Parks & Recreation Director

City of Maypearl; La Grange (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

City of La Grange is seeking a proactive Parks & Recreation Director to lead eight parks, facilities, and programs, advancing the PROST Master Plan and expanding recreation opportunities for all ages. You will manage staff, budgets, and community partnerships while driving signature events and safety standards.

The role reports to the City Manager, oversees grants and capital projects, and guides operations, rentals, and customer service across departments and facilities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in parks and recreation, public administration, business, or related field.
• Five years in parks and recreation with at least three years in a supervisory role.
• CPO or ability to obtain within 150 days of hire; First Aid/CPR certification.

Responsibilities

• Lead implementation of the PROST Master Plan with phased actions and funding strategies.
• Develop goals, plans, and performance measures; report to City Manager and Council.
• Plan capital projects; coordinate with architects, engineers, and other departments.
• Pursue grants and sponsorships; manage reporting and compliance.
• Oversee Randolph Recreation Center, Splash Pad, and community programs.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Budgeting

Staff management

Grants & partnerships

Program evaluation

Project management

Volunteer coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

CPO certification

First Aid/CPR certification

Job description

POSITION SUMMARY

Under the general direction of the City Manager, the Parks & Recreation Director provides vision, leadership, and management for the City's eight parks, recreation facilities, programs, and community events. The Director leads implementation of the PROST Master Plan; evaluates and expands the City's recreation programming; leads improvements to and oversees operation of the Randolph Recreation Center; oversees the Splash Pad, after-school, senior, and camp programs; plans and produces city-wide events; manages parks and facility operations and rentals; prepares and manages the departmental budget; pursues grants, sponsorships, and partnerships; and recruits, develops, and supervises staff and volunteers.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Vision, Planning & PROST Master Plan Implementation

• Leads implementation of the PROST Master Plan, translating recommendations into a prioritized, phased action plan with timelines, cost estimates, and funding strategies
• Develops department goals, strategic and operational plans, and performance measures; tracks and reports progress to the City Manager and City Council
• Plans and manages park, trail, and facility capital projects, coordinating with architects, engineers, contractors, and other City departments
• Pursues and administers grants (e.g., Texas Parks & Wildlife Department and other state, federal, and foundation sources), including applications, compliance, and reporting
• Engages residents and stakeholders in planning and design so projects reflect community priorities

Building the Department & Leading People

• Evaluates current department structure, staffing, and operations and recommends an organizational plan that supports growth
• Recruits, hires, trains, supervises, evaluates, and, when necessary, disciplines or terminates staff; has authority to hire and terminate
• Creates a positive, accountable team culture; mentors staff and supports professional development and certifications
• Assigns daily work, creates maintenance and work schedules, and reviews timesheets and payroll forms
• Develops policies, procedures, and standards for programs, facilities, rentals, safety, and customer service
• Recruits, trains, and recognizes volunteers and builds a sustainable volunteer program

Recreation Programming

• Conducts a comprehensive evaluation of current recreation programs, assessing participation, residents served, cost recovery, customer satisfaction, and alignment with PROST Master Plan priorities, and reports findings and recommendations to the City Manager
• Develops a multi-year recreation program plan that identifies which programs to grow, modify, or retire and which new programs to introduce
• Researches community needs, demographics, and recreation trends to identify gaps in programming for youth, teens, adults, seniors, families, and people of all abilities
• Pilots, launches, and evaluates new programs, classes, leagues, camps, and activities, such as fitness and wellness, youth sports, enrichment, outdoor and nature-based programs on our trails and the Colorado River, and senior programming
• Plans, organizes, and supervises recreation programs, including Splash Pad, after-school, senior, and camp programs
• Establishes program standards, performance measures, fee and cost-recovery policies, and scholarship or access options that keep programs affordable
• Recruits and manages contract instructors, coaches, and program partners
• Uses participant surveys, registration data, and feedback to continuously evaluate and improve programs and events

Randolph Recreation Center

• Serves as the City's lead staff member in planning and carrying out improvements to the Randolph Recreation Center, working with the City Manager, City Council, and design professionals
• Assesses the Center's condition, layout, equipment, amenities, and use patterns and recommends short- and long-term improvements, including renovations, reconfigured spaces, and equipment upgrades
• Engages residents and Center users to understand what they want from the facility and incorporates their input into improvement plans
• Develops cost estimates, phasing plans, and funding strategies, including grants, sponsorships, donations, and capital budget requests
• Manages the Center's daily operations, including staffing, hours, memberships, rentals, safety, cleanliness, and customer service
• Grows use of the Center through expanded programming, memberships, rentals, and marketing, and tracks usage and revenue to measure results

Events & Community Experiences

• Plans and produces city-wide events and grows them into signature community experiences, managing sponsorships, vendors, volunteers, logistics, and safety
• Partners with schools, youth sports associations, civic and faith organizations, Main Street, the Chamber, Fayette County, and businesses to expand offerings
• Develops marketing and communications, including social media, web content, program guides, and promotional materials

Parks, Facilities & Operations

• Oversees the maintenance, safety, and appearance of parks, trails, open spaces, athletic fields, playgrounds, and recreation facilities
• Schedules and manages facility and pavilion rentals and maintains programming and rental calendarsEnsures safe operation of aquatic facilities and playgrounds in compliance with applicable regulations
• Purchases supplies and equipment, and manages contracts and vendor relationships

Finance & Administration

• Prepares, presents, implements, and manages the department budget; identifies new revenue sources such as sponsorships, fees, and partnerships
• Maintains financial controls for cash handling and deposits; coordinates purchases, processes invoices, and assists with audits
• Prepares monthly and other reports, maintains department and registration records, and prepares presentations

Council, Community & Intergovernmental Relations

• Prepares agenda items and presents reports and recommendations to City Council and City Management
• Responds to inquiries from Council members as requested and serves on City committees as assigned by the City Manager
• Serves as the City's liaison with residents, businesses, senior organizations, developers, contractors, vendors, community organizations, and other agencies
• Resolves internal and external problems and complaints with professionalism and diplomacy

Other

• Attends meetings, events, and evening and weekend activities as required
• Performs other related duties as assigned

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of parks and recreation administration, programming, and special event production
• Recreation program planning, development, and evaluation, including needs assessment, cost recovery, and performance measurement
• Recreation center operations, including memberships, rentals, maintenance, and facility improvement or renovation planning
• Park planning, design, capital project management, and master plan implementation
• Grant research, writing, administration, and compliance
• Budgeting, purchasing, cash handling, and financial controls
• Personnel management, including selection, supervision, training, and performance evaluation
• Volunteer recruitment and coordination; sponsorship and partnership development
• Park, playground, and aquatic safety practices and applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations
• Marketing and social media practices for public programs
• Principles of excellent customer service; computers and related software applications

Skill and ability to:

• Inspire and lead a team, and build a department's capacity, systems, and culture
• Turn long-range plans into actionable, funded, and measurable projects
• Evaluate programs and facilities objectively and make data-informed recommendations to grow, change, or retire them
• Think creatively and generate new ideas for programs, events, and revenue
• Communicate clearly and persuasively, orally and in writing, including public presentations to City Council
• Build effective relationships with staff, elected officials, other departments, agencies, community partners, and the public
• Handle sensitive situations with diplomacy, fairness, firmness, and sound judgment; negotiate and resolve conflicts
• Manage multiple projects and priorities, meet deadlines, and estimate time, materials, and labor
• Analyze data, solve problems, and make sound decisions independently within established policies

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in parks and recreation, recreation management, leisure studies, public administration, business, or a closely related field
• Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in parks and recreation, including at least three (3) years in a supervisory role
• Any equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered
• Certified Pool Operator (CPO) or ability to obtain within 150 days of hire
• First Aid and CPR certification or ability to obtain within 150 days of hire
• Valid Texas driver's license, or ability to obtain one upon hire

Preferred Qualifications

• Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP) or Certified Park and Recreation Executive (CPRE) through the National Recreation and Park Association
• Experience implementing a parks or recreation master plan and managing capital projects
• Successful track record securing and administering grants, sponsorships, or partnerships
• Experience growing programs or launching and producing large community events
• Experience evaluating, redesigning, and expanding a recreation program portfolio
• Experience managing a recreation center or leading a recreation facility improvement or renovation project
• Certified Playground Safety Inspector (CPSI)
• Active involvement in the Texas Recreation and Park Society (TRAPS) or NRPA
• Experience in a small city or in building or reorganizing a department

PHYSICAL DEMANDS / WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is performed in an office environment and at parks, facilities, and event locations throughout the City, including outdoors in varying weather conditions. Requires sitting for extended periods, as well as standing, walking, climbing, bending, reaching, kneeling, and lifting and moving equipment, carts, tables, and other items of up to 50 pounds. Evening, weekend, and holiday work is required for programs, events, and Council meetings. Works with a wide variety of people.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

The City of La Grange provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.