Parks Deputy Director (Coo)

CINCINNATI, OHIO PARKS DEPUTY DIRECTOR (COO)

The City of Cincinnati Board of Park Commissioners is in search of an experienced leader to fulfill the role as Deputy Director. Acting as the organization’s Chief Operating Officer (COO), this executive leadership position will report to the Park Board Director and be responsible for the oversight and execution of the day to day operations and procedures of the Park Board. The Deputy Director serves as the number two executive within the highly revered, nationally recognized Park system, with a diverse $24 Million budget portfolio. This executive profile provides background information on the City of Cincinnati, its Park system and the Deputy Director position, outlining the important qualifications, attributes, values and experience the Deputy Director should possess. All inquiries relating to the recruitment and selection process for the Parks Deputy Director should be directed to the Parks Human Resources Department at 513.357.2605. Formal applications close December 21, 2018 and should be submitted electronically to: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/cincinnati/jobs/2274568/parks-deputy-director-coo?keywords=director&pagetype=jobOpportunitiesJobs Please Note: Identities of candidates for this position are subject to public disclosure and re- lease in accordance with the Ohio Open Records Act.

Cincinnati Parks C.A.R.E.S.! Creating economic impacts Advancing conservation Rejuvenating health & wellness Enhancing quality of life Sustaining social equity www.cincinnatiparks.com (513) 357-2604 CINCINNATI BACKGROUND CINCINNATI PARKS The City of Cincinnati, Ohio (population 298,800), a Named one of the top seven park systems beautiful city with a world class Parks system, is in in the country by the Trust for Public Land, Hamilton County and is located at the confluence of Cincinnati Parks is a leader in public/private the Licking and Ohio Rivers. With its beautiful bluffs, partnerships resulting in the renovation and rolling hills and historic, vibrant downtown, Cincinnati construction of highly impressive public offers an excellent quality of life for its residents, busi- spaces contributing significantly to the City’s economic nesses and visitors. A City of 52 distinct and unique development. The Cincinnati Parks system consists of neighborhoods, each with a Community Council, more than 5,000 acres and includes the recently com- Cincinnati residents are engaged with one another and pleted $100 million Smale Riverfront Park along the with their community. Home to numerous corporate downtown riverfront, the Krohn Conservatory, Eden headquarters including Proctor and Gamble, Macy’s Park which is home to the Cincinnati Art Museum, and the Kroger Company, Cincinnati has an engaged 1,500-acre Mt. Airy Forest, 68 neighborhood parks, 33 corporate community committed to the City’s econom- nature preserves, and numerous other innovative and ic development efforts and the development of parks. interactive amenities enjoyed by millions of visitors each year. Notably, the City’s corporate community and City leaders came together in 2003 to form the 3CDC, the The Cincinnati Parks is led by a five-member Board of Cincinnati Center City Development Corporation, which Park Commissioners, whose members are appointed has led the revitalization of the City’s urban core. This by the Mayor with confirmation of the City Council. Ac- and other public private partnerships have led the ef- cording to the City Charter, the Board of Park Commis- fort in the $48 million renovation of Fountain Square, sioners is responsible for the appointment of the Parks the $47 million renovation of Washington Park, the Staff and the control and management of the parks purchase and renovation of 131 historic buildings in- and parkways of the City. The Cincinnati Recreation cluding the recently completed $135 million renovation Commission is a separate entity and responsible for the of the 140-year-old historic Music Hall, just to name a city’s recreation, programs, services and facilities. few accomplishments. The construction of condomini- ums and apartments and the addition of restaurants, The Parks system has 252 full-time employees and a craft breweries, shopping and other amenities has $24 million all funds budget. made the downtown and, in particular, the Over the The key operational divisions include Operations, Plan- Rhine neighborhood an attraction for residents ning and Design, Riverfront Parks & Events, Budget & and visitors. Finance and Business Services. Cincinnati Park serves more than 5 million citizens each year through special events, urban park performances, explore nature programs, riverfront events and other very passionate about Cincinnati’s parks. activities. Facilities include rental pavilions, shelters, nature centers, playgrounds, picnic areas and hiking CINCINNATI PARKS QUICK FACTS trails. The mission of Cincinnati Parks is to conserve, Acres of Park Land: 5,000 or 10% of Cincin- manage, sustain, and enhance parks’ natural, cultural nati’s resources and public green spaces - for the enjoyment, land area enlightenment, and enrichment of the Cincinnati community. The Park Board’s guiding principles are for the Regional Parks: 5 parks to be clean, safe, reliable, green, beautiful and enriching. Neighborhood Parks: 68 The Park Board is devoted to utilizing precious park River Parks: 7 spaces to build better lives and a better community Nature Preserves: 33 through the organizational fundamental pillars, Cincin- nati Parks C.A.R.E.S. This means Creating Economic Nature Centers: 5 impacts Advancing conservation, Rejuvenating health and wellness, Enhancing quality of life, and achieving it Playgrounds: 54 all through Social equity. Performing Venues: 9 Hiking Trails: 65 miles Dog Parks: 3 Street Trees: 80,000 Park Trees: 140,000 In addition, the Parks system has two disc golf cours- es, five interactive fountains/spray grounds, and a restaurant, an arboretum, numerous horticultural dis- plays, a sensory garden, and a one of a kind carousel. The Cincinnati Parks system is too vast to completely outline in this brochure. The following is a sample of what the Parks system has to offer. The PBS affiliate in Cincinnati, WCET did an award-winning documentary of the history, current activity and future plans for the NATIONAL RECOGNITION In 2018, the Cincinnati Parks Cincinnati Parks. Select clips can be viewed here: system was listed in the top 7 park systems in the country by the Trust for Public Land; WalletHub rec- http://www.cetconnect.org/cincinnati-parks/ ognized the City of Cincinnati as the fourth best City in the Country for Parks and Recreation; Time.com named Washington Park the best park in the state of Ohio. PARKS FOUNDATION Cincinnati Parks is fortunate to have an active, engaged Parks Foundation, a separate 501c3 corporation with its own 35 member Board, Executive Director and development staff. Established in 1995, the mission of the Cincinnati Parks Foundation is to “build broad-based private/public partnerships supporting the conservation and enhancement of our City’s parks and greenspaces.” The Parks Foundation has raised millions of dollars for a wide variety of projects and programs on behalf of the Cincinnati Parks system. The Board of Directors is a mix of corporate and community leaders all dedicated to fundraising and SMALE PARK This $100 million riverfront park is in the MOUNT AIRY FOREST Cincinnati’s largest final stages of completion. The crown jewel of the park park with 1,459 acres includes miles of hiking system, the Park was opened in 2012. $50 million of trails and bridle trails for horseback riders. the funding came from state, city and federal sources Mt. Airy has Ohio’s only wheelchair accessi- and $42 million was private funding. Smale Park re- ble public treehouse known as “Everybody’s connects the downtown to the river and links existing Treehouse,” an enclosed dog park and a disc riverfront parks to the east. The Park was built as a golf course. Mt. Airy Arboretum’s specialty gardens, series of terraces accommodating seasonal flooding gazebos and picturesque lake are a favorite wedding along the river’s edge, which includes areas lifted out site. The 30 acres features a magnificent collection of the floodplain. The Park is home to the Anderson of trees, shrubs and flowers, displayed alongside the Pavilion, which hosts weddings, parties and other beauty of nature. There are 23 picnic areas within the events, a beautiful working Carousel, a section of the park, complete with tables, charcoal grills and swing Ohio River Trail - a shared bike/hike trail along the Ohio sets. River, numerous fountains and plazas as well as the Black Brigade Monument, which is a memorial to the Read about numerous other impressive features of the hundreds of African American volunteers who in 1862, Cincinnati Parks system at: www.cincinnatiparks.com erected barricades in Northern Kentucky to protect the City during the Civil War. EDEN PARK Home to the Cincinnati Art Museum, the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park and the Krohn Conser- vatory. Eden Park includes a Magnolia Garden, Mirror Lake, Bettman Fountain and Twin Lakes, which features a footbridge, walking paths, an impressive view of the Ohio River and Kentucky, several sculptures and playgrounds. Located in Eden Park, the Krohn Conservatory is a nationally recognized showcase of more than 3,500 plant species from around the world. Permanent features are the rainforest waterfall and exotic plants on display in the Palm House, Tropical, Desert and Orchid Houses. The Conservatory also has an annual Butter- fly Show where thousands of butterflies are free to fly throughout the showroom and a holiday show attract- ing tens of thousands of visitors. OPPORTUNITIES PARKS DEPUTY DIRECTOR The Parks Deputy Director can expect to work closely (COO) with the Parks Director, the Board of Park Commis- The Deputy Director serving in the role as sioners, the leadership team, Parks Foundation, City COO is selected by and reports to the Parks departments and other stakeholders on opportunities Director and appointed by a five-member included but not limited to: Board of Park Commissioners who are, in turn, appointed by the Mayor and City Council. The • The Cincinnati Parks has a strong working relation- Deputy Director must be an experienced Parks and ship with the Cincinnati corporate community and Recreation executive with a passion for parks, devoted is integrated into the economic development efforts to public service, community engagement, and exceed- of the City. It is critical to the continued success of ing resident expectations as well as a commitment to the Parks system that the Deputy Director main- the preservation, maintenance, continuous improve- tains and further develops these highly important ment of the parks system. relationships and enhances the department’s working relationship with elected officials, City depart- The Parks Deputy Director provides the oversight, plan- ments and staff. ning, and management of the Park Board and assists the Parks Director in the providing leadership and man- • Like most cities, the Cincinnati Parks system has an agement to three divisions comprising over $19 million aging infrastructure with needs currently outweigh- and including: ing resources. Additionally, the City of Cincinnati and the Park Board share a progressive vision to • PLANNING AND DESIGN The Division of Planning resist being stagnant and complacent and have and Design Services houses 20 Full-time Employ- continued to undertake several high-profile projects ees (FTE’s) and provides design, planning, engi- in the last several years to better serve residents. neering and landscape architecture. The division It’s vital the Deputy Director can create and execute maintains 130 park structures, plans and designs innovative and collaborative efforts (internally and new and enhanced parks, plans infrastructure and externally) to address needed maintenance and landscape projects, and provides support for spe- operations of our current Park assets while creating cial projects. capacity for future initiatives. • OPERATIONS AND NATURAL RESOURCES The • Candidates must be passionate about the preserva- Division of Operations includes 71 FTE’s and tion, protection, maintenance, and improvement of provides the maintenance and beautification of parkland systems that will support current and future parklands and manages parks’ natural resources generations; candidates must know when to focus including meadowlands and management of Park’s on the important details of maintaining a complex vehicles and equipment. Operations is responsible system and when to take a higher-level perspective. for the planting and maintenance of approximately SALARY The anticipated starting salary is 1,000 miles of City street trees and management $125,000+/-. Salary and compensation are of Interstate highway greenspace within the City in negotiable, depending on qualifications, partnership with the Ohio Department of Transpor- experience, and record of professional tation. The Division also supervises the five nature achievement plus an attractive benefits and centers and provides nature education program- retirement package. ming. • RIVERFRONT PARKS, SPECIAL EVENTS & CEN- EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE TRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT The Division of Op- The following factors of education, experience, lead- erations 39 FTE’s provide the maintenance and ership, management style, and personal traits have beautification of parklands throughout the Central been identified as ideal attributes for the Parks Deputy District and along the Riverfront. This Division Director to possess in order to function effectively and is also responsible for managing and coordinat- achieve a high level of success. ing several Special Events ranging from massive regional events and concerts to small community • Each applicant must have five years of Parks and gatherings. Recreation administrative experience in accounting, budget preparation, technical report writing, process improvement, research and development and complex problem solving/decision making. • A proven record of supervisory experience, achievement, and strong demonstrations of teamwork that motivates and builds high morale within a work program is required. • Strong interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills are essential. • A Bachelor’s Degree is required from an accredited university in public administration, management or a related field. A Master’s Degree and Certified Park and Recreational Professional certification is preferred.

While providing leadership to the above areas and over- • Demonstrate strong leadership skills with a proven sight to the day to day operations of the Park Board, record of innovative thinking. the Deputy Director will also be expected to serve as: • THE EXECUTOR Delivering results day to day, quarter to quarter allowing the Director to focus on the strategic, longer-term opportunities. This role provides balance to the Director’s forward thinking “head up” orientation. The Deputy Director’s “head down” approach is focused on the operational details necessary for success today. • THE CHANGE AGENT Leading specific imperatives relating to operational improvement and diagnosing the current state of affairs and charting the appropriate course for progress (Using the S.T. a R.S. model of business evolution). • Provide prompt, thorough, and fully responsive es and processes and how to effectively implementation and follow through on policy navigate and comply with them. decisions and direction. • Highly adaptable administrators, who can • Candidates must possess strong communication openly accept and work effectively in a and presentation skills. climate of interaction, calling for timely and impartial administrative responsive- ness in a demanding environment and experience working effectively in large municipal organizations is highly valued. • Completely comfortable interacting with the media, with the ability to convey the Cincinnati Parks system’s message in an understandable and coherent manner.

LEADERSHIP STYLE/TRAITS • Have a passion for parks and service to the community conducting all parks business with integrity and transparency. • Possess an open, friendly style, dealing with all stakeholders in a professional, fair, straightforward, and responsive manner. • Have experience in evaluating departmental and operations, with a desire to maintain and en- • Possess the ability and willingness to tap into hance a highly responsive, productive, emerging trends and where appropriate utilize en- high-morale staff and workforce. trepreneurial and innovative methods to bring them to Cincinnati Parks. • Experience with implementing internal controls and generally accepted park natural resources • Lead and motivate by example, encouraging high operations methods. standards of performance, productivity, and ethical conduct from all personnel. • Must have experience in or the willingness to develop an understanding of city laws, ordinanc- • Keep the Director and other appropriate staff informed of major activities and operations of the organization, while always displaying emotional intelligence and self-awareness. • Have a management style that includes delegation of responsibility and authority while holding staff accountable for the achievement of goals, objectives growth, development and risk taking. • The Deputy Director must be approachable, energetic, and able to establish early and lasting credibility with partner organizations and groups. • The Deputy Director must be aligned with the Park Board’s Mission, Vision, Principles and Pillars, along with embracing the principles of public service. This alignment should reflect being approachable, energetic, and able to establish early and lasting credibility. • Be an individual with a sincere and caring attitude toward the Cincinnati community and its citizens, promoting a “customer service” oriented approach by all employees. Cincinnati Parks C.A.R.E.S.! • Promote and maintain the highest integrity Creating economic impacts throughout all personnel. Advancing conservation • Exercise a high degree of initiative, judgment, dis- cretion, and decision-making to achieve objectives. Rejuvenating health & wellness • Exercise independent judgment. Enhancing quality of life • Must not be afraid to fail. Sustaining social equity • Is comfortable being uncomfortable. • Demonstrates and encourages innovation.