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Parks Director Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Parks & Recreation Manager

Bastrop, TX · On-site

$75K - $89K/yr

Responsibilities Overview Under general direction from the Director of Parks & Recreation, manages, directs, plans, develops, and promotes and evaluates the department's major program areas including ...

Park Ranger

Maumelle, AR · On-site

$3K - $4K/mo

SUPERVISORY CONTROLS The Parks Director sets the overall objectives and resources available. The Park Ranger assists in developing deadlines, projects, and work to be done on trails. The employee is ...

Seasonal Parks Worker

Bloomfield, NM · On-site

$14 - $18.50/hr

General Purpose Under the direct supervision of the Parks Supervisor, Parks Worker II, and Parks Worker I , this position performs a variety of semi‑skilled tasks related to the daily maintenance ...

The purpose of the Parks Seasonal Worker is to perform clerical, customer service and maintenance ... Greet and direct park visitors Enter reservations into the computer. Collect and record fees.

Parks Technician - Plumber

Tacoma, WA · On-site

$38.91 - $48.37/hr

Perform quality work within deadlines with or without direct supervision. * Interact professionally ... PARKS TACOMA IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER All qualified persons will be considered for ...

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Parks Director information

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.

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.
More about Parks Director jobs
What cities are hiring for Parks Director jobs? Cities with the most Parks Director job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Parks jobs? The most popular types of Parks jobs are:
What states have the most Parks Director jobs? States with the most job openings for Parks Director jobs include:
Deputy Parks and Recreation Director

Deputy Parks and Recreation Director

City of Tualatin

Tualatin, OR • On-site

$97K - $124K/yr

Other

Posted 12 days ago


Job description

Summary Tualatin's Parks & Recreation Department is seeking a dynamic, community-minded professional to join our team as Deputy Parks & Recreation Director. This role provides an exciting opportunity to lead a talented team that is integral to the department's success and the delivery of high-quality services to our community. Tualatin offers a unique environment with funded, large-scale capital projects, complex and meaningful resource management opportunities, a supportive and engaged community, and a dedicated, collaborative team.

We are looking for a strategic, innovative, and highly collaborative leader who thrives in a fast-paced environment and is passionate about enhancing quality of life through exceptional parks and recreation services. The Deputy Parks & Recreation Director plays a vital leadership role in advancing department and citywide priorities. This position provides strategic, analytical, and project management expertise while working in close partnership with staff across the organization in alignment with the City Managers 7 Principals.

Serving as a key connector between the City, regional partners, community organizations, and other stakeholders, the Deputy Director leads the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of programs, projects, and initiatives that deliver meaningful impact for the Tualatin community. Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following: This class specification represents only the core areas of responsibilities; specific position assignments will vary depending on the needs of the department. Leads and directs consultant teams to successfully deliver department-wide programs, projects, and strategic initiatives through multiple dedicated funding sources including a 25-million-dollar Parks and Trails bond.

Oversee budget development and administration for complex, multi-year programs, ensuring fiscal responsibility and alignment across the department. Serves as project manager for high-impact capital improvement and operational projects from planning through implementation. Projects include a new riverfront park, athletic field complex and new park in a newly developed area of the city.

Acts as a key liaison, fostering effective collaboration with internal departments, advisory committees, and external stakeholders. Leads and supports grant development efforts, including research, writing, and post-award administration Partners closely with Finance to guide budgeting, forecasting, and long-range capital planning efforts. Conducts advanced data analysis to inform policy development and support strategic program recommendations.

Focused work on programmatic efficiency gains for our recreation and parks teams. Drives comprehensive communication and community engagement strategies to advance parks and recreation services. Responsible for the supervision and leadership of all assigned staff.

Provides high-level support to City Council and regional boards, including research, reporting, and presentation of parks and recreation initiatives. Leads the development and ongoing management of strategic planning documents, including master plans and system-wide plans. Provides strategic and operational support to the Parks & Recreation Director on key initiatives and priorities.

Represents the department professionally at public meetings, community events, and interagency forums. Supports recruitment, hiring, and onboarding processes to build and sustain a high-performing team. Performs additional duties as needed to support departmental goals and organizational success SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES This position has oversight of the Administrative and Project Management team.

Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement, City policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems. Qualifications To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Considerable knowledge of the principles, practices and techniques of business and public administration.

General understanding of the procedures within Public Works, including an understanding as to how these relate to the City organization as a whole. Possession of additional specialized knowledge, skills and abilities pertinent to project management and Public Works, specifically: knowledge of government finance, public budgeting, and grant procedures; ability to facilitate public input processes and public meetings; ability to draft, negotiate and oversee contracts for special projects and studies; ability to coordinate and resolve conflicting points of view to obtain successful outcomes; ability to research legal issues, draft and present recommendations to the department team. Ability to provide effective leadership and coordination in developing solutions and recommending new techniques.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, officials and the general public. Ability to exercise resourcefulness, tact and perspective in developing solutions and new techniques. Ability to assemble, organize and present statistical, financial and factual information derived from a variety of original and secondary sources utilizing a variety of media.

Advanced skill in database preparation and manipulation, designing spreadsheets, Power Point presentations, word processing and financial software. Lead work and supervisory experience that may include leading projects, programs or initiatives, or leading the work of others, such as providing daily work direction and/or scheduling, assigning work, checking completed work, and training. Thorough understanding of public finance, public budgeting and procurement policy.

Skilled in building effective relationships within and across organizations; effective oral communication in both public and small group settings; prioritizing and meeting deadlines; coordination projects; analyzing legislation and issues affecting the organization; researching and analyzing data and information. EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's Degree in business administration, public administration, engineering or planning. Five (5) years of increasingly responsible professional administrative and analytical experience in project management, public administration, or a field related to the pertinent department.

Prior supervisory experience is preferred. A Master's Degree in Public Administration or related field is preferred and can substitute for two (2) years of required experience. Any satisfactory equivalent combination of experience and training, which ensures the ability to perform the essential functions of the position, may substitute for the above.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS Possession of, or the ability to secure possession of, a valid Oregon driver's license. Specific assignments may require possession of, or the ability to secure, state certification for performing assigned duties. PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to sit and use hands to finger, handle, or feel.

The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. The employee is occasionally exposed to outdoor weather conditions. HOW TO APPLY: Apply online at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/tualatinor prior to the position closing date and time

For assistance with the application process, contact HR at Recruitment@tualatin.gov. A resume and cover letter are required to be submitted with your application. Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they are able to perform every task in the job description

We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may be one who comes from a less traditional background. The City will consider any equivalent combination of knowledge skills education and experience to meet minimum qualifications. If you think you are interested in applying, we encourage you to think broadly about your background and skillset for the role.