Chief Park Officer (Superintendent)

The Presidio Trust is seeking a Chief Park Officer to lead the design, development and operations of the Presidio, a national park site in San Francisco.  This is a fabulous job in a world-class park with a creative, skilled and dedicated team; if you care deeply about making national parks welcoming to everyone, about protecting biodiversity and promoting environmental sustainability, and about working on a team dedicated to excellence, then please apply. 

Once an Army base, the Presidio of San Francisco is now a part of one the largest and most visited urban national parks in the country. The 1,500-acre Presidio is richly layered in history, is a natural oasis for wildlife, plants, and people, and offers views of the Golden Gate Bridge known around the world. In its third decade as a park, the Presidio is a unique place:  a national park site visited by millions and powered by successful real estate and hospitality businesses operated by the Presidio Trust, an independent federal agency.  We work in close collaboration with the National Park Service staff in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.  

The Chief Park Officer ensures that the Presidio is welcoming, beautiful, clean and safe for millions of visits annually from people across the globe.  This critical position oversees daily park operations, visitor engagement, short and long-term planning, capital projects, environmental and historic preservation, and law enforcement & emergency services. The Chief Park Officer also oversees the operation of park-oriented businesses that generate revenue to partially offset the cost of park operations and supports the real estate and hospitality businesses operated by other Trust divisions. 

The Chief Park Officer is a member of the Executive Team and collaborates very closely with the CEO and other executives, as well as with the Presidentially-appointed board of the Trust, to set and meet our People, Planet and Performance strategic goals.  

Applications received by January 18, 2024, will receive first consideration. We are planning to hold the first round of interviews February 21-23, 2024, the second round March 8 – 12, and the third round March 25th through April 1, 2024.   Please hold those dates if you are serious about this role.  (Our ideal start date for the role is June 3, 2024.)  Please apply even if you miss the first consideration date; we’re going to wait until we find just the right person for this essential role.  

Responsibilities 

• Oversee the daily operations of the park, including the operations of the high voltage, drinking water, and wastewater utilities. 
• Oversee visitor services, including community engagement and event permitting and support, with a focus on diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility. 
• Oversee the long-term planning for the park. 
• Oversee the design, engineering, and construction of all capital projects, including land, utilities, transportation and building rehabilitation and development. 
• Oversee the environmental, historic, and code compliance functions (e.g., National Historic Preservation Act, Endangered Species Act, National Environmental Policy Act, applicable building codes), for all park activities. 
• Oversee the provision of transportation programs, including transportation demand management, parking management, coordination with area transit agencies, and planning and design of transportation infrastructure and services (e.g., trails, road improvements, internal shuttle system). 
• Oversee the provision of law enforcement through a contract with the U.S. Park Police and the provision of fire and emergency medical services through a contract with the San Francisco Fire Department. 
• Oversee the provision of emergency management services, occupational health and safety services, environmental remediation, and hazardous waste management. 
• Operate park-oriented businesses, including but not limited to parking, utilities, special events permitting, and building permitting to generate revenue to partially offset the cost of operating the park. 
• Oversee the development and management of the division budget and the park’s capital project budget. 
• Participate in the Trust’s Executive Team, helping to develop and implement strategy, make budget decisions, and make the Trust a great place to work.  Collaborate closely with other Trust executives to ensure success in all areas of the Trust’s operations, not just park operations.  
• Engage with the Trust Board of Directors during and in between board meetings. 
• Represent the Trust in external meetings, at conferences, and in print and broadcast media.   
• Be the primary liaison from the Trust to Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy leaders and ensure smooth and effective staff relationships with the Conservancy. 
• Be the primary liaison from the Trust to Golden Gate National Recreation Area leaders and ensure smooth and effective staff relationships with the GGNRA. 
• Participate in fundraising activities with a special focus on cultivation of major donors.   
• May be required to act as the Chief Executive Officer when the CEO is otherwise engaged or absent from the park. 
• Other duties as assigned. 

Required Qualifications 

• Master’s degree; 
• At least fifteen (15) years of management experience, at least five of which was in a public setting; 
• At least ten (10) years of experience working in parks; and  
• Demonstrated excellent verbal and written communication skills. 

Desired Qualifications:  

• Ability to apply a triple bottom perspective of considering people, planet, and profit in every decision. 
• Passion for the role parks play in people’s lives. 
• Passion and experience in environmental sustainability, including ecological horticulture and green building and operational practices. 
• Passion and experience in diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in parks. 
• Demonstrated ability to develop and manage large and complex budgets. 
• Fundraising or donor cultivation experience. 
• Experience in and commitment to the coaching method of management. 
• Ability to make tough decisions and remain calm in challenging situations. 
• Commitment to, and joy in, being on a team that ensures the success of all Trust operations, including our businesses and internal operations. 
• Great sense of humor. 

 

About the Park Division 

The Park Division is at the core of the Presidio Trust. With more than 150 dedicated employees and a budget in excess of $60 million annually, the Park Division uses the latest science and operational practices to invite and delight visitors of all backgrounds; to restore natural areas and reintroduce native species; to landscape with biodiversity-supporting plants that are also pleasing to the eye; to support community and private events; to explore and preserve the historic character of our buildings and landscapes; to plan, design, build and maintain this national historic landmark district; to keep people and our lands and buildings safe; and to keep the lights on and the water flowing.   

The Details and How to Apply: 

The Presidio Trust actively seeks applicants from a diversity of backgrounds because we believe this makes us stronger.  We also believe in transparency and equity in compensation, so the FY24 pay range is $245,633 to $290,292, with the initial salary set based on experience.  In addition, we offer a competitive benefits package including a federal pension.    

To apply, submit a resume and a cover letter that explains why you are interested in the Presidio Trust and what makes you a great fit.  Do NOT submit the employment application from our website.  Email your materials to jobs@presidiotrust.gov.   

Background Investigation and Review 

The Presidio Trust has identified this position as subject to a standard employment background investigation which shall consist of a review of applicable county, state and Federal criminal and civil records, state bankruptcy indexes, driver’s license, and a credit report. An individual’s granting of a background investigation and resulting report is voluntary, however, employment is contingent upon the successful completion of the investigation. The Trust may refuse to hire an individual, rescind an offer of employment, or review and terminate the employment of a current employee who does not successfully complete a background investigation. 

Financial Disclosure  

This position will require the completion of the U.S. Office of Government Ethics (OGE) Form 278, Public Financial Disclosure Report, both as a New Entrant into the position and annually thereafter. The purpose of the financial disclosure system is to assist employees and their agencies in avoiding conflicts between official duties and private financial interests or affiliations.