Recreation Manager Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $65,656.00 - $103,277.00 Annually
Location : East Suffolk Rec Center, Suffolk, VA
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 4642
Department: PARKS&REC-RECREATION
Opening Date: 08/14/2026
Closing Date: 8/27/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Description
Under limited supervision, performs supervisory and recreational work in developing, supervising and administering Recreation programs and the art gallery, and related special events for the City Parks and Recreation Department. Work involves developing and organizing recreation and art programs; meeting with community groups and individuals to determine recreational program needs and interests; and supervising a staff of recreation supervisors and aides. Employee is also responsible for coordinating recreation programs and events with other agencies, evaluating current programs, and performing various operational administrative tasks in the recreation and athletic programs. Employee must exercise considerable initiative and independent judgment in properly coordinating recreation programs. Employee must also exercise tact and courtesy in frequent contact with program participants, employees, and volunteers. Reports to the Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation.
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions herein described. Since every duty associated with this position may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in the job description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties just as though they were actually written out in this job description.
Essential Job Functions

• Directs, coordinates and supervises City-sponsored recreation and athletic programs and events for preteen, teen, adult, special populations and senior citizen groups and individuals; arranges, schedules and secures necessary instructional and supervisory personnel to carry out such programs; develops, recommends and implements departmental policies pertaining to recreation programs.
• Works with community groups and individuals in determining recreation program needs and interest of the community, and establishing programs to meet such needs; coordinates City programs with programs sponsored by other agencies and community groups; interacts with other City departments and agencies and state and national recreation organizations.
• Supervises, evaluates, disciplines, and schedules Recreation Division staff and deals with personnel issues as they arise. Directs continuing risk management studies; recommends and monitors capital construction and renovation projects.
• Makes periodic observation and evaluation of recreation programs and facility operations for quality of competition, proper use of equipment and facilities, and sportsmanship; receives and responds to inquiries, complaints, compliments and other comments from public concerning Department recreation activities.
• Prepares budget request and justification for Recreation Division, allocate funds between five sections and approve expenditures.
• Monitors routine and emergency maintenance needs of recreation facilities.
• Participate in the recruitment, promotion, interviewing, hiring, and training of Recreation Division employees.
• Maintains records and logs of activities and incidents pertaining to recreation and athletic programs, and prepares periodic reports.
• Moves equipment; sets up tables and chairs; attends meetings; picks up and delivers supplies.
• Follows up on work orders.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Required Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in sports management, recreation, physical education or a related field, and four to six years of experience in organized athletics administration; or any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required skills, knowledge and abilities. Requires a valid driver's license. Prefer certification as Certified Recreation and Parks Professional.
Supplemental Information

• Ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable, functional, structural or compositional characteristics (whether similar or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people or things.
• Ability to speak and/or signal people to convey or exchange information. Includes giving instructions, assignments or directions to subordinates or assistants; and receiving instructions, assignments or directions from superiors.
• Ability to read a variety of reports, letters and memos, forms, etc.
• Ability to prepare correspondence, reports, forms, news releases, statistics, work orders, payment vouchers, payroll forms, etc., using prescribed formats and conforming to all rules of punctuation, grammar, diction, and style.
• Ability to speak before groups of people with poise, voice control and confidence.
• Ability to apply principles of logical or scientific thinking to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions; to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagrammatic form; and to deal with several abstract and concrete variables.
• Ability to record and deliver information, to explain procedures, to follow oral and written instructions. Must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently in standard college-level English.
• Ability to utilize mathematical formulas; to add and subtract; multiply and divide; utilize decimals and percentages.
• Ability to inspect items for proper length, width and shape.
• Ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions. Must be adaptable to performing under stress and when confronted with emergency situations.
• Ability to communicate via a telephone and two-way radio.
• Knowledge of the principles, practices, rules and procedures of organized competitive sports and athletic and recreational activity programs.
• Knowledge of the facilities, materials and equipment utilized in recreation and athletic programs, special events, and related specialties.
• Knowledge of a wide variety of athletic interests and recreational activities for all age groups in the community.
• Knowledge of the philosophies and objectives of public recreation and athletics programs.
• Knowledge of the principles of supervision, organization and administration.
• Knowledge of the requirements, policies and procedures of various media outlets necessary for promotional activities.
• Knowledge of the current literature, trends, and developments in the field of athletic program administration.
• Skill in training, coaching and counseling participants and officials.
• Ability to perceive, plan, promote, organize and coordinate athletic programs and events for all age groups.
• Ability to use common office machines and popular computer drive word processing, spreadsheet and file maintenance programs.
• Ability to maintain routine administrative reports and records.
• Ability to plan and supervise the activities required to execute assigned recreational and athletic programs.
• Ability to assign, direct and supervise the work of subordinate recreation and athletic program personnel.
• Ability to compose effective correspondence.
• Ability to communicate and establish rapport, understanding and confidence with participants and the general public.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment in the application of program and game rules and procedures.
• Ability to exercise considerable tact and courtesy in frequent contact with the public.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships as necessitated by work assignments.

Seasonal Employees- No Benefits
Part-time Employees - Sick Leave (See below)
Full Time Employees are eligible for the following benefits;
Retirement (Virginia Retirement System employer) for employees hired on or after 1/1/14 - Hybrid Members
Hybrid plan members contribute 4 percent of creditable compensation to the defined benefit plan and 1 percent to the defined contribution plan each month. Members may voluntarily contribute up to an additional 4 percent in 0.5 percent increments to the defined contribution plan each month. Members can increase or decrease their voluntary contributions on a quarterly basis. With the mandatory and voluntary contributions to the defined contribution component of the plan, members can contribute a maximum of 5 percent with a 3.5 percent match from the employer. Members invest in various investment options that best fit their needs.
Vested after 5 years in the defined benefit part of the plan. Vested in phases based on years in the Defined Contribution part of the Plan. The retirement eligibility for a full or reduced retirement pension in the Hybrid Plan is very detailed. Please contact the Virginia Retirement System or the Human Resources Department for details.
Paid Time Off (PTO)Yearly earnings
120 Hours (1-59 months), 144 Hours (60-119 months), 168 Hours (120- 179 months), 192 Hours (180 and over)
Sick Leave
Part Time employees earn 4 hours per month Sick leave accrues at the end of the month and may be accrued with no ceiling.
Personal Leave
All regular full time employees are granted 24 hours of personal leave each calendar year. Personal leave must be preapproved and is not cumulative.
Health Insurance
Coverage available for you and your eligible dependents using pre-tax payroll deductions if elected.
Supplemental Insurances
Employees may purchase the following supplemental insurance policies: short term and long term disability, cancer, accident, supplemental hospitalization, and group universal life insurance.
Employer Sponsored Short Term and Long Term Disability
Provides disability coverage for employees work and non-work related disabilities. Work related disabilities are covered starting on day one (1). Non work related disabilities are covered starting on day eight (8), after you have been employed for one year.
Flexible Spending Accounts
Employees may participate in the Health Reimbursement, Dependent Care Reimbursement and Premium Reimbursement Accounts. All deductions are made on a pre-tax basis and will reduce your taxable income.
Life Insurance
The city pays the entire premium for life insurance coverage in the amount of 2 times annual salary for natural death and 4 times annual salary for accidental death.
Optional Life Insurance
Employees have the option of electing additional life insurance coverage in the amount of 1, 2, 3 or 4 times their annual salary. Employees may only purchase optional life insurance on spouses and children if they are enrolled in optional life insurance for themselves.
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
12 weeks of job protected leave for leaves approved in accordance with the Family Medical Leave Act. Employees receive continuation of health insurance, job protection and consideration for a comparable job when available, or an equivalent job, upon return to work.
Funeral Leave
24 hours of paid leave of absence in case of death in immediate family.
Holidays
Suffolk follows the Virginia State holiday calendar as set by the Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Jury Duty
Time off with pay with difference between jury pay and regular pay or use annual leave and keep check.
457 Deferred Compensation, ROTH IRA, Traditional IRA
Offered through ICMA Retirement Corporation as a way to shelter a portion of your salary from income taxes and save for retirement.
Employee Assistance Program
Offers employees and immediate family members (3) free, confidential counseling sessions related to a broad range of issues such as marital or family conflict, job or personal stress, alcohol or drug abuse, financial or legal worries, etc.
Worker's Compensation
Should an employee have an on the job injury, he/she could be eligible for Workmen's Compensation Benefits, except in cases of willful neglect.
Pay Days
Employees will be paid on the 15th and last working day of each month.
Credit Union
A Suffolk Credit Union is available to employees.
Legal Services
Employees may prepay for access to legal assistance.
Notary Public Services
Services available in the Human Resources Department.
Alternative Work ScheduleFor some positions -Offers 4 Alternative Work Schedule options to provide employees with greater control over their personal and professional time, as well as reducing absences.
01
Do you have a valid driver's license?

• Yes
• No

02
Do you have at least a Bachelor's degree in Recreation, Physical Education, Sports Management, or a closely related field?

• Yes
• No

03
Which of the following best represents your experience and/or training involving recreation/athletic program development, organized athletics administration, or a closely related area?

• Less than 3 years
• 3-6 years
• 6-7 years
• 7-8 years
• 8-9 years
• 9-10 years
• More than 10years

04
Do you have any supervisory experience?

• Yes
• No

05
Which of the following best describes your supervisory experience?

• Less than 1 year
• 1-2yrs
• 2-3yrs
• 3-4yrs
• 4-5yrs
• 5-6yrs
• More than 6 years

06
Are you currently certified as a Certified Parks and Recreation Professional (CPRP)?

• Yes
• No

07
Indicate your current CPR/First Aid/AED certification:

• CPR
• First Aid
• Automated External Defibrillator (AED)
• All of the above
• None of the above
• CPR & First Aid only