This is managerial level recreation and public relations work for the Fairmount Park Commission. The employee in this class is responsible for directing the development and implementation of recreation programs in response to public demands and needs and implementing and coordinating the information and communications policies and programs for Fairmount Park. The employee also serves as principle assistant to the Executive Director. Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with City officials, departmental managers, representatives of the mass communications media, community groups and organizations, and the general public are important to the work. The employee in this class reports to the Executive Director, Fairmount Park.

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

1. The position must direct, through subordinate supervisors, the implementation of recreation programs and the operation of recreation facilities.
2. The position must be responsible for departmental promotional, ceremonial and public information functions.
3. The position must serve as principle assistant to the Executive Director.
4. Only one position may be allocated to this class.
5. The position must be located in Fairmount Park.

• Plans, organizes, coordinates, reviews and evaluates programs providing recreational services to the general public; directs, through subordinate supervisors, the conduct of recreation programs and the operation of facilities and grounds including the recreation centers, field houses, ballfields, playing courts, swimming pools, tracks, summer programs, specialty camps, playgrounds and other facilities; evaluates programs to determine whether they meet overall departmental objectives, needs of the participants and provide opportunities for all age groups, cultures, sexes and races; modifies other programs, center facility schedules and/or facility availability as needed to optimize program success; ensures physical plant, grounds and equipment are maintained to enhance program participation; determines staffing needs to provide adequate recreation services.
• Plans, develops and implements the department's public relations program; works with departmental officials to monitor and review current educational, informational, promotional and communications programs and formulates strategies to enhance effectiveness; coordinates departmental public relations efforts with other directors and managers; contacts and maintains liaison with members of the mass communications media in order to promote programs, disseminate information and provide background and detailed data; meets with community and other interested groups to promote interest in the utilization of departmental programs, facilities and services; supervises, through subordinate supervisors, public relations staff preparing promotional, informational, educational, ceremonial, and public relations materials; assigns projects to staff; monitors and reviews work for relevance, accuracy and conformance to departmental goals, objectives and policies.
• Conducts ongoing reviews and analyses of the practices and procedures used in the development and implementation of recreation and public relations programs; prepares position papers regarding proposed legislation; advises superiors on the impact of new legislation on the department; recommends revisions to departmental policies; provides divisional budget request for personnel, equipment and supplies.
• Prepares written and oral reports on progress and status of divisional projects; prepares statistical and narrative reports on divisional programs and activities; writes news releases for dissemination to the mass media and coordinates the release of the message for most effective impact; organizes material for publication; compiles and edits departmental reports; writes speeches.
• Serves as principal assistant to the Executive Director.
• Performs related work as required.

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• park recreation programming to meet the needs of varied groups and community interests.
• the principles and practices of administrative organization and management and their application in solving a variety of operational and administrative problems.
• administrative and managerial practices, policies and procedures as applied to the implementation, operation, and coordination of activities within a park/recreational agency.
• the philosophy, objectives, methods, facilities and equipment of organized recreation on a large and varied scale.
• recognized service and civic community groups and of their objectives and programs.
• the structure and functions of city departments and their relationship to achieving program goals.
• English usage, grammar, rhetoric, punctuation and spelling.
• methods and techniques of disseminating information to the public and the mass communications media available for such activities.
• public relations principles and practices.
• speech writing techniques including data compilation, research and preparation of final drafts.
• public speaking techniques.
• supervisory methods and techniques.

SKILL IN:

• securing cooperation of other divisional and departmental officials and members of the mass communications media.
• evaluating the effectiveness of administrative and operational functions and in implementing changes to provide for effective and efficient operations.
• effectively delegating assignments in consideration of organization structure and staff abilities.

• supervise the work of recreation program and public relations personnel.
• plan, organize, coordinate and evaluate the operations of the recreation program and public relations divisions.
• communicate department philosophy, policies and operational strategies.
• analyze and evaluate complex organizational, administrative and managerial problems and to develop new or alternative strategies to achieve goals and objectives.
• prepare interesting and informative news releases, articles, speeches, bulletins, scripts, reports and other informational materials.
• represent the department at official and ceremonial functions.
• establish and maintain effective working relationships with representatives of governmental agencies and the mass communications media, community groups, civic and athletic organizations, associates, volunteers and the public.
• present ideas effectively, both orally and in writing.

EDUCATION

• Completion of a bachelor's degree program from an accredited college or university with major course work in recreation or parks administration.

AND
GENERAL EXPERIENCE

• Four years of park management, administrative analysis or recreation leader experience.

AND
SPECIFIC EXPERIENCE

• Three years of experience carrying out a wide variety of park analytical and management staff assignments for the Executive Director.
  OR

• Three years of recreation experience with responsibility for planning, conducting and coordinating a complete and varied recreation program within a specified major geographical park recreation area.

Or any equivalent combination of education and experience determined to be acceptable by the Personnel Department that has included the bachelor's degree as specified above and specific experience.

PHYSICAL AND MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS

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

PAY RANGE: EP26
Class Established:
  CSC - 8/1997 ; Ad Board - 9/1997

SK/deb/ps