Parks & Recreation Director

NRPA Leadership Development Network; Walla Walla (WA); On-site; USD 154,000 - 187,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/Dental/Vision insurance

Health Savings Account

Life/AD&D insurance

Washington State PERS retirement plan

Deferred compensation

20 days vacation/year

10 paid holidays/year

Floating holidays 40 hours/year

Sick leave 8 hours/month

Employee Assistance Program

Wellness program

Job summary

NRPA Leadership Development Network in Walla Walla, WA, seeks a Parks & Recreation Director to lead parks, recreation, and facilities operations. The role demands strategic leadership, budget oversight, and development of long-range plans aligned with city values.

Required is a bachelor’s degree in recreation or public administration with eight years of relevant experience, including four in supervision; master’s and ISA certification preferred; bilingual Spanish a plus.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in recreation, public administration, or a related field and at least eight years of progressively responsible relevant experience, including four years of supervisory experience.
• Master’s degree and public-sector experience in city or county environment preferred.
• International Society of Arboriculture certification and bilingual proficiency in Spanish preferred.

Responsibilities

• Plan, organize, and direct the City’s parks, recreation, and facilities operations.
• Provide strategic leadership and develop short- and long-range plans for the department.
• Prepare and administer the biennial budget; oversee capital projects and contracts.
• Ensure services are delivered effectively, responsibly, and in alignment with the City’s core values.
• Lead and develop departmental staff and build productive relationships with community members and partners.
• Promote a culture of customer service, collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Skills

Leadership

Bilingual Spanish

Education

Bachelor's degree in recreation, public administration, or related field

Master's degree (preferred)

ISA certification (preferred)

Job description

$153,993 - $187,356

Located in southeastern Washington at the foot of the Blue Mountains, Walla Walla is a vibrant community of approximately 35,000 residents. The community blends a rich agricultural and cultural history, and a welcoming small-city atmosphere, with outstanding dining, higher education, arts, culture, and year-round outdoor recreation. As one of Washington’s oldest communities, Walla Walla features an award-winning, nationally recognized historic downtown with beautifully preserved architecture. Agriculture remains an important part of the region’s identity and economy. The Walla Walla Valley has also become one of the country’s premier wine destinations, supported by a thriving culinary scene and numerous wineries, vineyards, and tasting rooms.

Summary

Summary here.

Details

• Posted: 25-Jul-26
• Location: Walla Walla, Washington
• Type: Full-time
• Salary: $153,993 - $187,356
• Categories: Leadership, Operations
• Sector: Parks
• Parks & Recreation Director

The City of Walla Walla Parks & Recreation Department is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the City’s parks and recreation facilities, Veterans Memorial Pool, urban forestry program, Mountain View Cemetery, and a diverse portfolio of recreation programs, classes, leagues, and special events. At the end of 2025, the City also assumed responsibility for operating Veterans Memorial Golf Course. The Department operates with a budget of approximately $12.2 million (2025-2026 biennial budget), with an additional $1.2 million allocated for Veterans Memorial Golf Course operations. The Department is supported by 26 full-time equivalent employees and supplements its workforce with approximately 92 temporary employees during the busy summer season.

Under the general direction of the City Manager, the Parks and Recreation Director plans, organizes, and directs the City’s parks, recreation, and facilities operations, including parks, golf, cemetery, aquatics, sports, urban forestry, and other community recreation programs. The Director provides strategic leadership for the Department, develops short- and long-range plans, prepares and administers the biennial budget, oversees capital projects and contracts, and ensures services are delivered effectively, responsibly, and in alignment with the City’s core values. The position leads and develops departmental staff, builds productive relationships with community members and partners, and promotes a strong culture of customer service, collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Education & Experience

Education & Experience: The successful candidate will possess a bachelor’s degree in recreation, public administration, or a related field, along with at least eight (8) years of progressively responsible relevant experience, including four (4) years of increasingly responsible supervisory experience in parks and recreation operations. An equivalent combination of education and experience that demonstrates the ability to successfully perform the essential duties of the position may be considered. Preferred qualifications include a master’s degree; public-sector experience in a city or county environment; International Society of Arboriculture certification; and bilingual proficiency in Spanish.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, orthodontia, and vision insurance.
• Health Savings Account.
• Life and AD&D insurance.
• Washington State PERS retirement plan.
• Deferred compensation options.
• 20 days of vacation annually.
• 10 paid holidays annually.
• 40 hours of floating holiday time.
• Sick leave accrual of 8 hours per month.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Wellness program.

Apply by August 28, 2026.

The City of Walla Walla is an Equal Opportunity Employer.