Position Title:

Director Of Public Lands

Job Description:

Salt Lake City is seeking a Director for the Public Lands Department, whose work in our public spaces enhances the quality of life for residents and visitors in our City every day. The Director is responsible for providing strategic guidance to teams with a broad spectrum of skillsets, which include day-to-day landscaping and operations of our parks and natural lands, maintaining and increasing our urban forest, long-range planning, capital projects development, and more.

The Director, in collaboration with their leadership team and under the general direction of the Chief Administrative Officer, is responsible for leading and supporting 700+ staff within the Public Lands department, being responsive to requests and questions from the community, and overseeing a budget with multiple funding sources.

Job Information

This is an appointed, at will-position without tenure and exempt from the career service system.

This position will close end-of-day Sunday, January 5th, 2025. Early application submittal is encouraged. Please include a detailed resume and cover letter as part of your application package.

About the Ideal Candidate

We're looking for a strong leader with excellent communication skills who can provide important insights regarding big-picture Public Lands initiatives and create collaborative relationships with leaders city-wide. If you have a master’s degree in public administration, Parks and Recreation, Landscape Architecture, Urban Planning, or a similar field, plus at least six years of related full-time employment you may be a great fit. Candidates who speak both English and Spanish are also encouraged to apply. Education and experience can be substituted on a year-for-year basis.

About the Team

The Public Lands Team is actively leading out on some of the most transformational investments in public spaces Salt Lakers will likely see in the coming decades. In 2022, Salt Lake City voters voted to approve the $85M Parks, Trails and Open Space General Obligation (GO) Bond; this has led to Public Lands having 19 significant projects across the City to improve access to public spaces, including the City’s first regional park since the 1950s.

Position Salary Range

$175,000 to $205,000 annually based on qualifications and experience.

This position is eligible for city benefits, including but not limited to:

• Health Insurance (95% of premium paid by city)

• Dental, Vision and Life Insurance

• Paid vacation and personal leave

• Six weeks of paid parental leave from day one of employment

• Retirement contributions toward a pension plan and/or 401(k)

• A robust Employee Assistance Plan (EAP)

• Up to $4,000 tuition reimbursement annually

• Discounted supplemental benefits like pet insurance and legal services

  Key Responsibilities:

• Directs, plans, organizes, implements and provides overall supervision of the Department of Public Lands, including staff, operations and programs. Gathers community input, establishes priorities, evaluates and identifies present and future community needs. Researches, develops, and implements new strategies for innovative and improved services.

• Ensures departmental compliance with all applicable codes, laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies and procedures. Initiates any actions necessary to correct deviations or violations.

• Coordinates department activities with those of other departments, contractors, outside agencies, or others, as needed.

• Develops and implements long/short term goals, plans, objectives, and programs; establishes, interprets, updates, and implements policies/procedures; sets standards for departmental performance and monitors performance and service levels.

• Reviews and monitors budget expenditures. Tracks and analyzes department spending on projects; measures and reports the success of completed projects.

• Supervises, directs, and evaluates assigned staff, processing employee concerns and problems; directs and delegates work assignments; counsels, disciplined, and completes employee performance appraisals.

• Responds to public inquiries. Responds to complaints and questions related to department operations; provides information, researches problems, and initiates problem resolution.

• Represents the City at public forums and meetings with news media, citizens groups, or professional organizations; sets up and attends meetings; serves on committees as needed; makes speeches or presentations.

• Strategically manages financial and information resources. Supervises budget preparation and approves agency budgets for consideration by the Mayor. Oversees all budgetary expenditures. Prepares regular reports for the Mayor.

• Identifies new funding solutions through mechanisms such as Public Private Partnerships or formal donation programs in collaboration with the Finance Department and the Mayor’s Office.

• Performs other duties as required.

  Minimum Qualifications:

• Graduation from accredited college or university with master’s degree in Parks and Recreation, Landscape Architecture, Urban Planning, Public Administration, or related field plus six (6) years progressively responsible related work experience including senior level management, Public Administration and Non-profit experience. Experience may be substituted for educational requirement on a year-for-year basis.

• Ability to direct, motivate, and evaluate subordinates.

• Extensive knowledge of modern principles and practices of public administration, including planning and organizing, personnel management, financial administration, project management and budget.

• Thorough knowledge of laws, regulations and ordinances relating to departmental activities.

• Ability to coordinate, direct, and develop monitoring mechanisms for a variety of major construction and maintenance programs related to public green space projects.

• Ability to establish and maintain confidence, trust, and effective working relationships with the general public, elected officials, other department heads, consultants, contractors, employees, representatives and officials of other jurisdictions.

• Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing.

• Ability to operate a personal computer and applicable software including Word, Outlook, Excel spreadsheets and other appropriate programs.

  Preferred Qualifications:

• Certifications related to environmental standards, public/open spaces, administration, or project management.

• Outstanding knowledge and ability to work collaboratively, apply effective management techniques, and the ability to implement best practices in public works administration.

• Extensive ability and experience to lead change and people in a large, multi-faceted organization; ability to successfully achieve organizational, customer service goals, and manage financial and information resources strategically.

• A demonstrated history of creative leadership and ability to create and implement operational objectives in a successful manner.

• Previous experience with a proven record of achievement performing similar duties for a governmental or municipal agency.

  Additional Information:

• We are committed to fostering a workplace of access and belonging, and encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply.

  Working Conditions:

• Comfortable working conditions, handling light weight, intermittent sitting, standing and walking.

• Considerable exposure to stressful situations.

• Non-traditional working hours which may include evening and weekend work.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by persons assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities and skills required of personnel so classified.

All requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.

Full Time/Part Time:

Full time

Scheduled Hours:

40

Need help applying? Please call our Recruitment team at 801-535-6699 or email careers@slc.gov .

BENEFITSFull-Time roles with Salt Lake City Corp are eligible for a generous, robust benefits package including:

• Health Insurance (95% of premium paid by city)

• HSA or Flex Account (HSA – City contributes $1,000 - $2,000 annually into account, no match required)

• Dental, Vision and Life Insurance

• City-paid retirement contributions toward a pension plan and/or 401(k)

• A robust Employee Assistance Plan (EAP)

• Up to $4,000 tuition reimbursement annually

• Discounted supplemental benefits like pet insurance and legal services

• Wellness clinic for employees and their families

Paid Time Off

• 12 vacation days to start

• 12 paid holidays & 1 personal holiday

• Up to 80 hours of personal leave annually

• 6 weeks of paid parental leave to all new parents

• Additional time off credit possible for rehires or new hires coming from another public jurisdiction

VETERAN EMPLOYER:

Salt Lake City is proud to be a partner of the Utah Patriot Program, providing employment opportunities for Veterans, Military and spouses. We are also a proud National Service Partner.

ABOUT SALT LAKE CITY CORP

Our Salt Lake City family serves a population of over 200,000. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, the City is committed to providing resources, access, and opportunity to all and continue to recruit and retain talented people from all backgrounds. Our employees make a real difference with the work they do every day and are actively shaping our beautiful City's future.

We aspire to shape a better community and workplace, and as such, we are committed to pay equity. We are proud to have achieved gender pay equity as a leader in the Utah community by creating a workplace where there is equal opportunity for all.

The City is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, Salt Lake City will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact Human Resources at 801-535-7900.