Innovative Leader and Committed Public Servant
How To Apply
We are pleased to announce the recruitment and selection opportunity for our Director of Parks, Beaches, and Recreation. This brochure provides background information about the City and the municipal organization. Candidates interested in applying for the position may submit their online application, cover letter and resume by September 4, 2024, at 5:00PM at https://www.calopps.org/city-of-pacifica.
The Community
Approximately half of the land in this small city is protected open space. More than one thousand acres belong to the famed Golden Gate National Recreation Area. These bountiful parklands give Pacifica a spaciousness rarely found in suburban areas, yet it is only three miles from San Francisco’s southern border and less than 20 minutes to downtown. The natural world of beaches, headlands and hills provides a wide range of recreational opportunities. These include surfing, scuba, fishing, paragliding, hiking, birding, mountain biking, boating and horseback riding. There are also opportunities for golf, tennis, bowling, archery and team sports. Several miles of coastal and ridgetop trails tie Pacifica to neighboring communities.
The Organization
The City of Pacifica is a general law city and operates under the Council/Manager Form of Government. Legislative authority is vested in a five-member City Council elected at large. The Mayor is selected each year by a majority vote of the other Council members. The Council appoints the City Manager, City Attorney, and members of advisory commissions and committees.
During the Spring of 2023, the City Council undertook a comprehensive strategic planning process, which resulted in the Pacifica Strategic Plan 2023-2030 establishing strategies to achieve the following five overarching goals during the seven-year period:
Enhance organizational and fiscal stability.
Improve and steward City infrastructure, streets, and facilities.
Prioritize protection and development of affordable housing.
Pursue climate change adaptation and mitigation.
Broaden public communications and collaboration.
Progress on the Plan is provided through periodic updates, which can be found at the following link: City Council Strategic Plan | City of Pacifica
City Manager Kevin Woodhouse has a collaborative and visionary style to complement and enable the Council’s vision. The City Manager’s management style encourages collaboration, innovation, accountability, communication, ethics, transparency and excellence.
Pacifica is a full-service city (approximately 200.75 FTE) with a proposed FY 2024/25 general fund budget of $48.1 million. The City delivers municipal services through seven departments: the City Manager’s office (including the City Clerk, Economic Development, and contract City Attorney); Administrative Services (Finance, Human Resources, and IT Divisions); Parks, Beaches, and Recreation; Community Development; Public Works (Field Services & Engineering and Wastewater); Police; and Fire (via North County Fire Authority). Employees are represented by eight bargaining units.
The Department
The Parks, Beaches and Recreation (PB&R) Department is made up of support/administrative services and three main program divisions that provide recreation and human services to the community. These divisions are Child Care, Recreation, and Senior Services. The department also has very robust Senior and Youth volunteer programs. The PB&R Department has an adopted budget of approximately $6.3 million, 33.5 full-time positions and approximately 70 part-time staff.
The Department’s Child Care Services is licensed by the State of California Department of Social Services to provide before and after-school care for children ages 5-13 years-old at four elementary school sites and preschool services for children ages 3–5-years-old at five sites in Pacifica. Child Care is funded through participant fees for service and subsidized Child Care grants for income eligible families from the State Department of Education with additional support from the City of Pacifica General Fund, San Mateo County office of Education enrichment grants, fundraising efforts and Pacificans Care grants.
The Recreation Division administers year-round and special event programs that include youth programming, toddler through adult recreation classes, aquatics programming, and facility reservations. The Division also offers opportunities for participation in community engagement and outreach, including membership in Pacifica’s Youth Advisory Board. Recreation programs are funded by user fees and the General Fund.
Senior Services operates a multi-purpose senior center Monday through Friday providing a Congregate Nutrition Lunch Program, Meals on Wheels, Transportation, Information and Referral Services, and approximately 40 weekly classes as well as numerous social groups, clubs, activities, and resources for seniors. Senior Services programs are currently funded by Older American Act grants, San Mateo County grants, City of Pacifica General Fund support, Pacificans Care grants, charitable donations, client donations, and in-kind volunteer hours.
The Position
The Parks, Beaches, and Recreation Director provides the Executive Leadership to the department and reports to the City Manager. Under general direction, the Director performs professional and technical work in administering, promoting, organizing, planning, and directing the development and operations of the City’s Parks, Beaches, and Recreation Department programs. The Director plans, directs, and coordinates the work of the Department; implements policies and establishes procedures related to department functions; develops and administers the department budget; drives staff development and culture; and establishes and maintains liaison to the public.
Minimum Qualifications
Education and Experience
·Equivalent to graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major course work in recreation administration, business or public administration, or related field.
·Five (5) years of professional management experience in parks, recreation, cultural services or a closely related field, which included a high-level budget and finance experience, with at least two (2) years of supervisory or administrative experience in recreation management.
·Possession of an advanced degree in recreation or public administration is desirable.
·Ability to work a flexible schedule including evenings and weekends as needed.