Assistant Parks and Recreation Director

Town of Wendell; Wendell (NC); On-site; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

The Town of Wendell is seeking an Assistant Parks and Recreation Director to plan, direct, and manage parks and recreation programs, facilities, and staff. This role includes budget oversight, policy development, and acting as the Director in their absence.

The position requires strong leadership, knowledge of recreation administration, and the ability to coordinate across departments to achieve departmental goals.

Qualifications

• Thorough knowledge of recreation administration principles.
• Strong budgeting and financial analysis skills.
• Experience leading municipal recreation programs and staff.

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.
• Oversees budget development, monitoring, and strategic financial recommendations; may present on financial matters.
• Serves as project lead on complex initiatives requiring cross-departmental coordination and long-term implementation planning.
• Assists the Director in evaluating facilities and developing strategies to meet current and future needs.
• Administers and oversees service contracts and agreements related to Parks and Recreation operations.
• Acts as acting Director in the absence of the Parks and Recreation Director.

Skills

Recreation admin

Parks planning

Budgeting

Public speaking

Staff leadership

Policy development

Interdepartmental coordination

Customer service

Education

Recreation Administration degree

Job description

General Statement of Work

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; performs related work as required. Supervision is exercised over designated departmental staff. Work is performed under general direction of the Parks and Recreation Director.

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. The results of this record check will be used in the hiring decision for this position.

Distinguishing Features of the Class

An employee in this class serves as the Assistant Director of recreational, athletic, leisure services, and facilities and grounds maintenance personnel. The employee in this class is the visible presence of the Town’s recreation programming services and oversees communications for recreational programs and events through local media, including developing promotional materials and events, participation in meetings, and management of the department’s web presence.

• 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.

• 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.

Education and Experience

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.

Special Requirements

• Valid North Carolina Driver's License.
• Certified Parks and Recreation Professional from the National Parks and Recreation Association preferred, or the ability to acquire within 24 months of employment.
• CPR and First Aid certifications.

Physical Requirements

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 should be able to perform the basic life operational functions of climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, and repetitive motions. Employee is required to lift or move objects of up to 10 pounds frequently and up to 80 pounds occasionally. 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. Employee must use hands for writing or typing and must hear and talk with others, either in person or on the phone. 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.

Working Conditions

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.

FLSA Status:

Exempt

Disclaimer

This classification specification has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees to perform the job. The Town of Wendell reserves the right to assign or otherwise modify the duties assigned to this classification.