Job Description

General Description

This is responsible supervisory, managerial, and administrative work in overseeing and directing the Parks operations and maintenance services for the City Parks Division. The Parks Operations Manager also oversees and coordinates the operations of the State Street Mall District, the City cemeteries, conservation areas, managed meadows, and special events, both directly and through lower level section supervisors. Work involves considerable discretion and judgment in leading, coordinating, and integrating operations; related problem resolution; and associated communications with City officials, managers, and the public. Under the general direction of the Assistant Parks Superintendent, the employee plays a key role in the overall management of the Parks Division.

Today, Madison Parks has over 270 parks covering over 6,000 acres, including 1,600 conservation acres. The Parks Division is responsible for the operations and maintenance of Olbrich Botanical Gardens, four public golf courses, Warner Park Community Recreation Center, the Goodman Pool, Forest Hill Cemetery, and maintenance of State Street and the Mall Concourse. We are also responsible for over 96,000 trees along more than 700 miles of city streets. We offer reservable shelters, athletic fields, swimming lessons, guided nature walks, ice skating lessons, and free movies in the park.

Our mission is to provide the ideal system of parks, natural resources, and recreational opportunities which will enhance the quality of life for everyone.

IMPORTANT: THERE ARE SUPPLEMENTAL ESSAY QUESTIONS ON THIS JOB POSTING. YOU MUST ATTACH YOUR ANSWERS IN THE ATTACHMENT SECTION OF YOUR APPLICATION. (To view the questions, click on the supplemental question tab OR view the bottom section of the job bulletin)

**APPLICATIONS RECEIVED WITHOUT ATTACHED ESSAY RESPONSES WILL IMMEDIATELY BE ELIMINATED FROM CONSIDERATION.**

Employees may be eligible for loan forgiveness through the .

The City of Madison is an equal opportunity employer functioning under an affirmative action plan. We value diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Black, Indigenous, people of color, women, trans, nonbinary, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply!

Examples of Duties and Responsibilities

Direct and supervise the operations of all City parks, buildings, fleet, equipment and other physical facilities through lower level supervisors and a large staff.

• Lead, coordinate and integrate the operations of the parks, conservation areas, woodlands, managed meadows, City cemeteries, park amenity and landscape construction, mall concourse, and associated special events.
• Formulate plans, procedures, goals, and objectives of the Operations Section and related functions.
• Develop and implement programs to promote sound ecological management of parks and conservation areas.
• Participate in planning and implementing park expansion and development projects, etc. to incorporate operational and conservation needs into design standards.
• Develop and monitor operating and capital budgets relating to Parks operations and capital improvement projects.
• Oversee staff to inspect and maintain park facilities, including playground structures, buildings, and amenities.
• Review operational problems, project progress and future activities and assignments.
• Identify and analyze efficiency improvement opportunities, implement needed changes, and manage the change process to realize those improvements.
• Monitor and manage fleet operations for the Parks Division, including usage tracking and maintenance needs. Serve as liaison with Fleet Services. Recommend vehicle purchases.

Supervise a large staff of professional, supervisory, maintenance, laborer, and hourly employees, either directly or through lower level supervisors.

• Recommend hiring needs relative to both permanent and hourly staff.
• Lead, direct, and oversee the hiring, evaluation, coaching, development, and training of staff.
• Evaluate staffing levels and the operation\'s organizational structure and recommend changes as merited.
• Actively participate in the City\'s employee engagement and training efforts.
• Meet regularly with supervisors to provide direction, review progress, and solve problems. Lead and support in progressive discipline process.
• Receive, respond to, and investigate workplace concerns.

Engage in outreach activities on behalf of the Parks Division and coordinate projects with other City departments and related entities.

• Conduct and/or participate in public forums addressing current or future parks issues.
• Engage with volunteer groups, neighborhood groups, and other stakeholders that support the operations, maintenance, conservation, and/or activation of the parks directly or through lower level supervisors. Coordinate with other Parks Division sections, City agencies, utilities and governmental entities, as appropriate, to support the mission of the Division.
• Prepare analysis of relevant parks operations matters as written and verbal reports for the Parks Superintendent, the Parks Commission, Alderpersons, the Council, and other committees.
• Resolve complex customer service issues.

Participate in activities to support the overall mission of the Parks Division.

• Serve on the Parks Division management team.
• Attend and give presentations to the Board of Park Commissioners.
• Monitor trends in Parks Operations activities and recommend improvements to the Parks Division.
• Lead the section in the development of ecologically friendly land management practices and equipment.
• Perform related work as required or assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Associate\'s Degree in Business Administration, Turf Management, Horticulture, Landscaping, Forestry, or a related field; OR completion of 60 credits toward a related Bachelor\'s Degree; OR completion of 15 credits toward a related Master\'s Degree; AND
• Six (6) years of directly related supervisory experience in parks maintenance, grounds, turf maintenance, landscaping, or closely related field.

-OR-

• Bachelor\'s Degree from an accredited college or university in Parks and Recreation, Resource Management, Landscape Architecture, Business Administration, Public Administration, Operations Management or other related field of study; AND
• Four (4) years of directly related supervisory experience in generally comparable parks maintenance and operations, which included the supervision of multiple functions through lower level supervisors.

-OR-

• Master\'s Degree from an accredited college or university in Parks and Recreation, Resource Management, Landscape Architecture, Business Administration, Public Administration, Operations Management or other related field of study; AND
• Three (3) years of directly related supervisory experience in generally comparable parks maintenance and operations, which included the supervision of multiple functions through lower level supervisors.

If an applicant does not possess the specific requirements outlined above, HR will review the application materials to determine if the applicant possesses the following equivalent experience.

Four (4) years of experience in applying the following:

• Supervisory principles and practices, labor relations, and personnel management.
• Methods, materials, equipment, and practices associated with the maintenance and daily operations of parks, park buildings, and facilities and related mechanical systems. Such examples include, pool mechanical systems, in-ground irrigation, plumbing, electrical, or HVAC.
• Methods, materials, equipment, and practices associated with turf maintenance, horticulture, urban forestry, park planning, or facility maintenance.

Two (2) years of experience in applying the following:

• Capital and operating budget development and monitoring techniques and procedures.
• Computer software related to parks operational activities, including scheduling, financial, work orders, and other related software.

For the complete list of the knowledge, skills, and abilities, please reference the Parks Operations Manager .

Special Requirements

Ability to meet the transportation requirements of the position. * Employee may be expected to attend a variety of meetings outside normal working hours, including evenings and weekends.

Physical Requirements:

Employees in this classification must be able to physically access and inspect all parks facilities throughout the City. This position requires work outdoors in all types of weather while walking and standing. However, the employee will also be expected to perform work at a desk using a computer, telephone, and other traditional office equipment.

The City of Madison offers excellent pay and benefits for employees. City Ordinances, handbooks, and labor contracts provide specifics; the description here is not to be considered a binding statement but offers an informal summary.

Compensation

The City of Madison strives to pay competitive wages. View the current for pay for all classifications. Employees receive increases based on tenure with the City.

Benefits

The City offers a competitive benefits package, including a generous leave package, a variety of insurance options, and non-traditional benefits such as optional pet insurance, a bus pass for all employees, and the possibility of flexible work schedules. A brief summary of benefits is listed below. Please visit our for more information.

Leave

Vacation is earned upon starting employment and can be used after completion of probation. The general vacation schedule is below.

0-3 years 10 work days of vacation
After 3 years 12-1/2 days
After 7 years 15 days
After 11 years 17-1/2 days
After 15 years 20 days
After 19 years 25 days
After 27 years 27 days

Employees earn 3.5 personal days in addition to vacation.

Employees receive eight official paid holidays (New Year\'s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Day), as well as 3 paid leave days (the Friday after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, New Year\'s Eve).

Employees also earn 13 sick days annually that may accrue to a total of 150 days.

Retirement

The City of Madison participates in the Wisconsin Retirement System through the State of Wisconsin Department of Employee Trust Funds.

Insurance

The City of Madison offers a variety of optional insurance programs including:

• Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Pet Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Income Continuation Insurance (for short and long-term disability)
• Long Term Care Insurance

Other Benefits

The City offers numerous other benefits and programs for employees, including:

• 457(b) deferred compensation plans
• Employee Assistance Program
• Bus Pass on Madison Metro
• Flexible Work Schedules
• Employer-paid Training

City of Madison