US Lawns
Overview
The Director of Parks and Open Space leads the City’s mission to provide quality active and passive recreation opportunities through thoughtful design and construction methods with a focus on diverse needs, abilities, and uses. The Director will work with stakeholder groups, government agencies, elected officials, and City employees to lead Newton’s open spaces into the future. Work includes capital projects, needs assessments, feasibility studies, master planning, and guiding the long and short-term direction for key components of the City’s green infrastructure. Serves as a member of the senior leadership team of the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Culture under the direction of the Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner of Parks, Recreation and Culture. Essential Elements – Park & Open Space Planning
Develops plans, policies, and procedures to support the best utilization of hundreds of acres of land under the jurisdiction of the Parks, Recreation & Culture Department. Leads the Department’s efforts to create master plans for all recreation areas including athletic fields, courts, tot lots, playgrounds, recreation facilities, aquatics facilities, trails, and passive recreation sites; encourages community engagement, accessibility, and inclusion. Directs and executes the creation of park and facility specific plans, including site-specific masterplans, construction documents, and phased construction plans. Creates, develops, and updates Department policies and procedures related to park improvements, volunteer efforts, and usage changes. Works to ensure standardized specifications, policies, and guidelines for site amenities, construction methods, and materials. Collaborates with other City agencies and groups to provide peer review of projects that impact land and facilities under the Department’s jurisdiction. Assists the Department’s Grounds Maintenance and Beautification divisions in creating plans for their areas of oversight. Works with other City Departments, citizen groups, stakeholders, elected officials, and the public to build consensus on park and recreation facility improvements. Essential Elements – Project Management
Develops and manages all assigned projects from planning through design, cost estimating, scheduling, bidding, and construction. Maintains a project database and coordinates project updates; updates project status on the City’s website. Oversees programming and design of projects performed by in-house staff. Prepares and negotiates consultant contracts for design services; prepares RFQs/RFPs; reviews qualifications and proposals and recommends selection and award. Oversees design projects by design consultants; monitors contracts, reviews payment requests, and tracks progress through contract closeout. Prepares presentations for committees and commissions; most meetings are held in the evening after normal work hours. Oversees construction cost estimating, scheduling, and procurement of construction contractors during bidding and award phases. Reviews contractor bids for completeness and reasonableness; provides construction management and oversight including on-site resident representatives and inspectors; monitors adherence to plans and specifications; documents progress and approves payments; oversees project closeout and as-built drawings. Manages and monitors project budgets and funds; creates funding and budget reports. Interfaces with the public and elected officials, communicating and presenting under variable situations. Essential Elements – Community Outreach
Provides oversight and management of volunteers and volunteer opportunities across the City’s open spaces and parks, including park/open space adoption projects and engagement with stakeholder groups. Directs and supervises assigned staff in implementing community outreach and volunteer programs. Conducts public outreach, meetings, and surveys to assess needs and desires related to recreation opportunities and open spaces; reports findings and collaborates with other City agencies to align plans for parks, open spaces, and green infrastructure. Attends community events and meetings to educate the public on the Department’s mission and gather input; many events are in the evening after normal hours. Collaborates with diverse groups and individuals to work effectively with people of varying identities, cultures, backgrounds, and ideologies. Secondary Elements
Provides input and guidance to other divisions within the Department to support their work (Recreation and Culture programs, Grounds Maintenance, Community Beautification, Urban Forestry). Advises other City agencies on feasibility and cost related to green infrastructure and landscape elements. Supports the Community Beautification Division in enhancing City squares, business districts, and other non-park gathering places. Performs other related duties as directed by the Commissioner. Minimum Entrance Qualifications
Education, Training and Experience: Bachelor’s degree from a four-year college or university with studies in landscape architecture, environmental studies, landscape design, park management, city planning, or related field; plus seven to nine years related experience and/or training or equivalent combination. Broad knowledge in landscape construction, landscape and civil design, project management, plant and landscape materials, cost estimating and bid document creation. Experience working with elected and appointed officials and community engagement. Massachusetts Class D driver’s license required. Designation as a Registered Landscape Architect preferred. Knowledge, Ability and Skill: Language/Communication Skills — ability to read, analyze, and interpret technical material; ability to respond to inquiries; ability to write and present information effectively to diverse audiences. Additional language abilities a plus. Reasoning Ability — ability to define problems and use judgment to achieve results in complex variables within laws, precedents, and policies. Computer Skills — proficiency with Microsoft Office; AutoCAD, ArcGIS, and other industry-specific programs. Physical requirements/work environment: Office conditions with some exposure to adverse environments; ability to multitask, work evenings/weekends as needed; ability to climb or lift up to 20 pounds; routine interaction with staff, vendors, and the public; access to confidential information requiring discretion. Performance Standard
Employees are expected to work effectively to meet community and City needs, demonstrating the City’s values and ethics. This description does not constitute an employment contract and is subject to change by the employer. Benefits
Health insurance – 70% employer sponsored Dental insurance – basic and high option Tuition Reimbursement – up to $500 per semester, per course Flexible Spending Accounts and commuter benefits 457 Deferred Compensation plans City Retirement (Mandatory) Paid leave benefits and holidays; generous leave provisions including 12.5 holidays, 3 weeks vacation, 15 sick days with 5 usable for personal business, 2 floating holidays Employee Assistance Program
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The Director of Parks and Open Space leads the City’s mission to provide quality active and passive recreation opportunities through thoughtful design and construction methods with a focus on diverse needs, abilities, and uses. The Director will work with stakeholder groups, government agencies, elected officials, and City employees to lead Newton’s open spaces into the future. Work includes capital projects, needs assessments, feasibility studies, master planning, and guiding the long and short-term direction for key components of the City’s green infrastructure. Serves as a member of the senior leadership team of the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Culture under the direction of the Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner of Parks, Recreation and Culture. Essential Elements – Park & Open Space Planning
Develops plans, policies, and procedures to support the best utilization of hundreds of acres of land under the jurisdiction of the Parks, Recreation & Culture Department. Leads the Department’s efforts to create master plans for all recreation areas including athletic fields, courts, tot lots, playgrounds, recreation facilities, aquatics facilities, trails, and passive recreation sites; encourages community engagement, accessibility, and inclusion. Directs and executes the creation of park and facility specific plans, including site-specific masterplans, construction documents, and phased construction plans. Creates, develops, and updates Department policies and procedures related to park improvements, volunteer efforts, and usage changes. Works to ensure standardized specifications, policies, and guidelines for site amenities, construction methods, and materials. Collaborates with other City agencies and groups to provide peer review of projects that impact land and facilities under the Department’s jurisdiction. Assists the Department’s Grounds Maintenance and Beautification divisions in creating plans for their areas of oversight. Works with other City Departments, citizen groups, stakeholders, elected officials, and the public to build consensus on park and recreation facility improvements. Essential Elements – Project Management
Develops and manages all assigned projects from planning through design, cost estimating, scheduling, bidding, and construction. Maintains a project database and coordinates project updates; updates project status on the City’s website. Oversees programming and design of projects performed by in-house staff. Prepares and negotiates consultant contracts for design services; prepares RFQs/RFPs; reviews qualifications and proposals and recommends selection and award. Oversees design projects by design consultants; monitors contracts, reviews payment requests, and tracks progress through contract closeout. Prepares presentations for committees and commissions; most meetings are held in the evening after normal work hours. Oversees construction cost estimating, scheduling, and procurement of construction contractors during bidding and award phases. Reviews contractor bids for completeness and reasonableness; provides construction management and oversight including on-site resident representatives and inspectors; monitors adherence to plans and specifications; documents progress and approves payments; oversees project closeout and as-built drawings. Manages and monitors project budgets and funds; creates funding and budget reports. Interfaces with the public and elected officials, communicating and presenting under variable situations. Essential Elements – Community Outreach
Provides oversight and management of volunteers and volunteer opportunities across the City’s open spaces and parks, including park/open space adoption projects and engagement with stakeholder groups. Directs and supervises assigned staff in implementing community outreach and volunteer programs. Conducts public outreach, meetings, and surveys to assess needs and desires related to recreation opportunities and open spaces; reports findings and collaborates with other City agencies to align plans for parks, open spaces, and green infrastructure. Attends community events and meetings to educate the public on the Department’s mission and gather input; many events are in the evening after normal hours. Collaborates with diverse groups and individuals to work effectively with people of varying identities, cultures, backgrounds, and ideologies. Secondary Elements
Provides input and guidance to other divisions within the Department to support their work (Recreation and Culture programs, Grounds Maintenance, Community Beautification, Urban Forestry). Advises other City agencies on feasibility and cost related to green infrastructure and landscape elements. Supports the Community Beautification Division in enhancing City squares, business districts, and other non-park gathering places. Performs other related duties as directed by the Commissioner. Minimum Entrance Qualifications
Education, Training and Experience: Bachelor’s degree from a four-year college or university with studies in landscape architecture, environmental studies, landscape design, park management, city planning, or related field; plus seven to nine years related experience and/or training or equivalent combination. Broad knowledge in landscape construction, landscape and civil design, project management, plant and landscape materials, cost estimating and bid document creation. Experience working with elected and appointed officials and community engagement. Massachusetts Class D driver’s license required. Designation as a Registered Landscape Architect preferred. Knowledge, Ability and Skill: Language/Communication Skills — ability to read, analyze, and interpret technical material; ability to respond to inquiries; ability to write and present information effectively to diverse audiences. Additional language abilities a plus. Reasoning Ability — ability to define problems and use judgment to achieve results in complex variables within laws, precedents, and policies. Computer Skills — proficiency with Microsoft Office; AutoCAD, ArcGIS, and other industry-specific programs. Physical requirements/work environment: Office conditions with some exposure to adverse environments; ability to multitask, work evenings/weekends as needed; ability to climb or lift up to 20 pounds; routine interaction with staff, vendors, and the public; access to confidential information requiring discretion. Performance Standard
Employees are expected to work effectively to meet community and City needs, demonstrating the City’s values and ethics. This description does not constitute an employment contract and is subject to change by the employer. Benefits
Health insurance – 70% employer sponsored Dental insurance – basic and high option Tuition Reimbursement – up to $500 per semester, per course Flexible Spending Accounts and commuter benefits 457 Deferred Compensation plans City Retirement (Mandatory) Paid leave benefits and holidays; generous leave provisions including 12.5 holidays, 3 weeks vacation, 15 sick days with 5 usable for personal business, 2 floating holidays Employee Assistance Program
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