After a successful career spanning three decades of providing recreation services to the community with the El Dorado Irrigation District (District), the District’s current Parks and Recreation Manager will be retiring this fall.  In anticipation of this key retirement, the District is currently recruiting for an enthusiastic, dynamic, and experienced professional to lead the District’s Recreation Division as its next Parks and Recreation Manager.  The targeted date to fill the position will be early to mid-September to ensure a smooth transition with the current manager in providing this important resource to our community.

Where we are 

Welcome to El Dorado County where lifestyle amenities are many and an exciting position awaits the right candidate at the El Dorado Irrigation District (District/EID).
The District lies in one of the most beautiful areas of California— on the western slope of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, west of world- renowned Lake Tahoe. A scenic drive along Highway 50, heading east from the Sacramento County line to Tahoe, takes you through the center of the District’s 220-square-mile service area and highlights the extraordinary geographical diversity of this region.

Water has been and continues to be an undeniable force in shaping the economic, ecological, and cultural aspects of the area. From the earliest days of American Indian habitation to the discovery of gold right here in the heart of the Mother Lode, sparking the statewide gold rush; from clusters of black oak and manzanita to the forests of the Sierra; from vineyards and orchards planted abundantly throughout the county to our growing population centers – water is the essential link.

High in the mountains, alpine lakes and wildlife populate wilderness areas, where quiet and solitude reign. The region offers unparalleled outdoor recreation—from high-quality fishing, hiking, and skiing to boating, white-water rafting, and more.

Who we are 

We can trace our history back to the first hand-dug ditches that transported water to prospectors in the mid-1800s, but the District  was not formally organized until 1925 under the Irrigation District Act (Water Code §§ 20500 et seq.). We still hold water rights that date from the gold rush days, and we continue to work on securing and maintaining a reliable water supply. Through negotiations with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (Bureau) and an Act of Congress, the District acquired Jenkinson Lake at Sly Park Recreation Area in late 2003, providing yet another critical local water supply. Additionally we have a repayment contract with the Bureau and also exercise District consumptive water rights associated with Project 184 and historical agricultural activities for diversion from Folsom Lake to meet growing municipal and industrial demands of the region.

                                                       

Our customers’ needs are as broad-ranging as the area’s stunning natural diversity. We provide drinking water, wastewater treatment, and recycled water for residential, commercial and industrial needs over significant portions of western El Dorado County. We own and operate a 21-megawatt hydroelectric power project that includes dams, four reservoirs, and 23 miles of flumes, canals, siphons, and tunnels.

We also manage several outdoor recreation sites, attracting over 600,000 visitors annually, including the award-winning Sly Park Recreation Area at Jenkinson Lake and the 42-unit Silver Lake West Campground and associated day use facilities on scenic Highway 88. Our Sly Park Recreation area offers 190 camp units, two boat launches, kayak rentals and an abundance of day use opportunities including approximately 20 miles of hiking and equestrian trails located at a comfortable 3400’ elevation. Our upper lakes recreation sites located between 7300’ and 7800’ offer access to hiking, fishing, camping and high elevation recreational opportunities.

Today, the District’s facilities and delivery infrastructure serves our 43,000 water accounts and includes more than 1,122 miles of pipeline, 27 miles of ditches, 5 treatment plants, 36 storage reservoirs, and 38 pumping stations.  The wastewater system, with nearly 24,000 accounts, operates 60 lift stations, 460 miles of pipeline and 4 treatment facilities.  El Dorado Hills and Deer Creek wastewater plants produce 3,500 acre-feet of recycled water for use in front and backyard irrigation at over 5,500 homes, commercial entities, and public spaces.  With approximately 230 employees, we are one of the largest employers in El Dorado County.

We serve a population of over 130,000 that has been steadily growing for many years.

How we govern

The District is governed by a five-member Board of Directors.  Each member is elected from a different geographic division, and each serves a four-year term.  There are no term limits for Board members.  The Board typically meets twice a month during regularly scheduled, noticed public meetings and also may hold a number of noticed, special meetings.

The position

The Parks and Recreation Manager will have a history of demonstrated leadership skills.  This is a hands-on management position, with responsibilities that include managing approximately six full-time and 30 seasonal staff, planning, organizing, and coordinating to meet the ongoing operations and maintenance needs of District recreation facilities while protecting the District’s water resources.

Key duties of the Parks and Recreation Manager include, but are not limited to, the following:
 

• Develops and implements divisional goals and objectives, policies and procedures; establishes schedules and methods for use of parks and recreational areas and facilities.
• Recommends to the Department Director the appointment of personnel; provides or coordinates staff training; conducts performance evaluations; implements discipline procedures as required; maintains discipline and high standards necessary for the efficient and professional operation of District parks and recreational areas and related facilities.
• Evaluates operations and activities of assigned section; recommends improvements and modifications; prepares various reports on operations and activities.
• Prepares the Recreation Division budget; implements division budget; forecasts additional funds needed for staffing, supplies, equipment, and capital improvement projects.
• Develops, negotiates, and administers contracts related to parks and recreational program services and facilities management.
• Develops and implements timely and cost-effective implementation of mandated recreational conditions.
• Develops and implements cash handling and banking procedures to ensure compliance with accepted accounting procedures; develops and coordinates grant proposals; administers grants.
• Researches and recommends appropriate fees for use of District parks and recreational areas and facilities.
• Coordinates with law enforcement and other public safety agencies concerning public safety, resource protection, law enforcement and on-site emergency response to natural, environmental and man-made emergencies.
• Develops and implementing plans to maintain vegetation, including the reduction of hazardous fuels and the harvest of trees within and adjacent to District parks and recreational areas in accordance with all applicable regulations, to ensure the health and safety to District personnel, the public, and District water sources.
• Answers questions and provides information to the public; investigates complaints and recommends corrective action as necessary to resolve complaints.
• Builds and maintains positive working relationships with co-workers, other District employees and the public using principles of good customer service.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

The Parks and Recreation Manager typical work schedule during the non-peak season is Monday through Friday.  During the peak recreation season from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend, the expected work schedule will include Friday through Sunday and two additional weekdays determined in coordination with the department
director. The work hours will generally be normal business hours.

The ideal candidate

The ideal candidate will be a hands-on working leader with a commitment to timely execution, accountability, and transparency.  The next Parks and Recreation Manager will be experienced in public-sector parks/recreation management, as well as the importance of maintaining forest health, wildland fire hazard risk mitigation and response.  The successful candidate will have a proven track record of making sound decisions, building and executing strategic plans (ideally in the area sustaining and improving recreational opportunities while protecting water quality), and the ability to facilitate and develop consensus among groups of diverse stakeholders.

Education, experience, and certifications

Equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in parks administration, recreation administration, business administration, resource management or related field.  Four years of  responsible experience in parks or recreation administration; including two years of supervisory responsibility.

Compensation and benefits

Salary

• $9,271.93 - $11,270.09 per month

Retirement

• CalPERS 2.0% @ 62 for new CalPERS members
• 2.0% @ 55 for Classic CalPERS members
• Retiree Health Care subject to District vesting schedule

Insurance

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and dependents with cost share

Other Benefits

• Paid Time Off commensurate with service time
• 12 Paid Holidays
• Exempt Administrative Leave
• Life Insurance
• Deferred compensation plan

Application and selection process