Assistant Parks & Recreation Director

Town of Mooresville • Mooresville, NC

4d • Onsite

About The Position

The Assistant Parks & Recreation Director provides strategic leadership and daily operational oversight for the Recreation, Athletics, and Buildings & Grounds Divisions of the Parks & Recreation Department. This position is responsible for managing staff, overseeing recreational programming and park maintenance operations, developing budgets, administering grants, and supporting the Department's mission of providing high-quality parks, facilities, programs, and services to the community. The Assistant Parks & Recreation Director works collaboratively with Town departments, community organizations, schools, and residents to ensure the effective delivery of services and long-term planning for the department. This position also serves as the Director of Parks & Recreation in the Director's absence. Work requires strong leadership, strategic planning, financial management, and public engagement skills. Work is performed under the general supervision of the Director of Parks & Recreation.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Recreation, Parks & Recreation Administration, Leisure Studies, Public Administration, or a closely related field
• Three (3) to five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in municipal parks and recreation, including recreation programming and parks maintenance management
• At least two (2) years of supervisory experience
• Possession of a valid North Carolina Driver's License

Nice To Haves

• Possession of or ability to obtain a Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP) certification within three (3) years of hire

Responsibilities

• Oversee the daily operations of the Recreation, Athletics, and Buildings & Grounds Divisions
• Manage and administer a comprehensive system of recreation programs, athletics, parks, facilities, and maintenance services
• Coordinate communication and collaboration between programming and maintenance staff to ensure efficient service delivery
• Direct the planning, implementation, supervision, and evaluation of youth and adult recreation programs, athletics, camps, after-school programs, cultural arts, special events, and other community offerings
• Evaluate program performance and community needs to develop new programs and improve existing services
• Oversee the department website to ensure program information is accurate, current, and accessible
• Supervise the maintenance of parks, athletic facilities, cemeteries, landscapes, Town buildings, and other public facilities
• Assist in developing preventive maintenance plans and capital asset replacement schedules
• Ensure parks and facilities are safe, well-maintained, and ready for public use through routine inspections and ongoing maintenance programs
• Develop, prepare, justify, and administer division budgets while monitoring expenditures and achieving revenue goals
• Recommend fees for recreation programs based on cost recovery objectives
• Research, prepare, and administer grant applications to support departmental initiatives and capital projects
• Recruit, hire, supervise, train, mentor, and evaluate full-time, part-time, seasonal, and intermittent staff
• Establish performance expectations, provide coaching, and promote employee development and accountability
• Assist staff in resolving operational issues, customer concerns, and employee relations matters
• Develop, update, and implement departmental policies, procedures, and operational standards
• Build and maintain positive relationships with residents, community organizations, schools, elected officials, and Town departments
• Represent the Parks & Recreation Department through community meetings, committees, public events, and other outreach opportunities
• Respond to public inquiries regarding programs, facilities, services, and departmental operations
• Coordinate schedules, maintain departmental records, and prepare operational reports and statistics
• Communicate departmental plans, policies, and procedures to staff and the public
• Operate a Town vehicle in the performance of assigned duties
• Serve as Director of Parks & Recreation in the Director's absence
• Perform other related duties as assigned

Benefits

• 5% Town contribution to your 401(k), no employee match required
• Choice of three medical plans, including an HSA plan with Town contributions
• Town-paid life insurance at 1.5× annual salary
• Fully paid short- and long-term disability coverage (up to $8,000 per month)
• Wellness Incentive Program, with a discount of $240 annually on medical premium for participation
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offering 24/7 mental health and work-life support
• Volunteer Time-Off: 16 hours per calendar year to volunteer at any approved agency or organization
• Vacation Leave: Starting 2026, new hires receive 14 vacation days upfront!
• Holidays: Employees accrue 13-14 paid holidays per year
• Floating Holiday and Wellness Day: New hires receive one Floating Holiday and one Wellness Day up front each year
• Bereavement Leave: Up to five days per occurrence for deaths within the employee’s immediate family
• On-site clinic for eligible employees and dependents coming in 2026!
• Down payment assistance
• Pet insurance
• Gym reimbursement

What This Job Offers

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