Parks and Recreation Director

Personna Employment Solutions; Richland (WA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

State pension

457(b) plan

Paid time off: 12 vacation days, 12 S/

Life insurance

Tuition assistance

Wellness resources

Job summary

Personna Employment Solutions partners with a growing Eastern Washington municipality to recruit an experienced Parks & Recreation Director. You will lead parks, aquatics, community programs, facilities, and animal services while guiding long-term investments and partnerships to improve community life.

The role requires strategic leadership, budget oversight, and the ability to build cross-functional teams to deliver high-impact programs and facilities for residents.

Qualifications

• Progressive leadership experience in parks and recreation or related public sector fields.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams and developing managers.
• Experience managing operating budgets, capital projects, and strategic initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Provide executive leadership across divisions and develop managers and staff.
• Oversee parks, recreation, aquatics, facilities, and animal services.
• Lead long-range planning, capital improvements, and community development.
• Direct operating and capital budgets, financial planning, and resource allocation.
• Build partnerships with officials, schools, nonprofits, and regional groups.
• Oversee services including recreation, aquatics, facilities and events.
• Improve systems to expand access and sustainability of services.

Skills

Leadership experience

Strategic planning

Public administration

Budget management

Stakeholder engagement

Team development

Multidisciplinary oversight

Education

10 years of combined education and experience

Job description

Great communities don't just happen. They're built by people who care about making them better.

We're partnering with a growing municipality in Eastern Washington to find an experienced, forward-thinking Parks & Recreation Director ready to make a lasting impact.

This is more than managing parks and recreation programs. It's an opportunity to shape how a growing community lives, plays, connects, and thrives for years to come.

As a key member of the municipal leadership team, you'll oversee parks, recreation, aquatics, community programs, facilities, and animal services while guiding long-term investments, strategic initiatives, and community partnerships.

If you're a collaborative leader who enjoys developing people, building programs, and turning big ideas into meaningful community improvements, we'd love to connect!

What You'll Be Doing

• Lead & Inspire: Provide executive leadership across multiple divisions, develop managers and staff, and build a collaborative, high-performing team.
• Shape the Community: Oversee parks, trails, sports complexes, aquatic facilities, recreational programs, and public spaces.
• Drive Strategic Growth: Lead long-range planning, capital improvement projects, operational initiatives, and community development efforts.
• Manage Budgets & Resources: Direct operating and capital budgets, financial planning, resource allocation, and funding opportunities.
• Build Community Partnerships: Collaborate with elected officials, municipal leadership, schools, nonprofits, and regional organizations.
• Oversee Diverse Services: Provide strategic oversight of recreation, aquatics, community facilities, special events, and regional animal services.
• Make a Lasting Impact: Improve organizational systems, expand community access, and deliver financially sustainable services.

What We're Looking For

We're seeking an experienced leader who combines strategic thinking, operational excellence, financial responsibility, and a genuine commitment to public service.

• Progressive leadership experience in parks and recreation, municipal government, community services, public administration, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated success leading multidisciplinary teams, developing managers, and overseeing complex operations.
• Experience managing operating budgets, capital projects, strategic initiatives, and organizational resources.Strong communication, community engagement, and relationship-building skills.
• Experience collaborating with executive leadership, elected officials, public agencies, and community stakeholders.
• 10 years of combined relevant education and experience, with qualifying education counting toward the requirement.

Preferred Certifications & Qualifications

Candidates with professional credentials in parks, recreation, or aquatic facility management are especially encouraged to apply.

• Certified Park and Recreation Executive (CPRE)
• Certified Pool Operator (CPO)
• Aquatic Facility Operator (AFO)

These certifications are highly valued but not required. Relevant municipal leadership experience, demonstrated operational expertise, and the ability to manage complex community services are equally important.

Bilingual English/Spanish skills are strongly preferred.

Additional requirements include a valid Washington driver's license (or ability to obtain one within 30 days), CPR and First Aid certification within six months of hire, and successful completion of a background check.

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Washington State public employee pension retirement plan.
• 457 deferred compensation plan with up to a 4% employer contribution.
• 12 vacation days and 12 sick days annually during the first year, accrued over time.
• 10 paid holidays plus one floating holiday.
• Employer-paid basic life insurance.
• Tuition assistance, employee wellness resources, and additional benefits.

Why You'll Love This Opportunity

Big leadership opportunity. Growing community. Real impact.

This is your chance to lead more than a department. You'll help shape the parks, programs, facilities, and public spaces that families and future generations will enjoy.

Add a competitive executive salary, excellent public-sector benefits, retirement security, and the opportunity to leave a meaningful legacy, and you've got a pretty compelling next chapter.

Ready to help shape the future of a growing community? We'd love to hear from you!