Parks & Forestry Manager bei City of Fitchburg (WI), WI

About the Department

About Fitchburg -This is Us!
Situated between our state's capital and rural farmland, the geography of Fitchburg is as diverse as the people we serve. We are one of the fastest growing cities in the state.

The Rewards
We offer excellent benefits including Wisconsin Retirement, paid parental leave, bilingual incentive, no deductible health plans, dental, vision, life, accident, income continuation (disability) coverage, flexible work schedules, Public Student Loan Forgiveness, onsite fitness center and more!  

The Opportunity
Under the general direction of the Public Works Director, plans, directs, and coordinates all activities of the Parks and Forestry Department. This includes planning the capital improvement program, inspecting improvements, serving as cemetery sexton, park planning and the supervision of Parks and Forestry staff.  Decisions within areas of responsibility are made independently. Supervision received is general. There is frequent interaction with the general public and other officials outside of the department.

Position Duties

• Plan and implement yearly Parks and Forestry operational and Capital Improvement budgets. Plan and Update Five-Year Urban Forestry Plan.
• Assess staffing requirements, conduct interviews, and offer recommendations for the recruitment of new employees, while also providing guidance on decisions regarding suspensions, demotions, and terminations.
• Supervise and evaluate departmental employees, approve time cards, vacation time, write necessary accident reports, create departmental work rules, training programs, and safety programs.
• Recommend and approve departmental purchases including routine and major purchases.
• Determine sources and prepare applications for Federal, State, County, and grant funding.
• Respond to public comments and complaints as well as responsible for providing public awareness.
• Responsible for safety of public Park facilities including playgrounds, athletic fields, and urban forest.
• Responsible for drafting use Policies for Parks and park facilities. 
• Prepare and implement Comprehensive Park and Open Space Plan.
• Prepare Park master plans, including landscaping, playground, and athletic fields.
• Recommend parkland requirements for new plats. Negotiate along with City Planner on the acquisition of land for Park and Recreation purposes with developers.
• Review and approve all park development plans pertaining to new plats.
• Prepare and implement Master Plans for natural areas.
• Responsible for administration of golf course lease contract.
• Act as cemetery sexton responsible for sales of lots, maintenance and improvements to cemetery and coordinator of burials.
• Oversee all Parks and Forestry capital projects, including preparation of specifications, scopes, estimates, RFP and RFB documents. Draft legal contracts and documents.
• Oversee Parks construction projects and ensure projects are being completed per design specifications and to City satisfaction.
• Prepare, review and edit plan and designs for park layout and new construction projects.
• Prepare, review, and edit plans and designs for other city departments that affect public trees and/or city parkland.
• Implement maintenance of Parks, boulevards, and municipal buildings.
• Responsible for planting plans for street and park trees and other landscaping plantings.
• Oversee disease and invasive or exotic plant interventions and control programs in cooperation with State, Federal, and Local agencies.
• Responsible for proper, timely, and efficient maintenance of urban forest system.
• Draft and recommend forestry ordinances and regulations.

• Responsible for inventories and departmental record keeping.
• Primary Staff contact for Park Commission. Attend appropriate City Council, Committee, and neighborhood meetings.
• Plan, design, and construct landscapes and park layouts for new and/or redeveloped sites.
• Oversee the community gardens in public park operations.
• Ensure proper and complete inventories of street and park trees.

• Directly supervises the Park Maintenance Supervisor and Urban Forester/Naturalist.  

Minimum Qualifications

Education and/or Experience Requirements:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Parks Administration, Public Administration, Landscape Architecture or a related field. Additional experience may substitute for education on a year-for-year basis. 
• Minimum of five years of progressively responsible parks and forestry management experience. 
• Supervisory and/or leadworker experience desired.        

• Must possess a Wisconsin Driver’s License.

• Comprehensive knowledge of modern principles and practices of Parks and Forestry Administration including landscape planning, athletic facility construction, park construction, maintenance, and environmental concepts required.
• Skill in review and analysis of designs, plans, or actual site conditions to determine compliance with acceptable standards required.
• Knowledge of environmental and technological issues related to parks and natural areas required.
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local resources and programs for alternative funding desired.
• Experience with Geographical Information Systems (GIS) is desired.
• Knowledge of personnel management procedures and ability to supervise the work of others required.
• Ability to accept responsibility, to make decisions, to delegate responsibility and to motivate people toward a coordinated effort required.
• Ability to work with contractors and other public agencies, schedule projects, and track project costs desired.
• Skill in park planning concepts, project design, and preparation of construction drawings and construction specifications to acceptable standards desired.
• Ability to read and understand codes, ordinances, specifications, and drawings required.
• Ability to maintain adequate attendance. 
• Ability to attend meetings and other functions during the evening and/or on weekends.