He looks and acts too young to retire.
He agrees – at least when asked what he will do next, he said “I don’t really know. But I do know that I am too young to be retired.”
Daniel Hernandez, dapper, quiet-spoken director of parks and recreation in Culver City for six years, officially is retiring from City Hall.
Dec. 31 is Closing Day for the San Luis Obispo native, and the city hopes to choose a successor by late summer.
Mr. Hernandez came to Culver City from Santa Barbara in April 2011.
He succeeded Bill LaPointe,
Even though he only will celebrate his 56th birthday later this year, Mr. Hernandez has logged impressive numbers:
- 32 years officially in the parks and recreation field.
- But he started even younger than age 24 because he counts from the time he was merely 17. This means 39 years in the field.
Friday, July 28, at 5 o’clock is the filing deadline for potential successors to Mr. Hernandez. http://www.culvercity.org/home/showdocument?id=8077
Here is City Hall’s help-wanted posting:
The director of Parks, Recreation and Community Services has a high level of visibility and interaction with the City Council and the community.
In reporting directly to City Manager John Nachbar, the director will provide creative leadership and oversight to a work team and active citizen groups. He will serve as staff to the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Commission.
Providing organizational leadership in today’s environment of declining resources is a critical aspect of the role.
The director will need to supply progressive leadership and direction to the department as well as address community needs through new operational solutions.
The shifting demographics of Culver City are creating a continual need to evaluate, audit and reassess the array of programs and services offered by the department.
This focus is especially critical in providing creative, resourceful and cost-efficient solutions in allocating resources to support the diverse community needs.
The complex challenges resulting from the wide scope of responsibilities handled by the department will require a balance of analytical business perspectives combined with an empathy for quality of life concerns that are fundamental to Culver City’s culture.
The changing needs and desires of a retiring baby boomer population will bring new challenges that must be delicately balanced within the current constraints of departmental resources.
The new director will be an excellent manager, effective administrator and proven leader who is creative and resourceful in program development, program management and in the implementation and maintenance of program services.
Interpersonal skills and the ability to interact and engage with an active community will be critical to success.
The ideal candidate will possess negotiation and mediation skills with the ability to establish solid relationships with staff, appointed and elected officials and the community.
Communication, presentation and writing skills will be key attributes for this assignment.
The candidate will possess the ability to mentor and motivate employees, set goals and performance standards for the department and have the flexibility to succeed in a dynamic environment along with the ability to operate transparently.
In addition, the director will be a leader with the ability to:
¨Provide leadership and advocacy for the department while maintaining a connection and communications with the City Council, the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Commission, the city manager and department heads.
¨Initiate and maintain a collaborative and participatory relationship with the community.
¨Provide creative, responsive, and service oriented solutions.
¨Operate decisively in addressing difficult and challenging issues.
¨Motivate and energize staff
¨Create an environment that is receptive to open communication and change that requires a minimum five years as an administrator of programs and service areas pertaining to community services, parks, recreation or a related program.