Are you a recreation professional with experience engaging community to provide diverse recreation programs, managing various recreation facilities, and providing excellent customer service? Do you desire a new challenge to lead and collaborate with a talented team to grow programming and expand recreation and cultural opportunities to the residents of Buncombe County? Would you like to engage and collaborate with community groups and stakeholders to broaden programming in new and innovative ways? If you are ready to elevate recreation opportunities throughout Buncombe County, this is the position for you!

Buncombe County Parks & Recreation is looking to hire a Recreation Operations Manager to increase and enhance recreational and cultural opportunities through grass roots efforts and expanded relationships within the community. The overall purpose of this position is to provide division leadership and direction in Recreation Services and is responsible for professional work coordinating various cultural and recreational opportunities and strategic direction, including training and serving as team leader/supervisor for various programs, events and recreation projects.

Job posting End Date: 5/26/24

Purpose of the position:

This position provides division leadership and direction in Recreation Services and is responsible for professional work coordinating various cultural and recreational opportunities and strategic direction, including training, and serving as team leader/supervisor for various recreation projects, programs, and events.

Minimum Education, Training and/or Experience:

Bachelor's degree (Master’s degree preferred) with major course work in recreation administration, management or a related field and five (5) years of experience in recreation administration or management at the local governmental level; or any equivalent combination of education, training and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Additional Training and Experience:

Recreation Administration related certifications will be evaluated and taken into consideration during the application process.

License or Certification Required by Statute or Regulation:

Certified Parks and Recreation Professional (CPRP) certification is preferred

Essential Functions of the position:

• Assist the Department Director in the overall management, execution, and administration of services for assigned division; provide administrative oversight for operational and administration activities and functions.
• Establish, implement, and evaluate internal systems and organizations to effectively meet operating goals and objectives; develop and evaluate internal policies, procedures, and staff organization to effectively carry out divisional operations.
• Assist with and implement the Parks and Recreation Master Plan and Strategic Business Plan for the Parks & Recreation Department, actively manage other long range strategic planning initiatives including specific departmental commitments related to other County plans such as the Strategic Plan, Racial Equity Plan, etc.
• Direct, coordinate and review the work plans for recreation programs; assign work activities and projects; review and evaluate services, programs, methods and procedures and develop procedures, revised policies when necessary; meet with staff to identify and resolve problems.
• Ensure effective employee relations, diversity, and staff development/training; oversight and completion of employee evaluations; ensure County personnel policies and procedures are appropriately administered within the division.
• Provide complex support to and reports for the Parks & Recreation Director and County leadership as needed; prepare and present staff reports and other correspondence as appropriate and necessary. Attend and participate in professional group meetings; stay abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of recreation administration.
• Assist in department budget development and monitoring to ensure cost effectiveness and to ensure that purchasing and financial transactions are properly conducted in accordance with County administrative policies and procedures.
• Analyze needs, programs, services, and requests for assistance; recommend project priorities and enforce related regulations and contract specifications (as required).
• Serves as liaison with contractors, consultants, and departments developing and administering programs, activities, and systems to support and promote high performance strategies and to meet departmental priorities, goals, and objectives. Participate on and/or lead a variety of committees comprised of internal and external stakeholders; Serve as an advisor to the Board of County Commissioners and County officials, Board of Adjustment, Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, other boards, and agencies (as necessary) on matters relating to program planning and development activities.
• Engage with the public and patrons regarding a wide variety of issues; lead problem solving, troubleshooting, and responsiveness to incidents and issues; develop and implement customer service trainings; negotiate, develop and implement partner agreements for recreation programs; visit facilities regularly to engage with staff and the public.
• Provide exceptional communication and organizational skills to ensure the highest level of customer service and responsiveness; create and maintain a positive, safe environment for staff, stakeholders, and participants; and effectively lead a professional team in the creation of diverse recreation opportunities for all ages leading to sustained and increased facility utilization and community impact.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of strategic planning and administration of recreation programs and facilities.
• Knowledge of the environmental and socioeconomic implications of the planning process.
• Knowledge of the current literature, trends, and developments in the field of recreation program planning specialization.
• Knowledge of government programs, laws, grants, and services pertinent to the program planning process.
• Knowledge of the principles of supervision, organization, and administration as well as management techniques as applied to local government administration.
• Skill in the collection, analysis and presentation of technical data and program planning recommendations.
• Ability to organize and conduct complex program planning and research studies and formulate substantive recommendations based on such studies.
• Ability to plan, assign and direct the work of others, including contractors, consultants, and departments.
• Ability to exercise tact when necessary and handle tense situations. This position will play a critical role in the de-escalation of upset or distraught customers especially those that involve other staff members.
• Ability to effective use MS Office Work suite, Workday, Cobblestone and ActiveNet software is necessary

In order to uphold internal pay parity and equity, salaries are non-negotiable for new and current Buncombe County employees. All new employees are paid according to their years of relevant education and experience above minimum requirements for the position and employees have the opportunity to obtain pay increases via cost of living increases and promotions.

Buncombe County Government realizes the importance of a diverse professional workforce and the need to foster a responsive and innovative organizational culture, one that fully engages all of our employees, honoring and building on each employee's unique experiences, opinions, and perspective.

It is the policy of Buncombe County to provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all persons regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, physical or mental disability, age, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other legally protected class under federal or NC State law. In addition, Buncombe County expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment or discrimination.

Applicants for employment are invited to participate in the affirmative action program by reporting their status as a protected veteran or other minority. In extending this invitation, we advise you that: (a) workers (applicants) are under no obligation to respond but may do so in the future if they choose; (b) responses will remain confidential within the human resource department; and (c) responses will be used only for the necessary information to include in our affirmative action program. We are a company that values diversity. We actively encourage women, minorities, veterans and disabled employees to apply. Refusal to provide this information will have no bearing on your application and will not subject you to any adverse treatment.