7N49

PAY RANGE:  N28

PARKS OPERATIONS DIRECTOR

(Ecosystems Management)

(Landscape Management)

GENERAL DEFINITION

            This is park management work at the division director level, directing the landscape operation or urban forestry and ecosystem management divisions of the Department of Parks and Recreation.  Employees in this class are responsible for directing, through subordinate managers, the arboricultural, horticultural, floricultural, grounds maintenance, interpretive and landscape programs, or the ecosystem management, urban forestry, and urban agriculture programs, and plans and coordinates these operations with other divisions of the department.  Work includes establishing goals and objectives for the division and participating in the formulation and implementation of department policy.  Establishing, maintaining, and improving relationships with community groups, volunteer groups, the business community, other city officials, contractors, and the general public are important aspects of the work.  Work is performed under the direction of the Deputy Commissioner.  Employees in this class may serve as acting director in the absence of the director and represent the Department of Parks and Recreation on numerous executive boards and advisory councils. 

ALLOCATING FACTORS:  (The following conditions must be met for a position to be approved for this class.)

· Only one position will be allocated to each division. 

· The employee allocated to the Ecosystems Management specialty are responsible for directing, through subordinate managers, a variety of urban forestry and ecosystem management functions including restoration of natural lands, stormwater management, urban forest management, plant propagation, and urban agriculture.

· The employee allocated to the Landscape Management specialty are responsible for directing, through subordinate managers, the arboricultural, horticultural, floricultural, grounds maintenance and landscape programs of the Landscape-Operations Division. The employee must report to the Deputy Commissioner.

· The positions must be located in the Department of Parks and Recreation.

TYPICAL EXAMPLES OF WORK (ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY)

BOTH SPECIALTIES

            Plans and directs, through subordinates, the analysis of division work performance to improve productivity and management of division functions; develops goals and objectives for programs; develops performance standards for program personnel; directs the activities of program personnel through subordinate supervisors; reviews goals and objectives formulated by subordinates and technical personnel; consults with other division heads to coordinate programs and services.

            Prepares, plans and proposes the budget for the operation and maintenance program or the ecosystem management program; reviews operating budget requests prepared by subordinate managers; applies for program appropriate federal and state grants; administers grants and trusts for compliance with technical and fiscal specifications.

            Establishes short- and long-term goals and objectives for subordinate managers; defines responsibility areas for subordinate managers; determines staffing needs and establishes organizational structure. 

            Serves on the executive management team for the department;

ECOSYSTEMS MANAGEMENT

            Directs the work of subordinate staff engaged in a variety of urban forestry and ecosystem management functions including natural land restoration, stormwater management, plant propogation, and urban agriculture; directs the work of the administrative manager for the division in purchasing, contracting, grant management, staffing and communications; directs the Park and Recreation Operations Manager responsible for the planning and directing of maintenance and restoration of park areas; directs contract management staff responsible for inspecting and recommending plantings on all public streets and park lands, hazardous tree evaluations for tree removal requests, responding to tree emergencies, block inspections for inventory of trees, managing contracts for tree planting, pruning and removals, managing all requests for tree services, review of construction plans for preservation of existing trees, street tree plans for construction sites, and maintaining the street tree planting and removal database.

            Develops and implements project work plans and schedules; directs the development of plans, specifications, requests for proposals (RFPs) and bid documents; manages contractors. develops resources necessary for conservation and restoration of natural lands; directs TreePhilly campaign to increase tree canopy city-wide.

LANDSCAPE MANAGEMENT

            Directs, through subordinate supervisors, the work of a staff engaged in a variety of operations and landscape management functions, including horticultural, arboricultural, floricultural, motorized equipment recycling center, and landscape design, code enforcement, and environmental/interpretive programs; coordinates special events and emergency work.

            Plans and directs the activities of Park Managers and the Landscape Architect engaged in the preparation of proposals for submission to foundations to acquire private environmental and landscape programs.

            Plans and directs, through a subordinate supervisor, the activities of the Fairmount Park Ranger Corps in carrying out informational and interpretive programs, code violation enforcement and Park regulation enforcement in Fairmount Park.

            Directs the administration of the fleet management program of the Park; analyzes existing program to determine if changes or improvements are required; reviews vehicle and fuel usage reports to determine future needs and budget provisions; serves as liaison with the Office of Fleet Management.

            Provides direction, guidance, and assistance to volunteer groups; attends meetings of local community, civic, and social organizations to explain programs and elicit support. 

            Confers with subordinate managers regarding work standards for each district; instructs subordinates of approaches or methods to take in order to work out satisfactory solutions to problems; reviews reports from subordinate managers and technical staff and takes corrective actions when necessary.

            Reviews plans and specifications; meets with landscape architect and private contractors to approve designs or make recommendations to change designs to meet park projects needs; negotiates contract terms with consultants.

            Develops, modifies and monitors a variety of arboricultural, horticultural, and grounds maintenance contracts; reviews contract requests and proposals.  

            Confers with subordinate managers and reviews and revises work standards for each district.

            Meets with horticultural groups concerning special events; makes final decision on exhibits that may be presented in shows.

            Approves landscape architect designs; reviews and approves landscape designs with subordinate landscape architect; meets with consultants to approve major landscape design changes in projects.

            Serves as the departmental representative regarding review of city-wide horticultural policy; serves as legal witness and technical expert; interprets horticultural practices to the media and others; serves as the emergency coordinator; coordinates special events; oversees the interpretive program area which provides programs concerning the natural environment.

            Performs related work as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

KNOWLEDGE OF:

BOTH SPECIALTIES

· the principles and practices of administration

· master planning processes

· supervisory methods and techniques

· citizen engagement and social marketing techniques

· fundraising, grant writing and administration

ECOSYSTEM MANAGEMENT SPECIALTY

· the principles of ecosystem management

· the principles, practices, and methods used in natural lands restoration, invasive control, water resource management, trail planning and maintenance, plant propagation, and site monitoring

· best management practices and current developments in stormwater management for both natural areas and constructed environment

· the principles, practices and methods used in urban forest management including street trees and open space trees

· practices and current developments in urban agriculture and food policy development

· Geographic Information Systems (GIS) analysis

LANDSCAPE MANAGEMENT SPECIALTY

· the principles, practices, methods and equipment used in landscape management programs.

· the optimum condition for growing various plants, shrubs and trees, and of the material and equipment used in treating them for fungi, insects, and diseases.

· the practices and current developments in the field of arboriculture, floriculture, horticulture, and environmental science.

· the methods, materials, tools and practices used in the maintenance and improvement of park grounds.

· the characteristics and most efficient use of a wide variety of mechanical equipment used in landscape management.

· the principles of landscape architecture theory.

SKILL IN:

· planning and coordinating city-wide park operations and landscape management or ecosystems management programs.

ABILITY TO:

BOTH SPECIALTIES

· read and interpret landscape, restoration and/or construction plans and supervise their execution and maintenance.

· plan, organize, and review, through subordinate managers, the work of personnel engaged in various aspects of a landscape management or ecosystem management program.

· exercise judgment and discretion in applying and interpreting departmental policies and procedures.

· establish priorities and maximize use of a variety of resources to achieve program goals.

· present ideas effectively, both orally and in writing.

· establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates and the general public.

LANDSCAPE MANAGEMENT SPECIALTY

· obtain contractors' compliance with street tree pruning and maintenance requirements

MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE (The following statement represents the minimum training and experience standards which will be used to admit or reject applicants for tests.  Applications submitted by candidates for this class will be reviewed based on training and experience requirements as approved on 9/12.)

EDUCATION:

            Completion of a bachelor's degree program at an accredited college or university with major course work in horticulture, arboriculture, park and recreation administration or a related area.

AND

GENERAL EXPERIENCE:

            Four years of grounds care, horticultural, arboricultural or ecosystems management experience.

AND

SPECIFIC EXPERIENCE:

            Two years of administrative responsibility for the management, supervision and planning of work for a large urban park system in the area of specialization.

            Or any equivalent combination of education and experience determined to be acceptable by the Office of Human Resources.

PHYSICAL AND MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS

            Ability to physically perform the duties and to work in the environmental conditions required of a position in this class.

LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS, AND/OR CERTIFICATES

            Possession of a valid proper class motor vehicle operator's license as issued by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania prior to appointment and during tenure of employment as Park Landscape Management & Operations Director.

Class Established:  5/83

Spec. Revision: CSC - 11/95; Ad Board - 12/95

Spec. Revision: CSC - 8/12; Ad Board - 9/12

Latest Spec. Revision:

CSC-1/17

Ad. Board- 2/17

SP