Boulder County · 1 month ago
Parks & Open Space Director
Boulder, CO
Full-time
Onsite
Director/Executive
$165K/yr - $185K/yr
7+ years expBoulder County is seeking a visionary and experienced leader to serve as the next Parks & Open Space Director. The role involves providing strategic leadership and management for the stewardship of the county’s public lands, natural resources, and amenities, while addressing climate change and promoting racial equity within the department.
Education
Responsibilities
Directs the day-to-day operations of approximately 163 FTEs and 50 seasonal employees in nine divisions who are experts in their fields of acquiring and protecting land and water resources, supporting recreational use, protecting biodiversity, managing for sustainable agriculture, managing lands in the wildland urban interface for both fire preparedness and healthy forests, and improving soil health and carbon sequestration including:
Preservation of lands through acquisition of fee and conservation easements, with 1,100 properties and more than 108,000 acres in the county’s current portfolio
Maintenance of an active agricultural program, with 65 leaseholders operating approximately 130 leases
Design, construction, maintenance, and public safety of more than 120 miles of trails, 32 trailheads, 22 restrooms, and 15 shelters, for public use with nearly two million annual visits
Preservation of more than 1,800 cultural resource sites, more than 350 historic buildings and structures, and management of four small museums
Habitat protection and restoration for more than 1,700 native plants and 750 native wildlife species and protection of a water resources portfolio valued at more than $340M for agriculture, recreation, and environmental benefits
Planning, design, and construction for natural and built environment
Responsible for related services including: Coordinated high-impact volunteer and youth corps programs, education and research programs in cooperation with Colorado State University; and management of the Boulder County Fairgrounds which hosts community events, shows, and exhibitions
Supports innovation and use of best management practices in the stewardship of public lands, including safety standards and organizational processes
Develops and articulates a clear, compelling, shared vision and strategy for Parks & Open Space; serves as primary spokesperson for the department
Recommends new or revised policies and initiatives to enhance the acquisition, maintenance, and management of Parks & Open Space properties and balance the varied needs of resource protection, agriculture, and public access for recreation
Responsible for meeting the Board of County Commissioners’ Land and Water Stewardship and other Strategic Priorities with other Department Directors and Elected Officials
Implements and aligns the department’s Strategic Plan, Cultural Responsiveness and Inclusion Strategic Plan, Vision 2025, and Culture of Collaboration Plan
Develops and fosters strategic relationships with community partners, cities and towns, and water conservation districts to advance conservation and support recreation and community health through enjoyment of open space
Engages internal and external stakeholders to achieve the department’s mission through visionary, adaptive leadership
Overall responsibility for development and execution of an annual operating and capital budget of approximately $70 million
Ensures allocation of resources to continue acquisition of critical open space parcels with capacity planning for management, maintenance, and infrastructure for current portfolio
Overall direction for administrative and business services including GIS and other technologies; planning, design, and project management activities; and informing and engaging the public and other stakeholders
Provides inspirational leadership and management for a highly qualified staff, assuring a culture that promotes excellence, continuous quality improvement, shared leadership, and a high degree of collaboration
Supports a knowledgeable, effective and trustworthy team of scientific and subject matter experts, creating opportunities for growth and development across the organization
Encourages team development crossing disciplines to build cohesion
Establishes a culture that emphasizes the best in public service and employee retention
Advocates for the department with the Board of County Commissioners and the Parks & Open Space Advisory Committee
Evaluates the performance of direct reports, counsels employees concerning performance, and takes personnel actions in the areas of hiring, discipline, and termination
Works collaboratively with other Boulder County Department Directors and Elected Officials to develop policies, implement county priorities, and resolve conflicts
With Boulder County Elected Officials and Department Directors, manages comprehensive disaster response and recovery operations for economic and environmental disasters
Provide overall leadership for the department, including strategic planning, budgeting, and staffing
Direct the planning, acquisition, design, and development of open space facilities, parks, trails, natural and historic areas, ensuring compliance with county goals, policies, and standards
Develop and implement operating policies and procedures; research, draft, interpret, and recommend policy to county leadership
Represent the department to the Deputy County Administrator, Board of County Commissioners, Advisory Committees, and other stakeholders; present issues, provide recommendations, and implement directives
Thoughtfully and respectfully interact with community organizations, special interest groups, and advisory bodies to identify needs, address concerns, and guide land acquisitions, land management and conservation and program development
Collaborate with county departments, municipalities, state and federal agencies, and citizen groups to advance open space and recreation initiatives
Represent Boulder County at local, state, and national meetings, conferences, and professional forums
Provide strategic leadership setting the tone and direction for the department; oversee staff supervision, mentoring, and evaluation to support professional growth and team success while fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and belonging
Performs related work, as required
May be reassigned during emergency situations
Qualification
Required
A Bachelor's degree in Parks and resource management, environmental science, recreation management, public administration, or a related field
7 years of progressively responsible executive management or leadership experience, including personnel and fiscal management, with a minimum of 3 years of supervisory experience, with a large, multi-function organization in resource management, public lands, parks, open space, land conservation, public sector management, nonprofit or related organizations
Applicants must have a valid driver's license and a clean driving record
A job offer is contingent on passing a background investigation with fingerprinting
Benefits
Outstanding options of comprehensive health plans that include vision and dental coverage.
Family-forming benefits- infertility treatment, adoption and surrogacy reimbursements
12 weeks Paid Caregiver leave
Breast feeding friendly-work environment
Sick child care, an infants-at-work policy
Access to LifeMart discount hub, including discounts on childcare centers, event tickets, travel and more!
Access to a nationally-recognized wellness program
Employee Assistance Program
PERA 401k
Social Security retirement plans
Additional Life and Disability Insurance
Critical Illness and Accidental Insurance
County-paid tuition assistance
Eligible for PSLF- Public Service Loan Forgiveness
Free EcoPass
Hospital Indemnity
ID Theft Protection
Pet Insurance
8 Hours of Paid Public Service Leave
Generous paid time off
80-hour bank of vacation at the time of hire
Eight hours of vacation per month for the first year of continuous service, then accrue twelve hours of vacation per month after the first year of continuous service.
Eight hours of medical leave for each month employed.
Company
Boulder County
Boulder County is a government organization engaged in managing various government offices, services, and projects in Boulder County, CO.
1001-5000 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageTotal Funding
$0.35MKey Investors
The Colorado Trust
2024-07-22Grant· $0.35M
Leadership Team
Ramona Farineau
Chief Financial Officer
Jeff Logan
Wildfire Partners Assistant
Recent News
2025-12-08
bloomberglaw.com
2025-09-13
New Orleans CityBusiness
2025-09-12
Company data provided by crunchbase