Recreation & Aquatics Division Director

Follow Your Calling, Find Your Career

This is an exempt-level position. Pay rates are based on education, skill, experience level and internal equity. Internal equity considerations include an assessment of the applicant’s qualifications in comparison to the market rate and requirements for the job.

At Mecklenburg County, you’ll have the chance to build a career as unique as you are with support, inclusive culture and technology to become the best version of you. We’re counting on YOUR unique voice and perspective to help Mecklenburg County become even better, too. Join us and build an exceptional experience for yourself, and a better working world for all.

Did you know that Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation proudly hosts many community events each year? Hummingbird Festival, The Senior Games and Festival in the Park are just a few that our employees and residents look forward to every year! Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Department (MCPRD) strives to enrich the lives of our residents. We do this by providing exciting and safe recreational amenities and programs, change to improve our resident’s fitness levels and decrease health care costs. This contributes to a sense of community through events and spaces for the public to socialize, thereby increasing property values and providing tourism venues. We protect open space, natural areas, and our treasured tree canopy through stewardship. We play a critical role in ensuring Mecklenburg County achieves its vision that the county “will be a community of pride and choice for people to LIVE, WORK and RECREATE.” The department serves a population exceeding one million residents and serves the City of Charlotte, six towns, and the unincorporated areas of the county covering 523 square miles. In addition, the department manages over 21,000 acres and 230+ parks, nature preserves, greenways and facilities. The Mecklenburg County Park & Recreation Department is continually recognized for its cutting-edge programs, state-of the-art facilities and unique partnerships. Our success is rooted in our staff. If you are interested in joining a dynamic team, dedicated to building a better community, and being recognized as leaders both in our community and across the country, then Mecklenburg County has great opportunities for you.

POSITION SUMMARY

Mecklenburg County is seeking an experienced and innovative professional to lead our Recreation and Aquatics Division. The Division Director position will be responsible for overseeing and leading the strategic planning of our community recreation centers, aquatics programs, and therapeutic and inclusive recreation services. This will include management and operations of facilities, staff and recreation programming. The incumbent will also be responsible for developing programs, policies and procedures for standardization of operations, developing and maintaining community partnerships, budget planning for the division and promote training initiatives to program staff. The selected candidate would have extensive experience with community recreation initiatives, strategic planning experience, proven ability to create and maintain a variety of internal and external partnerships and experience managing multiple revenue streams.

By applying to this position, you are eligible to be considered for a similar role, in which you meet the minimum qualifications for, at other Park and Recreation locations should they become available. If you are looking to grow in your career, or transition laterally into a new role, don’t miss this opportunity to apply!

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• At least 12 years of progressively responsible experience in the recreation field
• Experience leading aquatic programs
• Inclusive recreation management experience
• 5+ years’ recreation supervision experience

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Develop marketable initiatives that attract audiences to recreational activities and/or events
• Evaluate plans to ensure adequate resources are supplied while maintaining financial standards
• Oversee recreational event personnel, vendor operations, and volunteer activities
• Develop and maintain financial reporting to enhance and/or utilize funds as effectively as possible
• Assess recreational actives to identify risks, meet community needs, and maintain safety regulations
• Communicate and consult with the board of commissioners and/or city council regarding recreational strategies
• Lead and direct the work of other employees and has responsibility for personnel actions including hiring, performance management, and termination
• Contribute to strategic planning, direction, and goal setting for the department or function in collaboration with senior management
• Establish departmental policies, practices, and procedures that have a significant impact on the organization

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Experience: Minimum of eight (8) years of progressively responsible experience and one (1) year of supervisory experience or completion of an approved supervisory training program

Education: Bachelor’s degree in related field

Combination of relevant experience and relevant education accepted?: Yes

Licenses/Certifications: Requires a valid North Carolina or South Carolina Driver’s License and County Driving Privileges

Computer Skills: Proficient in various computer applications including Microsoft Office Suite

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge:

• Business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources
• Principles and processes for providing customer services; this includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction
• The structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar
• Laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, and agency rules, and the political climate
• Expertise in area of assignment

Skills:

• Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one
• Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions
• Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems
• Talking to others to convey information effectively
• Adjusting actions in relation to others’ actions
• Communication, Creativity, and Leadership skills
• Detail oriented

Abilities:

• Building Strategic Work Relationships: Developing and using collaborative relationships to facilitate the accomplishment of work goals
• Aligning Performance for Success: Focusing and guiding others in accomplishing work objectives
• Strategic Decision Making: Obtaining information and identifying key issues and relationships relevant to achieving a long-range goal or vision; committing to a course of action to accomplish a long-range goal or vision after developing alternatives based on logical assumptions, facts, available resources, constraints, and organizational values
• Formal Presentations: Presenting ideas effectively to individuals or groups when; delivering presentations suited to the characteristics and needs of the audience
• Leading through Vision and Values: Keeping the organization’s vision and values at the forefront of associate decision making and action
• Building a Successful Team: Using appropriate methods and a flexible interpersonal style to help build a cohesive team; facilitating the completion of team goals
• Communication: Clearly conveying information and ideas through a variety of media to individuals or groups in a manner that engages the audience and helps them understand and retain the information provided
• Delegating Responsibility: Allocating decision-making authority and/or task responsibility to appropriate others to maximize the organization’s and individuals’ effectiveness

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS STATEMENT

To accomplish this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation, each essential function satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to help enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

DISCLAIMER STATEMENT

This is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of job-related responsibilities, duties, skills, requirements or working conditions. Other duties may be assigned based on business need and the supervisor’s request. Mecklenburg County reserves the right to revise the job description at any time. Designated positions may be required to assist in emergency and/or disaster situations.

Mecklenburg County