PARKS AND RECREATION EXECUTIVE SEARCH DIRECTOR PROVIDED BY City of Katy, Population 19,692

Size 15.5 square miles

THE COMMUNITY The City of Katy, Texas, is known for its rich traditions, unique heritage, and unmatched community pride. Many diverse people call Katy home, transfixed by its small-town charm with big city convenience. Young professionals, growing families, retired seniors, business owners, and more are attracted Harris County to Katy’s high quality of life, beautiful neighborhoods, master-planned communities, and abundant green space for parks and recreation.

Located just 30 miles west of , Katy serves as a hub for Harris, Waller, and Fort Bend counties, with a combined population of over 300,000. Katy is proactive in economic development creating a business-friendly environment that benefits both entrepreneurs and large companies. One of the major economic development projects underway is the Katy Boardwalk District, which is the City’s newest lakefront destination with a full-service conference center hotel, luxury loft residences, 155,00 square feet of retail, dining, and Annual Growth Trend entertainment space, and 60,000 square feet of office space expected to be 3% completed in 2023.. This is all anchored by a newly constructed 90-acre lake and nature preserve.

History buffs enjoy visiting the historic Missouri-Kansas-Texas (MKT) Depot, which serves as a museum that displays original elements of how it operated as a passenger rail service until 1957, as well as an Information and Tourist Center. The Johnny Nelson Katy Heritage Museum features vintage farming Median Household Income equipment and artifacts from Katy’s agricultural and pioneering history, along $77,731 with old photographs and fascinating antiques. Visit Katy Heritage Homes, established in 2003 by the City of Katy and the Katy Heritage Society, where you can see restored historic buildings and beautiful landscaping. The Katy’s Veterans Memorial Museum is a first-class military exhibit that encompasses every foreign conflict involving the U.S.

Residents and visitors enjoy the many entertainment and cultural options available in Katy, from the Mall with over 175 stores of high- fashion, dining, and entertainment, to the 43-acre Typhoon Texas water park, Average Home Value home of world-class rides and attractions. Relax in the City’s many parks, $192,300

2 Katy, Texas - Parks and Recreation Director THE COMMUNITY continued including the 14-acre, off-leash dog park, complete with a dog agility course; the Katy City Park Sports Pavilion, featuring two baseball fields, two softball fields, a multipurpose field, a three-court basketball pavilion, six ADA accessible tennis courts, and picnic tables; the award-winning Katy Play Station and Pavilion, which is the largest innovative playground for multiple-impaired and profoundly deaf children; the Katy Arboretum that is educational and a beautiful place to unwind; and Woodsland Park, a peaceful atmosphere to play that features a covered basketball pavilion, playground, and outdoor pavilion with barbecue pit.

Katy offers many events throughout the year, including the Katy Half Marathon, the Katy ISD FFA Livestock Show and Rodeo, Katy Market Days, Folk Life Festival, Wild West Brewfest, Katy Freedom Celebration, Katy Rice Festival, and the Katy Old-Fashioned Christmas Festival.

Katy Independent Colleges & Universities Major Employers School District The University of Houston Katy ISD A+ rating at Katy Shell Exploration & Production Ranks among the top school Houston Community College BP North America districts in the country – second Lonestar College Katy Mills in Houston; No. 15 in Texas in Niche’s 2021 Best School Academy Sports + Outdoors Districts Igloo 74 campuses Amazon Enrollment of 85,000 Grades Pre-K through 12

Private and Medical Facilities Parochial Schools Memorial Herman Katy Hospital Aristoi Classical Academy Houston Methodist West Texas Children’s West

3 Katy, Texas - Parks and Recreation Director Number of Employees FY 2021 budget Ad Valorem Tax Rate 250 $48.9 million $0.44717 per $100 of valuation

GOVERNANCE AND ORGANIZATION The City of Katy operates under a home rule charter with a council-manager form of government. The City Council comprises a Mayor and five Council Members who serve three-year terms, with two consecutive term limits. The Fire Chief and Police Chief report to the Mayor. The City Council appoints a professional City Administrator to oversee the day-to-day operations of the organization. Byron Hebert has served as City Administrator since April 2014 and previously served as Katy’s Finance Director from 2000 to 2014. He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from McNeese State University, and an MBA from the University of Houston.

4 Katy, Texas - Parks and Recreation Director ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT The Katy Parks and Recreation Department is committed to providing quality park facilities and community events for the use and enjoyment of the residents of Katy. Parks and recreation services are beneficial to the community, as they strengthen community image and sense of place, protect environmental resources, support economic development, promote health and wellness, and enhance the quality of life.

The Parks and Recreation Department operates and maintains 10 parks: • Katy City Park/Katy Play Station • Katy Arboretum • Off-Leash Dog Park • Town Park • VFW Park • Katy Heritage Park • Thomas Park • Harvest Plaza • MKT Railroad Depot • Woodsland Park and Community Center

Vision “Katy, Texas is a community rich in traditions with a heritage of small-town charm. We are focused on strategic economic growth with a commitment to fiscal responsibility and sustainability.” Mission “Our mission is to protect the overall quality of life for our citizens by providing excellence in public safety, economic growth, and community services.” Core Values Family/Community/Service, Commitment to Excellence, Accountability/Integrity, Fiscal Responsibility, and Professionalism.

5 Katy, Texas - Parks and Recreation Director ABOUT THE POSITION The Parks and Recreation Director manages the operations, staff, services, programs, and activities of the City’s Parks and Recreation Department and facilities. The Director creates long-term programming, capital development, and maintenance and staffing plans for the Department, as well as develops, evaluates, and modifies Department policies as appropriate to ensure they align with City and Department ordinances, missions, vision, objectives, and goals.

Reporting to the City Administrator, the Parks and Recreation Director directly supervises the Parks Supervisor, and the Parks and Recreation Coordinator.

Primary• En suresresponsibilities the safety include:of the community and staff by addressing policies and practices and/or equipment replacement/repair • Implements changes and improvements to department programs according to strategic plans, coordinates multi-agency programs, establishes goals and objectives for each program, and evaluates programs to measure success • Prepares bid specifications for park improvement projects and equipment • Researches and prepares park grant proposals and applications, as well as seeks alternate funding opportunities • Participates in recruiting, hiring, and training staff and volunteers • Develops and administers the Department’s annual budget • Serves as a liaison to and organizes and leads meetings for the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board and the Katy Heritage Park Board • Serves as a Board Member for Keep Katy Beautiful (KKB) • Participates as a member of the Emergency Management Team

OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES The Parks and Recreation Director serves as a leader and role model for the department. It will be important for the new Director to work collaboratively with the Public Works Department, Keep Katy Beautiful, and other stakeholders in the delivery of high-quality services to the community. There is a $4 million bond proposition on the May 3rd ballot for a new Parks Administration building. If this initiative passes, the incoming Director will play a key role in this project.

One of the top priorities for the next Parks and Recreation Director will be to develop new programs that complement and expand existing programs to deliver a more comprehensive range of activities and services to Katy residents.

The Parks and Recreation Director will be instrumental in the development of new parks and greenspace currently underway. Additionally, the Director is responsible for greenspace management and oversees and manages maintenance contracts.

6 Katy, Texas - Parks and Recreation Director IDEAL CANDIDATE The City of Katy seeks a next-level professional to serve as the new Parks and Recreation Director and provide innovative leadership to the team. Proven experience and a strong management background are essential.

The ideal candidate will embrace the opportunity to participate in field operations as well as administration. The incoming Director will have a solid understanding of municipal parks and recreation operations including policies and procedures, effective public relations methods and practices, design and construction of parks and recreation facilities, budget preparation and management, and facilities and equipment needs.

The new Parks and Recreation Director will establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, other departments, and the public and be highly skilled in creating and implementing program goals and objectives.

City of Katy – Your Hometown

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE This position requires a bachelor’s degree in parks and recreation management, public administration, or a related field and seven years of increasingly responsible experience in parks and recreation administration and supervision. An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience may be considered in place of a bachelor’s degree. A valid Texas driver’s license is required or must be obtained within 90 days of hire.

7 Katy, Texas - Parks and Recreation Director COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS The salary range for this position is $75,000-$80,000 depending on qualifications and experience. The City of Katy offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision coverage, generous paid leave, and life insurance. The City participates in the Texas Municipal Retirement System (TMRS) at a 7% employee deposit rate with a municipal matching ratio of 2:1 and vesting at five years. An optional 457 Plan and IRA are available.

APPLICATION PROCESS Please apply online: http://bit.ly/SGROpenRecruitments

For more information on this position contact: Larry Gilley, Senior Vice President [email protected] 325-660-4208

The City of Katy is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in its workforce. Applicants selected as finalists for this position will be subject to a comprehensive background check.

RESOURCES SOCIAL MEDIA City of Katy cityofkaty.com

Katy Economic Development katyedc.org

Katy Chamber of Commerce katychamber.com

Katy Convention and Tourism Bureau cityofkaty.com/government/boards-commissions/convention-tourism-bureau

Katy Parks and Recreation Department cityofkaty.com/government/city-departments/parks-recreation

8 Katy, Texas - Parks and Recreation Director