Assistant Parks and Recreation Director

Town of Wendell • Wendell 27591, NC

6d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Assistant Parks and Recreation Director performs complex professional and administrative work planning, directing, and managing the service operations, budgets, and personnel for parks and recreation programs, parks, and facilities. This position exercises supervision over designated departmental staff and works under the general direction of the Parks and Recreation Director. The role involves serving as the visible presence of the Town’s recreation programming services, overseeing communications for recreational programs and events through local media, developing promotional materials and events, participating in meetings, and managing the department’s web presence. This position has been identified as a role that requires a North Carolina SBI criminal history record check based on responsibilities involving work with individuals under 18 years of age.

Requirements

• Thorough knowledge of recreation administration principles and practices.
• Thorough knowledge of the principles and methods of parks and recreation planning and programming.
• Thorough knowledge of the methods involved in organizing, conducting, promoting, and supervising recreation activities.
• Skill in developing and implementing department-wide systems, processes, and policies that improve operational effectiveness and align with strategic direction.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment and decision-making, particularly when acting in the Director’s capacity.
• Knowledge of modern and effective supervisory principles and practices including leadership, motivation, communication, and performance coaching and evaluation.
• Knowledge of the application of information technology to the work.
• Knowledge of municipal budget development, financial analysis, and resource planning, including oversight of significant budget segments and contribution to large-scale resources planning.
• Knowledge of laws and regulations regarding hiring and supervising staff.
• Skilled in collaborative conflict resolution, public speaking, meeting facilitations, and customer service excellence.
• Ability to develop and execute a comprehensive program of recreational activities and facilities.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates and the public.
• Ability to present complex information to Town leadership, public bodies, and community groups, including leading presentations on major initiatives and providing executive-level recommendations.
• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a degree in Recreation Administration, Physical Education, or related field.
• Progressively responsible leadership experience in municipal recreation management, including executive-level experience in budgeting, policy development, program oversight, and staff leadership; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Valid North Carolina Driver's License.
• CPR and First Aid certifications.

Nice To Haves

• Certified Parks and Recreation Professional from the National Parks and Recreation Association preferred, or the ability to acquire within 24 months of employment.

Responsibilities

• Plans, directs, coordinates, and supervises day-to-day operations of parks and recreation programs, services, facilities, and staff.
• Promotes programs, prepares reports, and coordinates work with other departments.
• Assists Director with personnel and public information matters.
• Oversees strategic direction of service areas and ensures program outcomes support long-range departmental goals.
• Assists the Director in the development and refinement of departmental-wide systems, policies, and processes that improve organizational performance and ensure effective compliance operations.
• Provides executive oversight of program managers and supervisors, ensuring accountability for strategic objectives, budget targets, and operational performance.
• Evaluates community needs and effectiveness of programs by working with Town officials, community groups, and individuals.
• Attends and represents the department at public meetings.
• Identifies and responds to community concerns consistent with established policies.
• Oversees key budget segments with responsibility for budget development, monitoring, and strategic financial recommendations.
• Supports the Director in developing departmental budget presentations and may present on financial matters relevant to their areas of oversight.
• Serves as project lead on complex and high-impact initiatives requiring cross-departmental coordination, strategic decision-making, and long-term implementation planning.
• Assists the Director in evaluating the adequacy of existing facilities and in the development of strategies to ensure the current and future needs are met.
• Assists the Director in administering and overseeing service contracts and agreements related to the operation of the Parks and Recreation program and facilities.
• Serves as acting Director in the absence of the Parks and Recreation Director.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Work requires the frequent use of an office computer, cell phone, and other office equipment.
• The employee may be required to sit for long periods of time with occasional bending or squatting.
• Employee must have the visual acuity to perform frequent reading, to prepare and analyze data and figures, for close-up work, and to distinguish color and depth.
• Work requires long periods of concentration for reading and developing plans, making frequent decisions and instructions to staff, communicating with coworkers, and interacting with the public.
• Work is typically performed in an environmentally controlled office environment.
• Work also requires working in outside environment to assess programming of sporting and recreation events and to evaluate the work of subordinates.
• Employees in this class are subject to meetings outside the normal 8-hour day environment and may include travel to facilities and working after hours and on weekends without additional compensation.
• Employees in this class may also be infrequently subject to working in hot or cold environmental temperatures and working with tools and equipment.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager