“Bring Your Dreams” to Brookings, South Dakota, a city with plenty of small-town charm to go around. From an Olympic-sized archery range to a vibrant downtown shopping district, an old-fashioned pioneer cabin to a fresh local farmers market, Brookings has it all. The City is known for its unique neighborhoods, tree-lined streets, leisurely pace of living, and genuinely friendly people who live, work, and play with the comfort of big-city amenities. Located along the I-29 Corridor, Brookings has a population of 24,415 people in 13.5 square miles and an estimated 530,000 annual visitors.

Brookings has exceptional, well-maintained public parks, trails, and recreational venues. Miles of biking trails throughout the City provide entertainment for the entire family, connecting parks, neighborhoods, schools, and other civic amenities.

Brookings is also home to the excellent Brookings School District, rated 7th largest in the state, and South Dakota State University, South Dakota’s largest and only land-grant university with an enrollment of nearly 11,500. The City has received numerous awards in recent years including #1 Best College Town in South Dakota (Travel Pulse, 2019), #8 Top College Town in America (Schools.com, 2017), #2 Safest City in South Dakota (Alarms. org, 2018), and Human Rights Score of 100 on Municipal Equality Index (2018-2022).

The ideal candidate for this position is a dynamic, mission-driven individual who can successfully lead a highly committed and talented team that consistently delivers outstanding service to the community in all areas of Parks, Recreation and Forestry.

Candidates most suited for this role are those with:

• A proven track record of earning the respect of all within their organization, lead by example and “walk the talk.”

• Success in establishing and maintaining mutually beneficial partnerships with local government agencies, user groups/associations, non-profit organizations, elected officials and board members.

• Strong finance/budget skills and experience implementing successful alternative funding strategies as well as maximizing cost recovery.

• The ability to lead collaboratively by combining individual strengths and uniting around common goals while providing advocacy, mentorship and professional development support to the members of their team.

• Exceptional communication and problem-solving skills with experience making organizational process changes through best practices, technology, and training.

The minimum educational requirement for this position is a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Parks Management, Recreation Management or a related field and at least five (5) years of progressive leadership experience in parks and recreation programs in a municipal or public sector setting. Certification as a Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP) or Park and Recreation Executive (CPRE) is highly desirable. A combination of related education and experience that demonstrates the candidate’s knowledge, skill, and ability to perform the essential duties of the position may be considered.

The salary range for this position is $91,758 - $124,143, dependent upon experience and qualifications. The City of Brookings offers an excellent benefits package that includes comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance benefits, as well as paid leave and a longevity benefit. Employees will be enrolled in the South Dakota Retirement System.

Please apply online: http://www.governmentresource.com/recruitment-employer-resources/open-recruitments/brookings-sd-parks-director

For more information on this position, contact:

Lynn Barboza, Senior Vice President

LynnBarboza@governmentresource.com

562-575-6142