Director, Parks and Recreation

**DIRECTOR, PARKS AND RECREATION**

The Municipality of North Cowichan (population 31,900) is located in the beautiful Cowichan Valley on Southern Vancouver Island, between Nanaimo and Victoria. Our communities of Chemainus, Crofton, Maple Bay and the South End, including University Village, are home to a multitude of artistic, cultural and outdoor recreational activities. The Municipality provides a stable and varied work environment, competitive pay and benefits.

The Director of Parks and Recreation, who reports to the General Manager of Planning, Development and Community Services, is a key member of the Municipality's leadership team who oversees performance and service provision, high-impact projects, long term planning, and asset management.

The Director is responsible for a large and diverse team, presently comprised of five exempt managers, and approximately 150 staff in a unionized environment. As the leader of Parks and Recreation, you will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of the department's business including: parks, sports fields, trails, cemeteries, youth outreach, Fuller Lake ArenaCowichan Aquatic Centre operations, recreation programming (representing a variety of interests, ages, cultures, abilities), Municipal Forestry operations and community special events. Supported by the ParksRecreation Management Teams, this is an exciting opportunity to provide meaningful contributions to our community.

The core duties for this position include but are not limited to:

- Providing leadership and direction to the ParksRecreation Management staff, including ensuring their engagement and retention across the recreation and parks function.
- Working collaboratively with other members of the Senior Leadership Team.
- Overseeing through parks and recreation management staff the long range planning, development, fiscal management, and operationalmaintenance coordination of parks, sports fields, trails, cemeteries, recreational facilities, and forestry.
- Planning and overseeing high impact capital works projects.
- Working cooperatively with the Engineering and Planning Departments on all new developments, park acquisitions, and future park planning initiatives.
- Liaising with user groups, governments, community associations, and the general public.
- Delivering the Youth Outreach program in Chemainus and Crofton.

Required Skills, Qualifications and Abilities:

- A Bachelor's Degree in Recreation, Sports/Leisure Administration, Park management, Public administration, or related field.
- Minimum of five (5) years' experience in parks and recreation leadership, including a minimum of two years at a managerial level.
- Thorough knowledge and background in capital and operational budget preparation and control (long and short term).
- Exceptional interpersonal, communication, presentation, facilitation, public relations, negotiation, problem solving, decision making, leadership, and general management
- Ability to effectively lead, coach, and motivate staff in a team
- Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with First Nations, as well as representatives of cultural and recreational groups, government, business, the general public, staff and Council
- Familiarity with applicable government regulations including WorkSafe BC and Technical Safety of BC.
- Possession and maintenance of a valid Class 5 B.C. Driver's License; a satisfactory current driver's abstract will be required.

A competitive salary and comprehensive benefit package is offered. This position is excluded from union membership.