Director of Citywide Services Division (Executive 2)

Posting number: 2026-00998

Department: Seattle Parks & Recreation Department

Job classification: Executive 2

Posting type: Open

Categories: Public Works, Executive Management, Parks and Recreation

Summary

About Seattle Parks and Recreation:

Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR)is a national leader and innovator in the services and programs we provide to our residents who enjoy our public spaces such as parks, community centers, specialty gardens and swimming pools. Our mission is to equip employees and the public for well-being as we support healthy people, a thriving environment and vibrant community. We provide safe and accessible spaces for residents and visitors to work, recreate, rejuvenate and enhance quality of life and wellness for children, teenagers, adults and seniors. Delivering excellent customer service to all is a core value.

Equity & Inclusion:

The Director of  the Citywide Services Division will oversee operations for the Natural Resources, Emergency Services, and Unified Care Team.  More specifically, the division provides citywide services and manages the following programs area: Horticulture, Urban Forestry, Trails Maintenance, Landscape Renovation, Greenhouse and Nursery operations, Japanese Garden, Volunteer Park Conservatory, and Kubota Gardens maintenance, Landscape capital projects, comprehensive vegetation management, integrated pest management, and landscape and forest restoration. Citywide Services works 365 days a year on multiple shifts and operates 24 hours a day to provide an outstanding level of service and responsiveness. The division is comprised of approximately 200 FTE with $35M in annual funding.  This position provides strategic, operational, and people centered leadership for these critical services. Reporting to the Deputy Superintendent, this Executive 2 role ensures that division operations exemplify SPR’s commitments to environmental stewardship, high-quality service delivery, and racial equity and social justice. 

Examples of duties

• Set the overall vision, direction and strategy for the Citywide Services Division.
• Direct all aspects of operations in a division of approximately 200 FTE with 6 direct reports and biennial funding exceeding $35 million.   
• Provide fiscal oversight to ensure the division’s resources are allocated appropriately, managed responsibly, and expended within established limits.
• Lead staff in developing and executing annual and multiyear work plans; facilitate results-based team meetings; and strategically deploy resources to maintain natural assets and ensure safe, clean, and welcoming parks.
• Promote equity and inclusion by being a leader in maintaining safe and welcoming spaces for the community and visitors.
• Partner with SPR Human Resources on classification and compensation processes, recruitment and training, employee and labor relations, health and safety, and collective bargaining activities.
• Monitor and evaluate division operations to ensure effective, customer centered service delivery.
• Prepare briefing papers, legislation, and contractual documents in coordination with SPR leadership and the City Attorney’s Office for the Superintendent, Mayor’s Office, and City Council.
• Represent SPR in meetings, workgroups, and partnerships involving elected officials, advisory councils, community stakeholders, and other City department staff.
• Collaborate with department leadership on SPR’s annual budget development and the renewal of the Seattle Park District.
• Ensure quality control of work products and guide the development of performance metrics, operating standards, and workplace protocols. 
• Promote and reinforce sustainable, climate forward landscape practices that support the long-term health of natural areas and help achieve the City’s urban forest and climate goals. 

• Natural Resources and Urban Forestry: Responsible for horticulture f