Closing Date: Monday, July 27th, 2026, or once 150 applications are received 

Position: Assistant Director

Department: PARCS

Salary: $160,141.02 - $204,384.96

FLSA: Exempt

EEO Category: 1.2 First/Mid-Level Official and Manager

General Summary: Responsible for planning, organizing, and leading multiple divisions within the PARCS (Parks, Arts, Recreation and Community Services) department. Responsible for the supervision of assigned staff members.

NOTE: Level is determined by scope of work, span of control, and impact to the organization.

Responsibilities

Include, but are not limited to:

• Develops and oversees the planning, administration, and implementation of one or more of the following areas: Parks and Facilities Maintenance, Arts & Culture, Recreation, Special Events, Community Service, Sponsorships, and Marketing.
• Plans, organizes, monitors, and directs the day-to-day division operations to ensure department-wide support and adherence to policies and procedures, to comply with laws and regulations, and to manage risk and mitigate liability; compiles division operations and/or project status reports.
• Responds to and/or initiates action to resolve situations within the assigned scope of work while putting effectiveness, efficiency, and safety as top priority.
• Oversees and ensures the preparation of clear and accurate reports, manuals, correspondence, policies, procedures, and other written materials relating to departmental and interdepartmental operations, systems, and procedures.
• Oversees and ensures the accurate interpretation of rules, standards, and procedures.
• Oversees and ensures the completion of accurate studies and research as needed; conducts effective public presentations.
• Oversees and ensures the maintenance, development, and implementation of applicable administrative processes, procedures, programs, and activities.
• Assists in budget development as a key contributor or responsible party and administers assigned budgets as required; prepares cost and fee estimates for budget recommendations; monitors and approves expenditures; develops sound fiscal strategies for the effective use of funds; ensures the use of funds in the manner prescribed by the funding source and that local, state, and federal guidelines and regulations are met.
• Represents the City and Department effectively in contacts with elected and foreign officials, representatives of other agencies, and the public, occasionally in situations where relations may be difficult or strained.
• Provides representation on various committees, commissions, boards, and before special interest groups; makes presentations and provides information regarding the Department's operations to the community and stakeholders; relates effectively with multiple and diverse constituencies; and effectively maintains and expands partnerships.
• Brings organizations together to collaborate and share resources to deliver services to the community and stakeholders.
• Provides leadership and directs staff to ensure a high-performance, customer service-oriented work environment that supports achieving City and department missions, goals, objectives, and service standards; oversees and manages division and department-wide personnel training.
• Assists, as a key contributor and/or lead, in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies, and priorities within the department to assure maximum effectiveness and efficiency.
• Analyzes, develops, and applies best practices and quality assurance processes to assigned areas of responsibility.
• Ensures that best practices and quality assurance processes in the assigned areas of responsibility are utilized.
• Guides the selection of staff; ensures the coordination of orientation, training, career development, and staff motivation activities.
• Oversees and ensures compliance of the employee performance evaluation program and processes for the assigned division; establishes and communicates division(s) goals and performance expectations; monitors the department’s employee relations.
• Evaluates employee performance to ensure a high quality of service; mentors and coaches personnel; identifies ways to motivate and recognize employees for outstanding performance; identifies and implements training and development opportunities for assigned staff; identifies and addresses employee conduct and performance concerns, in accordance with the City’s personnel rules and policies.
• Ensures safe working conditions exist, and safe work practices are followed by staff.
• Provides leadership that inspires and encourages employees to grow and excel, as well as ensures a fair and open work environment in accordance with the City's commitment to equal employment opportunity.

The duties listed above are not intended to be all-inclusive. An employee may also perform other related duties as assigned by their immediate supervisor. This position is considered exempt.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in public or business administration or related field; Master’s degree preferred
• Seven (7) years of experience with five (5) years of supervisory experience
• Equivalent combination of education and work experience may be considered

Other Requirements:

• Knowledge of goals, objectives, and trends in parks and facilities, recreation, community services, and cultural arts.
• Knowledge of principles of public administration, personnel management, budgeting, and community engagement.
• Attention to Detail – focusing on the details of work content, work steps, and final work products.
• Communication – ability to effectively and tactfully communicate in both oral and written forms.
• Self-Management – showing personal organization, self-discipline, and dependability.
• Be ethical, self-motivated, creative, adaptable, organized, and comfortable working in a dynamic and team-oriented environment.
• Relationship building – Establishing rapport and maintaining mutually productive relationships.

Core Competencies:

• Problem Solving – Analytically and logically evaluating information
• Learning Agility – Seeking learning opportunities and applying the lessons to work
• Handling Stress – Maintaining emotional stability and self-control under pressure, challenge, or adversity
• Professional Integrity & Ethics – Displaying honesty, adherence to principles, and personal accountability
• Safety Focus – Showing Vigilance and care in identifying and addressing health risks and safety hazards
• Customer Focus – Attending to the Needs and expectations of customers
• Informing – Proactively obtaining and sharing information
• Teamwork – Collaborating with others to achieve shared goals
• Valuing Diversity – Appreciating the benefits of varied backgrounds and cultures in the workplace
• Allocating Resources – Prioritizing the use of fiscal and material resources to maximize organizational effectiveness

Guiding Principles

1. Put people first.
2. Be visionary.
3. Be an ambassador for Lancaster.
4. Be Fiscally Responsible.
5. Be Creative.
6. Always Improving.
7. Be Adaptable and Resilient.

Essential Physical Requirements:

• Ascend/Descend stairs/ladders/balance (moderate)
• Position self to bend or twist (frequent)
• To move, transport, and position items up to 15 lbs. (frequent)
• Exposed to outdoor weather conditions (infrequent)
• Operate Equipment (none)
• Stationary or squatting position (frequent)

Environmental Factors:

• Work under time pressure (moderate to frequent)
• Interruptions (frequent)

Essential Cognitive Functions:

• Analyze (continuous)
• Computations (frequent)
• Generate Written Work Product (moderate)
• Independent Problem Solving (continuous)
• Interruptions (frequent)
• Maintain Positive Public Relations (continuous)
• Organize (frequent)

Disaster Service Worker:

Pursuant to California Government Code Section 3100-3109, all public employees are declared disaster service workers subject to disaster service activities as may be assigned to them in the event of fire, flood, earthquake, or other natural or man-made disaster.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job. Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

The City of Lancaster will consider qualified applicants with a criminal history pursuant to the California Fair Chance Act. You do not need to disclose your criminal history or participate in a background check until a conditional job offer is made to you. After making a conditional offer and running a background check, if the City of Lancaster is concerned about conviction that is directly related to the job, you will be given the chance to explain the circumstances surrounding the conviction, provide mitigating evidence, or challenge the accuracy of the background report. Find out more about the Fair Chance Act by

visiting www.dfeh.ca.gov/fair-chance-act/.