Parks Recreation Manager Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary : $103,812.00 - $137,304.00 Annually
Location : Parks and Recreation Building, 6767 Passons Blvd., Pico Rivera, CA
Job Type: At-Will
Job Number: 202606- P&R Manager
Department: Parks & Recreation
Opening Date: 06/30/2026
Description
PARKS AND RECREATION MANAGER
Full-Time/At-Will
Open/Competitive
Open Until Filled
The City of Pico Rivera's vision and values are to safeguard the public's trust through open and transparent business practices that consistently maintain our credibility of strong ethical stewardship of all resources. We strive to provide responsive and consistent customer service to the community and our employees; who we trust to always own the problem and solution of all our business challenges. We recognize that we must engage our workforce in productive and respectful dialogue as our success internally hinges on the dynamic and interdependent partnerships within; thus improving our chances of external success.
The goal is to positively impact our community by optimizing and engaging our workforce to improve the human experience and quality of life in the City of Pico Rivera. The City is committed to forging a model of 21st Century government to better serve the community and its employees.
The Department
The Parks and Recreation Department oversees Parks and Programs, REACH, Senior Services, Contract Classes, Media and Communications, Special Events, Transportation, and the Pico Rivera Golf Course.
The amenities provided by the Parks and Recreation Department are enjoyed by thousands of people every year. The amenities include 100 acres of parks and open spaces, swimming pool, athletic fields, walking paths, Senior Center, and batting cages.
The Position
The City of Pico Rivera is seeking a dynamic, community-driven Recreation & Parks Manager to oversee major program areas including Citywide Special Events, Senior Center operations (including the City's Veterans Affairs support), Citywide Farmers Market, Aquatics, and a portfolio of special programs and community recreational services.
This role provides leadership, supervision, and strategic direction for programming that supports residents of all ages and ensures safe, engaging, and equitable services for the community.
City Hall is open Monday through Thursday, 7:00 AM to 5:30 PM. Employees work a 4/10 schedule from 7:00 AM to 5:30 PM. This position could also be required to work non-traditional hours including nights, early mornings, weekends, and holidays based on the needs of the department.
Essential Duties
The ideal candidate will have the ability to perform the following essential tasks and functions:

• Oversee planning, coordination, and execution of Citywide Special Events, ensuring compliance with procurement and contract routing requirements.
• Manage Citywide Farmers Market operations and vendor participation, consistent with market oversight found in multiple City market-related agenda materials.
• Assist the Director with Aquatics oversight, including program planning, staff scheduling, and safety compliance
• Direct operations of the Senior Center, including enrichment, nutrition, wellness, and resource programs.
• Oversee the City's Office of Veterans Affairs services delivered within the Center.
• Direct operations and programming at Pico Park and all programming associated with this facility.
• Provide leadership and training on all citywide recreational programs, classes, afterschool programs, family programs, senior services, community events, and seasonal programs.

Staff Leadership & Administration

• Supervise full-time, part-time, seasonal, and contract staff.
• Develop program goals, evaluate service delivery, analyze program needs, and implement improvements.
• Prepare reports, procurement requests, and agenda documents.
• Administer budgets and monitor expenditures aligned with departmental fiscal practices.

Community Engagement

• Serve as departmental liaison to community partners, nonprofit service providers, neighborhood groups, and vendors.
• Support City Council initiatives and represent the department at meetings, public events, and stakeholder engagements.

Qualifications
IDEAL CANDIDATE
The ideal candidate will:

• Bring creativity and innovation to special events, senior services, aquatics, veterans programming, and citywide markets.
• Excel in fast-paced environments with competing priorities.
• Demonstrate strong organizational skills, communication, and inclusive leadership.

CORE COMPETENCIES
Leadership & Supervision

• Coaches and develops staff; models professionalism and accountability.
• Demonstrates sound judgment and decision-making.

Program & Project Management

• Coordinates complex projects and overlapping timelines.
• Ensures procurement and contract compliance, including vendor routing and documentation.

Community & Customer Service

• Builds positive relationships with community members, partners, and stakeholders.
• Responds effectively to resident needs.

Communication

• Prepares clear written materials (reports, agenda items).
• Communicates professionally with staff, leadership, and the public.

Fiscal & Resource Management

• Oversees program budgets and monitors expenditures.
• Follows City fiscal protocols.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's Degree in Recreation, Human Services, Public Administration or a related field from an accredited college or university is required.
• Three (3) years of increasingly responsible experience in recreation, community services, or event management, including supervision is required.
• Two (2) years of supervisory experience is required.
• Two (2) years of public contact experience is required.
• One (1) year of budget/policy experience/leadership experience is required.
• Aquatics experience is highly desirable.

Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. Three years or more of comparable managerial experience may be substituted for the education on a year-for-year basis.
Proof of education such as but not limited to, university/college transcripts and degrees must be submitted online with your application. Applicants are responsible for attaching proof of education, certification, and/or license to each position for which they apply.
Failure to provide all required documents will result in elimination from the selection process.
FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying. Click for Foreign Education Credentialing instructions.
PHYSICAL, MENTAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL WORKING CONDITIONS:
Physical Requirements:
Ability to operate a variety of automated office machines, including a calculator, copier, personal computer and applicable software programs; coordinate eyes, hands, feet and limbs in performing slightly skilled movements, such as data entry; exert light physical effort in sedentary to light work, typically involving lifting, carrying, pushing and pulling, sitting, and/or walking; maneuver and steer equipment and machinery requiring simple, but continuous adjustments, such as the operation of an automobile.
Supervisorial Responsibilities:
Ability to assign, review, plan, and coordinate the work of other employees; provide instruction and guidance to staff; approve the transfer, promotion, salary increase, discipline or discharge of staff; assess the work of employees and write performance appraisals; promote staff development and motivation; oversee a program for orientation and training of all department employees; analyze problems that arise in the areas under supervision and recommend solutions. Establish and maintain effective and positive working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
Mathematical Ability:
Ability to interpret descriptive economic, financial and statistical reports.
Judgment and Situational Reasoning Ability:
Ability to develop, implement and maintain sound accounting and financial reporting systems and procedures; ability to assess and evaluate data processing needs and evaluate computer hardware and software; ability to exercise independent judgment, decisiveness and creativity required in situations involving the direction, control and planning of an entire program or multiple programs; ability to develop new policies and modify existing policies, strategies and/or methods to meet unusual conditions within the context of existing management principles; ability to analyze and categorize data and information in order to define consequences and to consider and select alternatives; ability to decide the time, place and sequence of operations within a system or organizational framework, as well as the ability to oversee their execution.
Language Ability and Interpersonal Communication:
Ability to utilize a variety of advisory data and information, such as financial statements, technical operating manuals, procedures, guidelines, ordinances, and accounting methods; advise and provide interpretation to others how to apply policies, procedures and standards to specific situations; communicate effectively with coworkers, vendors, elected and appointed officials, and the general public, both verbally and in writing; effectively make public presentations; management and direct a group of workers, including the ability to provide counseling and mediation; ability to persuade, convince and train others.
Licenses and Certifications

• Must possess a valid Class C California Driver's License, and a safe driving record throughout the course of employment. City employees are registered with the Department of Motor Vehicles, Employee Pull Notice Program.
• Proof of car insurance (to be eligible for mileage reimbursement based on the IRS issued rates).
• Candidates must possess a current American Red Cross (ARC) or American Heart Association (AHA) Infant/Child/Adult CPR, Automatic External Defibrillator (AED), and Community First Aid and Safety certification. Online certifications not acceptable.
• Aquatics certification highly desirable.

Veteran's credit will amount to 10 points to be added to the interview score. Proof of honorable discharge must be submitted with the application materials in order to be eligible for veteran's credit. Veterans who wish to utilize this credit must have served on a full-time basis (not reserve or auxiliary) in the armed forces for a minimum of six months (180 days).
TESTING:
Candidates who pass all qualifying phases of the recruitment process (e.g., minimum qualification review, written and/or oral examinations) will be placed in an eligibility pool for the hiring department to initiate the selection process. Please note: recruitment timelines may vary. Updates will be provided to candidates throughout the process.
FINAL FILING DATE:
Recruitment will remain open until the position is filled; however, we reserve the right to close the recruitment at any time without prior notice. Selection of applicants will be on a first come, first served basis. As employment applications are received, they will be immediately reviewed.
SELECTION PROCESS:
It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that all information provided on the application and/or supplemental questionnaire is accurate and complete. Incomplete applications and/or supplemental responses will not be accepted. Resumes may be included, but will not be accepted in place of required application materials (e.g., high school diploma, G.E.D. equivalent, and/or typing certificate, if applicable). This is a competitive process; applicants must clearly demonstrate that they meet the minimum qualifications. Your application will only be accepted if it clearly shows you meet the requirements. The information you give regarding your experience and education will determine your eligibility and is subject to verification at any time. False statements will be cause for disqualification, removal from the Eligibility List, or discharge from employment. List each job title and employer separately. Do not group your experience. Specify the beginning and ending dates for each job. If you have supervised staff, indicate how many. Based on a review of application materials, only the most qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the testing process to further evaluate their job-related experience, education, knowledge, skills and abilities.
AI and the Hiring Process
We recognize that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming part of daily life and can be a valuable tool for learning, research, and professional growth. We encourage candidates to use AI responsibly as a support in preparing application materials, live assessments, and interviews. However, we value authenticity, accuracy and truthfulness. Application responses and interview answers must reflect your own knowledge, skills, and experiences. While AI can supplement preparation, it cannot replace the originality and judgment we look for in our employees. This ensures fairness, tr