Park Director

21st Century Parks is seeking a dynamic, innovative and highly accomplished individual to serve as Park Director for a new park system in Louisville, Kentucky. This is an exciting opportunity to shape the development of a visionary 3200 acre new urban park system and, as the founding Park Director of one of the nation's largest new metropolitan park projects, to contribute to the design vision and to build parks operations from the ground up. 21st Century Parks is looking for a person with the ability to develop a strong vision, communicate that vision and follow it through to completion. The new Director will plan, direct and oversee the creation and management of park amenities, programs, facilities and initiatives.

LOUISVILLE, KY. -

Located in central Kentucky on the Ohio River, Louisville was founded in 1778, and its growth resulted from the Falls of the Ohio, which made the area a natural rest stop for river travelers. Since then the city has been the starting point for the Lewis and Clark Expedition, the site of the first public viewing of Edison's light bulb, and the home to 135 runnings of the Kentucky Derby, for which it is best known.

Today, Metro Louisville is the largest city in Kentucky (2007 population estimate of 709,264) with thriving neighborhoods and cultural amenities. There are a number of annual festivals, several neighborhood markets, many museums, art galleries and historic homes. Dubbed one of the best college sports towns in the country, college football and basketball enjoy huge popularity in the Metro area. The city is also the home of the Louisville Bats, a AAA professional baseball team.

The Louisville neighborhoods and community are tied together by an extraordinary park system. Centered around the 3 major parks designed by Fredrick Law Olmsted - Cherokee, Shawnee and Iroquois - the system has been continually added on to by renowned architects including The Olmsted Brothers and Hargreaves Associates. One of the largest new urban park systems in the nation, 21st Century Parks' project - The Fork - is the most recent and ambitious addition to the parks of Louisville. Envisioned as an extension of Olmsted's vision for Louisville, 21st Century Parks believes it is time to re-learn, re-think, and re-build on the vision of Fredrick Law Olmsted with the creation of The Fork.

THE FORK -

The Fork, also known as The Floyds Fork Greenway, is the result of Louisville's visionary thinkers and city leaders, who, over the course of decades, have been setting aside valuable greenspace around the beautiful Floyds Fork stream valley in the eastern portion of the Louisville Metro region. With more than 3,200 acres stretched over 19 miles, The Fork offers Louisville a unique opportunity to provide for the recreation and open space needs of its emerging communities as development continues to the east and south.

The Fork will connect to the city through gateways at key points throughout the parks and through the Louisville Loop, an 100 mile paved walking and biking path planned around the city. The Louisville Loop is a Louisville Metro Parks project, and serves as an example of the partnerships with the city and other local organizations that have been forged to strengthen the Floyds Fork Greenway project.

21ST CENTURY PARKS -

Founded in 2005, 21st Century Parks is a Kentucky - based private, non-profit corporation created to bring a fresh vision to the preservation and development of new parklands. 21st Century Parks is the lead partner in the development and planning of The Fork with Louisville Metro Parks, who is contributing existing city parkland to the project; and Future Fund, Inc., a private land trust which is contributing land and easements for public access to privately held land. All of the partners are very active in the park development process; each having different but interconnected roles.

CANDIDATE -

Working with the staff at 21st Century Parks, coordinating with our partners, and reporting to the CEO, the Park Director will plan, develop, direct and manage the activities and operations of The Fork. The Park Director will be integral in the development of park programs and once developed will oversee them. In addition the Director will be in charge of the coordination of assigned activities and services with our partners, outside agencies, organizations and the general public regarding park operations and safety.

PRIORITIES & EXPECTATIONS -

Understand the 21st Century Park, Future Fund, Inc., Metro Parks partnership and quickly establish open communication and good rapport with all key stakeholders of each group.

Review The Floyds Fork Greenway Master Plan and work with 21st Century Parks, our architects (Wallace, Roberts and Todd of Philadelphia), our partners and outside agencies and organizations to begin to develop and implement proper programs and considerations for the natural areas, playing fields, hiking trails, passive areas and circulation shown on the master plan. 21st Century Parks is looking for someone with a clear understanding of why people come to parks and of the subtle relationship between where operating resources are put and what people want most. The ideal candidate will be able to balance these priorities in the endeavor to make The Fork well used, well loved and well maintained.

Apply a deep understanding of park management and operations to the development of park management initiatives and priorities.

Develop park programs related to operations, maintenance, recreation, education and the environment based on a strong knowledge of current practices and research in these areas.

Be an active participant in fundraising for The Fork.

QUALIFICATIONS -

The successful candidate will have a strong passion for and knowledge of parks and natural areas management. The Park Director is an out of the box thinker who thrives on challenges and seizes the opportunity to be creative, innovative and entrepreneurial, bringing dreams to life.

Education -

A Bachelor's or Master's degree from an accredited college or university with major work in public administration, parks and recreation, natural resource management, urban planning, architecture, landscape architecture or closely related field (or the equivalent combination of education and experience) is required. Because The Fork is a large project encompassing many different land uses and land types, a background and/ or education integrating several of these areas is ideal. A Master's in one of the above with experience is ideal, but not a requirement.

Experience & Knowledge -

The Park Director will have 5-8 years of high-level, hands on management experience in parks and natural areas management, preferably having held positions of increasing authority. Experience managing and writing budgets, developing and implementing new programs and working on fundraising in both the public and private sector is ideal.

The successful candidate will have excellent leadership and interpersonal skills, showing a commitment to being a Team Builder and creating a sense of unity and purpose among management, staff, volunteers , and public stakeholders. An understanding of common employment practices, thorough knowledge of effective supervisory practices, methods and techniques is important. Including the ability to direct, hire, evaluate and supervise staff at all levels.

Strong written and verbal communication skills allowing him or her to communicate effectively with all levels of staff as well as with our partners, our Board of Directors and public interest groups is also required.

Demonstrated knowledge of park operations, natural areas and recreational management, including innovative management plans for all areas. Because this is a new park system currently under design, an ability to comment upon architectural drawings and bring park management, operations, and maintenance input to the design process is also important.

Demonstrated ability to diplomatically work with groups of varying interests, needs and demands to come to a mutually acceptable and effective compromise.

Knowledge of or experience in the areas of horticulture and forestry is desirable as well as an interest in and knowledge of sustainable design and construction techniques.

COMPENSATION -

The starting salary for the Park Director at 21st Century Parks will be competitive, depending on experience and qualifications of the selected individual. In addition, an excellent fringe benefit package will be provided to the successful candidate. Reasonable relocation expenses will also be paid for the selected candidate.

TO APPLY -

For additional information please visit www.21cparks.org or call Janice Hogue at 502-584-0350.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply by August 31st, 2009. Please send a cover letter, resume and professional references to*:

21st Century Parks
c/o Park Director Search Committee
471 West Main Street
Louisville, KY. 40202

Or send electronically to:

janiceh@21cparks.org
with subject line: Park Director Search Committee

*References will not be contacted until mutual interest has been established.

21st Century Park s is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, age, religion, ethnic origin, sexual preference or handicap status.