  Evaluate and supervise department activities to insure that laws, policies, procedures, programs, and objectives are followed.
  • Provide effective and timely communication with the general public, staff, elected officials, law enforcement agencies, community organizations and the media regarding police matters in cooperation with the Communications and Marketing Department and the Superintendent. Serve as the department's chief advocate and spokesperson.
  • Be actively engaged and participate in meetings in the Minneapolis community developing strong relationships with neighborhood groups, churches, civic and professional organizations to establish a general understanding of community concerns and needs and share information on park police and safety related matters.
  • Foster and demonstrate effective leadership building in a collaborative environment including working across department lines and forming partnerships that foster better citizen services; eliminate barriers to achieving results; build alliances with key decision makers; take full advantage of available resources; and provide direction in the development of short and long range plans.
  • Prepare and administer the department's budget, which includes performance goals and expenses and revenues; perform cost control activities; monitor revenue and expenditures to assure sound fiscal control; and assure effective and efficient use of budgeted funds, personnel, equipment, and materials. Review and analyze financial statements to ensure maximum efficiency of operation, adapt plans as necessary to meet long term goals, and manage and maintain operational statistics.
  • Hire, train, supervise, evaluate, develop and discipline subordinate employees for development of a professional and support staff with a high degree of competence and sound judgment.
  • Actively manage and monitor performance matrix system for department activities; recommend work activity adjustments based on performance results; and gather, interpret, and prepare data for studies, reports and recommendations.
  • Actively commit to increase cultural diversity within department, actively support the MPRB's diversity initiatives, and work to address the needs of diverse communities.

Related Work:

  • Advance sound departmental and organizational safety practices; provide effective risk management practices; ensure all safety rules, regulations and procedures are followed; ensure that employees are appropriately trained in the practices.
  • Prepare various reports, RFP's, and Board actions that pertain to departmental activities.
  • Oversee incorporation of technological improvements in the department to improve customer service and operating efficiencies, and to meet industry best practices.
  • Proactively respond to and resolve difficult and sensitive problems and conflicts, provide support as necessary, and promptly inform appropriate individuals and groups.
  • Represent the MPRB on community associations, city, county, and other governmental committees, school, library, agency, and business initiatives, and professional associations and institutions.
  • Provide leadership on MPRB committees to ensure that safety, maintenance, planning and recreation services compliment and support each other in addressing citizen interests, issues and needs, and are in alignment with the mission, vision, values, goals and objectives of the MPRB.
  • Keep the Superintendent informed in a timely manner of significant departmental activities.
  • Respond effectively and in a timely manner to administrative and Board requests.
  • Conduct probationary and annual performance reviews for each employee, initiate training and retraining when appropriate.
  • Perform other related duties as apparent or assigned.

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.

Knowledge of (position requirements at entry)

  • Full range of modern principles and best practices specific to law enforcement, community policing and park security.
  • Applicable provisions of federal, state, and local laws and ordinance.
  • Full range of current and modern job-related equipment, computer hardware, and software applications to effectively accomplish work-related tasks and work-related research.Full range of potential risks and methods and resources needed to successfully address and reduce risk exposure and liabilities and loss prevention activities as related to police activities and services, including specialized park law enforcement.
  • Considerable knowledge of contemporary managerial and supervisory principles and practices including budget preparation and administration.
  • Contemporary principles, practices and objectives of park and recreation administration and service delivery.
  • Outstanding customer service principles, practices and standards for a diverse customer base.
  • Pertinent federal, state, county and city laws, ordinances and regulations.
  • Basic contract laws and regulations.

 Skills and Ability to: (position requirements at entry)

  • Articulate and promote the unique mission of MPRB park police distinct from municipal law enforcement.
  • Apply knowledge and understanding of modern principles and best practices specific to urban park law enforcement in strategic planning, complex problem solving, and diverse service delivery.
  • Apply knowledge and understanding of applicable provisions of federal, state, and local laws and ordinances in solving complex problems affecting departmental and organizational operations.
  • Apply knowledge and understanding of applicable provisions of the Civil Service Rules, and the MPRB Charter, Code of Ordinances, bargaining unit contracts and administrative and human resources policies to effectively lead, supervise, and direct the functions of the department.
  • Evaluate departmental technological needs, use, and apply appropriate equipment, technological tools, applications, and advances in work methods to meet the full range of challenges or needs associated with the work of the department to effectively accomplish work-related tasks and research.
  • Identify the full range of potential departmental risks and to minimize liabilities through identification and application of expertise in determining methods and resources needed to successfully address and reduce MPRB risk exposure and liabilities and to enforce loss prevention activities.
  • Thoughtfully organize and creatively administer park police services.
  • Understand, correctly interpret, and effectively utilize and communicate with others a variety of reports and records.
  • Critically analyze operations, collaboratively design and institute improvements without disruption of existing operations.
  • Provide comprehensive support to assure the successful and effective performance of staff.
  • Provide both oral and written communication that is easily understood and direct in its content.
  • Listen effectively to thoroughly understand the intended message.
  • Establish and maintain effective, respectful and productive working relationships.
  • Set appropriate priorities while coordinating multiple projects and meeting critical deadlines.
  • Solve problems and effectively handle critical, controversial and/or sensitive policy issues.
  • Demonstrate respect and sensitivity for cultural differences.
  • Demonstrate political acumen.

Equipment:
Computer, Microsoft Office suite, specialized police software and equipment, miscellaneous office equipment and police vehicles. 

Training and Experience (position requirements at entry)

  • Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in Law Enforcement, Police Administration, Criminal Justice, or a closely related field. (Master's degree preferred)
  • Experience in community, park, or university policing: at least 2 years
  • Increasingly responsible experience in police leadership, management, and administration, including senior command experience: at least four years (Park Police experience preferred)
  • Experience supervising unionized employees: at least three years

Licensing Requirements (position requirements at entry)
Valid driver's license.  Licensed Minnesota Peace Officer from Minnesota Police Officer Standards and Training Board (P.O.S.T.) or eligible for licensure and obtain the license by State of Minnesota pursuant to Minnesota Statues 626.84 - 626.855 and Minnesota Rules Chapter 6700 within 90 days of appointment. 

Physical Requirements (ADA requirement, will be evaluated by HR)
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential duties of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties.

The physical ability to walk, stand, stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, reach, pull, push, finger, feel, grasp, lift, talk, see, hear and perform repetitive motions.

The ability to safely operate a motor vehicle as incumbents are subject to local travel to and from work locations.  Operating office equipment requiring continuous or repetitive hand/arm movements.  The ability to remain in a sitting or standing position for extended periods of time.

The incumbent may be required to traverse on rough, uneven terrain, as well as wet and slippery surfaces and to ascend and descend ladders to access work areas.  The work may occasionally involve the ability to perform light lifting (up to 30 lbs.)

Light Work: Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.

Normal office environment 85% of the time.  15% of the time out in the field, attending meetings.

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

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

resumes@affionpublic.com
Reference in subject line: MPRBDPSS

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

 

**Deadline to receive resumes: June 28, 2013**

Posted: 03/22/2022