Town of Wadena

Director of Parks & Recreation

The Town of Wadena offers diverse recreation and leisure opportunities to both Wadena and the surrounding region at its municipally-owned facilities including an arena, curling rink, outdoor swimming pool, fitness centre, and golf course as well as local park spaces.  The Town is seeking a highly motivated individual with a passion for sport, culture, and landscaping to lead a team of full-time and seasonal unionized employees.  To ensure operational needs can be met, a willingness to work a flexible schedule which frequently includes evenings and weekends is essential. Reporting to the Chief Administrative Officer, the Director of Parks & Recreation is responsible for the following:

•Facility and Asset Management (approximately 50% of work time)

• Provide leadership and direction in the development, operation, maintenance, programming and promotion of parks & recreation facilities in a manner which assures high quality safe public use.
• Review operating costs and seek optimization opportunities.
• Schedule and facilitate required health, safety, and environmental inspections; manage records; and ensure follow-up actions are completed in a timely manner.  
• Manage site security and access to facilities.
• Ensure all Town of Wadena owned properties are maintained with regards to grass, tree, and weed maintenance.
• Coordinate facility condition assessments and make recommendations as to the short/long term maintenance requirements, renovation, expansion, addition, re-purposing, or demolition of such facilities.

•Programming / Liaison (approximately 30% of work time)

• Build relationships and collaborate with local sports and culture special interest groups to ensure the needs of a diverse population are met.
• Collect information regarding programming needs considering local and regional demographics; engage with user groups; and research best practice examples in the region and province.
• Plan, organize, and promote both ongoing and new programs within budget parameters.
• Review and recommend fees for use of the Town of Wadena operated facilities, engage impacted user groups, propose fee structure to Town of Wadena Council, and implement changes.  
• Seek feedback from user groups, evaluate existing programs, recommend changes, and report to Council.
• Ensure that rental agreements are executed, submit information for billing purposes in a timely manner, and assist with collection of accounts in arrears.
• Build relationships with community organizations. Assist community groups and organizations with the development and/or implementation of their programs including promotion. Coordinate and support funding applications.  
• Identify funding opportunities and apply for grants; collect information and submit grant reports as required.
• Review and recommend policies to the community committees regarding programming, facility use, property and equipment purchases, storage, and safety.
• On behalf of the Town of Wadena Council act as a liaison and resource person to community groups and organizations who deliver fundraising for Town-owned facilities.

•Personnel (approximately 15% of work time)

• Supervise and assign duties to the Department staff.  Provide guidance and support to contracted facility managers (Wadena Community Legion Hall, Cemetery).
• Advise Council of staff requirements through the operating budget and ensure that the positions are adequately advertised. Review all applicants and make recommendations regarding hiring selections.
• Provide staff orientation and work together with staff to develop training plans. Recommend staff training courses as required by Sask. Health and Sask. Labor.
• Review staff performance, including probation reviews.  Manage performance, discipline and/or bring forward recommendations for dismissal to the attention of the Administrator.
• Ensure that programs directly sponsored by the Town of Wadena have sufficient supervisory/support staff in order to provide a safe environment.
• Conduct safety inspections; coordinate safety meetings; and report safety performance.  
• Create a positive work environment.

•General (approximately 5% of work time)

• Promote the Town of Wadena and act as an ambassador to the community.
• Provide excellent customer service, resolve conflicts, and manage issues.
• Investigate or cause investigation to be made into all complaints received regarding the Department.
• Provide leadership, particularly safety leadership, as a member of the management team.
• Prepare operating and capital budgets and ensure budget control.
• Assist in the preparation of strategic plans.
• Coordinate with Parks & Recreation peers in the region to optimize resources.
• Dedicate time to ongoing professional development.  

Qualifications

a) Graduate of a University or College course in Recreation, Kinesiology, Physical Education, Education, Facility Management, or Commerce is an asset but not a requirement. 

b) Pool Operators Course and Arena Operators Level 1 and 2 Course OR Western Facility Operator Master Certificate completion preferred.

c) Three to five years of related experience in recreation and/or facility management with progressively more supervisory experience.  

d) Proven track record in building relationships with a wide variety of service and civic organizations and the general public.

e) Effective oral and written communication skills.

f) Computer experience with Microsoft Word and Excel is a requirement.

g )Must hold a valid class 5 Saskatchewan Driver’s License.  

This is a full – time permanent out of scope position. Qualified applicants are asked to submit a detailed resume and cover letter by email or in hardcopy to:

Town of Wadena

Box 730

Wadena, SK S0A 4J0

Email: wadadmin@sasktel.net

This competition will remain open until a suitable candidate is found.  Only the applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.