Recreation Program Manager Jobs in Hudson, MA (NOW HIRING)

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITYTown of Littleton

Director of Parks, Recreation, and Community Education

Anticipated Hiring Range: $47.37/hr - $53.50/hr
Full Salary Range: $47.37/hr - $61.79/hr, commensurate with experience
Full-time, 40 hours per week - Benefit Eligible

Application Deadline: Friday, August 28, 2026

The Town of Littleton is seeking qualified applicants for a full-time, benefit-eligible Director for Parks, Recreation, and Community Education position in the Parks, Recreation, and Community Education Department. The purpose of this position is to provide professional, administrative, financial, and supervisory leadership in the planning, development, implementation, and evaluation of the Town’s parks, recreation, and community education programs, services, facilities, and initiatives. In consultation with the Parks and Recreation Commission, this position establishes the Department’s short- and long-term goals and strategic direction; oversees year-round and seasonal staff, programming, facilities, financial operations, budgets, grants, and departmental policies; and coordinates recreational resources and initiatives with other Town departments, schools, boards, and committees. The Director is responsible for ensuring high-quality programming and customer service, sound financial management and reporting, effective community communication and engagement, compliance with applicable safety and reporting requirements, and the efficient and effective operation of all areas under the Director’s supervision and control. The Director also provides leadership in identifying and pursuing opportunities to enhance programs, facilities, funding, and recreational resources to meet the evolving needs of the community.

Position Purpose:

This position is responsible for the professional, administrative, and supervisory work in developing, administering, and implementing indoor and outdoor recreation and community education programs and activities that meet the needs of the community.

Supervision:

Supervision Scope: Performs complex and highly responsible duties, requiring the exercise of a significant level of independent judgment in the planning, administration and execution of the department’s programs, and in the direction of personnel; employee is required to work independently in formulating decisions regarding policies, procedures, operations and plans.

Supervision Received: Works with substantial independence under the general policy direction of the Parks and Recreation Commission and day-to-day operation of the Town Administrator. The Commission will undertake annual policy goal setting measures and shall include an objective for professional development, with input from the Town Administrator. Works independently in formulating decisions regarding policies, procedures, operations and plans for the department.

Supervision Given: Responsible for the supervision of all full-time PRCE employees and approximately 90 seasonal employees and volunteers. Recommends hiring, evaluations, discipline, and terminations in accordance with Town policies. Delegates supervisory responsibility to subordinates where applicable.

Work is performed under nonconforming office conditions; work environment is noisy, with frequent interruptions. Performs inspections and/or observes department facilities, vehicles, watercraft, docks, other equipment and activities. May occasionally be exposed to gasoline, oil and other fluids when working with department vehicles and watercraft.

Regularly operates an automobile, a computer, telephones, facsimile machine and other standard office machines. Must have knowledge of Recreation software package, Financial, Payroll, Purchasing Card, Accounts Payable, and Vendor software suite, and be able to train staff how to use this software.

Interacts frequently with town residents, department staff and volunteers, other town departments, vendors, and local community organizations. Contacts are in person, by telephone, in writing and involve discussing routine to complex information and require considerable perceptiveness and persuasion to influence the behavior of others. Responsible for working with area car dealerships and within the state bid guidelines to secure and upkeep department vehicles.

Has access to Departmental personnel records. Performs CORI/SORI checks at the appropriate levels in accordance with the department’s CORI policy. Works directly with the Police Chief to interpret results as needed. Writes and processes all 51A reports with Departments of Children and Families (DCF) and Board of Health.

Has access to department personnel records, bid documents, negotiating positions, and confidential and personal information about program participants and staff which requires the application of appropriate judgment, discretion and professional protocols.

Errors in judgment will result in significant delay or loss of services, possible personal injury to program participants, damage to vehicles or property, monetary loss, and have legal repercussions.

EssentialFunctions:

(The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.)

• Sets the short- and long-term goals of the department, in consultation with the P&R commission.
• Verifies that the community is informed of all programs, services and events that are provided by the department, answering complaints, explaining policies and procedures.
• Advises program coordinators and staff on the development of the offerings including but not limited to sports leagues, camps, recreation programs, adult programs.
• Oversees and directs non-seasonal department employees in developing programs aligned with the department’s long-term vision. Establishes program pricing and budgets to cover direct costs, expenses, and appropriate overhead, and ensures proper allocation to the PRCE Revolving Fund or General Fund.
• Directs non-seasonal department employees in developing program surveys and feedback processes to evaluate market comparisons, participant satisfaction, communication, instructor effectiveness, facility quality, safety, and opportunities for improvement.
• Utilizes, reconciles, and maintains PRCE-specific software in conjunction with the Town’s software to ensure accurate financial information processing and reporting of PRCE revenues and expenses within the PRCE Revolving Fund and the General Fund.
• Works with Town Treasurer to balance and account for bank statements for revolving and enterprise funds and has access to credit card data; creates monthly financial reports for the PRCE Commission for their approval.
• Coordinates the scheduling and use of Town recreational and athletic facilities, including collaboration with School personnel, Public Works, Town Administration, and relevant boards and committees to support programming, facility development and maintenance, and recreational water quality.
• Identifies, pursues, and secures grant funding opportunities; manages grant requirements, reporting, and compliance to maintain funding and support departmental programs, facilities, and initiatives.
• Certifies that qualified staff are screened, hired, and trained, evaluated, and supervised.
• Processes sensitive information, checking that staff are informed of their obligations as mandated reporters, conduct investigations, and compile 51A reports if necessary.
• Responsible for contributing to the Annual Town Report, Open Space and Recreation Plan (every 7 years), Town Master Plan (every 7 years).
• Responsible for developing the departmental Strategic Plan.
• Attends all Board and Commission meetings, Town meetings, and Public Hearings as required.
• Creates, tracks, and manages departmental budgets, including scholarship funds and capital projects. Provides regular budget updates to the P&R commission. Presents the budget to the Select Board and Finance Committee.
• Approves and authorizes expenditures and departmental payroll.
• Creates, updates, enforces and educates residents on the policies and procedures for the department as approved by the Park and Recreation Commission.
• Researches, develops, presents, and follows through with approved Park and Recreation projects.
• Makes sure that the department adheres to the highest standards in customer service and programming quality, follows all public safety precautions and procedures.
• Supervises all year-round staff and all seasonal staff.
• Researches, applies, and manages funds, including grants and scholarship funds, for the department.
• Markets departmental services using social media, technology, emails, telephone and displays.
• Oversees the coordination of parks and field maintenance efforts with Public Works.
• Participates in collaborative meetings with other department heads, Town administration, and Public-School administrators to develop programs, facilities, events, and Town parcels to benefit the residents.
• Performs other related job duties as required.

Education.TrainingandExperience:

Bachelor's degree in Recreation Administration, Sports Management, or a closely related field; Master's degree desirable; three to four years of experience as a municipal Parks and Recreation Director or five to six years as an Assistant Director or equivalent leadership experience; or any equivalent combination of education and experience.

Special Requirements:

Certification in CPR, First Aid, AED upon time of hire. Possession of a valid State of MA motor vehicle operator’s license free of infractions. Certified to run CORI/SORI record through State system or ability to obtain certification within 30 days of hire. Must be able to work nights and weekend on top of normal weekly operations.

Knowledge.AbilityandSkill:

Knowledge: Complete working knowledge of the principles and practices of recreation and enrichment programming. Thorough knowledge of recreation equipment, materials, tools and other resources. Thorough knowledge of computers and applicable software applications. Thorough knowledge of Massachusetts General Law Recreational, Park, Procurement, Grants, and Open meeting Laws. Thorough knowledge of municipal and revolving fund accounting, including matching revenues and expenses, financial reporting, and staff training. Ability to develop effective surveys and provide timely, accurate financial reports to the Park and Recreation Commission and Town Administrator.

Ability: Ability to develop innovative cost-effective programs to meet community needs. Able to communicate effectively and efficiently verbally and in writing at all times. Ability to delegate responsibility and work well with subordinates. Ability to deal tactfully, patiently and appropriately with a variety of people including children, authorities, state agencies and teens. Ability to work effectively under time constraints to meet deadlines. Ability to initiate and lead department-wide efforts to acquire, develop, and modify facilities and equipment to meet community needs, including ADA/accessibility and water quality considerations.

Skill: Skill in all of the above listed tools and equipment. Superior persuasiveness, resourcefulness, and discretionary skills. Excellent customer service skills. A high level of patience and persistence. Excellent driving skill and record.

Physical Requirements:

Lifts/moves objects weighing up to 50 pounds, files, and types on a keyboard at a moderate speed. Must be able to access all recreational fields and structures. May be required to access, board, operate, inspect, or assist with watercraft and docks, including working on or near the water and maintaining balance on uneven or moving surfaces. Communicates verbally and in writing. Manually operates all equipment. Vision and hearing at/or correctable to normal ranges.

(This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change).

Category Parks, Recreation, and Community Education (PRCE) Status Open Posted August 14, 2026 Closing August 28, 2026 11:59 PM