Preserve Director

Introduction

The city of Scottsdale is seeking an experienced, visionary leader to serve as the Preserve Director, responsible for overseeing the operations, planning and long-term stewardship of the McDowell Sonoran Preserve - one of the largest urban preserves in the country. This critical leadership position manages Scottsdale’s efforts to protect, maintain, and operate more than 30,000 acres of permanently protected land in the Sonoran Desert, balancing ecological sustainability with public access. The Preserve Director works closely with community partners, non-profit organizations, and the Preserve Commission to guide strategic initiatives, capital projects, and resource management efforts that ensure the Preserve remains a defining asset for Scottsdale residents and visitors.
Anticipated starting salary for this position may be up to mid-point depending on candidate’s experience and internal equity. The full salary range is listed above and mid-point for this position is $136,780.80 /annually .

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's Degree in Recreation or Parks Management, Urban Planning, Design, Architecture, Public Administration, or a closely related field from an accredited educational institution.
• Seven years of progressively responsible experience in government or non-profit agency management including three years of experience in an administrative position with supervisory responsibility as well as responsibility for program management and budget administration..

• Any equivalent combination of education and/or job-related experience that meets the minimum qualifications may be substituted.

Licensing, Certifications and Other Requirements

• Every person employed by the City of Scottsdale shall reside in the State of Arizona during his or her active employment by the City, regardless of whether the employee is approved to remote work.

Essential Functions

Performs duties and responsibilities commensurate with assigned functional area which may include, but are not limited to, any combination of the following:

• Works closely with the Sr. Director - Parks & Recreation and Preserve and the Executive Team to define and accomplish established strategic goals and objectives and execute successful business strategies.
• Serves as the primary staff liaison to the McDowell Sonoran Preserve Commission, ensuring collaboration and oversight of Preserve-related projects and initiatives. Works closely with the Commission on the development of the Preserve’s operating and capital budgets, as outlined in various ordinances.
• Develops the Preserve’s five-year capital improvement plan, ensuring alignment with City priorities, long-term preservation goals, and voter-approved funding parameters.
• Develops and manages the Preserve’s annual operating and capital budgets, utilizing financial data and performance metrics to inform resource allocation. Works in coordination with City finance staff to forecast future funding needs, track financial trends, and provide detailed budget reports to the Preserve Commission and City Council. Supervises employees and coordinates personnel-related activities, including but not limited to, training, approving work schedules, recommending/approving personnel actions, coaching and counseling, establishing performance goals, and writing performance evaluations.
• Establishes administrative procedures and criteria for preserve permits to ensure that a fair and equitable process will be used to review and issue or deny preserve permits; and may establish fees for permits in the preserve. Provides leadership on strategic planning/projects and goals, through project management and preparation/delivery of oral and written reports to Council, boards, commissions, citizen groups, and City staff.
• Provides general coordination and policy guidance on major municipal projects or problem areas and coordinates activities with divisions to ensure positive project implementation and effective working relationships.
• Developsand maintains effective working relationships within the organization and with development organizations at the local, regional, state, and national levels.

Work Environment/Physical Demands

• Lift and carry materials weighing up to 30 pounds with assistance.
• Operate a variety of standard office equipment including a computer, telephone, calculator, copy and fax machine requiring continuous and repetitive arm, hand and eye movement.
• Travel to/from meetings and various locations.

For more information about Scottsdale, Arizona, click about Scottsdale .

Benefits Highlights:

The City of Scottsdale offers a comprehensive benefits package including:

• 12 Paid Holidays, which includes 1 Floating Holiday
• Vacation Accrual; starts at 10.3 hours/month
• Sick Leave Accrual; 8 hours/month
• Medical (which includes behavioral health coverage), Dental and Vision Benefits
• City Paid Basic Life Insurance (equal to one times employee annual salary); option of Supplemental Life Insurance
• Tuition Reimbursement; $2,500/year
• Participation in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS) Defined benefit plan with mandatory employer and employee contributions currently at 12.27% which includes a Long-Term Disability benefit
• Supplemental Retirement Plans through Nationwide; 457
• Pet Insurance
• Bilingual pay compensation

Please visit the Human Resources and Benefits Information page for more information.

Selection Process:

The application and supplemental questions are an integral part of the selection process and must be completed in full in order for you to be considered as a candidate. Please complete each section and answer all questions as thoroughly as possible. DO NOT state “See Resume” in lieu of answering. Unanswered questions, incomplete responses, omissions, or partial information may result in disqualification from the selection process.

Applicants whose education, training and experience most closely meet the needs of the position may be invited to participate in a selection process that may include a panel interview. Successful candidates will receive a post-offer, pre-employment background screening that may include:

• Fingerprinting search of the national FBI Database
• Criminal Background screening

The City of Scottsdale reserves the right to change this process at any time, potentially without advance notice.

PLEASE NOTE: Years of experience are based on a work schedule of 2,080 hours per year for full-time positions and 1,040 hours per year for part-time positions, and while work experience may substitute for education on a year-for-year basis. Depending upon the job classification, education may not be substituted for work experience.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY: It is the policy of the city to provide employment opportunities to all persons based solely on ability, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability.

When advised, reasonable accommodations will be made in order for an "otherwise qualified applicant" with a disability to participate in any phase of the recruitment process. Please contact Human Resources to request an accommodation. Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation by contacting HR Receptionist at (480) 312-2491. Requests should be made 24 hours in advance or as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation. For TTY users, the Arizona Relay Service (1-800-367-8939) may contact HR at (480) 312-2491.

This position description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the position change.

Full-Time Positions:
The City of Scottsdale offers a comprehensive benefit package including vacation, holiday and medical leave as well as insurance for medical, dental, vision, life, short and long term disability insurance. For a more detailed overview of the employee benefits, click here .

Part-Time Positions:
The City of Scottsdale offers paid medical leave for part-time staff.

Commute Solutions Program
City of Scottsdale provides free Valley Metro Platinum passes to employees for the bus and light rail systems when commuting; a vanpool subsidy is also available. Employees can decrease stress, decrease wear & tear on their vehicle, and help the environment all at the same time.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF).
The City of Scottsdale is considered a qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF). You may find more information about the PSFL program by going to the Federal Student Aid website by clicking here .

Closing Date/Time: 5/5/2025 11:59 PM Arizona

• 

• City of Scottsdale

Show more