City of Imperial Beach

SALARY: $144,000.00 – $215,892.00 Annually

CLOSING DATE 4/7/2025 5:30 PM

Application Review Period: Week of April 7, 2025 First Round Interviews: Week of April 21, 2025 Final Interviews: April 30, 2025.

ABOUT THE CITY/DEPARTMENT

Imperial Beach is the southernmost beach city in California, located in San Diego County, just five miles north of the U.S.- Mexico border. It sits along the Pacific Ocean and the San Diego Bay, offering a mix of coastal beauty and small-town charm.

The City of Imperial Beach operates as a council-manager form of government, where the City Council, led by the Mayor, sets policies, and the City Manager and Chief Administrative Officer oversee day-to-day operations. The organization includes various departments and divisions responsible for public services.

The Imperial Beach Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Department provides park rentals, facilities, and programs for residents of all ages. The city offers seasonal activities, sports, and classes, including youth programs, senior Programs and special events. Imperial Beach also hosts popular annual events and community entertainment.

The City of Imperial Beach created a new Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department in 2021 in response to community needs. The City has 18.69 acres of park land which include 7 city parks, 2 pocket parks, and 2 facilities. There is a senior center and a sports park recreation facility currently undergoing major renovations. There is an opportunity to partner with regional agencies and continue collaboration with the current sports leagues in the community. The City Council and management staff believe in offering programs that create opportunities for citizens to live active lifestyles, participate in social opportunities, and build a healthy community.

GENERAL PURPOSE

Under general administrative direction, to plan, coordinate, and administer the development of a city-wide parks, recreation and community services department to include recreation and senior center programs and activities, park and facility rentals, and related activities; to coordinate assigned activities with other departments and outside agencies; work also involves the short and long term planning relating to all phases of parks, park and recreation facilities, and recreation development and programming for enhancement of quality of life for the City of Imperial Beach residents and visitors; provide highly responsible and complex administrative support; and perform related responsibilities as required.

Class Characteristics

Director of Parks, Recreation and Community Services is responsible for directing, managing, and integrating the functions, programs, and activities of the department. Provides advice and strategic leadership to the City Manager, Chief Administrative Officer, City Council, and other department directors to meet department service delivery objectives. The director is expected to exercise independent judgment, wisdom, common sense, and initiative in establishing efficient and effective departmental operations consistent with City Council policies and administrative guidelines established by the City Manager and Chief Administrative Officer. The incumbent also functions as a member of the City’s management team and participate actively in addressing issues of concern to the City, which at times may not have a direct impact on area of specialization.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

This is a unique and exciting opportunity. The City needs someone who can continue to build successful programs. We are seeking a candidate who will provide strong visionary and collaborative leadership to the Parks, Recreation & Community Services Department. The Director is part of the city’s management team (department head). The ideal candidate will possess exceptional managerial, communication, and critical thinking skills. Resilience, flexibility, creativity, and innovation are crucial to the success of the Parks, Recreation & Community Services Director.

The selected individual must be an advocate of quality service and accountability, provide good follow-through, build strong working relationships, and be able to approach challenges and situations with professionalism, confidence, energy, and a positive outlook. The Director must delicately balance the need to listen and learn from the organization’s immensely diverse group of stakeholders, while also displaying the comfort and conviction to lead, innovate, and push towards shared outcomes and goals. The Director will maintain and enhance the quality of life in Imperial Beach by providing parks and recreational opportunities for residents and visitors. The ideal candidate will possess knowledge of park and recreation program planning and management, building and maintaining strong relationships, securing grants and sponsorships, evaluation and service delivery, park/facility operations and maintenance, contract negotiation and administration. The ideal candidate will have high ethical and professional standards, effective organizational skills, sound analytical and decision- making skills, excellent communication, and customer service skills.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

This position reports directly to the city management team comprised of the City Manager and the Assistant City Manager/Chief Administrative Officer. Incumbent exercises direct supervision over professional, technical, and clerical staff, including interns, volunteers, consultants, and contractors.

WORK SCHEDULE AND LOCATION

This position follows standard administrative work hours, with occasional evenings and weekends required for meetings, events, or urgent departmental needs. Work is performed in person at city facilities and community locations to ensure effective leadership, collaboration, and service delivery.

Duties and Responsibilities

Budget Development and Monitoring. Develop annual operating budgets to meet established objectives and recognized standards for recreation and community service programs to include revenue projections based on fee-based programs, monitor budget expenditures and revenue collection; monitor program goals and ensure objectives are being met; prepare capital improvement project requests for consideration by the City Council through the budget process.

Programming and Recreation Activities. Ensure program efficiency and service delivery; establish levels of service for monitored activities, maintain records, and interpret data to ensure program goals and objectives are met in the most cost efficient manner; coordinate with other agencies and partners to maximize program delivery through shared resources and complementary programs and services; develop scheduling and implementing recreation programs; manage consultant and related contracts and insurance; follow up on background checks for compliance; monitor citizen complaints, suggestions, and input regarding recreation programs; develop forms and procedures relating to programs, activities, and rentals; set and monitor procedures and fees for programs and rentals; recommend and administer policies and procedures; manage the development and implementation of departmental goals, objectives, policies, priorities and strategic planning for each assigned service area; develop and administer City-wide recreation programs and other organized activities for children, youth, adults and senior citizens at City-owned or lease parks, beach, and facilities;; supervise and conduct surveys; identify areas of community needs and develop service delivery systems; evaluate the need for recreational activities and community services, and enlist community participation in programs; develop and administer contracts with vendors and contractors; develop and administer joint usage contracts with public school districts, leagues and club organizations.

Community Services Activities. May participate overseeing the development, management, and supervision of the community response team, park rangers, and related staff. Provide guidance, direction, training, and supervision to the Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Department staff and ensure they provide good customer service while making sure the City’s parks, beach, recreation/community facilities and public spaces are safe for use by residents and guests who visit the city while also enforcing the City’s municipal code, policies and procedures. May be required to participate in the City Homeless Outreach Team while also collaborating with outside organizations to support those currently experiencing homelessness in City parks. May be required to manage the Community Response Team to ensure they perform maintenance and repairs on City parks, beaches, landscaped areas, street trees, sports fields, public facilities, and other outdoor public areas, and to maintain a clean and safe City by clearing neighborhood alleyways, sidewalks, and streets of debris/solid waste/dumping and blight items.

Parks and Recreation Park & Facility Development. May be required to coordinate with engineers, architects, and other technical staff related to park and recreation facilities to meet the prescribed needs of the community; meet with public citizens, special interest groups, and related to develop and monitor the Parks and Recreation improvements; coordinate with different departments to perform complex tasks or functions relating to renovation, enhancement, or development of park and facilities; consult with Public Works Department on the maintenance and enhancement of parks and facilities.

Management and Supervision. Plan, organize, control, manage, and evaluate the work of the Parks, Recreation and Community Services department staff. Manage and supervise recreation, senior center, and community services staff; set goals and objectives; select train, motivate staff; assess performance; meet with subordinate staff to review scheduled work, monitor progress, and evaluates finished project. Provide direction when obstacles are encountered; assign resources and materials to staff to ensure that program goals will be met; coordinate program requirements to minimize conflict and maximize work effort.

Administrative Functions. Prepare written correspondence including, but not limited to, reports, letters, agenda items, memorandums, personnel evaluations and disciplinary action; make oral presentations to City Council, board and committees, staff, neighborhood groups, etc.; prepare agendas, reports, technical instructions, contracts, and other documents; prepare reports as required, budget documents and budget amendments; answer telephone and address visitors to Parks, Recreation, and Community Service areas, refer callers to related agencies, and assists the public with special requests; attend and participate in professional group meetings; stay abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of recreation and leisure services; may be required to provide staff support to the city board and committees, and other related advisory groups involved in the issues of the parks, recreation, senior and park planning programs; coordinate the researching, application, implementation and monitoring of grant opportunities and activities at the local, state and federal level.

Special Events and Permitting Oversight

The Director is responsible for the oversight, management, and coordination of special events and permitting processes within the city’s parks, recreational facilities, and public spaces. This includes:

Event Management & Coordination: Overseeing the planning, approval, and execution of city-sponsored and community- led special events, ensuring alignment with city policies, safety regulations, and community interests.
Permit Processing & Compliance: Managing the application and approval process for park and facility use permits, vendor permits, and special event permits, ensuring compliance with local, state, and federal regulations.
Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement: Working closely with city departments, event organizers, businesses, and community groups to facilitate seamless event planning while minimizing impact on city resources and residents.
Logistics & Risk Management: Identifying potential challenges related to crowd control, public safety, and environmental impact, and implementing solutions to mitigate risks.
Fee Structure & Revenue Generation: Establishing and managing fee structures for facility rentals, event permits, and other services to ensure cost recovery and financial sustainability.
Evaluation & Continuous Improvement: Assessing the success of events and permitting processes, collecting feedback, and implementing improvements to enhance efficiency and community satisfaction.

Perform other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Knowledge of:

Knowledge of the principles and practices of park planning and design, recreation programming, and the ability to apply the knowledge in a city government setting. Knowledge of community needs, levels of service, and space requirements for development of recreation programs and facilities. Knowledge of community needs, levels of service, and space requirements for development of recreation programs and facilities. Knowledge of the rules, regulations, and safety issues associated with youth sports programs and activities. Knowledge of English language and math. Skills to prepare budgets and cost schedules for operations and capital projects. Principles, methods and procedures used in recreation and senior programs, advanced planning strategies, and developing and administering park master planning. Principles of organization, administration, budget and personnel management, grant opportunities and administration thereof. Federal, state, county and municipal laws, regulations and codes related to Parks, Recreation, Community Services, Senior and Park Planning operations. Methods and techniques of research, statistical analysis, and report presentation.

Ability to:

Ability to work with a wide range of people, including politicians, government officials, coaches, parents, and upset citizens. Ability to transfer knowledge to subordinate staff through training and education. Ability to supervise and lead others effectively. Ability to communicate effectively, orally, and in writing. Ability to complete successful grant applications. Plan, organize and direct a citywide program of Parks, Recreation, Community Services, Senior and Park Planning activities. Provide administrative and professional leadership for the department. Develop and administer annual and short and long- range programs and budgets. Research, apply for, implement, and monitor grant opportunities and activities at the local, state and federal level. Supervise, train, and evaluate staff. Establish and maintain cooperative relationships with those contacted in the course of work. Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions, and implement recommendations in support of goals. Properly interpret and make decisions in accordance with laws, regulations, and policies. Exercise good judgment, flexibility, creativity, and sensitivity in response to changing situations and needs. Communicate clearly and concisely, orally and in writing. Work well under pressure to meet deadlines.

Qualifications

Any combination equivalent to education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge, skills, and abilities would be:

Education:

Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a Bachelor’s degree in Recreation or Parks Administration, Public Administration, Business Administration, or a closely related field is required.

A master’s degree in public or business administration or related field is highly desirable.

Experience:

Five years (5) of job-related experience in parks and recreation management with an emphasis in parks and recreation programs and activities, three (3) years of which must have been in a supervisory capacity.

Licensing:

Possession of or ability to obtain, a valid Class “C” California driver’s license at the time of employment and maintain during the course of employment.

Applicants must successfully complete the following processes prior to starting employment: