Parks Recreation Jobs in Silver Spring, MD (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $117,310.00 - $188,868.00 Annually

Application Deadline: Sep 13, 2026

The Deputy Director of Parks & Recreation provides department-wide operational, professional, and administrative leadership in the planning, development, implementation, and continuous improvement of Parks & Recreation programs, services, facilities, parks, maintenance, and operations. The position provides leadership and oversight across four functional areas: Parks Maintenance, Horticulture, & Urban Forestry; Programs, Fields, & Teen Center; Events & Culture; and Operations & Historic Preservation, as well as administrative coordination with the Office Manager and Customer Service Support team.

Working under the administrative direction of the Director of Parks & Recreation, the Deputy Director exercises considerable independent judgment in developing and implementing programs, services, policies, procedures, and operational improvements. The position evaluates practices, resources, and service delivery; considers operational, financial, personnel, and community impacts; and develops recommendations that strengthen organizational capacity, improve efficiency, and respond to the evolving needs of the community.

The Deputy Director fosters a collaborative, inclusive, and accountable workplace by supporting staff development, encouraging employees to contribute their strengths and perspectives, and promoting teamwork, professional growth, and a positive work environment. The position builds effective relationships across the Department, Town, and community and represents the Department with Town management, elected officials, community organizations, boards and commissions, professional organizations, and other stakeholders.

The Deputy Director serves as Acting Director in the Director’s absence and performs related work as necessary.

Work Schedule: Monday through Friday 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM. Night Meetings as Necessary

All new employees must satisfactorily complete a background check. A conditional offer of employment may then be made contingent upon the successful completion of a drug test. This is an Exempt Position.

• Provides leadership and oversight for the department’s four functional areas: Parks Maintenance, Horticulture, & Urban Forestry; Programs, Fields, & Teen Center; Events & Culture; and Operations & Historic Preservation as well as administrative coordination with the Office Manager and Customer Service Support team.
• Assists the Director in establishing and implementing department goals, priorities, policies, and operational practices that advance the department's mission, vision, values, and strategic priorities.
• Evaluates departmental programs, services, facilities, procedures, staffing, and resource allocation to identify opportunities for continuous improvement; considers operational, financial, personnel, and community impacts; and develops recommendations to improve efficiency, service levels, and overall effectiveness.
• Supports implementation of the Parks & Recreation Master Plan and other long-range departmental initiatives.

• Assists with development, preparation, presentation, and administration of the annual operating budget and Capital Improvement Program (CIP), including identifying and prioritizing departmental needs and resource requirements.
• Monitors revenues and expenditures and recommends adjustments to maintain compliance with adopted budgets, Town financial policies, and established service levels.
• Evaluates programs and services to identify opportunities to improve cost recovery and develops recommendations regarding fees, rates, and pricing.
• Assists with identifying, prioritizing, scoping, budgeting, and coordinating capital improvement projects and major facility, park, infrastructure, and asset needs.
• Provides oversight for the effective operation, maintenance, programming, and use of department facilities, parks, fields, and other public assets.
• Ensures departmental operations comply with applicable laws, regulations, accessibility requirements, Town policies, and established standards and best practices.
• Coordinates with staff, Town departments, contractors, consultants, and other partners to address facility, park, infrastructure, program, and service needs.
• Evaluates program participation, events, facility and park utilization, service levels, staffing capacity, workload, and operational capacity to identify opportunities for improvement and ensure services align with community needs and available resources.
• Leads and manages department projects from planning through completion, establishing appropriate scopes, schedules, responsibilities, resources, and measures of success.
• Leads research, benchmarking, and data analysis to evaluate programs, services, and operational practices, and emerging opportunities, including practices used by other jurisdictions and the parks and recreation profession.
• Develops and implements procedures, systems, and performance measures that promote sustainability, accountability, operational efficiency, proactive planning, and continuous improvement.
• Ensures departmental operations comply with applicable laws, regulations, accessibility requirements, Town policies, and established standards and best practices.

• Supervises, coaches, mentors, and evaluates professional staff and subordinate supervisors.
• Establishes clear expectations and provides ongoing guidance and feedback.
• Identifies opportunities and encourages staff to participate in ongoing professional development to support staff growth.
• Promotes a collaborative, inclusive, and respectful work environment that values diverse perspectives, teamwork, accountability, and employee wellbeing.
• Addresses employee performance and workplace concerns in accordance with Town policies and recommends personnel actions as appropriate.

• Communicates effectively with employees at all levels of the organization, Town management, elected officials, community members, boards and commissions, vendors, consultants, and other stakeholders.
• Prepares and presents clear, concise reports, budget materials, Council and board agenda materials, correspondence, policies, procedures, presentations, recommendations and other administrative documents.
• Represents the Department and provides professional expertise at meetings, public events, community meetings, boards and commissions, and professional organizations.
• Builds and maintains productive relationships with Town departments, community partners, professional organizations, and other stakeholders and facilitates collaboration to advance departmental and organizational priorities.

• Provides administrative coordination with the Office Manager and Customer Service Support team to support consistent department-wide operations, information flow, and customer service.
• Maintains knowledge of and uses departmental or Town systems, including RecTrac and Munis, to support reporting, revenue accountability, program analysis, facility utilization, and operational decision-making.
• Assists with grants, awards, policies, special reports, special events, and other department initiatives as assigned.
• Attends meetings, conferences, training, and professional development activities necessary to maintain current knowledge of parks and recreation practices, regulations, and emerging industry trends.
• Serves as Acting Director in the Director’s absence.

Performs related work as necessary.

• Bachelor’s Degree in parks and recreation, business administration, public administration, health, physical education or closely related field.
• Six years of progressively responsible experience in public administration or recreation/facility management, including at a minimum of three years at the supervisory or managerial level

• Master’s Degree in a related field.
• CPR/First Aid Certification
• Certified Parks and Recreation Professional (CPRP) Certificationor Certified Parks and Recreation Executive Certification
• Active membership and participation in the Virginia Recreation and Park Society (VRPS) or National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA).
• Certificate of Incident Command Systems (ICS) – 100, 200, 700, and 800

Valid State Driver’s License

The Town of Vienna is an Equal Opportunity Employer. ADA requires the Town of Vienna to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. Prospective and current employees are encouraged to discuss ADA accommodations with management.