The City of Columbus Ohio, America’s 14th largest city, is seeking an executive leader for its Recreation and Parks Department who will lead nearly 1,700 employees and provide stewardship for an annual budget of approximately $100 million.

ABOUT COLUMBUS, OHIO

The City of Columbus is the 14th largest city in the United States with a population of 900,000 and a geographic size of 223 square miles. Columbus is the capital city of the State of Ohio and also the state’s largest city in population. The Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission reports that by 2050 the 15-county Columbus Region will surpass 3 million residents. (MORPC)

Since taking office in January, 2016, Mayor Andrew J. Ginther has been consistent in his priority to make Columbus America’s Opportunity City. The City is investing in neighborhoods throughout Columbus and is especially focused on its Opportunity Neighborhoods–Franklinton, Hilltop, Linden, Near East, Northland, Near South, Southeast, and Northeast–by building on their greatest assets: the people who reside there. The Columbus Recreation and Parks Department plays a vital role in Mayor Ginther’s vision for Columbus and its residents.

The ideal candidate must champion the value of diversity and embrace Mayor Ginther’s high standard for the role of diversity, equity, and inclusion at the City. Columbus embodies an inclusive mindset that unites the community and the City has made tremendous gains in its inclusion work. But Mayor Ginther views this work as just the start and knows that City government can do more to ensure that City employees and contractors reflect the diversity of Columbus.

Columbus is one of the country’s growth leaders and is number one among the Midwest’s 10 largest metros for population growth, job growth, and GDP growth. The 15-county Columbus Region is home to a population of2.4 million. The Columbus Region boasts one of theyoungest and most educated populations: the medianage is 35.8 and more than 36% of residents hold abachelor’s degree. The Columbus Region has one ofthe highest concentrations of college students in thenation and one of the highest populations ofmillennials. With a cost of living 11% lower than thenational average, Columbus is one of the mostaffordable cities in the U.S.

ABOUT COLUMBUS, OHIO (cont.)As a fast growing city with a strong, diversified economy, Columbus has received national recognition over the past several years. For example, the New York Times named Columbus one of its top 52 places to travel in the world in 2019. In addition, according to Business.org, Columbus ranked as the 5th best in its list of Best Cities for Entrepreneurs and Startups in 2018. Many entrepreneurs choose to operate in Columbus due to its favorable business environment. The city even has its own two “unicorn” companies (private startups with over $1 billion valuations): Root Insurance and CoverMyMeds.

The Ohio State University—the largest and highest ranked public university in Ohio and a leading global research entity—calls Columbus home. Columbus has world-class hospitals and health systems including The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, OhioHealth, and Nationwide Children’s Hospital.

Columbus offers a mix of diverse neighborhoods, many within a short walk of downtown. Neighborhoods such as German Village have historic charm and the Short North Arts District boasts many art galleries, boutique shopping, and outstanding nightlife. To the east of downtown is Columbus’s historic Near East Side—a collection of the Olde Towne East, Franklin Park, and King-Lincoln (Bronzeville) District neighborhoods. Residents and visitors can enjoy the Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, the King Arts Complex, the Lincoln Theatre, and leafy residential streets.

Columbus offers a variety of arts and museum options including the Columbus Museum of Art, Wexner Center for the Arts, the annual Columbus Arts Festival, and the recently opened National Veterans Memorial and Museum. The Columbus Theatre District’s four large theaters includes The Palace Theatre, The Ohio Theatre, The Southern Theatre, and The Lincoln Theatre; and other smaller theaters offer a variety of performing arts from ballet and opera to avant garde plays. The world class Columbus Zoo and Aquarium and Columbus’s top ranked science center, COSI, provide fun for kids and adults. Columbus also offers an up-and-coming culinary scene with many diverse dining options and experiences.

Throughout the summer and fall, there are festivals and events happening nearly every weekend in Columbus including the Jazz & Rib Fest and African American Cultural Festival, both presented by the Columbus Recreation and Parks Department, as well as the Asian Festival, the Festival Latina, Columbus Pride Festival and Parade, and Red, White & Boom presented by numerous community organizations.

Business.org

ABOUT COLUMBUS RECREATION AND PARKS DEPARTMENT

Columbus Recreation and Parks Department’s (CRPD) mission is to connect the people of our community through the power of nature, wellness, and creativity. With nearly 400 parks, 29 community centers, 5 athletic complexes, 6 golf courses, 30 pollinator gardens, 13,600 acres of parkland, and 320 miles of regional trails, our vision is to ensure every resident has access to all of our department’s many services. When visiting one of our parks, we expect our spaces to be places of joy. We expect our facilities and parks to be open to all. Lastly, we expect our spaces to be embedded in neighborhoods and serve as gathering places for every member of our community. As a department, we align our strategic goals with the 2014 Master Plan because we believe our spaces are important assets entrusted for generations.

In 2019, 1.7 million residents participated in the department’s programs and events. The department provided 2,000 free swim lessons, served nearly 460,000 meals through the summer and afterschool food programs, and planted nearly 4,300 street and park trees throughout the system. In this same year, the department broke ground on the Linden Community Center & Park and launched the Community Center without Walls model at Eakin Elementary on the city’s west side.

With 655 full-time and 1,304 part-time staff and an annual budget of approximately $78 million, the department plays a vital role in many of Columbus’s neighborhoods. The department is a direct connection to the spirit of our community and continues to hold a prominent presence in every neighborhood. With the support of numerous partners, the newly established Columbus Recreation and Parks Foundation, and a volunteer core of 14,000 individuals, collaboration is key to the department’s success.

ABOUT THE POSITION

General Description and Summary

By Columbus City Charter, reporting to a nine-member Recreation and Parks Commission, the Director is responsible for planning, directing, and managing the professional staff and the daily operations of the Recreation and Parks Department, while carrying out the goals, strategic plan, policies, and regulations approved by the Commission. The Commission has the authority to hire the Director independent of changes in elected leaders.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Plans, directs, leads, and manages all aspects of the successful operation of theDepartment.

• Personally interacts with the community and its leaders to enhance the image and valueof the Department and to guide the Department's projects to completion; encouragesand supports community involvement; actively supports inclusion and diversity goalsreflective of our Columbus community.

• Raises public awareness of the Department, its conservation and program objectives, itsvalue to the community, and its challenges and opportunities.

• Inspires employees, volunteers, community members, and leaders to support theDepartment and its mission.

• Maintains a full-time staff as well as a large seasonal staff, sets salaries or wages withinthe limits of established schedules, and determines the duties and responsibilities of suchemployees; accountable for employee relations and staff development efforts andprograms and for maintaining a positive culture for all employees.

• Protects, conserves, preserves, and manages approximately 13,500 acres of park landsincluding three reservoirs, more than 380 parks, 29 recreation centers, 7 swimmingpools, 6 golf courses, athletic facilities, reserve-able facilities, and programs includingcommunity and senior recreation, aquatics, sports, arts, outdoor education, therapeuticrecreation, and special events.

• Negotiates with land owners and executes land purchases with approval of theCommission.

• Oversees development and management of park lands including portions of the regionaltrail system under the Department’s control.

• Establishes goals and priorities; oversees development of policies, work standards, andprocedures; provides direction and guidance to Department staff; accountable foremployee relations and staff development efforts.

• Recommends changes in policies, rules, and regulations to the Commission for efficientmanagement of City parks.

• Raises funds through, grants, partnerships, and contracts.

ABOUT THE POSITION (cont.)

• Guides the Department in furtherance of the Strategic Plan adopted December, 2014 anddevelops enhancements thereto and implementation action steps for the park system;responsible for implementation following Commission approval. The current master plancan be viewed at CRPD Master Plan.

• Creates a “customer first” culture which includes understanding and being driven by the needs, desires, and expectations of the residents of Columbus and creating processes for receiving and addressing on-going customer input.

• Coordinates with the Mayor and City Council in the development of annual operating and capital budgets in furtherance of the Department’s current needs and strategic goals. The 2019 operating budget can be viewed here: 2019 operating budget.

• Collaborates and cooperates with the Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks board and staff and suburban recreation and parks Departments on mutual projects of benefit to the general public including development and maintenance of approximately 105 miles of connecting trails. Works closely with representatives from local, state, and national organizations on the development of cooperative programs and projects.

• Represents the Department in public meetings and hearings; meets with officials from various public agencies, zoning officials, planning and design professionals, etc., and reports progress to the Recreation and Parks Commission.

• Oversees and directs the many cultural and social outreach programs carried out through the Department.

Essential Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Excellent knowledge, skills, and abilities in the principles of executive management.

• Demonstrated experience in all phases of recreation and parks operations,marketing,budgeting, planning, and development.

• Excels at all aspects of customer service.

• Demonstrated experience in long-range planning and implementation.

• Knowledge of processes required prior to the acquisition of property, as well as thevariety of methods available for the acquisition of parkland.

• Outstanding ability in budgeting and public sector fiscal policy.

• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with associates,professionals, community leaders, and the general public. Knowledge ofagency policies and procedures, government structures and processes,budgeting, management, public relations, and park management.

ABOUT THE POSITION (cont.)

• The successful candidate will excel in developing relationships with a wide variety ofcommunity groups.

• Excellent oral and written communication and interpersonal skills. A proven ability tocommunicate effectively with employees, the public, public officials, community andprofessional organizations.

• Ability to inspire and be persuasive in the promotion of new ideas, concepts and actionplans to influence positive outcomes with both internal and external audiences.

• Ability to define and solve problems, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Preparemeaningful, concise, and accurate reports. Establish effective working relationships.

• Strong leadership skills necessary to be persuasive in the promotion of new ideas andinspire others including the ability to make effective decisions and to take appropriateaction when necessary.

• Ability to exemplify the highest ethical standards in professional and personal conduct.

Preferred Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Recreation Administration, Natural Resource Management, Public Administration, or a related field and at least 12 years of successful senior-level managerial experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Additional Information

The starting salary is negotiable. The position also offers an attractive benefits package including vacation, holidays, sick leave, employer participation in the Ohio Public Employees Retirement System, and career development opportunities.

Essential Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (cont.)