Position Description
Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) is a national leader and innovator in the services and programs we provide to our residents who enjoy our public spaces such as parks, community centers, specialty gardens and swimming pools. Our mission includes providing safe and accessible spaces for residents and visitors to work, recreate, rejuvenate and enhance quality of life and wellness for children, teenagers, adults and seniors . We promote healthy people, a thriving environment and vibrant communities.
SPR commits to City of Seattle Workplace Values and Expectations , and Racial Equity and Social Justice as core principles that guide our work. We support and hold ourselves accountable by striving to eliminate barriers to access and provide employees with equitable opportunities for professional growth and advancement.
About Policy and Finance: SPR’s Policy and Finance Branch provides policy leadership and financial planning, performance management and reporting, and strategic management of SPR’s more than 6,400 acres of property. Among our top priorities in 2023 are supporting implementation of Cycle 2 of the Seattle Park District by establishing accountability systems and reporting processes, supporting strategy development on select high-visibility, cross-disciplinary policy areas, and liaison work with the Mayor’s Office and City Council.
About the Position : The incumbent will serve as a key advisor to the Deputy Superintendent for Policy and Finance, Chief of Staff and Superintendent and will lead departmental strategic planning efforts and provide long-range financial planning, analysis and reporting, and policy and process design related to the Seattle Park District, an independent taxing authority that supports SPR’s operating and capital funding.. Recommendations will be grounded in racial equity and include robust policy and financial analyses.
Job Responsibilities
- Collaborate with stakeholders across the organization to support ongoing strategy development and decision-making on a range of cross-disciplinary topics and policy areas.
- Conduct policy and fiscal analyses in conjunction with racial equity analysis tools to inform policy direction, resource allocation and program priorities. Make recommendations to SPR Executive Team members and Superintendent.
- Communicate with internal and external stakeholders as an authoritative representative of Seattle Parks and Recreation on a variety of issues.
- Serve as Mayor’s Office decision-making pipeline liaison and lead or support development of associated materials.
- Serve as legislative liaison with the Seattle Park District Board, including drafting legislation, coordinating submission of requested deliverables, and preparing presentations and reports on SPR’s progress.
- Coordinate development of and draft SPR annual reports in both written and digital communication channels.
- Develop and facilitate alignment with a department-wide accountability framework for accomplishments associated with investments funded in Cycle 2 of the Seattle Park District
- Coordinate planning for future Park District cycles in partnership with the SPR budget team, organizational performance management team, department leadership, City Budget Office, and City Council staff.
- Provide leadership, focus, and direction to cross-functional teams to steward the department’s strategic plan and associated updates and action plans, including planning and executing community and staff engagement.
- Work closely with SPR’s budget manager to support integrating fiscal considerations into strategic planning and to ensure financial information is accurately embedded in policy analyses and departmentwide reporting.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s Degree in business or public administration, planning, finance, economics or a related field.
- Three (3) years of experience that includes analyzing policy and fiscal issues and providing strategic recommendations for executive management or elected officials.
- Experience managing projects and/or programs.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office 365 applications for communication, analysis and reporting.
- Commitment to putting the City’s Values / Workplace Expectations and Race and Social Justice Initiative into action.
(Combinations of education and/or training and/or work experience which provides the ability to perform this work will also be considered)
Our most successful candidate would also have:
- Master’s Degree in business or public administration, planning, finance, economics or a related field or equivalent combinations of education and experience.
- Experience working in a parks and recreation organization or with relevant strategic planning and financial / policy analysis efforts.
- Experience conducting racial equity analyses when considering fiscal and policy issues.
- Experience with budgeting and/or financial planning and understanding of the relationship between budget and policy.
- Ability to assess and make policy recommendations that improve effectiveness and efficiency within the context of the City and Department values.
- Knowledge of metrics and key performance indicators in strategy execution and process improvement.
- Strong creative problem-solving, negotiation, team leadership and facilitation skills, and the ability to work collaboratively.
- Proven analytical skills and ability to display complex data and information in a simple, visual and understandable format, utilizing available software tools to present reports and recommendations.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills as demonstrated by work products.
- Experience working with people from diverse backgrounds including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women (LGBTQ, people with disabilities, and veterans.
- Experience having complex and challenging discussions about race and diversity in the workplace, managing differences, and building bridges.
- Ability to lead teams comprised of culturally and generationally diverse staff in a collaborative manner that focuses on employee engagement, good communication, and team building.
Additional Information
The full salary range for this position is $47.85 – $71.80 Hourly.
Work Environment: This work will be performed in an office environment with the opportunity to work a hybrid office/remote schedule upon approval.
License, Certification and Other Requirements: Current Washington State driver’s license or evidence of equivalent mobility required.
Organizational Affirmations: Seattle Parks and Recreation is proud to present organizational affirmations to drive our strategic direction and illuminate our commitment to providing a shining parks and recreation system for all residents and visitors. #SeattleShines
Land Acknowledgment
Seattle Parks and Recreation acknowledges and affirms the indigenous Coast Salish as the original caretakers of our landscape, who nurtured and shaped today’s parkland. We honor their legacy with gratitude and appreciation and will safeguard their knowledge and stewardship as enduring treasures to promote community welfare, cultivate inclusive expressions of nature and recreation and commit to land acknowledgment for each ensuing generation.
Vision
Seattle Parks and Recreation envisions an accessible and sustainable park and recreation system, led by a dynamic workforce, where visitors and residents come together to play, recreate, strengthen our environment and build community; a place which fosters collaboration and where everyone is park proud! #ParkProudSeattle
Mission
Seattle Parks and Recreation equips employees and the public for well-being as we support healthy people, a thriving environment and vibrant community. We provide safe and accessible spaces for residents and visitors to work, recreate, rejuvenate and enhance quality of life and wellness for children, teenagers, adults and seniors.
Equity & Inclusion
Seattle Parks and Recreation commits to advancing equity and social justice in our department and in every neighborhood by growing a dynamic and diverse workforce, developing strong investments, growth opportunities and beneficial partner strategies as we acknowledge and pledge to close disparities created by historical practices which often hindered workforce development, environmental justice, access to quality open spaces, programs and facilities. #OneSeattle
The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents. More information about employee benefits is available on the City’s website at:
https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits/employees-and covered family-members/most employees-plans
The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents.
More information about employee benefits is available on the City’s website at:
“Most” Employees Plans – Human Resources | seattle.gov
01
Do you have a Bachelor’s Degree in business or public administration, planning, finance, economics or a related field or equivalent combinations of education and experience to fulfill the work of the position?
- Yes
- No
02
Do you have three (3) years of experience analyzing policy and fiscal issues and providing strategic recommendations for executive management or elected officials?
- Yes
- No
03
Do you have proficiency in Microsoft Office 365 applications for communication, analysis and reporting?
- Yes
- No
04
Are you committed to putting the City’s Values / Workplace Expectations and Race and Social Justice Initiative into action?
- Yes
- No
05
Please paste a writing sample below (no more than 500 words). The sample should be a summary of a recommendation you made based on a financial / policy analysis you conducted within the past 3 years. Please begin the response noting the audience of your recommendation and subject (e.g., To: Superintendent of Seattle Parks and Recreation; RE: Multi-Use Trail Policy).
Required Question