Salary : $63,641.81 – $101,826.84 Annually
Location : North Port, FL
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 201401459
Department: Parks and Recreation Department
Opening Date: 06/23/2023
General Description
As the largest city in the North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton metropolitan statistical area (MSA), the City of North Port is currently home to 82,000 residents and is the second fastest growing City in the United States. The average age of our residents is 46.1, with more than 13,652 school-age students who call North Port home.
The City’s Parks & Recreation Department promotes health and wellness and drives economic opportunity with 27 parks and facilities, several hundred acres of green spaces, 19 sports fields/courts and an array of year-round programs, events, and activities for residents and visitors. The Department is Accredited through the National Recreation and Parks Association Commission for Accreditation of Parks and Recreation Agencies and is 1 of approximately 200 agencies to achieve this credential nationwide.
The Department is seeking a dynamic Community Partnerships & Engagement Manager to lead engagement efforts and advance strategies related to public relations, community awareness, marketing, and sponsorships in support of parks and recreation initiatives in the City. This position will be responsible for engaging various partners and building quality relationships that enhance and enrich life experiences within our community. The Manager will also oversee efforts to increase awareness and visibility of Parks & Recreation activities, facilities, and services.
The right fit for this position has an incomparable work ethic and leadership skills. They understand how to establish and maintain strong relationships and they are confident in their knowledge and skills while remaining approachable to stakeholders throughout the community. The candidate should be an excellent communicator able to successfully collaborate with both internal and external customers, have a passion for parks and recreation, and be eager to promote quality of life initiatives in the City of North Port.
Essential Job Functions
- Plans and implements community engagement strategies and associated collateral in support of Department goals and initiatives.
- Manages and assigns work
- Ensures communication with internal teams, stakeholders and the public is courteous and handled in a professional manner whether in person, on the telephone or by mail.
- Supervises and evaluates assigned staff including training and advising staff of rules and regulations, proper protocols, and internal controls.
- Assists in budget preparation, including establishing priorities, identifying key performance indicators, and allocating resources.
- Serves as point of contact for all media requests directed to Parks & Recreation Department.
- Assists Marketing & Engagement Manager with the creation, annual update, and implementation of a measurable, strategic marketing and communications plan and supports related CAPRA standards.
- Performs communications, media relations, marketing, advertising, and public relations duties.
- Oversees and manages the Parks & Recreation Department’s partnership and sponsorship initiatives by securing and maintaining unique and innovative partners and recruiting and retaining sponsors.
- Provides accurate, timely, and consistent information related to City programs, events, and services.
- Assists with community celebrations, ribbon cuttings, groundbreakings, etc. related to Parks & Recreation projects.
- Researches, develops, and disseminates electronic and printed publications, press releases, photographic materials, feature articles, and other forms of communication to the public to increase community awareness of Parks & Recreation services and programs.
- Manages the Parks & Recreation Department social media page and contributes to the City’s social media channels.
- Builds and leverages strong working relationships with key stakeholders and manages ongoing partner engagement.
- Plans for strategic presence at Department events and acts as spokesperson when appropriate.
- Attends staff meetings, council meetings and community meetings as directed and develops applicable presentations, outreach programs, and educational tours.
- Responsible for managing and documenting return on investment for all marketing, partnership and engagement initiatives and establishing and monitoring applicable tracking mechanisms.
- Works collaboratively with the Communications team to coordinate the City’s overall efforts to develop and disseminate information about City programs, services, and other issues.
(These essential job functions are not to be construed as a complete statement of all duties performed. Employees will be required to perform other related duties as assigned, including City-directed work assignments in the event of a declared emergency.)
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities
- Knowledge of social media platforms.
- Knowledge, skill and application of correct grammar, punctuation, word usage, and sentence structure.
- Skilled in the use small office equipment, including copy machines or multi-line telephone systems.
- Skilled in using computers for data entry and word processing.
- Skilled in public speaking and providing outreach and educational presentations.
- Skilled in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop/InDesign) and video editing software.
- Skilled in adapting information and writing for a variety of audiences and media, including writing, and editing news releases, feature stories, and articles.
- Ability to interpret and implement customer service-related concepts, policies, and procedures to maintain and improve service delivery and customer satisfaction.
- Ability to perform mathematical calculations and to prepare statistical summaries and reports.
- Ability to plan, organize and use mature judgment in evaluating situations and making decisions in accordance with established policy.
- Ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships with City officials, other employees, and the public.
- Ability to organize and communicate effectively.
- Ability to use discretion and good judgment in handling politically sensitive information and issues.
- Ability to manage multiple projects or programs simultaneously.
- Ability to remain calm in crisis or high-pressure situations.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described herein are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Working Conditions:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee’s work is typically performed in a safe and secure work environment that may periodically have unpredicted requirements or demands.
Risk/Safety Conditions:
This position requires minimal exposure or risk to physical health and/or physical safety (e.g., exposure to environmentally hazardous material, heavy equipment, etc.)
Physical Activities:
The work is light: exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. Additional requirements include balancing, climbing, crouching, feeling, fingering, grasping, handling, hearing, kneeling, lifting, mental acuity, pulling, pushing, reaching, repetitive motion, speaking, standing, stooping, talking, visual acuity, and walking.
Position requires the operation of a City vehicle.
(Occasional=1-3 Hrs.; Frequent=3-5 Hrs.; Constant=5-8 Hrs. – Per Workday)
Education, Experience, Licenses and Certifications
Education and Experience:
- Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in Public Relations, Marketing, Parks & Recreation, or closely related field.
- Six years related experience in a similar position.
- Three (3) years supervisory experience.
Licenses and Certifications:
Possession of or ability to obtain a valid Florida driver’s license by date of hire.
All benefits are effective the 1st of the month following 30 days.
Aetna – Health Insurance
The City offers eligible employees the choice of 2 Open Access In Network plans and 1 Open Access PPO Plan. Premiums and co-pays are dependent upon your plan choice.
Cigna Dental- Dental Insurance
The City’s dental plan is a PPO plan providing eligible employees with in network or out of network options. You are entitled to two (2) preventive care treatments per calendar year (6 months apart). There is a $1,500 lifetime maximum for Orthodontia (children up to age 19). Premiums will depend on which tier you choose.
EyeMed Vision Care – Vision Insurance
The City’s vision plan allows eligible employees to stay in network or go out of network. Your co-pays will vary depending on the network you use. You are entitled to an exam, frames and lenses once every 12 months.
Cigna Life – Life, Voluntary Life, Dependent Life Insurance
The City offers eligible employees a basic term life insurance benefit equal to their annual salary up to a $75,000 maximum at no charge. You can purchase additional voluntary life insurance for yourself and your dependents.
Cigna – Short Term Disability
The City provides short term disability coverage to all eligible employees at no cost to the employee. This coverage is used in the event of an accident or illness outside of work. The plan pays 66.67% of your weekly salary up to a maximum of $1,000. Benefits begin on the 31st day of your disability. The City offers a buy-up to the Short Term Disability Benefit with a 7 day wait period.
E-Flex – Flexible Spending Account
A flexible spending account helps you pay out-of-pocket medical, dental, eye care, daycare and other expenses, with tax deferred money deducted from your paycheck each payroll. The maximum annual election is $2,500.00. Over-the-counter medications must be accompanied by a doctor’s prescription although other medical supplies will still be eligible for reimbursement. This is a voluntary benefit.
Trustmark- Supplemental Polices
Trustmark Insurance Company offers voluntary supplemental Critical Illness/Cancer, Accident and Universal Life policies which are paid for by the employee.
LifeLock Benefit Solutions
Protect your personal information and defend against attacks with 24/7, proactive identity theft protection from LifeLock. This is an employee paid voluntary program.
ICMA-RC – Deferred Compensation Plans
The City offers eligible employees the opportunity to enroll in a deferred retirement plan. The money that is deducted from your paycheck each payroll is put into this account and is tax deferred at the end of the year. One-on-one meetings with each company are held quarterly so employees can speak with the representative confidentially on preparing for their retirement. This is a voluntary program.
Florida Retirement System – FRS
Eligible employees are enrolled in the Florida Retirement System with an 8 year vesting period. Employees contribute 3% of their gross earnings per payroll which is subject to change with the IRS.
Cigna – Employee Assistance Program
The City offers this program to all employees. This is a confidential counseling program for employees and their families. The City pays for 3 visits and if you choose to continue, you would use the specialist co-pay on your insurance plan. Counseling can include stress, alcoholism, family problems, marriage difficulties, financial trouble, depression, work/life and more.
VPI – Veterinary Pet Insurance
The City offers Pet Insurance as a voluntary benefit. This benefit is not payroll deducted.
Florida Prepaid College Board
Employees are eligible to enroll in college savings programs as well as 529 plans.
Educational Assistance Program
Employees are eligible for job-related or degree required educational assistance reimbursement up to $2,500 per fiscal year (subject to the availability of funds).
Paid Holidays
The City observes 12 paid holidays per year.
Sick Leave and Annual Leave
Full time employees accrue eight (8) hours per month starting on the first day of employment. Accruals and usage will appear on your pay stub each payroll. Full time employees accrue annual leave (vacation) bi-weekly, based on years of service.
Sick Leave Incentive
Employees receive an incentive of up to four (4) days per calendar year for every 250 hours remaining in their sick leave bank. Sick leave incentive days cannot be carried over to the next year.
Personal Leave
Employees are eligible for a maximum of two (2) personal leave days per calendar year when they have accrued 96 or sick more hours. This leave is approved by the department director through the department leave approval process.
Bereavement Leave
Employees are entitled to five (5) days of bereavement leave in the event of the death of an immediate family member. Employees should check the personnel policy or union contracts, whichever is applicable, for the definition of an “immediate family member”.