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Item 4.9 Approve a Job Description and Authorize Recruitment Parks Supervisor Request for City Council Action DEPARTMENT INFORMATION ORIGINATING DEPARTMENT REQUESTOR: MEETING DATE: Parks and Recreation Parks and Recreation Director Jacobs May 11, 2026 PRESENTER(s) REVIEWED BY: ITEM #: Consent City Administrator/Finance Director Flaherty Assistant City Administrator/ Human Resources Hille 4.9 – Job Description STRATEGIC VISION MEETS: THE CITY OF OTSEGO: Is a strong organization that is committed to leading the community through innovative communication. Has proactively expanded infrastructure to responsibly provide core services. Is committed to delivery of quality emergency service responsive to community needs and expectations in a cost-effective manner. X Is a social community with diverse housing, service options, and employment opportunities. X Is a distinctive, connected community known for its beauty and natural surroundings. AGENDA ITEM DETAILS RECOMMENDATION: City staff recommend the City Council approve a job description and authorize recruitment. ARE YOU SEEKING APPROVAL OF A CONTRACT? IS A PUBLIC HEARING REQUIRED? No No BACKGROUND/JUSTIFICATION: This recommendation aligns with the planned retirement of the current Foreperson and reflects the continued growth and increasing complexity of the City of Otsego’s parks system. The Foreperson role has historically functioned as a lead worker position, focused on daily maintenance and providing field direction to staff. While effective in the past, the scope of park operations has expanded significantly with additional parkland, trail systems, amenities, and increased usage. As a result, the department’s needs now extend beyond a field-based lead role. The proposed Parks Supervisor position shifts the focus from task execution to full operational oversight. This includes planning and prioritizing work, managing staff through scheduling, evaluations, and development, and overseeing projects to ensure timelines, quality, and coordination across departments and contractors. The role will also take on greater administrative responsibility, including supporting budgeting, tracking expenditures, and recommending capital improvements, while providing additional leadership capacity within the department. This transition is driven by both growth and operational complexity. As the system expands and staffing levels increase, consistent supervision, training, and accountability become increasingly important to maintain efficient, safe, and high-quality operations. The proposed change also supports the City Council’s strategic goal of empowering the organization by strengthening internal leadership, improving decision-making, and enhancing accountability. Similar role evolutions in other service areas such as Recreation and Utilities have resulted in effective and consistent operations. The Administrative and Public Works Subcommittees were presented with this information and were in support of the job description for consideration of approval by the City Council. The draft recruitment schedule is currently as follows but is subject to change: - Recruitment Authorization: 5/11/2026 - Position Posted: 5/13/2026 - Position Closes: 6/4/2026 - Tentative Interviews: Week of June 15 - Council Review: 6/22/2026 - Tentative Start: July SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS ATTACHED: • Job Description – Parks Supervisor POSSIBLE MOTION PLEASE WORD MOTION AS YOU WOULD LIKE IT TO APPEAR IN THE MINUTES: Motion to approve the Parks Supervisor Job Description and to authorize recruitment. BUDGET INFORMATION FUNDING: BUDGETED: General Fund – Park Maintenance (45200) Yes, the budget accounted for the Foreperson position at Grade 8, with the Supervisor position at Grade 9, the difference will be funded by the vacancy in the position until filled. Position Description Position: Parks Supervisor Department: Parks and Recreation Position Status: Full-time FLSA Status: Non-exempt Pay Grade: 9 Approved: TBD DESCRIPTION OF WORK General Statement of Duties: Supervises and performs the maintenance and operation of the City’s parks, trails, and related facilities. Oversees daily work activities, assigns tasks, evaluates staff, and assists with hiring. Operates and maintains parks equipment and vehicles and ensures compliance with safety and maintenance standards. Coordinates with other departments and contractors on improvement projects and provides input on budget and capital needs; performs related duties as assigned. Immediate Supervisor: Parks and Recreation Director. Supervises: Parks Maintenance Staff and Seasonal Staff. Provides Work Direction to: None. MAJOR JOB FUNCTIONS 1. Project Management and Work Direction: a. Assist the Parks and Recreation Director with department planning and management functions b. Lead, schedule, and coordinate daily work activities, projects, and assignments for parks staff c. Serve as on-site project lead for park maintenance, improvements, and construction d. Attend internal and external meetings as assigned and represent the department in the Director’s absence e. Monitor project progress, timelines, and quality of work f. Provide updates to leadership g. Serve as acting department head when assigned 2. Park Maintenance: a. Oversee maintenance, inspection, and repair of parks, playgrounds, athletic fields, trails, shelters, buildings and landscaped areas b. Maintain turf, trees, shrubs, and landscaped areas following industry standards c. Inspect, repair, and maintain irrigation systems, park structures, and recreational amenities d. Keep accurate maintenance records, inventory logs, and inspect e. Coordinate snow removal for parks, trails, and city facilities as assigned f. Operate equipment for snow removal at parks, trails, and city facilities g. Operate heavy and light equipment for parks maintenance tasks 3. Equipment: a. Oversee and perform preventative maintenance and minor repairs of parks vehicles and equipment b. Assist mechanics as needed on repairs and troubleshooting c. Estimate and perform repairs on light equipment and park specific machinery d. Ensure all equipment is operated safely and staff are trained to use it correctly 4. Recreation and Community Support a. Assist in developing, promoting, and delivering recreation programs and events b. Support program setup, takedown, and on-site coordination c. Contribute ideas, improvements, and innovations for community programs d. Assist with outreach, marketing, and social media as assigned e. Engage professionally with residents and community groups; assist with education and outreach efforts 5. Supervision and Staff Development a. Provide daily work direction to full-time, part-time, and seasonal staff b. Ensure staff are properly trained and cross trained in parks operations and safety c. Complete employee evaluations, performance feedback, and goal setting d. Participate in recruiting, interviewing, hiring, and onboarding of parks employees e. Approve all staff schedules, timecards, and leave requests f. Enforce safety policies, procedures, and work standards 6. Policies and Safety Compliance a. Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations related to parks operations b. Recommend operational improvements to increase work efficiency and workflow c. Ensure all safety policies and procedures are followed at all times d. Participate in required safety training and ensure staff maintains compliance e. Follow and enforce all City policies and procedures 7. Financial and Administrative Duties a. Assist with preparing annual budgets, monitoring expenditures, and managing parks inventory b. Recommend capital improvement needs for parks and recreational facilities c. Track maintenance costs, assist with bid review, and help manage vendor relationships d. Support grant writing and reporting as directed 8. General a. Maintain strong communication and teamwork with all City departments b. Provide excellent customer service to residents, contractors, developers, and City officials c. Promote a positive, respectful, and professional workplace culture d. Respond to emergency or on-call situations as needed e. Perform other duties and projects as assigned KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES • Considerable knowledge of and experience in use of heavy and light equipment and vehicle operation, including preventative maintenance and inspection procedures and practices • Considerable knowledge of stationary and hand-powered tools, equipment and standard practices of maintaining parks and trails • Considerable knowledge of the establishment and maintenance of turf and planting and care of trees, grasses, shrubs and flowers • Working knowledge of playground installation, maintenance, repair and inspection and ballfield maintenance • Considerable skill in the operation of snow removal • Ability to follow oral and written instruction, prioritize work and perform duties independently and as a member of a team • Working ability to establish and maintain good working relationships and communicate effectively with City staff and the general public • Working ability to operate a computer, maintain inventory, and complete work records • Ability to communicate clearly, professionally, effectively, and precisely both verbally and in writing • Ability to resolve and diffuse conflicts • Ability to work independently and as part of a team and to coordinate work with other departments and to lead multi-departmental or multi-jurisdictional projects • Ability to plan, prioritize and organize the department’s work • Strong sense of honesty, integrity, and credibility • Considerable knowledge of parks maintenance, turf care, tree and plant care, and playground standards • Skilled in the operation of light and heavy machinery, including snow removal equipment • Knowledge of irrigation systems, repair techniques, and landscape maintenance • Knowledge of tools, equipment, materials, and safety practices used in parks operations • Ability to read plans, manuals, and technical documents • Strong supervisory skills, including scheduling, training, and performance management MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS 1. High School Diploma/GED 2. Five years of progressive park maintenance and grounds experience 3. Two years of supervisory experience 4. Valid Class A driver’s license with tanker endorsement PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS 1. Non-Commercial Pesticide Applicator license 2. Certified Playground Inspector 3. Certified Tree Inspector 4. Experience with irrigation systems 5. Experience working for a growing city or county PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT: The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Most work is outside in varying conditions, including atmospheric conditions, humidity, noise, extreme heat temperature; occasionally work is completed in extreme cold, wet conditions, vibrations and hazards. Work includes operating equipment, and exposure to field and construction site conditions are frequent. This position is expected to be on-call and directing winter snow removal for the parks department. This includes medium physical strength work constantly, with frequent heavy physical work. Travel within the City to parks and facilities is every day. Attendance at city parks and recreation events in the evening and on the weekends when required. Activities that occur constantly (5–8 hours/shift): standing, walking, stooping, reaching, handling, grasping, talking, hearing, repetitive motions, eye/hand/foot coordination Activities that occur frequently (2–5 hours/shift): lifting, carrying kneeling, crouching Activities that occur occasionally (up to 2 hours/shift): sitting, pushing, pulling, balancing, feeling Activities that occur rarely (do not exist as regular part of job): climbing, crawling City of Otsego is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, reasonable accommodations are offered to qualified individuals with disabilities. Prospective and current employees are encouraged to discuss potential accommodations with the employer. Employee signature below constitutes employee’s understanding of the requirements, essential functions, and duties of the position. Employee Name Employee Signature Date