Director of Recreation and Parks

Under general direction of the County Administrative Officer (CAO) and Deputy County Administrative Officer (DCAO) for Health and Community Services, Baltimore County Government is seeking a visionary Director of Recreation & Parks with a demonstrated experience of providing executive management of park planning and capital improvement projects that enhance recreational amenities across the county while directing leisure, recreational, cultural and park programming to improve the quality of life for all Baltimore County residents.

• Direct and manages the planning, development and operations of Baltimore County parks and recreation facilities and programs for the County.
• Serve as a subject matter expert, including technical assistance to the CE, CAO, County Council, appropriate boards, commissions, committees, employees and employee groups.
• Directs and participates in the formulation and implementation of goals, objectives, policies, procedures, and priorities for the Department and those aligned with County Administration.
• Prepare, administer, and monitor operating and capital budgets and programs.
• Evaluates programs, services, and performance to better serve county residents.
• Assess, develop, design, evaluate and implement forward thinking programming to enhance the quality of life for all Baltimore County residents.
• In consultation with other departments (Property Management and Office of Budget and Finance), assists with planning, design, construction and maintenance of recreation facilities and park property.
• Collaborates with Baltimore County Public Schools (BCPS), Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC), and other stakeholders to increase utilization and access of public spaces and facilities, including community centers and fields, through joint use agreements or other vehicles.
• Participates and coordinates with other county agencies to ensure efficient and integrated service delivery to county residents.
• Assess and implement partnerships that support the Department’s mission cost‑effectively.
• Serves as an advocate in promoting public spaces, cultural and environmental diversity and high quality recreational activities for County residents.
• Utilizes data to inform programming and deliver services equitably across Baltimore County.
• Establishes and promotes a culture of data and evidence‑based decision making.
• Builds effective and strategic partnerships with internal and external stakeholders, and serve as a liaison to the Board of Recreation and Parks and community based organizations to improve quality of life for Baltimore County residents.
• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in business administration, parks and recreation, or recreation administration; plus seven to ten years of senior level management in a large core urbanized or suburban environment administering park management, recreational or leisure programs with a strong background in community and neighborhood outreach, coordination with community and special needs groups. A Master's degree in management is preferred.
• Strong leadership and interpersonal relationship skills; effective communicator.
• Must invite diversity of thought and thought leadership; devoted to innovation and creativity.
• Must establish him/herself as knowledgeable in the utilization of data and information as performance indicators.
• Passion for community building and enhancing quality of life.

• Knowledge of public parks and recreational policy formulation, strategic planning; and excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Principles and practices of business correspondence and report writing.
• Pertinent local, State, and Federal laws, rules, and regulations.
• State and local capital planning process.
• Qualities and characteristics of materials, equipment, and supplies available for the techniques of maintaining municipal parks, parkways, recreation, facilities and other landscaped areas related buildings.
• Climate, insects, plant diseases, and other conditions affecting the growth of vegetation in local area.
• Names, qualities, and characteristics of most trees, shrubs, grasses, and other…