Regional Interpretive and Recreation Services Manager

East Bay Regional Park District

Salary: $159k - $213k
Experience: 5+ yrs
Location: Oakland, California, United States
Job type: Full-time

Required skills

business performance
compliance
service delivery

About the role

About the Department

The Park District is currently recruiting for a Regional Interpretive and Recreation Services Manager for the Southeast Unit. This dynamic leadership role oversees seven unique work groups, including Visitor Centers, Volunteer Services, and Parks Transportation. As a key member of the Interpretive and Recreation Services management team, this position helps shape department-wide strategy and supports the delivery of meaningful public programs and services.

The Regional Interpretive and Recreation Services Manager plays an important role in supporting the teams who deliver programs and services across the District’s 126,000 acres of diverse parklands. The ideal candidate is a servant leader committed to supporting staff, strengthening collaboration, and advancing priorities that promote access and stewardship of our shared resources. This is an opportunity to lead with purpose, support talented teams, and make a lasting impact on how people experience and care for our parks.

Tentative Date of Onsite Examinations: Week of June 15

Supplemental Questions Review: Week of May 25

Selection Interviews: Late June/Early July

**All dates are subject to change based on the needs of the recruitment.

ABOUT US:
The East Bay Regional Park District is a system of beautiful parklands in Alameda and Contra Costa counties to the east of San Francisco. The system comprises 73 parks spanning across 126,809 acres, 1,330 miles of trails, and 55 miles of shoreline. We manage and preserve natural and cultural resources for all to enjoy and protect. The regional parks are ideal for healthful recreation and environmental education. Learn about our Mission and Vision, History, and our contributions to the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals.

OUR MISSION:
EBRPD preserves a rich heritage of natural and cultural resources and provides open space, parks, trails, safe and healthful recreation and environmental education. An environmental ethic guides the District in all of its activities.

OUR VALUES:

Respect – We honor the land we steward, each other, and the park visitors we serve.
Resilience – We creatively adapt to change. We address challenges with empathy, perspective, and determination.
Relationships – Our greatest strength lies in the trust, accountability, and teamwork we cultivate with our colleagues, partners, and the public we serve.
Responsiveness – We communicate openly, honestly, and reliably.
Transparency – We hold the public's trust through meaningful stakeholder engagement and access to timely and reliable information on decisions and performance.

WHY WORK FOR EBRPD?

Work with a purpose for a better world today and for future generations through the preservation of open space, public access to the outdoors, and a commitment to the conservation of the natural world found east of the San Francisco Bay across 33 cities in Alameda and Contra Costa counties
A community of colleagues who are passionate about public service and the East Bay Regional Park District, the communities it serves, and its mission
Excellent benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, Flexible Spending, and pension benefits through California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS). Click here for details regarding additional benefits
Tuition reimbursement and professional development
Free on-site parking
Free parking permit for EBRPD parks (for up to 2 privately owned vehicles)
Employee discounts for certain EBRPD park amenities (reservations, daily fishing permit, public boat launch.

WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING:
Under general direction, plans, organizes and implements the objectives and administrative and operational activities of the Park District's Interpretive and Recreation Services programs; develops program standards; develops and implements a wide range of educational and recreational programs; supervises and evaluates program and operational staff; performs representational duties to assist planning, developing, evaluating, and engaging communities to support the Park District's mission, vision, and operational goals; and performs related duties as assigned.

IDEAL CANDIDATE:

Observes, listens, identifies needs, and solves problems for teams and the department in a timely and effective way
Demonstrates experience successfully advancing projects within government systems
Brings a strong track record as a successful supervisor or manager, with experience coaching others to support performance and growth
Leads with openness—welcoming dialogue, navigating differing viewpoints thoughtfully, and setting clear, fair boundaries
Effectively manages and oversees budgets, aligning resources with priorities and ensuring responsible, transparent stewardship of public funds
Approaches complex personnel issues with confidence and care, helping staff succeed and programs thrive
Balances competing priorities by recognizing shifting needs and adjusting focus as needed
Champions inclusivity and actively seeks ways to ensure programs and partnerships are delivered through an equity lens
Builds and sustains strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including other departments and community organizations
Brings lived experience connecting people to the outdoors as a frontline interpreter, environmental educator, and/or volunteer coordinator

Position Duties

Plans, develops, implements and evaluates programs within the Interpretive and Recreation Department
Develops short- and long-term program plans
Develops program standards, goals and objectives in line with the Park District’s mission, vision and Master Plan
Makes recommendations concerning programmatic policies and procedures
Ensures compliance with established laws, regulation, policies, and procedures
Analyzes regional programmatic needs, community engagement, outreach, and marketing of interpretive, recreation, environmental education, and special events
Oversees the development of interpretive and recreational programs that meet the Park District’s goals related to community engagement and service delivery
Supervises, develops, and evaluates interpretive and recreation staff, supervisors
Exercises second and third level supervisory responsibilities over a large workforce of regular, temporary, and seasonal staff, and indirectly oversees several docents, volunteers, and/or contract concessionaires
Develops contracts, timelines, deliverables, publications, and/or policies
Oversees the volunteer docent program, coordinating meetings and trainings
Coordinates planning and delivery of longitudinal youth programming services with interpretive, recreation, community, and academic partners
Ensures the quality and appropriateness of exhibits, interpretive publications, audio visual productions, and displays consistent with professional and Park District branding standards
Assists in resolving internal operational problems and coordinates with other Park District departments and staff in resolving broader problems and issues
Serves as technical resource to Park District Departments/Divisions
Assumes overall responsibility for a significant operating and capital budget
Ensures Park District fiscal interests receive maximum attention and that decisions are consistent with overall Park District goals and objectives related to interpretive and recreation services
Confers regularly with the Chief of Interpretive and Recreation Services, Unit staff, and personnel from other Park District departments to address issues
Participates in negotiating and monitoring contracts, leases, and agreements related to facility management; responds to inquiries and complaints
Serves as Park District representative to external organizations
Serves as a subject matter expert on a variety of internal committees, work groups, and task forces
Develops and maintains effective collaborative relationships with other Park District departments as well as with other agencies and the private sector to offer joint programs
Represents the Park District with print and broadcast media
Provides oversight and guidance to subordinate supervisors in personnel and labor relations matters
Develops interpretive and recreation operational and safety standards and competencies; prepares and reviews a variety of correspondence, manuals, and reports
Responds to potential public operational emergencies, as well as disasters caused by fire, flood, earthquake, or other natural events
Makes public presentations and maintains good public relations
May present to, or prepare material for, the General Manager and/or Board of Directors; and performs related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: A Bachelor's degree in recreation, park management, environmental science, natural science, business administration, public administration, or a related field from an accredited college or university,

AND

Experience: Five (5) years of full-time experience in the field of interpretation or recreation, preferably outdoor recreation, including two (2) years as a supervisor. Additional experience in park and facility maintenance is desirable.

License or Certificate:

Possession of a valid Class C California Driver’s License is a condition of initial and continued employment.
Possession of a Certified Interpretive Guide certificate from the National Association for Interpretation is desirable.

Other Qualifications

Knowledge of:

Principles and practices of program planning, administration and evaluation
Interpretive and outdoor recreation management philosophies, techniques, principles, and practices
Routine parks and facilities maintenance
Park design, exhibit design, interpretive writing, resource management, marketing principles, interpretive program development and presentation, revenue generation philosophies
Outdoor recreation risk management
Principles of effective supervision
The Park District's Equal Employment Opportunity Policy objective
A supervisor's role in the Equal Employment Opportunity Policy objectives and the processes available to meet objectives
Information technology and its uses to enhance business performance and efficiency
Labor relations principals
Fiscal and budgetary practices and policies
Principles and practices of program planning, administration and evaluation
Related laws, rules, regulations, and policies.

Ability to:

Plan, direct, organize, and coordinate the operational activities of the Interpretive and Recreation Services programs; plan, direct, organize, and coordinate operational activities
Evaluate program activities and staff
Plan, organize, assign, and review the work of subordinates
Train, guide and evaluate the development of subordinates
Effectively contribute to the Park District's equal employment policy objectives
Interpret and apply administrative/operational polices, practices and procedures, including applicable memoranda of understanding with the Park District’s labor groups
Provide technical consultation to internal and external customers and stakeholders
Set and achieve measurable goals and objectives
Communicate clearly and effectively both orally and in writing
Prepare detailed reports and correspondence
Demonstrate interpersonal sensitivity
Exercise sound judgment, initiative, and tact; analyze and problem solve
Manage multiple competing priorities
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work at all levels, including a culturally diverse general public, with a focus on quality service to internal staff and external customers.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Must pass a Level 2 Background Check.
This position is designated as a Mandated Reporter under the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA). Mandated reporters are individuals who are obligated by law to report suspected cases of child abuse and neglect. As such, you will be required to sign an acknowledgment of having received the District’s policy and your responsibilities.
This position requires a Supplemental Questionnaire for Employment in compliance with Public Resources Code §5164
May be required to attend public hearings and other meetings which may be scheduled outside of normal work hours.

Management Designation: This position is not affiliated with a union and is considered part of the Management group and is exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (i.e. is not eligible for overtime); in addition to the regular work schedule, this position may require availability to work evenings and/or weekends. The probationary period for this position is one year. This position is designated as “at-will” and serves at the pleasure of the General Manager.

Internal Promotions: Placement shall be made at the first step in the salary range for the new position (Step A) unless the salary rate at Step A of the new position is less than a 5% increase. In such instances, the employee will be placed at a step in the new salary range that ensures at least a 5% increase.

Application materials for these positions consist of two (2) required parts:

A current East Bay Regional Park District application submitted online, and
Completed supplemental questions

Apply prior to the closing time of the job announcement and allow at least one (1) hour to submit your application if you are a new user to the system. If you have previously applied to a position on GovernmentJobs.com, please allow time to update your existing profile. Applications are accepted online only. Our online application system is provided by NeoGov. If you encounter problems while applying online, please contact NeoGov Help Desk toll-free at (855) 524-5627.

Notification: All applicants will be notified of the status of their application via email, generally within two to three weeks after the closing date. You may also sign into your GovernmentJobs.com account to view your current application status and notifications. If you have questions about the status of this recruitment, please contact HR Analyst, Christina Souza at csouza@ebparks.org.

Selection Process: The application materials for all applicants meeting the minimum qualifications will be reviewed by a screening panel to select the best qualified for testing or oral examination/interview. The District reserves the right to set up a written test, performance test, and/or other assessment procedures before or after the interview process. Possession of minimum qualifications does not guarantee an interview or invitation to test. Pursuant to the Federal Immigration and Reform Act of 1986, all applicants who are hired will be required to provide proof of identity and appropriate work authorization documents prior to commencement of employment.

Special Testing Arrangements: If you require special arrangements due to a verified disability or medical condition, please contact the Human Resources Department at (510) 544-2154 at least five business days before the test.

Equal Opportunity Employer:
The East Bay Regional Park District is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values and respects a diverse workforce and community. It is committed to promoting an equitable and inclusive workspace that is welcoming to all. Applicants from all backgrounds and life experiences are encouraged to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment.

About East Bay Regional Park District

Managing and preserving a metropolitan system of public parklands.

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