510 - Deputy Director of Recreation and Community Engagement

City of Brownsville•Brownsville, TX

About The Position

The Deputy Director of Recreation and Community Engagement provides executive leadership, strategic direction, and operational oversight for the Parks & Recreation Department’s recreation, programming, community engagement, aquatics, athletics, special events, administrative support, and community-based service functions. Reporting directly to the Parks & Recreation Director, the Deputy Director translates departmentwide strategic priorities into measurable operating plans and directs assigned managers, supervisors, coordinators, and teammates. The role strengthens year-round recreation opportunities, inclusive service delivery, community partnerships, volunteer engagement, special events, workforce development, and effective use of department facilities and resources. The Deputy Director serves as a senior representative of the Department and may serve as Acting Director when designated. The position oversees assigned programs and services, develops service standards and performance measures, manages budgets and resources, builds community partnerships, and develops assigned leaders and teammates. It represents the Department in public and intergovernmental settings and responds to complex community concerns and operational issues in accordance with City policy and the Director’s strategic direction.

Requirements

Meet one of the following education and experience combinations: Ph.D., J.D., P.E., or equivalent with no experience; master’s degree plus three years of experience; bachelor’s degree plus five years of experience; associate’s degree plus seven years of experience; or high school graduation/GED plus nine years of experience.
Possess a valid Texas Driver’s License.
Successfully pass the City of Brownsville’s drug and alcohol screening, physical examination, and background check.
Ability to exert up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, or a negligible amount frequently, to lift, push, pull, or otherwise move objects.
Ability to supervise and direct a group of sufficient size or complexity to require supervisory subordinates.
Ability to handle varied, sensitive, or difficult outside contacts requiring persuasion and negotiation.

Nice To Haves

Relevant professional certifications in parks and recreation, public administration, facility management, project management, aquatics, athletics, turf/grounds, or related disciplines, when applicable to the assigned portfolio.

Responsibilities

Direct, coordinate, and evaluate assigned recreation, aquatics, athletics, special events, community engagement, and administrative operations.
Develop and implement short- and long-term recreation and community engagement strategies aligned with Department priorities, the Master Plan, service standards, and community needs.
Assist the Director in evaluating existing programs and developing new or expanded services based on participation, community feedback, operational capacity, equity, safety, and measurable outcomes.
Lead a year-round service delivery model involving full-time, part-time, and seasonal teammates, contracted instructors, volunteers, community organizations, and strategic partners.
Provide executive oversight of recreation centers, camps, aquatics, inclusion programming, youth and adult athletics, special events, and other assigned community services.
Strengthen PARD-operated athletics, including gymnasium operations and in-house youth programming, and support responsible growth of adult sports and coordination with external leagues and organizations.
Direct the departmentwide Special Events operating model, including standardized procedures, rotating event support, volunteer integration, and coordination of specialized resources.
Build and maintain relationships with nonprofit organizations, schools, universities, athletic organizations, instructors, civic groups, health and wellness partners, and other community stakeholders.
Establish service standards, performance measures, participation goals, program evaluation methods, and reporting expectations for assigned divisions.
Assist in developing and maintaining policies, procedures, contracts, use agreements, reservations, program standards, and operating practices; ensure compliance with applicable City policies and laws.
Prepare and help administer assigned budgets, forecast revenues and expenditures where applicable, monitor financial performance, and identify opportunities to improve service delivery and resource utilization.
Select, coach, motivate, develop, and evaluate assigned leaders and teammates; promote professional development, certifications, cross-training, succession planning, and internal advancement.
Coordinate with the other Deputy Director to share teammates, equipment, training, technical expertise, and event resources while protecting each division’s core responsibilities.
Represent the Department at City Commission, boards, public and neighborhood meetings, professional conferences, partner meetings, and other public or intergovernmental settings.
Respond to complex community concerns and operational issues in accordance with City policy and the Director’s strategic direction.
Serve as Acting Parks & Recreation Director when designated and perform other related duties as assigned.

Benefits

Texas Municipal Retirement System (TMRS) retirement plan with a 2:1 City-to-employee matching ratio; retirement eligibility after five years of service at age 60 or after 20 years of service at any age.
Medical, dental, and life insurance plans for employees and their families.
Vision coverage through MetLife for employees enrolled in City health insurance.
No-cost access to Frontier Clinic for employees and dependents covered by the City health plan.
Voluntary pet insurance.
Deferred compensation plans through Equitable and supplemental insurance options from AFLAC and Colonial Life.
Full-time employees accrue 10 sick days and 15 vacation days annually.
Parental leave concurrent with FMLA for eligible employees.
Longevity pay.
100% tuition assistance up to $5,000 annually.
14 holidays per year plus two floating holidays.
Flexible scheduling options starting in fiscal year 2025.