Assistant Director of PARCS - City of Fresno

Fresno Regional Workforce Development Board•Fresno, CA

8h•Onsite

About The Position

The Parks, After School, Recreation and Community Services (PARCS) Department is dedicated to strengthening community through people, parks, and programs. The PARCS Department is comprised of six geographic operational areas (North, North Central, South Central, South, Regional Parks, and Camp Fresno); seven program areas (Sports, Youth Programs, Science Programs, Senior Programs, Youth & Veteran Employment, Adaptive Recreation, and Neighborhood Safety); and six administrative areas (Fiscal, Personnel, Customer Service, Community Outreach, Grants & Contracts, and Capital Projects Administration). As proposed for FY2026, PARCS will have a staff of 215 permanent positions and a budget of $64 million for operating and $68 million for capital projects. The Parks Maintenance and Landscape Divisions work to maintain over 90 parks and 19 community centers, representing over 1,200 acres of open space. The Sports, Recreation, and Community Services programs offer a multitude of programming platforms responsive to all needs in the Community. Programs offered include activities for residents of all ages including daily after-school programs at 19 sites; daily senior programs at 9 sites; science programming offered community-wide and at the Highway City Science Center; City-led youth sports leagues; swimming lessons and recreation swim; summer and day camps; overnight and day camps at Camp Fresno; bicycle and pedestrian safety public education; adult sports leagues; neighborhood safety intervention programs; and adaptive recreation programs, to name a few. In January 2018, the City Council adopted the Parks Master Plan Update. The adoption marked the culmination of nearly 18 months of community outreach, stakeholder engagement, staff analysis, and a comprehensive evaluation of parks and amenities. The Plan serves as the visionary guide for improving Fresno’s parks, open space, and recreational services. The Plan provides recommendations, strategies, and highlights the community’s priorities for improvements. On February 18, 2021, the City Council certified Measure P as passed, and collection of the special sales tax began July 1, 2021. The revenues generated by the Measure P use tax are allocated by the City of Fresno on an annual basis with additional independent oversight provided by the Parks, Recreation and Arts Commission (Commission) consisting of nine (9) members. The nine-member Commission is appointed by the Mayor and approved by City Council. For FY 2026, the total estimated revenue receipts for Measure P are $47 million. Measure P proceeds are utilized to fund specific purposes defined in the ordinance: 1. Improving and Maintaining Safe, Clean Neighborhood Parks and Playgrounds. 2. New Neighborhood Parks; Senior and Youth Recreation Facilities. 3. Youth and Senior Recreation Programs; After School Programs; and Job Training for Youth and Veterans. 4. Expanded Access to Arts and Culture. 5. Safe Walking and Biking Trails; Street Beautification and Litter Removal; and the San Joaquin River Parkway. 6. Program implementation, planning and plan updates, program and project innovation, and audit and oversight support. The PARCS Department implements a large capital improvement program, consistent with the goals of Measure P and the Parks Master Plan. Through generous grants, partnerships, and investments from the City’s general fund, the FY26 capital program includes over 90 projects representing a 1-year investment of $68 million. Major improvements are underway to modernize and improve existing facilities, including play structures, sports courts and fields, community centers, and more. Seven new parks and park facilities are currently in development, and many more are planned to begin acquisition and development in the coming year.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in Recreation, Business Administration, Public Administration, Regional Planning or a related field
Five (5) years of progressively responsible and directly related management experience; or nine (9) years of directly related experience including five (5) years at the management level
Possession of a valid California Driver's License is required at time of appointment.
Possession of a valid Class C California Driver’s License is required within sixty (60) days of appointment.