City Of Mobile: OPEN POSITION - Director Of Parks And Recreation

Press release from the City of Mobile:

Jan 13th, 2022

The City’s Parks and Recreation system includes 110 green spaces, 78 of which are “developed” parks totaling approximately 1,300 acres of park lands. Additionally, there are 80 ball fields, 32 playgrounds, 17 community centers, 4 pools, 5 splash pads, one (18-hole) golf course, and a 60-court tennis center.

The City Administration and City Council have a shared goal to provide high-quality Parks and Recreation facilities and services to the citizens of Mobile. In 2016, they worked together to develop Mobile’s first multi-year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). This initial 3-year CIP dedicated $63 Million to infrastructure improvements across the City, including $12.5 Million for Parks and Recreation projects. The City is currently finalizing the 2023-2027 CIP that will allocate $105 Million towards additional capital improvement projects.

The City has also been successful in leveraging funds to develop new Parks and Recreation amenities. In 2018, Mobile was awarded $9.7 Million in RESTORE Act funding to build a 12-mile, multi-modal greenway trail along Three Mile Creek, connecting downtown to the University of South Alabama (and numerous neighborhoods, businesses, and parks along the way). When complete, 70,000 residents will be within walking distance of this
transformational recreation amenity.

City leaders recognize the importance of long-range planning as it relates to Parks and Recreation. In early 2018, the City contracted with Lose & Associates Design to develop and Parks and Recreation System Improvement Plan. Through data analysis, public feedback, and staff insight, the City will have an action plan to help guide the next ten years of capital and operational improvements. In addition, the department went through a year of
strategic planning to create a mission, vision, core values and goals for the department. 

With a renewed dedication to properly resourcing the Parks and Recreation system, the City is improving existing facilities and programs and strategically investing in new amenities to support Mobile’s growth and development goals.

The City of Mobile is looking for a highly motivated and passionate individual to lead this effort.

Position Description – Director of Parks and Recreation:
Under the administrative direction of the City’s Executive Director of Public Works, this position is responsible for planning, organizing, directing, and managing the Parks and Recreation Department and a $12.8+ Million budget. 

Supervision is exercised over the Recreation Superintendent (oversees community centers, senior centers, therapeutics, and youth/adult athletics), the Parks Superintendent (oversees parks maintenance, mowing and landscaping), Golf Superintendent & Golf Professional, Tennis General Manager, Events Manager, and other managers as assigned.

Essential Functions and Duties:

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Minimum Qualifications:
Attainment of a minimum of a bachelor’s degree from a recognized college or university in recreational administration or a related field such as landscape architecture, urban planning, public administration, or business administration. Professional CPRP or CPRE is preferred. A minimum of 10 years of experience in this field or similar positions in a responsible supervisory or leadership capacity is required. A combination of education and
experience equivalent to these requirements is also acceptable.

Additional Information:

This press release was produced by the City of Mobile. The views expressed here are the author’s own.