Stephen DeFalco

Experience

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  Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

  Jun 2008 - May 2011

  Recreational Facility Attendant

  •Oversee daily operations of multiple outdoor recreation facilities (boat houses, campgrounds, tubing hills, and picnic pavilions) including management of staff, program implementation, equipment maintenance/repairs, and guest services

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  American Red Cross DeKalb County Chapter

  Jan 2011 - May 2011

  Special Events Internship

  •Create, plan, implement, and evaluate numerous special events including fundraising events, donation drives, and blood drives•Recruit, manage, and retain a diverse group of volunteers

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  Edelman

  May 2011 - Jun 2012

  •Provide client administrative support; handle scheduling, event logistics, and billing •Retrieve and report traditional, digital, and social media coverage •Create original social media content and execute campaigns across various digital platforms •Execute client campaigns including research, pitching to media, monitoring effectiveness, drafting & proofreading leadership/client summaries, and account logistics throughout projects •Develop marketing & communications materials for a variety of agencies from small local grassroots organizations to larger national companies Show less

  • Assistant Account Executive

    Aug 2011 - Jun 2012

  • Intern, Consumer Marketing

    May 2011 - Aug 2011
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  YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago

  Sept 2012 - Apr 2015

  •Manage all aspects of Sports Department budget, timekeeping, payroll, and staffing (part-time and volunteers)•Plan, develop, organize, and evaluate youth and adult sports programming on-site and at multiple off-site locations •Aide in center-wide fundraising efforts, community campaigns, marketing, and member retention•Establish and foster partnerships with community groups to identify how the center can best address community need •Implement and evaluate various sports programs and leagues for youth and adults•Develop curriculum for health & wellness classes in the ‘Active Green Space’ community garden

  • Sports Program Coordinator

    Oct 2013 - Apr 2015

  • Sports Instructor

    Sept 2012 - Oct 2013
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  Forest Preserves of Cook County

  Apr 2015 - Oct 2022

  •Oversee the development, implementation, and evaluation of over 100 public nature and recreation-based programs and special events annually at multiple sites throughout Sand Ridge Campus, over 50 public programs at community sites, and over 150 field trip programs hosted at Sand Ridge Campus and at community centers/local schools•Foster partnerships with organizations on the local, regional, state, and national level and coordinate best strategies for the Forest Preserves of Cook County to work with them through a variety of creative and engaging avenues•Manage the creation and evaluation of Sand Ridge Campus interpretive vision plan, digital and print marketing materials including Sand Ridge Nature Center’s Facebook page and monthly newsletter, and other interpretive media•Manage Campus operations in collaboration interdepartmentally including facility, trails and grounds maintenance•Manage Sand Ridge Campus operating budget and donations while overseeing purchasing ranging from department purchase orders, third party vendors, and minor supplies and equipment with center credit card•Management of FT/PT, seasonal, and volunteer team members including hiring, training, schedules, creation of team and individual goals, evaluations, conflict resolution, and cultivation of a positive work environment •Manage the care and wellbeing of animal ambassadors including permits, housing, nutrition, enrichment, and healthcare.•Assist in interdepartmental project management of grants awarded to Sand Ridge Campus including OSLAD grant funding and Illinois Clean Energy Foundation (ICEF) Pollinator Garden grant funding Show less •Establish and foster partnerships with community groups, political leaders, and local/national organizations based in the Calumet and Tinley Creek regions of Cook County along with northwest Indiana identifying and addressing regional needs through area specific programming, modifying existing programs to fit the communities and program sites, and establish effective marketing plans to increase program participation •Manage full-time and part-time staff including hiring, training, schedules, establish team and individual goals, employee evaluations, conflict resolution, and cultivate an overall positive work environment •Oversee administrative operations of South Region team including purchasing of equipment and supplies, vehicle needs, permits, and creation of regional interpretative plan Show less

  • Nature Center Director (Sand Ridge Nature Center & Campus)

    Dec 2018 - Oct 2022

  • South Region Program Coordinator (Outdoor Recreation & Environmental Education)

    Jul 2016 - Dec 2018

  • Program Specialist (Special Events & Outdoor Recreation)

    Apr 2015 - Jul 2016
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  Village of Palos Park

  Oct 2022 - now

  Director, Department of Recreation and Parks

  •Work with Recreation Advisory Board, Village Manager, Mayor, and Village Commissioners to achieve the mission of the Recreation and Parks Department•Oversee finance duties including creating and managing the department’s budget, planning of capital projects, equipment/supply purchasing, third party billing/invoicing, and employee payroll•Oversee HR/IT related duties including job posting, hiring, training/onboarding, evaluation, scheduling of PT/FT staff and volunteers, and office supply set up and maintenance (phones, computers, printers, etc.)•Oversee facilities, playfields, and grounds in collaboration with the Village’s Public Works Dept including OSAHA/IRMA compliance, addressing deferred maintenance, forecasting future capital needs, and daily upkeep and repairs •Oversee programs including camps, general youth/adult/senior recreation, Ages 55 & Better Senior Club, special events, and leagues. This includes fostering relationships with third-party instructors and creating/executing contracts •Oversee rentals at multiple sites throughout the Village for a variety of groups and organizations including scheduling, booking, and customer engagement •Oversee marketing duties including website maintenance, recreation guide/mailers and promotional material creation, press releases and engagement with traditional/non-traditional media, social media management (Facebook and Instagram), and community event engagement•Understanding of operating systems and tools including ACTIVE Net, Civic Plus, BS&A, Paylocity, Canva Show less