HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommunity Services Director Feb. 2025
City of Port Townsend Job Description
Community Services Director
Classification title: Community Services
Director
Working title: Community Services
Director
Department: Community Services Union: No
FLSA status: Exempt Wage Classification: 629
Hours: Full Time Effective date: Feb. 2025
Reports to: City Manager Civil Service: No
JOB SUMMARY
The Community Services Director promotes community involvement and enhances and enriches the
quality of life for residents of Port Townsend through a broad and integrated portfolio of community
services. The Community Services Director is responsible for planning, coordinating, and directing the
parks, library, public arts, facilities, and operations and activities, developing and recommending
department policies and procedures, department budgets, capital planning, contract administration, and
strategic and functional plans, while evaluating service levels, overseeing and promoting cultural
programs, supervising department personnel, and administering department policies and procedures.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Develops and maintains all City parks, public art, and facilities.
Develops organizational operating plan, budget, goals, policies and procedures.
Provides leadership and direction in the development of parks, facilities, public art, and library
short- and long-range departmental plans.
Exercises independent judgment within broad policy guidelines; evaluates and analyzes issues
and policies and recommends and implements solutions; identifies and monitors goals and
objectives; assures effective communication of actions.
Oversees the library’s selection and general collection of books and other materials; reviews
major selection tools; reviews books, periodicals, digital materials, and other collection items for
relevance, and coordinates the removal and disposition of outdated or not used items.
Assures proper maintenance of facilities, grounds, and equipment; oversees/coordinates
maintenance and repair activities.
Oversees programs and services for the library, parks, and arts for all ages.
Directs the development and oversight of the comprehensive planning process for parks,
recreation, and cultural services including: the Citywide Comprehensive Plan and the Parks,
Recreation and Open Space Plan.
Oversees and administers the Port Townsend Creative District, including oversight of staff,
contractors, events, and a variety of external relationships.
Works with residents, Council members, public and private partners, neighborhoods, schools, and
legislators to address needs and concerns, resolve issues, and engage interests in provision of
the library, parks, and art and cultural services.
Directs department operations to maintain effective and efficient programs; ensures compliance
and directs department operations to maintain effective and efficient programs; ensures
compliance and accountability with federal, state and local regulations, policies, and procedures.
Plans, directs, coordinates, monitors and reviews the work of assigned staff.
Creates a positive work environment emphasizing teamwork, training, and collaboration. Directs
and supervises functions of the professional and management staff. Supervises, selects for hiring,
trains, and conducts performance assessments for department staff. Ensures staff compliance with
Community Services Director
City policies and procedures. Responsible for and/or oversees and provides guidance to staff
responsible for various committees and advisory board and reports to City Council.
Coordinates and collaborates with outside agencies, neighboring libraries, neighboring
parks departments, government agencies, local businesses, and the media regarding
library, parks, public art, and City facilities matters and projects.
Serves on City’s Executive Leadership Team.
Serves as staff liaison for a variety of boards, commissions, and committees and prepares
and presents staff reports and other necessary correspondence to the Port Townsend
Friends of the Library, City advisory boards, and City Council.
Keeps current trends in the parks, library, public art, and youth fields through continuing
education, networking with other professionals, and participating in local, state-wide, and
national organizations.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Knowledge of principles and practices of modern public libraries, parks, public art, and youth
services operation, systems, and programs.
Knowledge of personnel management and evaluation procedures.
Knowledge of public library collections and materials.
Knowledge of the library consortium concept, as evidenced by participation in a resource
sharing environment with other institutions.
Knowledge of parks operations, maintenance, and capital facilities.
Knowledge of arts and cultural programing and creative districts.
Knowledge of budget planning, controls, and implementation methods.
Knowledge of community needs and resources.
Knowledge of community engagement principles and practices.
Knowledge of principles and practices of developing, administering and directing comprehensive
library, parks, recreation, and community services programs.
Knowledge of principles and practices of land acquisition processes applicable to park lands and
facilities.
Knowledge of structure, organization and interrelationships of City departments, agencies and
related governmental agencies and offices affecting assigned functions.
Ability to think analytically and to develop new or revised systems, procedures, and workflow.
Ability to make administrative decisions, interpret policies, and supervise staff.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with public officials, other
City departments, community agencies and groups, volunteers, and the general public.
Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing and produce and maintain reports and
records.
Ability to employ management techniques effectively in directing, planning, organizing, staffing,
coordinating, budgeting, and evaluating operation of the library, parks, and City facilities.
Ability to manage monthly fiscal operations.
Operational characteristics, services and activities related to parks, recreation, and community
services programs, including business and industry principles, City codes and practices related to
work assigned.
Skilled in program and project management techniques.
Skilled in grant writing.
Skilled in contract negotiation and administration.
Skilled in research methods and report preparation and presentation.
Community Services Director
QUALIFICATIONS
Required
Master’s Degree in Library Science or Library and Information Science from an ALA accredited
institution and five years’ experience in a public library at least three of which are in a
supervisory capacity and ability to obtain a Washington State Librarian Certification within one
year of hire, OR Master's Degree in Public Administration, Parks & Recreation, or related field,
with five years’ experience in parks and recreation at least three of which are in a supervisory
role and ability to obtain a Certified Parks and Recreation Professional (CPRP) certificate or
Certified Parks and Recreation Executive (CPRE) within one (1) year of hire or demonstrate
progress being made toward obtaining certifications.
Preferred
Current first-aid/CPR certification.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Work is performed mostly in a standard office environment including computer data processing.
Occasional lifting of supplies or office equipment up to 25 pounds. Requires prolonged sitting, standing
and walking on level, uneven and slippery surfaces and ability to stoop, bend, reach above head. Field
work is performed at times to review sites, collect data, and observe department operations. Occasional
field work and reconnaissance in ravines or other more rugged terrain. Physical hazard may occur from
exposure to traffic or rugged terrain. Frequent local travel is required using City-owned vehicles.
Occasional statewide or out-of-state travel may be required.
Requires ability to attend frequent meetings and respond to emergencies outside regular work hours,
including evenings and weekends.
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to
successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to
enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS
Punctual and consistent attendance
Possess a Washington Driver’s License and maintain a driving record acceptable to the City’s
insurance carrier.
Dress and grooming appropriate to the position.
Safety attire, equipment and practices appropriate to the position.
Deal tactfully and courteously with the public.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with fellow employees.
Maintain professional knowledge through journals and seminars and maintain membership in the
Washington Recreation and Parks Association (WRPA) and/or the Washington State Library
Association and the Public Library Directors’ of Washington group.
The City of Port Townsend is an equal employment opportunity employer. The City employs, retains,
promotes, disciplines and otherwise treats all employees and job applicants strictly on the basis of job-
related qualifications and competence. These policies and all employment practices shall be applied
Community Services Director
without regard to any individual's sex, race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sexual orientation
(including gender identity), pregnancy, age, marital status, military status, disability, genetic information,
or any other characteristic protected by law.
This job description in no way implies that these are the only duties to be performed. The employee
occupying the position will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any
other job related duties requested by their supervisors.
This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the City and the employee
and is subject to change as the needs of the City and requirements of the job change.