Director of Facilities, Parks and Recreation Position Profile Kitsap County is located on the Kitsap Peninsula in western Washington State across Puget Sound from Seattle. The County, with more than 250 miles of saltwater shoreline, comprises a total land mass of 393 square miles and is situated in a unique portion of the state directly between the urban areas of Seattle and Tacoma and the majestic Olympic Mountains. Kitsap County is a short 30 minute ferry ride to the attractions of Seattle and only a 25-minute drive to Tacoma. Kitsap is one of the four counties that comprise the Seattle-Tacoma metropolitan area, and is the second most densely populated county in the state with a current population of approximately 240,000. Approximately two-thirds of Kitsap’s residents live in the County’s twenty unincorporated communities, while the remaining one-third reside in its four cities. Bremerton, which was ranked by Money Magazine in 1990 as the number one place to live in the nation, is the largest city in Kitsap County with nearly 40,000 residents living in distinctive neighborhoods in a water and mountain setting. Since 1891, Bremerton has been home to the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, which employs 16,000 civilians and active duty military workers. The city is experiencing a renaissance of the waterfront including a new Conference Center and new Transportation Center that provides ferry access across Puget Sound to Seattle and other locations. The City of Port Orchard, with a population of 8,000, serves as the County Seat and is linked by a passenger “foot ferry” to the City of Bremerton. Port Orchard is famous for its boardwalk, covered gazebo and beach access. The City of Bainbridge Island is surrounded by the waters of Puget Sound on the east side of Kitsap County and is home to 21,000 residents. Currently ranked number two on the list of best places to live by Money Magazine, Bainbridge is comprised of quiet harbors, farms and homes along the rocky shoreline and densely forested hills. The City of Poulsbo, with 7,000 residents, is known for a fjord-cut landscape that attracted Norwegian settlers a century ago. Today, Poulsbo attracts tourists for walking tours to observe wildlife or visit dozens of colorful shops. Much of the County’s unincorporated area is dedicated to park land, with seven state parks and 70 County parks devoted to active recreation and protected open spaces. Particularly popular are Buck Lake, Long Lake, Wildcat Lake, Horseshoe Lake and Island Lake County Parks, featuring a variety of ball fields and courts, water access for boating, swimming and fishing, as well as picnic shelters, playgrounds and meeting rooms. The community of Silverdale in central Kitsap boasts several parks including the Waterfront Park that is popular for kayaking and is currently undergoing a phased remodeling project. The County’s Facilities, Parks and Recreation Department manages the area’s largest annual event - the Kitsap County Fair and Stampede attended by 90,000 visitors and 250 commercial exhibitors over a 5 day period in August. The event has been held continuously since 1923, and since 1958 has been held at the Fairgrounds and Events Center in east Bremerton. Events take place at the Thunderbird Arena, which holds 7,000 spectators and the 44,000 square foot Kitsap Pavilion. The multi-purpose facilities at the Fairgrounds and Events Center are used 330 days per year for special events and sports/recreation activities. The Organization The Department of Facilities, Parks and Recreation is one of six county departments headed by an appointed Director that reports to the Board of Commissioners through the County Administrator. The other departments are headed by appointed Director, including Administrative Services, Community Development, Information Services, Personnel and Human Services, and Public Works. Other county departments are headed by elected officials including the Auditor, Assessor, Clerk, Coroner, District Court, Superior Court, Prosecuting Attorney, Sheriff, and Treasurer. The County employs a total of 1,200 staff, has a general fund budget of $93 million and a total budget of $400 million.  The Department The Department of Facilities, Parks and Recreation is responsible for: • Constructing, operating and maintaining more than 100 county buildings (totaling more than 600,000 square feet) and more than 70 parks and recreation facilities (totaling 5,600 acres) throughout the unincorporated areas of the County. Major facilities include: - Courthouse and adjoining campus - County Jail - Central Communications - Public Works Administration - Fairgrounds and Events Center - Juvenile Detention Center • Managing the design and construction of all of the County’s capital improvements and remodeling projects, except roads, bridges, and sewer facilities. • Managing the County Fair and other regional special events. • Coordinating public recreation programs and managing five neighborhood community centers. • Securing grants and acquiring property for parks, open space and natural resource preservation. • Coordinating the use of volunteers for special parks projects. Recent (2003/2004) projects include: • $31.6 million jail expansion, $7.6 million Public Works Annex, $10.5 million CenCom-911 Building, $600,000 Silverdale Old Mill Park, and the first phase of improvements at the Fairgrounds and Events Center for $6.5 million. Currently under construction is a new $27 million County Administration building. • Acquisition of approximately 2,300 acres of park and open space lands. • Management of 16,000 hours of volunteer time for special projects and park improvements. • $3.5 million in grants and contributions. • Approximately 24 capital maintenance projects valued at over $600,000. The total Park System is 5,600 acres: - Heritage Parks 2,845 acres - Regional Parks 982 acres - Community Parks 309 acres - Natural Resources 1,075 acres - Partnership Properties 348 acres The biennial operating budget for the Department of Facilities, Parks and Recreation is $10.9 million. The 6-year capital improvement plan for parks and County facilities is funded at approximately $60 million. The Position The Director of Facilities, Parks and Recreation is responsible for operation and maintenance of all County buildings, as well as the County’s parks and open spaces, community centers, fairgrounds and facilities. The position reports to the County Administrator and supervises a full-time staff of 60. Specific duties include: • Direct department operations to achieve goals within budgeted funds and available personnel. • Meet informally with the County Commissioners and the County Administrator on a weekly basis to provide timely updates on departmental operations. • Direct a program to maximize the year-round use of the fair pavilion, grounds and other recreational facilities. • Review and update the state-mandated comprehensive Parks, Recreation, and Open Space plans. • Guide and oversee the design, budget and construction of all major County building and parks projects. • Prepare departmental budget, monitor all fiscal operations of the department, approve expenditures, and supervise the purchase and acquisition of supplies and equipment. • Work with the Fair and Events Managers, the Fair Advisory Board and the Parks and Recreation Board to incorporate goals and objectives of the department. • Work cooperatively with the County’s four cities, five school districts, community groups, and neighborhood organizations. • Provide managerial leadership of department staff including performance evaluations, grievances, disciplinary action, and training. Plan and organize workloads for senior staff. • Respond to public needs and interests relative to Facilities, Parks and Recreation programs. • Review park plans and make recommendations for improvements to existing facilities, equipment and operating systems. • Promote good public relations and program participation. Serve on various committees and attend public meetings to make presentations regarding departmental facilities and services. • Assure compliance with federal, state, and local rules and regulations. Background and Experience Candidates for the Director of Facilities, Parks and Recreation will possess a bachelor’s degree in parks and recreation, management, public administration, or closely related field and a minimum of eight years progressively responsible professional level experience in parks and recreation, or a closely related field, including five years supervisory experience. Specific background includes: • Knowledge of the principles and practices of park and recreation administration, trail development, and facility operations and maintenance. • Experience in park planning, land acquisition and park development using a regional approach. • Strong budget preparation skills, experience in expenditure control, and capital improvements planning. • Knowledge of public financing techniques including grant writing. • Experience in strategic planning and community visioning processes. • Awareness and understanding of working in a political environment. • Experience in personnel management and awareness of collective bargaining issues. • Appreciation of the benefits and challenges of working with community volunteers. • Strong written and verbal communication and presentation skills. Management Capabilities • Maintain an open and approachable manner with staff, elected officials and the public. • Encourage collaborative attitudes and deal with conflict in an open, positive and impartial manner. • Delegate to senior staff and follow up on results of assignments. • Listen and share information through regular staff meetings. • Possess excellent planning skills and the ability to meet deadlines and commitments. • Ability to facilitate and to clearly present thoughts and ideas. • Emphasis on leadership abilities to complement management skills. • Enhance coordination of all activities. Strive to take a preventative approach, as opposed to operating in a crises mode. Establish expectations and set deadlines. • Work cooperatively with other departments. Foster communication among department staff. Position Priorities The guiding principals for the Kitsap County Facilities, Parks and Recreation Department that will influence the allocation of park and open space resources over the next decade include: • Acquire, operate and maintain regionally significant county parks, recreation facilities and natural areas. • Acquire, operate and maintain parks and recreation facilities in, or near, Kingston and Silverdale, the county’s two urban growth areas. • Develop agreements with cities, schools, park districts, community organizations, user groups and private concerns to allow them to operate and maintain the county’s other community-oriented parks and recreation facilities. • Partner with city governments and community organizations to acquire property for the development of future community parks in the county’s rural villages and in the urban reserve areas adjacent to the cities. • Assist with acquisition and development of regionally significant parks, recreation facilities and natural areas that are operated and maintained by other local government agencies. Contemporary project priorities include: • Completion of the County Administration Building, remodeling of the County Courthouse, a new athletic complex in North Kitsap, and ongoing improvements at the Fairgrounds. • Evaluate staffing levels and make appropriate adjustments. Evaluate the department’s ability to maintain small community parks as part of the staffing evaluation. • Update the state-mandated Comprehensive Park, Recreation and Open Space Plan to guide park development and property acquisitions. • Identify additional revenue resources and develop strategies for acquiring alternative funding, including the potential for creating a metropolitan park district. Announcement Director of Facilities, Parks and Recreation; Kitsap County, Washington (pop. 240,000). Starting salary range mid $80s to mid $90s. Located on the Kitsap Peninsula across Puget Sound from Seattle. Position responsible for the construction, operation and maintenance of all County buildings, parks, open spaces, community centers, and special event facilities. Total park system includes 5,600 acres with 70 parks devoted to active recreation and open spaces. Report to the County Administrator and supervise a full-time staff of 60. Qualified candidates will possess a bachelor’s degree in parks and recreation management, public administration, or closely related field and 8+ years experience in parks and recreation, or a closely related field, including 5+ years supervisory. Experience in directing maintenance operations, park planning, land acquisition, park and trail development, and budgeting/financial management. Desire experience in developing a regional approach to park acquisition and development. Position Profile available. Send resume by 8/12/05 to: The Brimeyer Group Executive Search 50 S. 9th Ave., #101, Hopkins, MN 55343 Phone: (952) 945-0246 Fax: (952) 945-0102 e-mail: brimgroup@aol.com web: www.brimgroup.com For more information on Kitsap County, please visit www.kitsapgov.com Timetable 8/12/05 Deadline for Application 8/30/05 Present Candidates/Select Finalists 9/18 to 9/20/05 Interviews/Selection October/November, 2005 Start Date |
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