Assistant Recreation & Parks Director

City of Burlington NC; Burlington (NC); On-site; USD 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Burlington NC is seeking an Assistant Recreation & Parks Director to provide high-level administrative leadership, oversee divisions, and support strategic planning and budgeting for a dynamic parks and recreation program.

The role requires extensive public administration experience, strong supervisory skills, and the ability to represent the department with community stakeholders in a fast-paced municipal environment.

Qualifications

• Associate’s Degree in Recreation Administration, Public Administration, or a closely related field and 10 years of progressively responsible work experience in recreation and parks; or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• Valid North Carolina Driver’s License

Responsibilities

• Assist the Director in developing and implementing departmental goals, objectives, and policies.
• Provide leadership to Recreation and Park Superintendents, ensuring coordinated and efficient operations throughout the department
• Assist in preparing regular reports for the Recreation & Parks Director, highlighting successes, challenges, and recommendations for improvement.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic Planning

Budgeting

Cross-division Collaboration

Public Relations

Staff Development

Education

Associate’s Degree in Recreation Administration or Public Administration

Bachelor’s Degree in Recreation Administration or Public Administration

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

About us:

The Burlington Recreation and Parks Department provides a diverse range of programs that enhance the well-being of our residents. Besides bringing fun experiences to our community, Burlington’s parks, programs, and services provide opportunities to improve physical and mental health, develop our youth, focus on the environment, and make a positive impact on our city.

What you will do:

The Assistant Recreation & Parks Director performs highly responsible administrative and supervisory work in support of the Director of Recreation & Parks and the Department. Work involves coordinating across divisions, including both the Recreation Division and the Parks & Facilities Division, ensuring effective alignment with departmental goals and City objectives. The Assistant Director provides leadership to superintendents, manages cross-divisional initiatives, assists with strategic planning and budgeting, and represents the department with community stakeholders. The employee fulfills leadership duties of the department and assumes the Director’s duties in their absence and as delegated. This classification is considered exempt in compliance with the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

Division Management & Supervision:

• Assist the Director in developing and implementing departmental goals, objectives, and policies.
• Provide leadership to Recreation and Park Superintendents, ensuring coordinated and efficient operations throughout the department
• Assist in preparing regular reports for the Recreation & Parks Director, highlighting successes, challenges, and recommendations for improvement.

Strategic Planning & Administration:

• Assist with long-term strategic planning, special projects, and community partnerships.
• Identify new trends in recreation and parks, proposing innovative programs or services to enhance community engagement and well-being.
• Help prepare, monitor, and mange annual budgets and capital improvement plans
• Support capital project management and Master Plan implementation
• Coordinate public art, honorary, and memorial policy implementation
• Coordinate sponsorship and fundraising activities

Employee Development & Supervision:

• Oversee leadership development for staff to ensure high standards of performance
• Provide guidance and mentorship to supervisory personnel to foster leadership growth and effective team management.
• Support strong succession planning throughout the department.

Community & Public Relations:

• Represent the department in meetings with citizens, advisory boards, community groups, and external agencies.
• Respond to internal and public concerns and inquiries with professionalism, patience, and problem‑solving.
• Promote departmental programs, services, and events at the local, regional, and state level.

Parks Maintenance & Program Implementation:

• Extensive understanding of principles and practices related to parks and grounds maintenance, program development, and administration.
• General knowledge in maintenance and landscape management, utilizing effective methods, practices and tools.

Regulatory Knowledge:

• Strong knowledge of Federal, State, and Local rules, regulations, ordinances, and standards relevant to the field.

Supervision and Management:

• Expertise in supervisory and management principles to oversee and direct staff effectively.
• Skilled in planning, assigning and evaluating team performance to meet departmental goals.
• Knowledge in disciplinary practices and fostering a productive workplace culture.

Technical Proficiency:

• Competent in operating basic office equipment, including computers, printers, copiers, and communication systems. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite preferred.
• Expertise in grant application and management on the Federal, State and Local level.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Associate’s Degree in Recreation Administration, Public Administration, or a closely related field and 10 years of progressively responsible work experience in recreation and parks; or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• Valid North Carolina Driver’s License

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Recreation Administration, Public Administration, or a closely related field and 5-7 years of progressively responsible work experience in recreation and parks; or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• NC Therapeutic Recreation License
• Certified Parks and Recreation Professional
• Valid North Carolina Driver’s License
• Bilingual in English and Spanish

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

• Work in this class is described as light using a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects and may occasionally require some physical exertion to complete tasks.
• Work typically involves the ability to physically perform the basic life operational functions of standing, walking, fingering, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing and repetitive motions.
• Work necessitates visual acuity to determine the accuracy, neatness, and thoroughness of work assigned in preparing and analyzing figures, accounting, transcription, computer terminal viewing and extensive reading.
• Working conditions include both inside and outside environmental conditions.

FLSA Status:

Exempt

Inclement Weather Classification:

Essential

This job description in no way implies that the duties listed are the only ones the employee may be required to perform. The employee is expected to perform other tasks, duties, and training as requested by their supervisors.