There are four Deputy Directors managing the divisions of the Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities Department, the current vacancy is in the Commercial Assignment overseeing the Mesa Convention Center, Mesa Amphitheater, The Post, Mesa Cemetery, Dobson Ranch Golf Course and citywide Special Events throughout the year.
The salary range is $97,707.79 - $144,242.38 annually. Starting salary may be at or above the minimum of the posted range for this position depending upon qualifications and experience. Employees may progress through the full salary range, subject to their successful performance and annual budget approval.
This classification has been designated as a non-classified, non-merit system; at-will position. This class may be required to work evenings, weekends, and holidays.
First review of applications will be Monday, March 25, 2024, and weekly thereafter until filled.
City of Mesa
The City of Mesa is the 37th-largest city in the United States and the third largest in Arizona, with a population of over a half million people, and an annual budget of $2.3 billion. Located within the greater Phoenix-Mesa Metropolitan area, it is a vibrant, diverse city offering an eclectic mix of nightlife, outdoor activities, parks, museums, arts, and culture.
Mesa operates under a charter form of government with citizens electing an at-large mayor and six district councilmembers to set policy for the city. Mesa enjoys progressive leadership, a skilled and well-educated workforce, two airports with access to an international airport, consistently low crime rates, quality schools, outstanding public facilities, road utilities and community and safety services, and reasonable tax structure. Mesa offers a unique blend of urban excitement within natural desert surroundings with warm weather, delicious food, world-class golf, fabulous shopping, and many other exciting activities. The region is culturally rich, is a certified autism-friendly community and enjoys a collegial group of regional arts, culture, and science institutions open to sharing and partnering.
Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities (PRCF) Department
Who We Are
The City of Mesa Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities (PRCF) Department relies upon dedicated staff, partner organizations and volunteers to provide the residents of Mesa with outstanding facilities and programs to enhance their quality of life. The Department includes recreation operations, park rangers, maintenance of parks, aquatics facilities, and sports fields, Spring Training stadiums, commercial operations such as the Convention Center, Amphitheater, The Post event venue, Cemetery, and Dobson Ranch Golf Course, and vertical assets/building facilities maintenance. The Citywide Special Events Office is also based in the PRCF Department to manage events at PRCF facilities and private venues in Mesa.
Our Mission
We contribute to a healthy and vibrant community by providing exceptional experiences and services to those who live, work and play in Mesa.
Our Commitment
We are committed to:
• Being responsible stewards of parklands, facilities and finances, and transparent in how we manage these resources.
• Providing safe spaces and places for people to enjoy and recreate.
• Working together to focus on services that meet the ever-changing needs of our Community.
The Mesa Convention Center
The Mesa Convention Center and Amphitheatre offers nearly 40,000 sq. ft. of meeting and exhibit space, including a 19,000 sq. ft. main exhibit hall and a 9,000 sq. ft. ballroom located in the City’s Downtown Business Corridor, close to dining, shopping and entertainment. Conveniences include 26 breakout rooms (including meeting spaces in the adjacent 274-room Delta by Marriott hotel), and an additional 40,000 sq. ft. of outdoor function space – all complemented by an outdoor amphitheater with festival-capacity of 5,000.
The Mesa Convention Center hosts more than 300 functions annually including international, national, and local conventions and meetings, banquets, tradeshows, and expos. Revenue in Fiscal Year 2023 was over $6.5 million between bookings in the Convention Center and the Amphitheater. Attendance was over 580,000.
(Virtual Tour of the Convention Center)
The Mesa Amphitheatre
The Mesa Amphitheatre is a 5,000 capacity, open-air amphitheater, best known for its great location and tiered lawn with a history of bringing well-known acts to the region since 1978. The Mesa Amphitheatre is big enough for great acts, and intimate enough for everyone to have a great view of the stage! It is the largest independent outdoor concert venue in the state.
The Mesa Amp draws concertgoers from a market of more than 5 million people. Located just 15 minutes from downtown Phoenix, this open-air concert venue is also popular for daylong festivals and community events.
The Mesa Amphitheatre hosts over 20 commercial concerts throughout the year in partnership with local, regional and national promoters.
The Post event venue
The Post is a newly renovated 9,400 SF historic building in the City’s Downtown Business Corridor featuring event space that can accommodate various room layouts up to 300 people. A 13,000 SF Neon Garden outdoor event space featuring historic neon signs from Mesa is currently under construction with a planned opening in early 2025.
The Mesa Cemetery
Established in 1891, the Mesa Cemetery has served our community with dedication and distinction for more than a century. We have earned a reputation for 72 acres of well-kept grounds, helpful and understanding staff, and affordable services. The year 2016 marked 125 years of operation for the Mesa Cemetery. Operated by the City of Mesa Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities Department, the Cemetery is managed with a sincere concern for the public interest and great respect for human dignity. Revenue in Fiscal Year 2023 was over $1.5 million.
The Dobson Ranch Golf Course
This is a City-owned 144-acre 18-hole full-service golf course operated and maintained by Paradigm Golf. It hosts over 90,000 rounds of golf annually and also houses a lighted driving range with Inrange technology, and a full-service restaurant and bar.
Special Events Office
This office serves the City of Mesa to guide Event Organizers through the Special Event process which totaled 173 events in Fiscal Year 2023. The process involves protecting the public health, safety, and welfare through licensing and regulating certain temporary activities and events conducted on public or private property and promoting safe and orderly Special Events within the City. This Office manages the time, place, and manner in which a public or private Special Event may take place. This office is also responsible for producing and running over 21 City-sponsored events annually for over $1.25 million.
Vacant Position Details
A Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities (PRCF) Deputy Director is responsible for managing, directing, and coordinating the turn-key operations and maintenance activities of the assigned area. This class is also responsible for performing administrative work involved in overseeing the assigned unit and ensuring facilities are maintained according to established standards; developing, monitoring, and implementing the goals and strategies identified in master/strategic plans related to assigned areas; administering and monitoring the budget and related expenditures; communicating and working with various staff members including management, third party vendors, Mesa residents, and representatives from other City departments on routine, controversial, and/or difficult contractual and other matters of public concern; serving as an advisor to the PRCF Department Director and Parks and Recreation Advisory Board on activities and issues related to department operations; performing in the role of department director in times of Director’s absence; coordinating and supervising various projects, administrative activities, and personnel; and developing and recommending operating standards, procedures, guidelines, rules, and regulations for the operation of the assigned unit. Develops, implements, and monitors department contracts; coordinates with staff to determine needs and scope prior to writing contract; negotiates contract terms; writes contract amendments; and works with staff and contractors to ensure compliance with contract deliverables, milestones, and contract requirements related to area of assignment. This class performs related duties as required.
Commercial Assignment: Performs administrative work in all phases of planning, development, construction, and operation of public use commercial facilities and the Citywide Special Events Office with an estimated operating budget in Fiscal Year 2025 of $7 million and revenue expected to be approximately $8 million. Venues included in this division include but are not limited to golf course, cemetery, convention center, amphitheater, and The Post. Work includes planning, organizing, and supervising the daily operation and maintenance of the commercial facilities and the Special Events Office. Manages the administrative functions of the facilities to include development and oversight of comprehensive programming, contract oversight, development of the budget, recommending fees and expenditures, and supervising staff. Identifies opportunities for improving service delivery methods and procedures, determines resource needs and alternative funding mechanisms, fosters partnerships, and implements improvements. Responsible for communicating and working with various staff members including management, vendors, community partners, inspectors, contractors, and representatives from other City departments to ensure contracts and memos of understanding are completed and implemented properly. Team members directly reporting to this position include the Venue Operations Supervisor (General Manager) for the Mesa Convention Center, Amphitheater, and The Post, the Cemetery Operations Coordinator, and the Special Events Supervisor.
This classification has been designated as a non-classified, non-merit system; at-will position. This class may be required to work evenings, weekends, and holidays. This class is supervised by the PRCF Department Director who reviews work through conferences, reports, and results achieved. This class is FLSA exempt-executive.
Please refer to the link below for the full job description and additional information regarding assignments, preferred qualifications, and essential functions.
Qualifications & Requirements:
Employee Values: All employees of the City of Mesa are expected to uphold and exhibit the City’s shared employee values of Knowledge, Respect, and Integrity.
Minimum Qualifications Required. Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s Degree in Public or Business Administration, Recreation Management, or a related field. Extensive (5+ years) progressively responsible management and administrative experience planning, organizing, and directing operations of multiple large public assembly facilities in a municipal, recreation, or enterprise operation. Considerable (3 - 5 years) supervisory experience.
Special Requirements. Must possess a valid Class D Arizona Driver’s License by hire or promotion date.
Preferred/Desirable Qualifications. Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master’s Degree in Public or Business Administration, or a related field. Experience dealing with the public on programming issues and knowledge of venue operations/programming, partner/contract management, and event management. Municipal finance and budgeting experience is preferred.
Link to Job Description:
http://apps.mesaaz.gov/jobdescriptions/Documents/JobDescriptions/cs5506…