Parks & Open Space Manager Department: Parks & Open Space
Job Title: Parks and Open Space Manager
Job Type: Full Time, Exempt, 40 hours per week Hiring Compensation Range: Grade 107 ($89,316 - $100,027) with placement potentially higher depending on the successful candidate's qualifications and experience. Location: Miramonte Building (Telluride, CO) Position Summary The Full-Time, Exempt Parks & Open Space Manager is responsible for managing the County's Parks & Open Space programs, operations, projects, and assigned staff. The position provides leadership and oversight for Open Space Administration (land conservation), Parks Administration (trails, parks, and Placerville School House), Fairgrounds/Regional Park (Fair & Rodeo - Norwood), Historic Preservation, Vegetation Control and Management (Norwood), and related programs. The position also serves as staff liaison to the Open Space Commission, Historical Commission, and the Citizen's Weed Advisory Board.
The position will report directly to the County Manager and will be classified as Grade 107. As a full-time position, the Manager of Parks & Open Space (P&OS) is eligible for all County-sponsored insurance and benefit plans as summarized in the SMC Summary of Benefits , subject to applicable waiting periods.
The position will be primarily based out of the County's Miramonte office building in Telluride, Colorado, and will be required to report to various facilities/areas within San Miguel County.
Supervision Received: General direction is received from the County Manager.
The Parks & Open Space Manager must be capable of independently managing assigned programs, projects, and operational responsibilities while exercising sound judgment and decision-making within established County policies, priorities, and procedures.
Supervision Exercised: The Parks & Open Space Manager is responsible for the effective operation of Parks & Open Space programs and the supervision, training, and evaluation of assigned staff. The position provides leadership and ensures responsive service to the public, County employees, County leadership, advisory boards, commissions, and community partners.
Job Description The following statements are illustrative of the
essential functions of the job and do not include other nonessential or peripheral duties that may be required. San Miguel County retains the right to modify or change the duties or essential functions of the job at any time.
Tasks, Duties, and Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following: - Manages Parks & Open Space staff, programs, and daily operations.
- Coordinates and manages the development, construction, and management of County trails, parks, historic stabilization projects, the Fairgrounds/Regional Park capital improvements, and land heritage program projects (conservation easements).
- Drafts, negotiates, and administers contracts with service providers.
- Oversees trails, parks/open spaces, and historic preservation programs.
- Develops, manages, and monitors annual Parks & Open Space budgets and provides recommendations regarding funding needs and priorities.
- Reviews Parks & Open Space Community Support Funding requests and makes recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners regarding funding allocations based on established criteria and application reviews.
- Reviews and approves departmental expenditures and monitors budgets to ensure compliance with approved funding levels.
- Prepares 3 Annual Work Plans - 1 for the Parks & Open Space Department, 1 for the County's Open Space Commission, and 1 for the County's Historical Commission.
- Identifies, prepares, and administers departmental grant applications, budgets, and contracts.
- Pursues, prepares and manages funding sources for property acquisition, Fairgrounds improvements, historic preservation, trail construction, and park development projects as directed by the County Manager, Board of County Commissioners, and applicable boards/commissions.
- Coordinates and collaborates, when appropriate, with other government agencies, County departments, community organizations, regional entities, and/or land trusts in applying for grants and other funding sources.
- Drafts, recommends, coordinates, and promulgates use guidelines and park policies for County Parks & Open Space recreational facilities.
- Coordinates with County departments, advisory boards/commissions, and the public in updating program master plans, capital improvement plans, and program goals and objectives.
- Prepares and distributes Requests for Proposals (RFPs) as required based on proposed projects and funding.
- Recommends and implements strategies, policies, and operational improvements to enhance Parks & Open Space programs.
- Establishes and maintains relationships with local and regional land trusts.
- Serves as the County liaison to the Open Space Commission, Historical Commission, and the Citizen's Weed Advisory Board.
- Serves as the County liaison with the CSU San Miguel Basin Colorado State University Extension office with the 4-H program and other related items/matters.
- Reviews and provides recommendations regarding proposed development applications that may impact existing or planned open space, parks, trails, and historic structures.
- Educates the public, landowners, and the advisory boards/commissions about land conservation programs and tools and recreational opportunities and resources.
- Pursues the acquisition of historic structures, open space, and trail conservation easements.
- Travels to the County's Fairgrounds & Regional Park in Norwood for meetings, events, projects, site assessment, etc., and various historic structures within the County to assess potential acquisition, stabilization, etc.
- Monitors legislation and regulatory changes affecting Parks & Open Space programs and provides updates and recommendations to County leadership as appropriate.
- Maintain regular and reliable attendance.
- Performs other related duties as required and assigned.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities - Knowledge of parks, trails, and recreational facilities/opportunities.
- Project management experience for park and facility construction and renovations.
- Knowledge of conservation easements.
- Knowledge of County rules and regulations as they relate to and apply to parks and recreation and the County Land Use Code.
- Must possess strong organizational, program management, supervisory, and leadership skills.
- Ability to multitask, prioritize multiple projects, and problem-solve effectively.
- Ability to manage multiple programs, projects, and employees across diverse operational areas in a fast-paced environment.
- Ability to write, prepare, coordinate and assemble grant applications, Requests for Proposals (RFPs), documents, etc. using county-created templates.
- Ability to build and maintain positive relationships, communicate effectively, both verbally as well as in a variety of written formats, compose written information and instructions, and develop and present recommendations.
- Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely, including live and virtual oral presentations to various groups and entities.
- Ability to deliver effective results in a fast-paced environment while adhering to scheduled deadlines.
- Must possess the ability to foster positive, effective, and trustworthy professional relationships with County employees, County leadership, elected officials, advisory boards, commissions, community partners, and the general public.
- Possesses strong analytical, decision-making, and problem-solving skills with the ability to exercise sound judgment and make effective recommendations.
- Possesses strong office technology and computer skills; ability to learn and effectively and accurately use various software programs such as Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Gmail, Google Sheets, Google Docs.
- Must be receptive to feedback, honest, truthful, positive, and trustworthy and possess a high degree of personal integrity.
Education and Experience - A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Business Management, Recreation Management, or related subject required, Master's Degree is preferred.
- Minimum of three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in parks, recreation, land conservation, natural resources, public administration, or a related field, including experience supervising staff and managing programs, projects, or budgets.
- Experience working within the public sector, especially local government, is strongly preferred.
- An equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform essential duties may be considered.
Required Licenses and Certifications - Must possess and maintain a valid Colorado Driver's License and satisfactory driving record.
Special Requirements - As part of your duties as a county employee, you may be called upon to perform duties outside your day-to-day activities in order to support county emergency operations. All county employees are required to complete National Incident Management System (NIMS) training within the first 6 months of employment.
- Must be able to satisfactorily pass a comprehensive, pre-employment criminal background and motor vehicle check.
Physical Requirements and Working Environment Physical Demands: - Ability to talk, hear, and communicate effectively.
- Frequently sits for extended periods at a desk while using computers and monitors.
- Regularly uses hands and fingers for typing, writing, and other tasks requiring dexterity.
- Ability to reach, stand, walk, climb, balance, twist, stoop, kneel, and crouch as needed.
- Must be able to lift or move objects up to 40 pounds.
- Visual abilities include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and focus adjustment.
- Physical ability to drive to meetings and navigate uneven or rugged terrain.
- Must be able to work extended hours, attend training or meetings outside normal schedule, and manage stressful situations.
- Reasonable accommodations will be made for individuals with disabilities.
Work Environment: - Primarily office-based with routine use of computers, phones, copiers, filing cabinets, and other standard office equipment.
- Typically operates in quiet to moderate noise levels.
- May require travel and work in severe weather conditions, especially during winter.
Application Procedure Interested candidates are encouraged to apply immediately. All applications must be submitted online at https://www.sanmiguelcountyco.gov/jobs.aspx. Select the Apply Online link (creating an account is recommended) and answer all application questions in steps 1-7. Candidates are required to attach a resume and cover letter (in step one). Please ensure all requested items are submitted and completed for consideration. Upon receiving your completed application, you will receive an email from noreply@civicplus confirming your application has been received.
