Director of Parks

Harris County•Houston, TX

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Harris County Precinct 4 is seeking a highly operational, field-driven Director of Parks to lead the execution, maintenance, and day-to-day performance of one of the largest and most diverse park systems in the region. This position is part of the Operations Division and reports directly to the Senior Director of Operations. This is not a traditional office-based leadership role. The Director is expected to maintain a consistent and visible presence in the field, working alongside grounds crews, supervisors, and operations staff to set the standard for park maintenance, safety, and service delivery. With 62 parks, over 30,000+ acres of greenspace, 98 miles of trails, and 180 sports fields, the Director is responsible for ensuring that strategy is translated into visible, on-the-ground results. This role requires a leader who can move seamlessly between strategy and execution, diagnose operational issues in real time, and drive accountability across a large, distributed team. The Director will lead by example—reinforcing standards, coaching teams in the field, and ensuring that every park reflects Precinct 4’s commitment to Heart, Hustle, and Higher Standards in service to the public.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Minimum of five (5) years of leadership experience managing teams in field-based or operational environments.
Minimum of five (5) years of personnel management experience.
Demonstrated success in managing operations, personnel, and complex projects.
Willingness and ability to spend a significant portion of time in the field, including early mornings, evenings, and weekends as needed.
Valid Texas driver’s license with a clean driving record.

Nice To Haves

Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP) designation.
Certified Playground Safety Inspector (CPSI) certification.
Experience managing large-scale, field-based operations (parks, public works, facilities, or similar).
Proven ability to drive operational standards and accountability across distributed teams.
Strong understanding of park operations, maintenance, safety, and environmental best practices.
Experience managing partnerships, vendors, or concessionaire programs.
Experience leveraging data platforms (e.g., OpenGov or similar systems) to drive operational performance.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to engage diverse stakeholders.
Analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to make data-informed, real-time decisions.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and relevant management systems.

Responsibilities

Maintain a consistent and active presence across all parks, regularly working in the field alongside maintenance crews and supervisors.
Set and enforce clear operational and maintenance standards, ensuring consistency in quality, safety, and presentation system wide.
Conduct routine and unannounced site inspections, identifying gaps and driving immediate corrective action.
Translate strategic priorities into daily, executable work plans for field teams.
Coach and develop frontline staff in real time, reinforcing expectations and improving performance through direct engagement.
Identify operational inefficiencies and implement practical, field-tested solutions.
Serve as the final point of accountability for park conditions, maintenance quality, and operational readiness.
Lead all day park operations with a focus on execution, responsiveness, and accountability.
Ensure parks are consistently clean, safe, and fully operational, meeting or exceeding established standards at all times.
Oversee Parks Security operations in coordination with law enforcement partners, including Constable Precinct 5, Constable Precinct 4, and the Houston Police Department (HPD).
Partner with law enforcement to ensure proactive patrol strategies, coordinated incident response, and overall park safety.
Oversee and manage concessionaire and partnership programs, ensuring public spaces are fully activated and optimized to expand access and enhance the user experience for constituents.
Evaluate and strengthen partnerships to ensure alignment with operational standards, community needs, and precinct priorities.
Collaborate with internal divisions—including General Services, Safety & Emergency Management, and Operations—to remove barriers to execution and accelerate service delivery.
Direct emergency preparedness and response in the field, ensuring teams are effectively deployed during incidents and disasters.
Lead the continued implementation and full utilization of OpenGov to drive data-driven decision-making, operational transparency, and performance accountability across the park system.
Utilize data and field observations to drive continuous operational improvement.
Develop and implement strategies with a clear focus on execution, sustainability, and measurable outcomes in the field.
Participate in the planning and delivery of capital improvement projects, ensuring designs align with long-term operational efficiency and maintainability.
Build and sustain partnerships with municipalities, HOAs, MUDs, nonprofits, and agencies to expand operational capacity and community impact.
Serve as the precinct’s liaison to external partners, including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, on park-related matters.
Represent the precinct at public meetings, community events, and with stakeholders as needed.
Develop, manage, and monitor the department’s operating and capital budgets.
Oversee contracts, MOUs, agreements, and vendor partnerships to ensure compliance, performance, and fiscal responsibility.
Prepare reports, presentations, and recommendations for senior leadership and Commissioners Court.
Ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations.
Build, mentor, and lead a high-performing, field-oriented team focused on service delivery and operational excellence.
Establish staffing plans and schedules that align with operational demands across a large park system.
Foster a culture of accountability, safety, responsiveness, and continuous improvement.
Invest in training and development to strengthen technical and operational capabilities across the team.