General Summary

This position will oversee Bowers Farm/Discovery Oaks and Johnson Nature Center/Bloomfield Oaks.

Compensation: $70,603 - $94,595

Plans, develops, promotes, and implements recreation programming for Oakland County Parks. Supervises part-time, seasonal, and part-time eligible employees. Drafts budget proposals and routinely evaluates programs to determine effectiveness and success with cost recovery goals. Advances strategic outcomes by building year-round programming that increases attendance, converts first-time visitors into repeat participants, and connects Oakland County residents to their parks. Reports to an assigned Chief. This role may require some evening or weekend commitments.
Utilizes current countywide and/or departmental specific software to complete assignments.

Minimum Qualifications

EXPERIENCE, TRAINING, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

REQUIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Possess a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Parks and Recreation, Recreation Administration, Outdoor Education, Environmental Education, Natural Resources, Agriculture, Food Systems, Therapeutic Recreation, or a closely related field.
• Have at least four (4) years of increasingly responsible full-time work experience developing and implementing recreational activities, including one (1) year of experience as a program leader or supervisor.
• Possess a valid motor vehicle operator's or chauffeur's license.

ADDITIONAL DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

• Considerable knowledge of recreation programming, universal access, outdoor adventure, and community program delivery.
• Considerable knowledge of evidence-based outdoor and recreation programming approaches, including place-based learning, project-based learning, and experiential education.
• Considerable knowledge of outdoor experiences such as camps, nature-based education, hiking, fishing, canoeing, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, geocaching, trip planning, and outdoor adventure.
• Reasonable knowledge of therapeutic recreation, adaptive recreation, or programming for older adults, veterans, or populations with specialized access needs.
• Reasonable knowledge of farm-based education, agricultural programming, or working landscape operations.
• Reasonable ability to analyze program attendance, demographics, customer retention, staff costs, program revenues, and cost recovery.
• Reasonable knowledge of accounting, budget procedures, and strategic planning.
• Reasonable ability to delegate projects, monitor and appraise staff performance, and apply discipline according to Merit System Rules.
• Reasonable ability to utilize current word processing, spreadsheet, database, e-mail, and Internet software.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must maintain a valid motor vehicle operator's or chauffeur's license.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

• Functions as a working supervisor over a group of employees.
• Instructs, assigns, schedules, checks work, appraises performance, and recommends employees for increase or promotion.
• Effectively recommends on hiring, disciplining and discharge.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Drafts budget proposals and routinely evaluates programs to determine their importance, effectiveness, and success with cost recovery goals.
• Provides excellent customer service by answering public inquiries and providing information about activities, locations, services, facilities, pricing, and inclusions.
• Recruits, screens, interviews, hires, trains, disciplines, and terminates assigned staff as appropriate.
• Conducts staff and volunteer training programs.
• Maintains records, schedules, and program evaluations to assess effectiveness and support continuous improvement.
• Utilizes current countywide and/or departmental specific software to complete assignments

When Assigned to Outdoor Learning & Environmental Stewardship

• Provides countywide leadership and oversight for outdoor learning, environmental education, agricultural education, and interpretive services delivered across multiple nature centers, farm learning sites, and parks.
• Develops and implements long-range plans that expand the reach, quality, and impact of outdoor learning programs. Identifies emerging trends, best practices, funding opportunities, and partnership models that strengthen program delivery.
• Oversees the development, implementation, and evaluation of countywide outdoor learning programs serving preschool, K-12, homeschool, adult, family, and senior audiences across all assigned sites.
• Directs educational field trip programming at multiple nature centers, farm facilities, and parks. Builds and maintains school district partnerships to support multi-visit, three-season school programming and off-site outreach.
• Oversees all aspects of licensed Nature Preschool and camp operations. Ensures compliance with state licensing requirements, health and safety regulations, accreditation standards, risk management practices, and organizational policies. Maintains required records, staff certifications, and reporting. Serves as primary liaison with licensing agencies and accreditation partners.
• Leads and delivers early childhood, preschool, and family outdoor programming grounded in play-based, nature-first curriculum and developmentally appropriate experiential learning.
• Plans, coordinates, and delivers summer camps and youth programming, including hands-on nature exploration, farm experiences, animal care, and outdoor skill-building. Assists with coordination of youth leadership programs that bridge participant and educator roles.
• Designs programs grounded in evidence-based outdoor education approaches, including place-based learning, project-based learning, and inquiry-based instruction. Advances Mission 26 Discovery-to-Leadership Pathway outcomes, supporting participants from first discovery through active stewardship.
• Pursues ongoing professional learning in outdoor education, environmental education, farm-based education, and nature-based early childhood practice. Applies learning directly to program design and staff development.
• Coordinates the MSU Extension partnership at assigned farm learning sites, integrating research-based curriculum and supporting collaborative program development.
• Coordinates and delivers citizen science programming, including NestWatch and other community-based ecological monitoring programs. Connects participants to real scientific data collection as a hands-on stewardship experience aligned with strategic plan.
• Builds and maintains school district, conservation agency, university, and community partner relationships to expand educational reach and field experience programming.
• Ensures outdoor learning opportunities are welcoming, inclusive, and accessible to participants of all abilities. Promotes compliance with ADA and departmental accessibility standards.
• Collaborates with facility leadership to identify opportunities for new exhibits, learning spaces, educational infrastructure, and program enhancements.
• Oversees purchasing, inventory, and maintenance of educational supplies, equipment, animals, farm resources, and outdoor learning materials.
• Monitors program enrollment, attendance, and participant outcomes. Contributes to performance metric tracking including Cost per Experience and Countywide Distributed Repeat Household Participation.
• Pursues grant funding, sponsorships, and partnership opportunities that support program growth and innovation.

ADDITIONAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Prepares and presents special educational and/or informational sessions regarding program opportunities, special events, focus group discussions, outdoor facility updates, and other information regarding outdoor adventure in Oakland County for the Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission, Michigan Recreation and Park Association, Northwest Parks & Recreation Association, and other interested groups.
• Provide caregivers the opportunity to recreate without the disabled individual in their care by providing recreation options during existing programs for the disabled individuals (i.e., open gym night for disabled individuals with care provided by the Parks and Recreation staff).

ESSENTIAL MENTAL & PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to communicate to accurately convey information.
• Ability to coordinate communications for special events, tours, site reviews and other activities.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Work normally carried out within a typical office environment as well as in an outdoor environment where there is exposure to weather conditions.
• Occasional driving and being transported in motor vehicles.

IMPORTANT NOTE: The primary purpose of this job description is to set a fair and equitable salary range for this job classification. Generally, only those key duties necessary for proper job evaluation and/or labor market analysis have been included. Other duties and responsibilities will be assigned by the supervisor.

Additional Minimum Qualifications

Union*
BU98 - United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 889: Parks and Recreation Sup (UAW)

*If applicable