Recreation Director

The Village of Orland Park, a dynamic, progressive, growing community of 60,000 residents seeks a Director to lead the Recreation Division of the Recreation and Parks department.  Located about 30 miles southwest of downtown Chicago, Orland Park has a unique blend of residential and business communities in the midst of more that 500 acres of parks and open lands. The Director of Recreation will oversee a system that includes a recreation program that enrolled more than 22,000 children and adults in 2005. 

 

The Village of Orland Park

 

The Village of Orland Park was incorporated May 31, 1982 and operates under the Manager form of Government which was adopted on November 5, 1983.

Legislative oversight in the Village is provided by the elected Mayor and Board of Trustees. The corporate authorities include the Village President (Mayor), the Village Clerk and six Village Trustees, each of whom is elected at large to a four year term.

 

Recreation Director Position

 

The Recreation Director is appointed by and is directly accountable to the Village Manager, day-to-day reporting is to the Assistant Village Manager.  In collaboration with the Village Manager, Recreation Advisory Board, the Mayor and the Village Board, the Director is expected to develop short-term and long-term goals for village wide recreation programs and the department.  This position is responsible for a $6.6 million budget for fiscal year 2007.

 

This position handles the day to day management and administration of the division and is expected to stay on top of the recent developments and trends in the Recreation field and incorporate as appropriate. The Director of Recreation  will prepare and administer departmental budgets, manage staff, and coordinate and track capital projects and improvements for the Recreation division. The department has 18 full-time staff, and approximately 280 regular part-time and 300 seasonal employees.   

 

Ideal Candidate

 

A confident, proactive and collaborative professional will best serve as the next Recreation Director for the Village of Orland Park’s Recreation and Parks department.  This Director will have several years of progressive experience managing a Recreation department or similar organization.  High level management experience in a comparably complex public or private sector environment will also be considered.   We also require a Bachelor’s degree in recreation and parks administration, public/business administration or related field.  A Master’s degree in a related field is highly preferred.  Strong budgeting, fiscal management, solid judgment, supportive and motivating leadership style and partnership oriented attitude are additional qualities that will make for a successful Director in the Village of Orland Park.

 

Professional Characteristics

 

Visionary

Effective facilitator

Exercises good judgment and reasonable risk taking

Supportive and motivating leadership style

Resourceful

Open, collaborative and accessible

Partnership oriented

Recognized for high professional standards and innovation

Team and results oriented

Engenders trust and credibility

High energy

Embraces challenges and opportunities with enthusiasm

Optimistic and confident in his/her abilities

 

Recreation and Parks Department Overview

 

The Village is served by its own Recreation and Parks department.  The Recreation division offers a comprehensive program for all ages that includes preschool activities, day camps, sports camps, dance, exercise, music, cultural arts, clubs, teen activities, and special recreation programs.

 

The Recreation division boasts a variety of facilities to house our numerous programs. The Franklin Loebe Recreation Center includes classrooms, an indoor playground, indoor walking track, basketball/volleyball courts, wrestling and dance rooms, and the administrative offices of the department.

 

The Sportsplex which opened March 2002, is a 90,000 square foot recreation center featuring a running track, sports performance area, free weights, a weight room and a youth-training area.  The facility also includes 3 basketball/volleyball courts, indoor soccer center, gymnastics studio, 32 foot climbing wall, aerobic/dance studio and shuffleboard, indoor batting cages, women’s, men’s and family locker rooms, and child care services.

 

This division is also responsible for scheduling the Village’s 500 plus acre park system, including Centennial Park Aquatic Center, Centennial Park, the John Humphrey Sports Complex, and the Grinding Edge Skate Park.  The John Humphrey Sports Complex encompasses 20 acres of lighted softball, baseball, and football fields, along with concession and restroom facilities.

 

Centennial Park is a 236 acre site which boasts ball fields and soccer fields that are used by local organizations.  State, regional and national tournaments have been hosted at Orland Park’s Centennial Park.  In addition, Centennial Park includes a marina, path system, ice rink and sled hill.  The Centennial Park Aquatic Center features a lazy river, body flume, drop slide, tube slides, platform jump, zero depth pool with kiddie play structure and lap lanes.

 

Compensation and Benefits

 

The salary for this position is competitive and commensurate with qualifications, starting $80k - $90k plus take home vehicle or auto allowance.  The Village of Orland Park offers a comprehensive employee benefits program which includes a PPO and HMO offered through Blue Cross, Blue Shield of Illinois, dental, vision, and life insurance.  Retirement programs through the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF), Nationwide Insurance, ICMA, and Hartford Insurance are also available.  We also provide for paid, vacation, personal, sick days and holidays.

 

Application and Selection Process

 

To be considered for the position, please submit a statement of qualifications, resume, current salary information and professional references to:

 

Stephana Przybylski

Human Resources Manager

Village of Orland Park

14700 S. Ravinia

Orland Park, IL  60462

708-349-4859 (fax)

e-mail:  hr@orland-park.il.us

 

The recruitment for this position will remain open until the position is filled.