7N75

PAY RANGE:  N23

 

PARKS AND RECREATION OPERATIONS MANAGER

 

(Natural Land Restoration)

(Parks and Recreation Maintenance)

 

GENERAL DEFINITION

 

          This is administrative work planning, directing, and coordinating the grounds maintenance, land restoration, horticultural, arboricultural, landscape and turf maintenance, and custodial activities within multiple Parks and Recreation districts.  Employees in the parks and recreation maintenance specialty coordinate responsibilities such as facilities and grounds maintenance, snow removal, contract monitoring, special events, recycling, and are responsible for the efficient utilization of manpower, equipment, and materials.  Employees in the natural land restoration specialty restore and maintain park natural areas which include streams, wetlands, and meadows.  Contact with governmental officials and community groups to elicit support and promote public awareness of park and neighborhood programs are significant to the work.  Work is performed under the direction of an administrative superior. 

 

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

 

·       Employees allocated to the Parks and Recreation Maintenance specialty must plan, direct and coordinate the grounds maintenance, horticultural, arboricultural, landscape and turf maintenance, and custodial activities within multiple parks and recreation districts.

·       Employees allocated to the Natural Land Restoration specialty must plan, design, and implement projects for forest restoration, meadow and wetland creation, stormwater management and trail construction. 

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

 

TYPICAL EXAMPLES OF WORK (ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY)

 

BOTH SPECIALTIES

 

          Participates in the development of maintenance plans and operating policies for the division; plans, develops, and implements short- and long-range plans for arboricultural, landscape, grounds, custodial operations, and land restoration; proposes the budget for the maintenance or land restoration program; submits suggestions and recommendations for capital improvements and new functions. 

          Determines priorities for projects; allocates budgeted funds among subordinate supervisors; approves requisitions and expenditures of budgeted funds; advises subordinates of program goals; evaluates the progress of programs and recommends changes; evaluates equipment needs within the district and participates in the preparation of specifications and requisitions for the purchase of equipment, materials and supplies.

          Determines, plans, and schedules the work of employees assigned to operations or restoration duties; reviews work for timeliness, accuracy and completeness; provides technical support for staff; makes adjustments and corrections to procedures, as needed.

 

PARKS AND RECREATION SPECIALTY

 

          Monitors and ensures maintenance standards are being met for all parks and recreation facilities and grounds; collaborates with other department employees in planning for maintenance and program needs; plans and manages athletic field maintenance; oversees the delivery of supplies and equipment to recreation facilities.

          Confers with subordinate supervisor on the maintenance and landscaping of parks and recreation areas including the planting of trees, shrubs and flowers, as well as the care and maintenance of park and street trees; reviews construction and landscape plans for appropriateness and adherence to Parks and Recreation department standards; observes problem areas in the field and determines appropriate action to be taken; coordinates with other divisions and outside agencies when necessary to provide additional resources.

          Attends meetings held by community groups and neighborhood associations to explain and promote Parks and Recreation programs and policies; recruits, coordinates and supports volunteer groups and activities; acts as liaison for volunteer groups with other City departments; responds to group requests for park and recreation area improvements; advises these groups on horticultural projects; attempts to resolve complaints.

          Meets with representative of private and public agencies, City departments, other divisions and operations managers to coordinate a department-wide program such as, snow removal, tree planting, recycling or equipment purchases.

          Meets with stewardship groups, schools and individuals to discuss participation in stewardship projects; recommends projects; provides supplies and materials for projects; conducts lectures and demonstrations; monitors projects in progress for compliance to established guidelines; recruits seasonal staff for summer employment. 

          Oversees adherence to Parks and Recreation rules and regulations; notifies vendors and users of violations; takes steps to seek compliance; contacts police and/or License and Inspections to enforce rules and regulations.

          Participates in the interviewing, selection, orientation and training of new employees by subordinate supervisors; reviews recommendations for disciplinary actions; conducts disciplinary hearings and makes decisions based on findings; mediates problems that arise between supervisors and employees; acts as liaison with Human Resources to ensure compliance with civil service regulations; stays abreast of Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulations and responds to requests for reasonable accommodation at parks and recreation facilities; trains staff with regard to Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and Sexual Harassment laws and regulations.

          Submits regular and special reports on district operations; gathers and analyzes information for these reports; organizes and prepares reports.

          Performs related work as required.

 

NATURAL LAND RESTORATION SPECIALTY

 

          Works with subordinate staff, Philadelphia Water Department and other agencies to plan, design, and implement ecological restoration projects; identifies and prioritizes project parameters including location, scope, partners and funding sources; develops protocols for monitoring and maintaining sites to ensure physical stability and ecological integrity in all projects; minimizes damages to park natural areas; integrates and analyzes data from GIS, GPS, paper maps and other sources to develop plans to manage park natural lands.

           Writes reports, summaries, and fact sheets to document projects; prepares specifications and bid documents for contractor projects; writes grant applications to secure funds for contractor projects; hires contractors and administers purchase orders and payments for contracted restoration projects.

          Directs and manages staff engaged in developing plans, writing specifications, and overseeing contracted services. 

          Serves on committees to represent the department; liaises with Philadelphia Water Department on stormwater management and stream restoration projects on park property; reviews and edits plans from other agencies and organizations for proposed projects in park natural areas.

          Works with government regulatory agencies such as PA Department of Environmental Protection and Army Corps of Engineers to obtain permits required; communicates with representatives from local, state and federal agencies and other organizations related to natural lands restoration.

           Performs related work as required.

 

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

 

KNOWLEDGE OF:

 

BOTH SPECIALTIES

 

·       the principles, practices, methods, and equipment used in a horticultural program

·       supervisory methods and techniques

 

PARKS AND RECREATION MAINTENANCE SPECIALTY

 

·       the principles, practices, methods and equipment used in parks and recreation operations

·       the methods, materials and tools used in the maintenance and improvement of grounds including turf maintenance, tree planting and trimming, landscape gardening, and custodial care of buildings and related facilities

·       the occupational hazards and safety precautions associated with parks and recreation maintenance

 

NATURAL LAND RESTORATION SPECIALTY

 

·       forest ecology

·       native and exotic flora of southeastern PA

·       wildlife habitat requirements

·        methods for ecological restoration

·       hydrology and stormwater management

·       procurement methods and practices

·       contract management

·       project permitting requirements

 

ABILITY TO:

 

BOTH SPECIALTIES

 

·       prepare and maintain work records and written reports

·       prepare and read plans, construction documents and specifications

·       manage multiple tasks simultaneously in an efficient and timely manner

·       understand and follow oral and written instructions

·       establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, City agencies, and the general public

 

PARKS AND RECREATION SPECIALTY

 

·       plan and coordinate horticulture, arboriculture, landscape, grounds, and custodial programs and operations and manage park staff

·       prepare reports, plans, and costs estimates for parks and recreation maintenance projects

·       plan, assign, and supervise, through subordinate supervisors, the work of a number of skilled and unskilled workers engaged in the maintenance of parks and recreation grounds, recycling, and the custodial care of buildings and related facilities

·       establish manpower, material, and equipment requirements for maintenance activities

 

NATURAL LAND RESTORATION SPECIALTY

 

·       plan and direct the work of staff and contractors to restore and maintain park natural       areas

·       propose appropriate plants, methods and materials for restoration projects

·       coordinate and expedite the implementation of projects from start to finish

·       use word processing and spreadsheet computer programs proficiently

·       communicate effectively with contractors, construction managers, park staff and the public

·       attend and participate in occasional evening and weekend activities

 

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 6/24.)

 

EDUCATION

 

          Completion of a bachelor's degree program at an accredited college or university with major course work in agronomy, environmental science, parks and recreation administration, landscape architecture, horticulture, forestry, arboriculture, turf maintenance, or a closely related field.

 

NOTE: Completion of any bachelor’s degree program at an accredited college or university and an industry recognized certification or additional experience may substitute for the education requirement on a year for year basis.

 

AND

 

NATURAL LAND RESTORATION SPECIALTY

 

OPTION 1:

 

GENERAL EXPERIENCE

 

          Four years of experience restoring and maintaining park natural areas, such as forests, streams, wetlands and meadows.

 

AND SPECIFIC EXPERIENCE

 

          Two years of experience supervising staff and/or volunteers engaged in restoring and maintaining park natural areas, such as forests, streams, wetlands and meadows.

 

OR

 

OPTION 2:

 

GENERAL EXPERIENCE

 

Two years of experience performing environmental science work.

 

AND SPECIFIC EXPERIENCE

 

Two years of experience of the full performance environmental science work performing plant propagation activities, natural land restoration, and leading interns or seasonal staff, contractors, and volunteers on such projects.

 

PARKS AND RECREATION MAINTENANCE SPECIALTY

 

GENERAL EXPERIENCE

 

          Four years of grounds care, horticulture, arboriculture or park administrative experience.

AND

 

SPECIFIC EXPERIENCE

 

          Two years of experience at the second supervisory level reviewing and controlling landscape or arboriculture maintenance programs.

 

OR

 

          Two years of full performance level parks and recreation management experience reviewing, analyzing, modifying and/or developing systems and procedures to resolve operating problems or to improve productivity.

 

          Or any equivalent combination of education and experience determined to be acceptable by the Office of Human Resources that has included the specific experience described above.

 

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 appointment as a Parks and Recreation Operations Manager.

 

          Possession of a valid Pennsylvania restricted use Public Applicator's Pesticide license within the first six months following appointment as a Parks and Recreation Operations Manager if required by work assignment.

Class Established - 6/83

Spec. Revision CSC – 9/96: Ad board – 11/96

Consolidated, along with 9D15, to 9D40: CSC – 9/10; Ad. Board – 10/10

Re-established as 7N75: CSC -2/11; Ad Board - 3/11

Spec. Revision: CSC – 8/12: Ad Board – 9/12

Spec Revision: CSC - 6/21; Ad Board – 7/21

Latest Spec. Revision:

CSC – 5/24: Ad Board – 6/24

 

 

JH