“Through this I’m focusing on streamlining our operational efficiencies, again going back to not repeating what we’re doing from the front management teams,” she said.
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Part of the reorganization is reassigning job task and duties, and updating job descriptions “to reflect best-practices in the field,” she said.
The department’s four primary functions, Howard said, include facility operations, parks maintenance, events and programs and arts and hospitality.
“It was essential to take a closer look at the leadership team and the areas they needed to improve in order to succeed,” she said. “Recognizing these priorities in their development is necessary in order to foster a health and effective leadership team.”
Howard is focusing on professional development, transition and strategic planning, and developing the department’s culture and expectations.
Fairfield City Manager Mark Wendling said Howard’s background with Blue Ash will help her assess the department’s needs.
“One of her strengths is that she does come from an operating background,” he said. “She’s really putting people in places, and really trying to staff where they need to be — playing on their strengths and their background.”
Howard took half her vacation time between leaving her job at Blue Ash and starting at Fairfield meeting with staff “so I could build that rapport with them, and just really prioritize what improvements were needed so when I got here I could hit the door running.”
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“I went through a little discovery process with my newly inherited team,” she said.
What Howard learned is that over time relationships among the parks’ leadership team were “strained,” she said.
“I won’t get into personal details on that but it trickled down to the front-level staff,” said Howard. “That’s where I’m focusing my attention right now, building that leadership team and investing in them in ways I don’t think they’re familiar with.”
She’s also told them “they’re going to be uncomfortable working here,” because “I say, ‘If you’re comfortable, it means you’re not growing.’”
“No matter if you’re here for a year or 31 years, you always have to grow,” she said.
This is Howard’s sixth organization, and she said she would like to retire from the city of Fairfield.
“I love being a part of this team and I love Fairfield,” she said. “The way I look at it is I don’t only serve the community, but I serve my staff too.”
While reorganization is “a plan” and “a process,” it will take time.
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