Meet the Woman Behind Parks' Operations, Jenny Mobley

Meet Jenny Mobely, Cincinnati Park’s Deputy Director. Deputy Director Mobely has worked for the City of Cincinnati for over 31 years and is one of the most valuable assets on the Cincinnati Parks team. She is a problem solver and expert in operations. Ms. Mobely started her journey with Parks and Recreation at the age of 10. She took tumbling classes with Cincinnati Recreation Commission and was mentored by her tumbling coach, which helped her expand her involvement with Recreation. At age 15 she became a Junior leader with Recreation. While studying for a degree in Physical Education at Northern Kentucky University, she worked part time at Recreations as the coach for the Tumbling Team and as a Summer Day Camp counselor.

Upon graduating with a bachelor's degree at 23, she applied for the entry level job of Director for Community Centers with Recreation and was offered the job at the Price Hill Recreation Commissions facility. She continued her career with Recreation for 10 years. In 2000, she was transferred to head the skating, tennis, and volleyball courts at Sawyer Point, with the Cincinnati Parks Department. From there she expanded the role into event planning at Cincinnati Waterfront Parks until 2015.

Ms. Mobley eventually moved to the Park Board’s administration building and joined the Business Services Team (now known as the Communications, Engagement and Volunteering Team) and Human Resources. In 2018 she went back to event coordination for Waterfront and oversaw half of the Parks operations department. In 2020 Ms. Mobley was promoted to Deputy Director of Cincinnati Parks and now oversees all of Operations within parks (and mouse removal at the Administration building).

Jenny has two daughters, one in 7th grade and one is a sophomore in college. She has learned to balance her family and work life over her 31 year career. She uses her drive home to decompress from work and shift her focus to her family. Her best advice is to learn to compartmentalize work and home. This was a long process, but it came with time and learning to adjust and prioritize her responsibilities to both. While she does sometimes need to bring her work home, it’s a balance of taking care of family needs, then taking time to work on Parks needs.

When asked about the challenge of being a strong female leader in Cincinnati Parks, Ms. Mobely replied that she never felt that she was treated differently because she is a woman. Her biggest challenge came at the start of her career, when people treated her differently due to her young age. Learning to build confidence in herself and portray that to others was a huge boost in gaining respect from her employees. She is a leader by example, meaning she doesn’t expect her employees to engage in work that she wouldn’t do herself. She is independent and enjoys discovering how to do a task on her own or by asking as many questions as possible until she understands the job completely. By nurturing these ties with her employees, she has had the opportunity to build strong, lasting relationships with the parks system and considers these relationships to be her most important accomplishment as a leader in Cincinnati Parks. The daily challenge of bringing something new to the table and learning to solve problems as needed is the part of the job that she enjoys the most. Her advice to other girls and young women seeking jobs with parks is to stay confident, learn as much as possible about all aspects of the job, and always keep a thirst for knowledge. Jenny Mobley is respected by her co-workers and has had a long lasting impact on Cincinnati Parks operations. She is a woman to be looked up to and is paving the way for future generations.

More advice and stories about being a working woman in the modern world from Cincinnati Parks employees:

“Being a working woman in the modern world can be very challenging and stressful if you allow it! I try to always do my very best and look good while doing it! When you look good you feel good! See, we woman are powerful and underestimated and I take every chance I get to nail anything and everything coming my way! I am a goal digger, and the worlds crazy judgements, and criticism of women makes me go harder!” -Angie Carloss, West District Crew Leader, Mt. Echo, 18 years with Cincinnati Parks

“My advice is when you are offered an opportunity to try something or learn something new, say yes! Try new things! You might be surprised what you are capable of doing.” -Corrie Carswell, Florist at Smale Riverfront Park, 20 years with Cincinnati Parks

“I think it’s a very exciting time for women in the work force. We are still faced with the challenge sometimes of ‘proving ourselves,’ but we stand on the shoulders of many talented, gifted, professional women before us. We don’t have to necessarily choose between being effective and compassionate, assertive, and collaborative, strong and kind. Excellent leaders, educators and workers can be all those things. Understand that for one reason or another, often having nothing to do with you, you may be underestimated from time to time. Don’t let that make you unremarkable. Be who you are, do your best work. It might seem unfair, but you CAN shine, and it will show!” Gia Giammarinaro, Naturalist at California Woods Nature Preserve, 15 years with Cincinnati Parks

“As a woman, you want it all. The job, the family, the home life. When I was pregnant with my daughter, I was diagnosed with preterm labor. I had to be on bed rest for 14 weeks. I used all my leave before I even gave birth to my daughter. I was reassured by my Parks family that all would be well. So, employees donated their time so I could recuperate from a caesarean section and a newborn baby and still provide for my family. Not every workplace is like this. Our section of Explore Nature is my extended family. Parks is my extended family. We may not always see eye to eye. But when the going gets tough, we all work together to get the job done and take care of each other.” Olivia Canada, Naturalist at Caldwell Nature Preserve, 23 years with Cincinnati Parks

“My advice to girls and young women out in the work force is to never sell yourself short, if you think you deserve a raise or new position, ask for it. Don’t wait for someone else to pave your way, make it your own path and journey.” Amy Watson Front Desk Recreation Specialist with CEV team, 1 ½ years with Cincinnati Parks