DIRECTOR OF PARKS, OPEN SPACE AND CULTURAL SERVICES

Beautiful Coastal Community
Mediterranean Climate
Excellent Quality of Life Environment

DIRECTOR OF PARKS, OPEN SPACE AND CULTURAL SERVICES 
The Director of Parks, Open Space and Cultural Services (POSCS) is the department head and is responsible for planning, organizing, and directing the administration of the  Department. Under the administrative direction of the County Administrative Officer, the Director works closely with the County Board of Supervisors, County staff, Parks and Recreation and County Arts Commissions, as well as community groups, to establish departmental strategic plans for addressing and developing countywide needs. The Parks Department has an operating budget of $6.1 million and operates the County’s 1,400 acre park system with a staff of approximately 42 regular employees and 100 seasonal/extra-help employees. The Santa Cruz County Department of Parks, Open Space and Cultural Services is dedicated to providing safe, well-designed and maintained parks, and a wide variety of recreational and cultural opportunities for our diverse community. Responsibilities include directing the work of staff in the areas of parks acquisition, development, maintenance, and cultural and recreational programs.

THE COUNTY OF SANTA CRUZ
Santa Cruz County has approximately 260,000 residents and is situated in the northern area of Monterey Bay, 70 miles south of San Francisco and 35 miles southwest of the Silicon Valley. The County’s natural beauty is apparent in its pristine beaches, lush redwood forests and rich farmland. It has an ideal Mediterranean climate with low humidity and 300 days of sunshine a year. Its unique shops and restaurants, coupled with a multitude of cultural and recreational activities, including theatre, music, art, as well as golfing, surfing, hiking and biking offer a wealth of leisure activities. Higher education includes Cabrillo College and the University of California, Santa Cruz, with two additional State Universities less than an hour away. These elements of high quality living make Santa Cruz one of California’s most desirable areas.

SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS
 

• Three years of professional management experience in parks, recreation, cultural services or a closely related field, which included high-level budget and finance experience. 
  
• Background Investigation: Fingerprinting is required. 
  
• Availability to work a flexible schedule including evenings and weekends as needed.
  
• License Requirement: Possession of a California Class C Driver License or the ability to provide suitable transportation approved by the appointing authority.        
  
  Thorough knowledge of principles and effective practices of administration and organizational management, and the principles and practices of budgeting and finance. Working knowledge of the parks, recreation, cultural services and/or a substantially related field; principles of personnel management; principles and practices of governmental budgeting and finance as they affect an operating department; County government organization and operation and interrelationships between governments and the community; and planning and land use requirements as they relate to parks development and operations.  Some knowledge of fundamental legal relationships between owner, consultant, contractor and subcontractor; and pertinent federal and state grant programs.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

Medical, Dental and Vision
Medical coverage is available through CALPERS with the County paying a majority portion of the cost for the employee and dependents. The dental plan is entirely County paid for employees and dependents. The County pays for an employee vision plan and the employee may purchase dependent coverage.

Retirement and Social Security
Pension formula 2% at age 60 or 2% at age 62 as determined based on provisions of the CA Public Employees’ Pension Reform Act of 2013 (PEPRA). Pension benefit determined by final average compensation of three years. County pays a portion of retirement contribution and participates in Social Security.  

Life Insurance and Long Term Disability Plan
County paid $100,000 term life insurance policy. Employees may also purchase supplemental life insurance. The County pays for long term disability plan that pays 66 2/3 % of the first $13,500, up to $9,000 per month maximum benefits.    

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE  

Application Deadline:                                             October 24, 2014   

Review of minimum qualifications
and competitive screening based on
experience, education and response
to supplemental questions:                                   Approximately October 27, 2014

Examination*:                                                      Approximately November 24, 2014

*You may be required to compete in any combination of written, oral and/or performance examinations or a competitive evaluation of training and experience as described on your application, resume and supplemental application. You must pass all components of the examination to be placed on the eligible list. The examination may be eliminated if there are ten or fewer qualified applicants. If the eligible list is established without the administration of the announced examination, the life of the eligible list will be six months and your overall score will be based upon an evaluation of your application, supplemental questions and resume.

Candidates must submit a County application, resume and answers to the supplemental application questions. The completed application packet must be received by the Personnel Department, 701 Ocean Street, Rm. 310, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 or on-line at www.santacruzcountyjobs.com by 5:00 pm on Friday, October 24, 2014.  Please submit your resume by email to per702@santacruzcounty.us or by fax at (831) 454-2240.

For more information, contact Christa Schleiner, Employment Services Supervisor, at (831) 454-2600. Hearing Impaired TDD# (831) 454-2123.

                    NOTE: The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract.

                                                         An Equal Opportunity Employer