Parks & Recreation Director

City of Springdale, AR; Springdale (AR); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Springdale seeks an experienced Parks and Recreation Director to plan and implement programs for residents, develop new park areas, and maintain park lands. You will lead three supervisors over 50 full-time and up to 100 part-time staff, set department goals, and oversee budgets and policy development.

You will represent the department at meetings, public hearings, and events, ensuring excellent citizen service and adherence to laws and standards. Start anticipated January 2027.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in public administration, parks and recreation, or related field.
• Eight (8) years of related experience and/or training.
• Two (2) years of supervisory or management experience.
• Equivalent combination of education, training, and experience may be considered.
• Certified Parks and Recreation Professional (CPRP) and a Certified Pool Operator (CPO) preferred.
• Ability to utilize internal and external resources to obtain information and data necessary to carry out routine assignments and special projects.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with management, staff, City departments, and the public.
• Ability to learn and effectively use technology, systems, and tools necessary to perform assigned duties.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, and maintain a professional demeanor.
• Ability to plan, organize, prioritize, multitask, solve problems, exercise sound judgment, and work independently with supervision.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise discretion when handling sensitive information.
• Ability to work effectively in a team-oriented environment.

Responsibilities

• Foster a culture of engagement, belonging, and high performance.
• Directly supervise three subordinate supervisors who supervise 50 full-time and up to 100 part-time staff.
• Provide leadership, supervision, and direction to personnel within the department.
• Develop goals and objectives for the department aligned with organizational priorities.
• Plan, organize, direct, and evaluate departmental operations and programs to ensure efficient service.
• Develop and maintain departmental policies, procedures, programs, and standards.
• Identify departmental needs and plan staffing, equipment, and facilities accordingly.
• Prepare, administer, and monitor the departmental budget and ensure fiscal accountability.
• Represent the department at meetings, hearings, events, and media engagements.
• Prepare and present reports and recommendations to executive leadership and boards.
• Ensure timely responses to citizen inquiries and requests.
• Lead organizational change and continuous improvement within the department.
• Oversee timekeeping processes and payroll-related approvals.
• Oversee development and operation of all parks and facilities.
• Solicit public input and conduct public meetings to discuss proposed projects.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Budgeting

Public relations

Hiring/Firing/Training

Teamwork

Attention to detail

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in public administration, parks and recreation, or related field

Equivalent combination of education, training, and experience may be considered

Certified Parks and Recreation Professional (CPRP) and a Certified Pool Operator (CPO) preferred

Job description

The incumbent is responsible to plan and implement programs and activities for the citizens of Springdale; plan and develop new park areas; ensure the maintenance of park lands; and develop rules, policies, and procedures for parks and programs that meet the needs and desires of the public.

Safety/Security Sensitive Designation:

This position is classified as safety/security sensitive under the Arkansas Medical Marijuana Amendment and is therefore subject to random drug and alcohol testing.

Anticipated Start Date:

January 2027. The City of Springdale is accepting applications in advance of the anticipated start date. The selected candidate is not expected to begin employment prior to January 2027.

• Foster a culture of engagement, belonging, and high performance. Provide quality customer service to internal and external stakeholders, maintain positive and effective working relationships with team members and other City employees, and demonstrate reliable, consistent attendance and punctuality. Perform other duties as required or assigned.

• Directly supervises three (3) subordinate supervisors who supervise a total of fifty (50) full time positions and up to one hundred (100) part time positions. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the City’s policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, firing, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance, rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

• Provide leadership, supervision, and direction to personnel within the department.

• Develop goals and objectives for the department that are consistent with organizational priorities.

• Plan, organize, direct, and evaluate departmental operations, programs, services, and activities to ensure efficient and effective service delivery. Monitor performance and implement improvements as needed.

• Develop, implement, maintain departmental policies, procedures, programs, and standards.

• Identify current and future departmental needs and develop plans to address staffing, equipment, facility, and operational requirements.

• Prepare, administer, and monitor departmental budget. Authorize expenditures and ensure fiscal accountability and responsible stewardship of public resources.

• Represent the department at meetings, public hearings, community events, and other functions as required. Conduct public relation communication with the public.

• Prepare and present reports, recommendations, and other communications to executive leadership, boards, commissions, and elected officials.

• Ensure effective customer service and timely response to citizen inquiries, concerns, and requests.

• Lead organizational change initiatives and continuous improvement efforts within the department.

• Oversee employee timekeeping processes and ensure time records are accurately maintained, reviewed, and approved in accordance with policy and payroll deadlines.

• Oversee the development, maintenance, and operation of all parks and facilities.

• Solicit public input to ensure the community's needs are being met. Conduct public meetings and meet with the media to discuss proposed projects.

• Bachelor’s degree in public administration, parks and recreation, or related field.
• Minimum of eight (8) years of related experience and/or training.
• Minimum of two (2) years of supervisory or management experience.
• Equivalent combination of education, training, and experience may be considered.
• Certified Parks and Recreation Professional (CPRP) and a Certified Pool Operator (CPO) preferred.
• Ability to utilize internal and external resources to obtain information and data necessary to carry out routine assignments and special projects.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with management, staff, City departments, and members of the public, and understand their respective roles and services as necessary to effectively perform assigned duties.
• Ability to learn and effectively use technology, systems, and tools necessary to perform assigned duties.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, and maintain a professional, courteous, and respectful demeanor.
• Ability to plan, organize, prioritize, multitask, solve problems, exercise sound judgment, demonstrate attention to detail, and work independently with appropriate supervision.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise discretion when handling sensitive information.
• Ability to work effectively in a team-oriented environment and contribute to a positive and productive workplace.
• Ability to learn, retain, recall, and apply technical processes, policies, procedures, laws, regulations, and standards applicable to assigned duties, including applicable City, County, State, and Federal laws and regulations.

Must successfully pass criminal background check, including but not limited to convictions, guilty pleas, or no contest pleas to violent offenses, theft offenses, and offenses against children.