Position Summary Direct, develop, implement and supervise natural resource and stewardship management for the community. Manage and direct personnel, operations, and maintenance of assigned natural areas and natural resources including public trees, natural area parks, and trails. Administer natural area management plans, urban forestry management plan, tree inventory database, and protection of park resources. Ensure the safety and security of operations and compliance with public health and safety and licensing regulations. Support and guide department and system-wide projects. These tasks are illustrative only and may include other related duties. Full-time Non-Represented, FLSA-Exempt position 12-month probationary period Must meet all qualifications and requirements as listed in the position description. At Parks and Recreation, our mission is to preserve and create a community heritage by providing places and programs designed to enhance the quality of life. The Parks Operations Division of Corvallis' Parks and Recreation Department cares for over 2000 acres of parks, playgrounds, playing fields, trails, natural areas, and beautification areas. Essential Functions Plans, directs and coordinates the protection, maintenance and operations of park natural resources including urban forestry, natural areas, trails, park ranger and volunteer programs, and other stewardship programs. Effectively supervises assigned staff. Performs personnel duties such as selection, coaching/mentoring, training, employee/labor relations, evaluating performance, succession planning, discipline, and termination. Creates and maintains an effective work environment by communicating goals and expectations for staff performance, counseling employees as appropriate, and supporting employee engagement efforts. Composes and develops City ordinances, policies, long range goals and departmental work pertaining to the Urban Forestry Program. Acts as the Urban Forester to make determinations related to the implementation of urban forest policy, code, and management decisions. Responsible for updating and implementing the Parks and Recreation natural resource and urban forestry management plans; including supplemental plans such as the City-wide Dutch Elm Disease, Emerald Ash Borer, and other invasive response programs. Provides input to the Parks Division Manager on the development, implementation and maintenance of the plans. Develops goals, policies and procedures for the efficient delivery of natural resource stewardship to the parks system. Evaluates programs to ensure they are meeting current interests of the public. Works with staff to develop and implement new programs to meet changing needs of participants and service demands. Promotes equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility principles through programs, employees and community partnerships. Manages work group safety and evaluates safety, risk management, and security policies, procedures, and training. Ensures maintenance and operations are in compliance with implementing safety measures and state and federal regulations and remains familiar with occupational, health and safety regulations. Assures that staff, contractors, and volunteers are trained in the safe and responsible use of facilities and equipment. Coordinates with other work groups for effectiveness. Develops, administers, and prepares contracts for natural resource, urban forest, and trail maintenance, sets performance standards, and monitors compliance with City policies. Prepares and evaluates bid packages for capital purchases, maintenance and operational functions. Determines equipment needs and makes recommendations to the Parks Division Manager. Establishes, manages and facilitates partnerships and collaborative working relationship with user groups. Initiates, develops and guides interagency agreements and partnership in areas of responsibility. Develops, manages, and monitors the annual and long-range budget for natural resource management, operations, and other programs. Establishes and monitors appropriate department financial measures. Interprets and uses financial data to make informed business decisions. Provides technical assistance in the Department's natural area and trails acquisition, planning, and development functions. Reviews plans, and inspects projects in field for operational soundness, according to approved plans. Develops operational impact budgets for CIP projects, monitors and adjusts budgetary estimates based on actual expenses. Issues and denies permits for planting, pruning, removal and replacement of trees in the public right of way. Develops, implements, and monitors facility projects such as small-scale capital projects. Prepares budgets, bidding documents, contracts & agreements, mobilizes equipment, labor, materials and supplies to complete special projects. Plans, coordinates and maintains program public relations and marketing program. Oversees and prepares related communications such as brochures and newsletters. Establishes and maintains a collaborative working relationship with user groups. Responds appropriately to inquiries and complaints, communicates to individuals and community groups regarding programs and operations; resolves grievances or unfavorable situations. Participates as a member of the Department's Management Team. Implements city, department and program strategic plans, goals and objectives to areas of responsibility. Evaluates, analyzes, and makes recommendations for improvements to existing policies and procedures. Administers and develops expenditure plans to utilize grants, committed reserves, and trust funds related to the areas of responsibility. Provides reports, recommends and develops policies, procedures and program goals. Develops and implements sponsorship and grant writing to support financial sustainability in alignment with Department initiatives. Meets cost recovery and revenue goals. Supervises grant-writing, reporting and stewardship of relationships with individuals, corporations and donors. Reviews and recommends changes to Administrative and City Council policies related to the business, personnel and participants of areas of responsibility. Attends and participates at applicable Parks and Recreation Operational Advisory Committees, City Council, and Budget Commission Meetings as requested. Collects and analyzes data and prepares reports on maintenance activities, financial performance, facility utilization rates, and other performance metrics on a monthly, quarterly and annual basis. Evaluates and assesses contributing factors to program and performance results. Supervises the implementation of department wide events, camp cleanups, and activities. Coordinates special maintenance projects with the Public Works Department, Recreation Division, and/or Contractors as assigned. Performs a variety of backup duties in any area of park stewardship, pruning, treatment, removal and replacement of public trees and invasive species, and facility maintenance. Acts ethically and honestly; applies ethical standards of behavior to daily work activities and interactions. Builds confidence in the City through own actions. Effectively promotes and supervises a safe work environment. Complies with all safety rules and performs work is a safe manner. Ensures staff maintains a safe working environment in compliance with Federal, State, and City health and safety guidelines and regulations. Represents the City of Corvallis by responding to the public, community members, its employees, and others in a prompt, professional, and courteous manner. Regards everyone, internal and external, as a customer and delivers the best service possible in a respectful and patient manner. Participates, trains and engages with the City and County Emergency Operations Center to comply and support City of Corvallis emergency response plans. Maintains effective work relationships. Adheres to all City and Department policies. Operates and drives a motor vehicle safely and legally. Arrives to work, meetings, and other work-related functions on time and maintains regular job attendance. Qualifications and Skills Education and Experience Bachelor's degree in natural resource management, environmental science, forestry, urban forestry or related field and two years' work experience in natural resource operations or urban forestry. OR High school diploma or equivalent and six years increasingly responsible work experience, training and/or education in natural resource operations or urban forestry. Two years of supervisory or leadwork experience preferred. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing to a variety of audiences, including making effective oral presentations to groups and organizations. Knowledge of natural resource maintenance and management practices, including resource allocation and urban forestry management practices. Ability to properly prioritize available resources to meet anticipated and variable workloads. Thorough knowledge of the principles and techniques of maintenance administration and management, including knowledge of materials, methods, and techniques used in urban forestry and trails maintenance operations. Strong leadership, interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills. Ability to supervise employees, including the ability to delegate responsibilities appropriately. Ability to assess and evaluate risks for employee and participant safety and develop and implement safety procedures and other strategies to mitigate risks. Ability to manage and staff maintenance operations with early mornings, evenings, weekends, and holiday shifts. Ability to make decisions in difficult situations, often under pressure, and to perform in an emergency. Ability to resolve problems and operational difficulties . click apply for full job details
Date Posted: 16 January 2025
Apply for this Job