Posted: 19-May-25
Location: Newport News, Virginia
Type: Full Time
Salary: $165,000-$175,000 DOE
Categories:
Internal Number: 49999-1
The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of leadership and diverse innovation in parks and recreation management, complemented by strong skills in strategic planning, team development, and community engagement and special events. This individual will be committed to investing in the next generation through youth development and engaging programming, creating innovative and inclusive recreational opportunities. They will ensure that young people have access to safe, welcoming spaces to learn, grow, and thrive. The ideal candidate will inspire leadership, creativity, and social connections among younger residents by encouraging participation in cultural, athletic, recreational, and community-focused programs. Collaboration with community partners such as athletics clubs, civic and religious organizations, schools, and other stakeholders will be pivotal in designing and delivering impactful programming tailored to the unique needs of Newport News’ youth. Expertise in policy development, budget management, and driving operational efficiency will be crucial, as will the ability to foster an inclusive and collaborative workplace culture. Exceptional written and verbal communication skills are essential for effectively connecting and interacting with city leadership, staff, and the community. Additionally, experience with large-scale project management and the capacity to navigate complex challenges with creativity and sound judgment will set the ideal candidate apart as a dynamic leader for Newport News.
GENERAL STATEMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES Under limited supervision, this position provides leadership for the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism and is responsible for developing and administering programs and systems to support and promote high performance strategies to meet organizational needs, vision and values. Reports to an Assistant City Manager.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS Provides leadership and strategic direction for determining priorities, goals and objectives to meet City, Departmental, and Community needs as they relate to the City’s parks, recreation, tourism, historic services, animal services, public landscapes and cultural arts programs and facilities. Plans, organize and coordinate complex project activities related to establishing and applying modern recreation concepts and systems and developing innovative programs for addressing problems and concerns. Evaluates, assesses and makes recommendations to Assistant City Manager, City Manager and City Council. Establishes, implements and evaluates internal systems to effectively meet operating goals and objectives. Develops and evaluates policies and procedures to effectively carry out departmental operations; promotes staff collaboration, innovation and critical thinking in developing solutions and approaches to departmental issues. Responsible for effective employee relations, diversity and staff development; oversee and perform employee evaluations; administers human resources policies and procedures; and determines appropriate personnel actions. Responsible for overall management of the department; including budget research, development, preparation and budget monitoring to ensure cost effectiveness. Ensure that purchasing and financial transactions are properly conducted in accordance with City administrative policies and procedures. Develop proposals and reports on parks, recreation, tourism, animal services and related issues and presents recommendations to City Management, City Council and to other groups. Responsible for coordinating with City Manager for placement of items on City Council Agenda; ensures reports, studies, and plans are appropriately processed in accordance with federal, state, and City ordinances and policies. Responsible for implementing programs that promote communication with the community on a variety of topics. Implements procedures for receiving and processing community inquiries and concerns; establishes effective relationships with the media; personally, meets with community groups, gives talks and presentations and represents the City at various meetings and functions. Performs other duties as assigned.
PERFORMANCE STANDARD Employees at all levels are expected to effectively work together to meet the needs of the community and the organization through work behaviors demonstrating the City’s Values. Employees are also expected to lead by example and demonstrate the highest level of ethics.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE · Parks and Recreation Management – Comprehensive knowledge of parks and recreational programming and facility operations as they relate to City’s parks, recreation, tourism, historic services, animal services, public landscapes and cultural arts programs and facilities. · Management of Personnel – Knowledge of leadership techniques, principles and procedures to assign work, schedule, supervise, train and evaluate the work of assigned staff. Knowledge of personnel recruitment, selection, and the use of human resources information systems. · Customer Service – Thorough knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer services. This includes setting and meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
REQUIRED SKILLS · Performance Management – Monitoring/assessing performance of other individuals, or the organization to make improvements or take corrective action. Motivating, developing, teaching and directing people as they work, identifying the best people for the job. · Critical Thinking – Using logic and reasoning to understand, analyze, and evaluate complex situations and then to research information to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to the situation. Apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense. Combines pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events). · Judgment/Decision Making – Evaluates the best method of research and then exercises appropriate judgment in establishing priorities and resolving complex matters. Consider the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one. · Interpersonal Relationships – Maintains high morale among all department employees. Shares knowledge with supervisors and staff for mutual and departmental benefit. Develops and maintains cooperative and professional relationships with employees, managers in other departments, representatives from organizations, and the general public. Tactfully and effectively handles requests, suggestions and complaints from other departments and people.
REQUIRED ABILITIES · Coordination of Work – Ability to establish and implement effective administrative and management programs and procedures. Ability to plan and organize daily work routine. Establishes priorities for the completion of work in accordance with sound time-management methodology. Implements work activity in accordance with priorities and estimated schedules. Performs a broad range of supervisory responsibilities over others. Highly developed ability to evaluate plan alternatives in relation to trends, costs, and social pressures and needs. · Communication – Excellent ability to communicate complex ideas and proposals effectively so others will understand to include preparation of reports, agendas, and policies. Excellent ability to listen and understand information and ideas presented verbally or in writing. Ability to handle a variety of human resources issues with tact and diplomacy and in a confidential manner. · Budgeting – Ability to perform arithmetic, algebraic, and statistical applications. Ability to employ economic and some accounting principles and practices in the analysis and reporting of financial data.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE Bachelor’s Degree in Parks and Recreation, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a related field and 10 years of progressively responsible experience in parks and recreation management with 5 -7 years of supervisory experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Advanced degree or professional designation as a Certified Parks and Recreational Professional (CPRP) desirable.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS An acceptable general background investigation to include a local and state criminal history check, sex offender registry check as well as a valid driver’s license with an acceptable driving record.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS · Requires the ability to exert light physical effort in sedentary to light work. · Some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of light weight (5-10 pounds). · Tasks may involve extended periods of time on the keyboard or workstation. SENSORY REQUIREMENTS · Some tasks require the ability to perceive and discriminate sounds and visual cues or signals. · Some tasks require the ability to communicate orally. ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURES Essential functions are regularly performed without exposure to adverse environmental conditions.
If interested in learning more about our current job openings and to apply visit https://www.nnva.gov/193/Apply-for-a-Job
MUST APPLY ON OUR CITY JOB SITE! MUST COMPLETE THE CITY JOB APPLICATION WITH ALL YOUR WORK HISTORY and EDUCATION.
Bachelor’s Degree in Parks and Recreation, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a related field and 10 years of progressively responsible experience in parks and recreation management with 5 -7 years of supervisory experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Advanced degree or professional designation as a Certified Parks and Recreational Professional (CPRP) desirable.