Review Vacancy
AgencyParks, Recreation & Historic Preservation, Office of
TitleDeputy Commissioner for Operations
Occupational CategoryAdministrative or General Management
Bargaining UnitM/C - Managerial/Confidential (Unrepresented)
Salary RangeFrom $156757 to $197170 Annually
Duties Description Under the direction of the Executive Deputy Commissioner, the Deputy Commissioner for Operations serves as the senior executive responsible for the strategic leadership, coordination and operational performance of the NYS state-wide system of parks, recreation facilities and supporting infrastructure. The Deputy Commissioner for Operations oversees day-to-day operational management of regional park systems and Statewide operational programs to ensure a safe, accessible, high-quality experience for nearly 90 million visitors annually.
The role requires a dynamic leader capable of managing complex public assets, large multidisciplinary workforces and significant public engagement while advancing the agency’s mission of stewardship, recreation, education and historic preservation.
The Deputy Commissioner for Operations ensures that agency operations align with statewide policy and organizational priorities, public safety standards, environmental stewardship goals, and fiscal accountability requirements while fostering a culture of excellent service and operational ingenuity.
The duties of the Deputy Commissioner for Operations include but are not limited to:
Provide leadership and oversight for regional operations which include Regional Directors, Park Managers, facilities supervisors, maintenance teams and visitor staffs and the Operations Division, which includes the Reservations and Passes Bureau, Sustainable Operations, Public Partnerships, Pools and Spray Pads, and Agency Housing.
Ensures consistent operational standards across regions while allowing flexibility to address regional needs, visitor patterns and environmental conditions.
Confer with executive-level managers to define operations projects, initiatives, and long-term goals and objectives. Provide guidance to agency executive leadership team regarding functions and processes.
Provide direct supervision and mentoring to Regional Directors and bureau and program managers within the Operations Division, ensuring consistency and coordination between park regions, divisions, and bureaus, and communicating executive directives, priorities, preferences, and approach. Promote an atmosphere of inclusiveness and respect, professional motivation and continuous learning.
Conducts regular operational reviews of regional performance, identifying areas for improvement, efficiency gains and service enhancements.
Support regions in addressing complex operational challenges, in collaboration with appropriate Bureaus or Divisions, including:
o Staffing shortages
o Emergency response
o Infrastructure failures
o Visitor safety incidents
o Environmental or weather-related impact
Apply high level programmatic knowledge in addressing novel, sensitive, and high-profile or critical issues.
Set policies, standards, and procedures for agency operations; provide input on overall agency policies and procedures, as needed.
Evaluate operations activities and functions for effectiveness and efficiency; realign or redeploy resources as appropriate; recommend and/or implement procedural or process improvements, as necessary.
Oversee the preparation of periodic progress reports, metrics, and status of ongoing projects for Executive staff. Participate in regular meetings with other Deputies and/or executive-level staff.
Represent OPRHP with internal and external stakeholders.
Form and maintain collaborative relationships with other governmental and non-governmental entities or stakeholders, such as Executive Chamber staff, Division of the Budget, the National Association of State Park Directors, etc.
Work with executive leadership team and other agency staff to assist in developing the agency’s Annual Budget Request.
Assist the Commissioner, Executive Deputy Commissioner and Deputy Commissioners, and other staff in developing, preparing, and coordinating internal and external communications, metrics, reports, or other projects, as directed.
Minimum Qualifications Thirteen years of relevant experience. At least four years of this experience must have included the management and supervision of subordinate staff*.
Education may be substituted for experience:
- Associate degree may substitute for two years of specialized experience;
- Bachelor’s degree may substitute for four years of specialized experience;
- Master’s degree may substitute for five years of specialized experience;
- J.D. may substitute for six years of specialized experience;
- Ph.D. may substitute for seven years of specialized experience
*The four years of experience must have been at the managerial level and cannot be substituted.
Preferred Qualifications:
Senior leadership experience in one or more of the following areas:
• Parks and recreation administration
• Natural resource management
• Historic site operations
• Large-scale public facility operations
• State or municipal government operations
• Environmental or conversation program management
Experience managing complex public service operations across multiple geographic regions is strongly preferred.
Additional Comments Salary within the posted range will be commensurate with experience. This is an appointment to a position in the exempt jurisdictional class. All exempt appointments require completion of a background check prior to appointment, and completion of an annual Financial Disclosure Statement. Incumbents serve at the pleasure of the appointing authority, and the employment relationship can be altered at any time by either party.
The NYS Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation offers a generous benefits package that includes but is not limited to:
Paid Time Off:
• M/C: 39 days - 13 Vacation days, 8 Sick days, and 5 Personal Leave days, 13 Holidays.
• M/C: Eligible for professional leave to participate in professional development, but at the supervisor’s discretion.
Health Care Benefits:
• Eligible employees and dependents can pick from a variety of affordable health insurance programs.
• Family dental and vision benefits at no additional cost.
Additional Benefits:
• New York State Employees’ Retirement System (ERS) Membership
• NYS Deferred Compensation
• Access to NY 529 and NY ABLE College Savings Programs, as well as U.S.
Savings Bonds
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
• Paid Parental / Family Leave
To learn more about our benefits, visit: https://parks.ny.gov/employment/benefits.aspx.
Some positions may require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity.
Email Address ExecRecruitment@parks.ny.gov
Address
Notes on ApplyingAll candidates must submit a written resume and cover letter which clearly demonstrates how they meet the minimum qualifications for the position. These documents must be received by March 30, 2026, and may be submitted via email to ExecRecruitment@parks.ny.gov. Please include “Deputy Commissioner for Operations” in the subject line of your email.
It is the responsibility of each applicant to accurately describe their experience and demonstrate that they meet the minimum qualifications.
Candidates from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply. The NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer committed to ensuring equal opportunity for persons with disabilities and workplace diversity.
New York State (NYS) is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. NYS Law prohibits discrimination because of age, race, creed, color, national origin, sexual orientation, military status, sex, disability, predisposing genetic characteristics, marital status, domestic violence victim status, carrier status, gender identity or prior conviction records, or prior arrests, youthful offender adjudications or sealed records unless based on a bona fide occupational qualification or other exception.