Director of Parks and Recreation

City of Des Moines Washington•Des Moines, WA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

Des Moines is seeking a creative, energetic, and collaborative leader for the Director of Parks and Recreation position. This role requires a strategic thinker and team builder who can balance operational realities with long-term vision. The successful candidate will possess strong financial and operational judgment, communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders, and manage priorities within available resources. The City is looking for someone who can identify potential within the existing parks and recreation system and translate it into meaningful community results. The Community Enrichment Services department offers social, educational, and recreational programs including Senior Services, Youth Programs, Camps, Sports, and Special Events. Des Moines is a residential community located between Seattle and Tacoma, featuring various parks, fields, waterfront, and trails.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in parks and recreation administration, public administration, business administration, or a closely related field.
Five years of progressively responsible experience in parks and recreation, public administration, or a closely related field.
Significant responsibility for programs, personnel, budgets, facilities, and/or organizational operations.
At least three years in a supervisory or management capacity.
Possession of and ability to maintain a valid Washington State Driver's License with a good driving record.
Ability to attend evening and weekend meetings, programs, and community events as necessary.
Ability to respond to significant operational issues or emergencies outside regular business hours when necessary.

Nice To Haves

Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP) or Certified Park and Recreation Executive (CPRE) credential.
Municipal or other public sector parks and recreation leadership experience.
Experience with parks and recreation master planning, capital planning, community engagement, financial sustainability, and organizational development.

Responsibilities

Serves as a key member of the City's executive leadership team, providing strategic and operational leadership for the City's parks and recreation system.
Responsible for the overall direction, performance, and administration of the department, including parks and open spaces, recreation programs, senior services, facilities, rentals, community events, and other assigned services and initiatives.
Leads long-range planning and establishes department priorities aligned with City Council direction, the City's Strategic Plan, community needs, and available resources.
Oversees department operations, financial management, capital and asset planning, service delivery, community engagement, partnerships, and the development of a high-performing team.
Provides strategic and operational leadership for the City's parks and recreation system and establishes department goals, priorities, work plans, and performance expectations.
Leads the development, implementation, and ongoing evaluation of the City's Parks & Recreation Master Plan and other long-range plans.
Oversees the delivery and continuous improvement of recreation programs, senior services, parks, facilities, rentals, community events, and other assigned services.
Provides leadership for the stewardship, maintenance, and improvement of City parks, open spaces, facilities, and recreational assets.
Develops and manages the department's operating and capital budgets; monitors revenues and expenditures, evaluates financial performance, and recommends priorities and resource allocations.
Develops financially sustainable approaches to programs and services, including evaluation of fees, cost recovery, facility utilization, service delivery models, partnerships, and grants.
Uses financial, operational, participation, and community information to evaluate programs and services and identify opportunities for improvement.
Provides leadership for capital planning and park and facility improvement projects.
Selects, develops, supervises, and evaluates assigned employees; establishes clear expectations, promotes accountability, and supports professional development and effective teamwork.
Builds effective relationships with residents, community organizations, schools, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and regional partners.
Develops and supports meaningful community engagement processes to understand community needs and ensure programs, services, and investments respond to the community.
Establishes and maintains productive relationships with City advisory bodies and provides appropriate staff support.
Prepares and presents recommendations, reports, and updates to the City Manager, City Council, and advisory bodies.
Responds to complex or sensitive community concerns, operational issues, and service challenges.
Represents the City at community meetings, regional organizations, professional associations, and other public forums.
Participates as a member of the City's executive leadership team and contributes to Citywide strategic planning, organizational initiatives, policy development, and problem-solving.
Establishes and maintains cooperative, effective working relationships with co-workers, other City employees, and the general public.
Performs other duties as assigned.