Park Operations Coordinator

POSTINGS TYPE: Open Competitive Posting
DEPARTMENT: Parks
HOURS: Full-time
PREFERRED HIRING RANGE: $56,217 - $70,271
FULL SALARY RANGE: $56,217 - $87,839 (106 grade)
LOCATION: Flexible Hybrid/Western Service Center, Apple Valley
UNION: Non-Union
CLOSE DATE: 4:30 p.m. on Monday, June 30, 2025

What You'll Do
The Park Operations Coordinator oversees recreation and facilities across Dakota County parks and greenways, ensuring a high quality visitor experience in a safe, efficient and inclusive manner. Primary responsibilities include: delivering park and facility operational plans, customer and visitor services, workforce and volunteer supervision and coordination, program and events support, and partnership engagement in a growing natural resource-based park system.

* Associate's degree and two years of full-time progressively responsible experience in operating high use park and recreation operations including campgrounds, visitor or community centers, recreational equipment rental operations, and/or managing special use permits.
OR
* An equivalent combination of relevant education and work experience to equal or exceed four years. Experience must be relevant to operating high use park and recreation operations including campgrounds, visitor or community centers, recreational equipment rental operations, and/or managing special use permits.
OR
* Bachelor's degree
AND
* Valid driver's license

Preferred Qualifications:
* CPR and First Aid Certified
* Previous lead work or supervisory experience of seasonal hired staff.
* Bachelor's Degree in Parks and Recreation, Outdoor Education, Tourism, or Public/Business/Non-Profit Administration.

These examples do not include all possible tasks in this work and do not limit the assignment of related tasks in any position of this classification. Regular attendance according to the position's management approved work schedule is required for all positions.

1. Oversee general and fee-based park and greenway operations to achieve annual revenue, service and work plan goals.
2. Supervise temporary Operations positions, volunteers, and interns.
3. Build and maintain effective and collaborative working relationships with internal and external partners to support the coordination of the park and greenway operations.
4. Execute annual work plan to meet annual outcomes to achieve Visitor Services Plan and other Department and County objectives.
5. Recommend and purchase equipment, materials and supplies and assist the Operations Supervisor in preparation of annual budget related to Operations Program. Manage program level budgets.
6. Operate and maintain equipment rental operation consistent with business practices and policies of the County and Department.
7. Collaborate with the Guest Services team on operations and visitor use and communications, permits, policies and procedures, as well as administrative and logistical tasks associated with facility reservations and activity passes and associated data entry.
8. Oversee a volunteer program for the Parks and Greenway Operations program and provide training and ongoing volunteer coordination and communication.
9. Manage contracts with vendors including recruitment, contract process, scheduling, and invoicing.
10. Oversee onsite financial processing and cash management per department and county policies and procedures.
11. Initiate direct contact with clients and customers to ensure positive experiences and troubleshoot and address challenges in a pro-active, service-oriented, welcoming manner.
12. Implement and advance special projects, special events and recreation-related initiatives with direction and coordination with Park Operations Supervisor.
13. Participate in park master plan and capital improvement projects and operational work groups.
14. Administer trail reports, and special use permits.
15. Follow and implement appropriate policies and procedures in all park, greenway, and facility operations.
16. Identify and implement process improvements for park operations.
17. Manage trail maps, deferred maintenance projects, and special use area operations.
18. Update public web pages, signage and park communication materials.

* Demonstrated excellent customer service skills.
* Active listener and learner. Effective interpersonal and communication skills.
* Cultural awareness, humility, and desire to build intercultural connections.
* Ability to work with people from various backgrounds.
* Ability to be diplomatic and pleasant under stressful conditions.
* Ability to motivate others.
* Ability to work independently with little supervision.
* Desire to work with a team to perform at a high level of excellence.
* Ability to write reports, manuals and correspondence.
* Ability to work flexible hours (evenings, weekends, and holidays).
* Competency working with Microsoft Windows computer applications, reservation system and point of sale software.
* Physical ability to carry, lift, push/pull, and move outdoor equipment (e.g. canoes and kayaks) and indoor facility equipment (e.g. banquet tables and chairs).

Location & Schedule
This is a hybrid position that offers a mix of telework and in-person work at our Western Service Center in Apple Valley. Work is typically performed Monday through Friday during regular business hours (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) with some weekend, evening, and holiday hours. Flexible schedule will include weekend, evening and holiday hours on occasion.

Work Environment
Work is typically performed in a County office building and outdoors. Driving is required. Employee will be frequently required to work in outside weather conditions, being exposed to cold and hot temperatures, precipitation, direct sunlight, wind, dust and pollen that occasionally necessitates the use of rain gear, gloves, etc. The work requires some physical exertion such as long periods of walking, standing, crouching, or riding over rough, uneven, swampy, or rocky terrain. Staff must also have the physical ability to bend, twist, crouch, forward and overhead reach, push/pull, and lift equipment such as: canoes, kayaks, banquet tables, chairs, picnic tables or similar equipment which may occasionally weigh up to 50 lbs. Team lifts are preferred and recommended for all heavy lifting.

Benefits

• Comprehensive and affordable medical, dental, vision, and other benefits
• Excellent work-life balance
• Generous paid time off (accrual rate starts at four weeks per year)
• Eleven paid holidays and one floating holiday each year
• Pension with a generous employer contribution
• Ability to work from home some of the time
• Monthly cell phone stipend

• You submit an online application that includes supplemental questions
• We assign you a score based on your qualifications
• Top scoring candidates are referred to the hiring manager for interview consideration
• We conduct background and reference checks before hiring