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Putnam County

Personnel Department

DIRECTOR OF PARKS AND RECREATION

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS:  This is important professional and administrative work involving responsibility for planning and implementing a parks and recreation program to meet the needs and interests of a given population. Responsibilities include coordination of the work of professional and non‑professional personnel and coordination of other community resources for the implementation of services. Work is performed under general direction of the appropriate governing authority. Performs related work as required.

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES: (Illustrative only)

  • Administers the work of the parks and recreation department in accordance with the policies established by the governing authority;
  • Supervises parks and recreation employees as appropriate;
  • Promotes the organization and administration of recreation activities and park operations to ensure maximum efficiency;
  • Supervises a multitude of parks programs, including all recreation programs, childcare programs, and children’s camp activities;
  • Recruits, selects, assigns and trains department personnel, develops and maintains good work relationships;
  • Plans for the acquisition, design and construction of parks and recreation facilities;
  • Creates and implements rules and regulations for all facilities;
  • Supervises all park facilities in maintenance, scheduling, supply inventory and ordering, and vehicle and machine maintenance;
  • Prepares, directs, controls and accounts for the fiscal operations of the departmental program;
  • Evaluates the effectiveness of the department's program and services through research and studies;
  • Makes note of deficiencies in operation or condition of facilities, and issues verbal or written orders to correct;
  • Responds to complaints from the public;
  • Represents the department at meetings involving other departments and community organizations;
  • Organizes and promotes a public relations programs;
  • Uses computer applications such as spreadsheets, word processing, calendar, email and database software in performing work assignments;
  • Produces reports and maintains reports;
  • May research and apply for grants and other alternative funding options;
  • Performs a variety of related activities as required.

Typical Work Activities are intended only as illustrations of possible types of work that might be appropriately assigned to an incumbent of this title. Work activities that do not appear above are not excluded as appropriate work assignments, as long as they can be reasonably understood to be within the logical limits of the job.

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS: Thorough knowledge of parks and recreation administration theory, principles and practices; good knowledge of community organization, public administration and management techniques; ability to organize, develop and maintain a comprehensive recreation and park program under conditions where precedent is not available; ability to supervise technically‑trained personnel in related fields; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships; ability to cooperate with other organizations and the public; ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing; good professional judgment; tact and courtesy.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:         Either

  1. Bachelor's degree or higher in recreation, education, or a related field, and two (2) years experience in the administration of recreation and/or park services which shall have been in a responsible supervisory or administrative capacity; or
  2. Bachelor's degree or higher, and three (3) years experience in the administration of recreation and/or park services which shall have been in a responsible supervisory or administrative capacity.

PLEASE NOTE: Your degree must have been awarded by a college or university accredited by a regional, national, or specialized agency recognized as an accrediting agency by the U.S. Department of Education/U.S. Secretary of Education.

 

7/82; 8/86; 9/97; 4/09; 7/21; 8/23

Competitive Class

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Mission Statement

Our mission is to administer, in a fair and equitable manner, the provisions of New York State Civil Service Law and Putnam County Civil Service Rules with respect to the offices and employments in the classified service of Putnam County and the civil divisions therein, which include the towns, villages, school districts, libraries and special districts.

It is Putnam County Personnel Department’s responsibility to ensure Putnam County taxpayers of a public workforce qualified for their jobs pursuant to the principles of selection according to merit and fitness as set forth in Article 5, §6 of the New York State Constitution.

  • Paul Eldridge

    Personnel Officer