Denise Ostertag is the acting division chief of Recreation Activities in the City’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Entertainment, replacing Ken Talbert. Her appointment is awaiting City Council approval. Technically, she is still serving as the manager of personnel services in the City’s recruitment office.
WHAT ARE YOU DOING CURRENTLY?
“I am transitioning my duties from human resources, splitting my time until confirmation. I work part-time here and part-time there.” Personnel manager for a year and a half, Ostertag is in charge of all the hiring for the City. She also manages the background testing, including the walk-in test center.
THE PERFECT FIT
“I look for people that are interested in making a difference to the community in addition to their qualifications. It takes a special person to work with City government. You have to be motivated to give back. It’s not just a job, it is public service.”
WHY ACCEPT THE POSITION?
“It’s a wonderful opportunity. I love what I’m doing, but Recreation Activities is so huge and with the opportunity to make a difference to our external customers — the citizens — it’s too great to pass up.”
WHAT WILL BE YOUR NEW DUTIES?
“Recreational Activities encompasses playgrounds and centers, our 33 pools and oceanfront parks. I manage the staff that runs the activities. Additional staff is added in the summer for Club Rec, the after school programs, summer camps and the baseball and softball leagues. I’ll handle all the activities that happen in the park.” In addition to aquatics and athletics, Ostertag will also juggle marketing, public relations and budgeting issues for the division.
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO?
“Implementing new programs. We may be looking at some markets that we haven’t tapped before. There is a huge quality movement in the City. We are looking at what other cities with similar characteristics are doing. This is an opportunity to take programs and make strides to impact the community. It’s exciting to create and develop. We have the largest urban park system in the nation; I would like to make it the best. I would love for people to come out and use the parks.”
WHAT ARE YOU DREADING?
“Just learning the programs and the people is always a challenge in a new job. Right now we’re in the middle of our busy season. Plus, I tend to be very enthusiastic. I already have a bunch of ideas percolating inside my head. I’m going to have to temper those for awhile until I can get in to talk to the employees first.”
COLLEGE
Ostertag has a bachelor’s degree in elementary education with a minor in psychology from Florida State University. She also holds a master’s degree in human resource management from Troy State University in Alabama.
DID YOU WORK AS A TEACHER?
“I taught for a couple of years at St. Matthew’s Catholic School and at a Catholic grade school in Racine, Wis. I took time off to raise my three boys.”
MY THREE SONS
Jay, David and Ken are Ostertag’s children. She and her husband John reside in Mandarin.
WHAT OTHER WORK HAVE YOU DONE?
“I was offered a job as assistant director with United Way so I went into social services for nine years. I did all of their training. Later I was the executive director of an elderly services agency in Alabama. I worked for the Jacksonville Community Services Department for a year before HR made me an offer I couldn’t refuse.”
WHAT GROUPS ARE YOU INVOLVED WITH?
Ostertag is a member of the Society of Human Resource Managers and the Jacksonville Compensation Association. She is also a certified Franklin Covey facilitator and benchmarking instructor. “I will be joining, I’m sure, the National Parks and Recreation Association.”
RELIVING THE STRESS
“I love to craft. I do about every craft there is. I also quilt, read mysteries, swim in the summer and walk for pleasure and exercise.” Other relaxing activities include taking in a comedy film, dining at The Mossfire Grill or tuning into re-runs of “M*A*S*H.”
WHO’S YOUR HERO?
“JFK [former President John F. Kennedy] had a big impact on me as a young person and got me thinking about working for the community. If you want things to be better, you must invest yourself. What we leave our children is important to me.”
—by Monica Chamness