Community Services Director

Community Services Director - City of Fort Collins

The Opportunity

The Community Services Director serves a vital leadership role in the organization and leads a large service area that provides immense value to the community. The Director provides strategic and forward-thinking leadership that is centered in equity to the departments of Cultural Services, Natural Areas, Parks, Park Planning & Development, and Recreation. This position embraces the holistic, interconnected elements of Community Services and effectively contributes to the City’s strong reputation as a destination community.

The Community Services Director is passionate about all things related to arts, culture, natural areas, parks, and recreation and is deeply committed to articulating and promoting the value of Community Services. The Director, a strategic systems thinker, possesses the strong leadership skills necessary for managing a large, complex environment. As a visionary leader, the successful candidate brings a fresh, yet experienced, voice and perspective to Community Services with a strong ability to see the interdependencies between all departments.

With a unified vision, collaborative style, and demonstrated commitment to employee well-being, the Community Services Director leads and supports a large and varied staff of passionate and talented employees. This position directly manages the Cultural Services Director, Natural Areas Director, Parks Director, Park Planning & Development Director, and Recreation Director. Reporting to a Deputy City Manager, the Director effectively represents Community Services and serves with other service area directors as a member of the Executive Leadership Team. In addition, the Community Services Director actively collaborates with others in support of cross-department collaboration and integration.

Total Compensation

The City of Fort Collins offers a competitive comprehensive benefits package, including a market competitive salary of $140,000 – $160,000. Other benefits include medical, dental, vision, wellness program, life, and short- and long-term disability insurance. Additionally, the City of Fort Collins offers other benefits, including 401(a) and a 457 deferred compensation plan with an employer contribution, optional Health Savings Account, Flexible Spending Accounts, and relocation assistance for the successful out of area finalist.

Residency

Directors of a city service area or a group of city service areas, deputy city managers, and assistant city managers shall reside within the Fort Collins Urban Growth Area during their tenure in office, but need not reside within the Fort Collins Urban Growth Area prior to their appointment.

Qualifications

The successful candidate has ten years of progressively responsible experience in Community Services, including Cultural Services, Natural Areas, Parks, Recreation, and Park Planning & Development, with at least eight years in a senior leadership role. A strong customer service mentality, unquestionable ethics and integrity, and a value set aligned with the City of Fort Collins and Community Services’ functions are essential.

A sound financial background with a strong understanding of budgets, financial management, and complex funding models is required. An exceptional ability to develop effective partnerships is essential, as is demonstrated cultural competence to effectively interact, work, and develop meaningful relationships with people of diverse identities, perspectives, and cultural backgrounds. A bachelor’s degree in Business, Liberal Arts, Parks and Recreation, Public Administration, Natural Resources, or related field is required, with a master’s degree encouraged. An equivalent combination of experience and education that enable success as the Community Services Director will be considered.

Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they can perform every job description task. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may come from a less traditional background. The City will consider any equivalent combination of knowledge, skills, education, and experience to meet minimum qualifications. If you are interested in applying, we encourage you to think broadly about your background and skill set for the role.

How to Apply

The City of Fort Collins is deeply committed to high-quality public service and cultivating an outstanding culture for its employees. As a high-performing government, Fort Collins attracts and employs diverse and competitive talent, retains its workforce through development and growth opportunities, and promotes intelligent risk-taking to address increasingly complex challenges.

Applications will be accepted electronically by The Novak Consulting Group at https://bit.ly/2OR799p. Applicants complete a brief online form and are prompted to provide a cover letter and resume. Please apply no later than April 18, 2021.