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Parks Director Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Bountiful City

Park Maintenance Crew Lead

Bountiful, UT · On-site

$29.35 - $35.65/hr

Parks Director Salary Range: Grade N-12 Salary Range $29.35 to $43.35 per hour; Expected Starting Salary Range $29.35 to $35.65 per hour D.O.E. Position Type: Full-Time How to Apply: Apply on our ...

Bountiful City

Park Maintenance Crew Lead

Bountiful, UT · On-site

$29.35 - $43.35/hr

Parks Director Salary Range: Grade N-12 Salary Range $29.35 to $43.35 per hour; Expected Starting Salary Range $29.35 to $35.65 per hour D.O.E.Position Type: Full-Time How to Apply: Apply on our ...

Sonomacity

Parks and Recreation Director

Sonoma, CA · On-site

$100 - $130/hr

Parks and Recreation Director City of Sonoma Updated: Summary Direct, manage, oversee and integrate the activities and operations of the Parks and Recreation Department, including management of ...

Gfoat

Director of Parks and Recreation

Burleson, TX · On-site

$150 - $190/hr

THE OPPORTUNITY The City of Burleson, Texas, is seeking an innovative detail-oriented leader to serve as its next Director of Parks and Recreation - a rare opportunity to shape the future of one of ...

Opa Locka Community Development Corp

$90 - $120/hr

PARKS & RECREATION DIRECTOR Active - Full time Exempt full-time Opa Locka, FL, US 6 days ago Requisition ID: 1326 Job Title: Parks & Recreation Director Department: Parks & Recreation Reports To:

City of Opa Locka

NY · On-site

$90 - $140/hr

PARKS & RECREATION DIRECTOR Active - Full time Exempt full-time Opa Locka, FL, US 2 days ago Requisition ID: 1326 Job Title: Parks & Recreation Director Department: Parks & Recreation Reports To:

Opa Locka Community Development Corp

NY · On-site

$90 - $120/hr

PARKS & RECREATION DIRECTOR Active - Full time Exempt full-time Opa Locka, FL, US 6 days ago Requisition ID: 1326 Job Title: Parks & Recreation Director Department: Parks & Recreation Reports To:

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Parks Director information

What does a parks director do?

A Parks Director is responsible for managing and overseeing the operations, maintenance, and improvement of public parks and recreation facilities within a city or municipality. Their duties include planning and implementing recreational programs, managing budgets, supervising staff, and ensuring parks are safe, clean, and accessible to the public. They also collaborate with community organizations and government agencies to enhance park services and facilities, promoting community engagement and outdoor recreation.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a parks director, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Parks Director, you need expertise in public administration, park management, budgeting, and typically a degree in parks and recreation management or a related field. Familiarity with facility management software, GIS mapping tools, and relevant certifications like CPRP (Certified Park and Recreation Professional) are often required. Strong leadership, communication, and community engagement skills help build consensus and manage diverse teams. These abilities are essential for ensuring safe, sustainable, and well-maintained parks that meet community needs.

What are some common challenges a parks director faces in balancing community needs and budget constraints?

A Parks Director often encounters the challenge of meeting diverse community expectations for recreational facilities, green spaces, and programs while working within limited municipal budgets. This requires prioritizing projects, seeking alternative funding sources like grants or partnerships, and engaging with the public to ensure resources are allocated effectively. Successful Parks Directors are proactive in fostering collaboration with stakeholders and transparent in communicating decisions, helping to build community trust and maximize impact.

What is the difference between Parks Director vs Recreation Coordinator?

AspectParks DirectorRecreation Coordinator
CredentialsBachelor's degree in parks and recreation, public administration, or related field; often requires experience in park managementAssociate's or Bachelor's degree in recreation, leisure studies, or related field; certification may be preferred
Work EnvironmentOversees parks, facilities, and staff; manages budgets and policiesCoordinates recreational programs and activities; works directly with community members
Employer & IndustryMunicipal parks departments, government agenciesCommunity centers, parks, recreational facilities

The Parks Director typically holds a higher-level management role, overseeing entire park systems and staff, while the Recreation Coordinator focuses on planning and implementing recreational programs. Both roles require related credentials and work within public recreation settings, but the Parks Director has broader administrative responsibilities.

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Parks Director jobs near you
Infographic showing various Parks Director job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 85% Full Time, 12% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution.

Assistant Recreation & Parks Director

City of Burlington, NC

Burlington, NC • On-site

$79K - $127K/yr

Full-time

Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 7 days ago

City Of Burlington (North Carolina) rating

9.5

Company rating: 9.5 out of 10

Based on 5 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

15th of 853 rated public administrative organizations

Job description

Salary: $79,913.60 - $127,857.60 Annually
Location : Recreation and Parks Administrative Office, 1333 Overbrook Rd., Burlington, NC
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 2026-00157
Department: Recreation
Division: Rec Administration
Opening Date: 08/24/2026
Closing Date: 9/14/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Hiring Range: $79,913.60 - $87,904.96
Job Description
About us:
The Burlington Recreation and Parks Department provides a diverse range of programs that enhance the well-being of our residents. Besides bringing fun experiences to our community, Burlington's parks, programs, and services provide opportunities to improve physical and mental health, develop our youth, focus on the environment, and make a positive impact on our city.
What you will do:
The Assistant Recreation & Parks Director performs highly responsible administrative and supervisory work in support of the Director of Recreation & Parks and the Department. Work involves coordinating across divisions, including both the Recreation Division and the Parks & Facilities Division, ensuring effective alignment with departmental goals and City objectives. The Assistant Director provides leadership to superintendents, manages cross-divisional initiatives, assists with strategic planning and budgeting, and represents the department with community stakeholders. The employee fulfills leadership duties of the department and assumes the Director's duties in their absence and as delegated. This classification is considered exempt in compliance with the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
Examples of Duties
Division Management & Supervision:
  • Assist the Director in developing and implementing departmental goals, objectives, and policies.
  • Provide leadership to Recreation and Park Superintendents, ensuring coordinated and efficient operations throughout the department
  • Assist in preparing regular reports for the Recreation & Parks Director, highlighting successes, challenges, and recommendations for improvement.
Strategic Planning & Administration:
  • Assist with long-term strategic planning, special projects, and community partnerships.
  • Identify new trends in recreation and parks, proposing innovative programs or services to enhance community engagement and well-being.
  • Help prepare, monitor, and mange annual budgets and capital improvement plans
  • Support capital project management and Master Plan implementation
  • Coordinate public art, honorary, and memorial policy implementation
  • Coordinate sponsorship and fundraising activities
Employee Development & Supervision:
  • Oversee leadership development for staff to ensure high standards of performance
  • Provide guidance and mentorship to supervisory personnel to foster leadership growth and effective team management.
  • Support strong succession planning throughout the department.
Community & Public Relations:
  • Represent the department in meetings with citizens, advisory boards, community groups, and external agencies.
  • Respond to internal and public concerns and inquiries with professionalism, patience, and problem-solving.
  • Promote departmental programs, services, and events at the local, regional, and state level.

Qualifications
Parks Maintenance & Program Implementation:
  • Extensive understanding of principles and practices related to parks and grounds maintenance, program development, and administration.
  • General knowledge in maintenance and landscape management, utilizing effective methods, practices and tools.
Regulatory Knowledge:
  • Strong knowledge of Federal, State, and Local rules, regulations, ordinances, and standards relevant to the field.
Supervision and Management:
  • Expertise in supervisory and management principles to oversee and direct staff effectively.
  • Skilled in planning, assigning and evaluating team performance to meet departmental goals.
  • Knowledge in disciplinary practices and fostering a productive workplace culture.
Technical Proficiency:
  • Competent in operating basic office equipment, including computers, printers, copiers, and communication systems. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite preferred.
  • Expertise in grant application and management on the Federal, State and Local level.
Minimum Qualifications:
  • Associate's Degree in Recreation Administration, Public Administration, or a closely related field and 10 years of progressively responsible work experience in recreation and parks; or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
  • Valid North Carolina Driver's License
Preferred Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's Degree in Recreation Administration, Public Administration, or a closely related field and 5-7 years of progressively responsible work experience in recreation and parks; or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
  • NC Therapeutic Recreation License
  • Certified Parks and Recreation Professional
  • Valid North Carolina Driver's License
  • Bilingual in English and Spanish

Supplemental Information
Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:
  • Work in this class is described as light using a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects and may occasionally require some physical exertion to complete tasks.
  • Work typically involves the ability to physically perform the basic life operational functions of standing, walking, fingering, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing and repetitive motions.
  • Work necessitates visual acuity to determine the accuracy, neatness, and thoroughness of work assigned in preparing and analyzing figures, accounting, transcription, computer terminal viewing and extensive reading.
  • Working conditions include both inside and outside environmental conditions.

FLSA Status: Exempt
Inclement Weather Classification: Essential
This job description in no way implies that the duties listed are the only ones the employee may be required to perform. The employee is expected to perform other tasks, duties, and training as requested by their supervisors.
Benefits for full-time employees of the City of Burlington (with the exception of full-time sworn police officers) are as follows:
  • Paid vacation and sick leave
  • Ability to transfer North Carolina local government earned sick leave.
  • Paid holidays for New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Good Friday, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Memorial Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas
  • Enrollment in the Local Government branch of the North Carolina State Retirement System
  • Enrollment in Empower 401k
  • Health and dental insurance coverage for employee and children; spouses may be added to the policy if they are not offered coverage at their own place of employment
  • Voluntary enrollment in a Flexible Spending Plan
  • Life insurance
  • Long-term care insurance
  • Other voluntary insurances and deferred compensation plans

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