Recreation Operations Division Manager

Virginia Recreation and Park Society; Charlottesville (VA); On-site; USD 80,556 - 100,908; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Employer contributions to retirement

Life insurance

Job summary

The City of Charlottesville seeks a Recreation Operations Division Manager to oversee and direct operations for aquatic facilities, recreation centers, skatepark, and events. This role reports to the Deputy Director of Recreation and requires strong leadership, budgeting, and program management.

The position emphasizes supervising staff, coordinating with partners, and ensuring compliance with regulations while delivering high-quality recreation services to the community.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in recreation, public administration, business or related field.
• 6+ years of progressively responsible experience in parks or recreation, with at least 2 years in supervision/management.
• CPRP certification is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Directs operations and personnel across City Aquatic Facilities, Recreation Centers, Skatepark, and events.
• Supervises, coaches, trains, and evaluates staff; hires and disciplines per policies.
• Develops short- and long-term goals; implements plans and tracks progress.
• Reviews budgets, monitors expenditures, and prepares quarterly projections.
• Ensures compliance with policies, laws, and safety standards.
• Represents department in coordination with other staff and partners.

Skills

Leadership

Budget management

Public administration

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in recreation/public administration/business or related field and 6 years of progressive experience

Tools

Microsoft Office

Departmental software

Job description

Recreation Operations Division Manager

The Recreation Operations Division Manager performs responsible work in directing the planning, management, and operations of departmental functions overseeing and supervising the operations of recreation services at City Aquatic Facilities, Recreation Centers, Skatepark, and special events. Work is performed under the limited supervision of the Deputy Director of Recreation.

Salary

The preferred hiring amount for this position is $80,556.13 - $100,908.38 annually. Starting offer is based on applicable education, experience, and internal equity. This full‑time, exempt position offers a comprehensive benefits package, health insurance with employer contribution, employer‑paid life insurance, gym membership reimbursement, tuition assistance, and professional development opportunities. This position is also eligible for the following leave and retirement benefits:

• Vacation Leave: 3.09 hours accrued bi‑weekly (increases with YOS).
• Sick Leave: 4.62 hours accrued bi‑weekly, approx. 120 hours per year with no limit on accumulation.
• Paid City Holidays: 13 observed city holidays.
• Floating Holiday: 1 floating holiday which must be taken during the fiscal year (July 1 - June 30).
• Choice of retirement plan:
  • Defined Benefit Pension Plan: Provides a monthly benefit upon retirement, calculated using a defined formula based on earnings history, years of service, and age. The plan includes a 5‑year vesting period and requires an employee contribution of 5% of salary.
  • Defined Contribution 401a Plan: Employer makes fixed contributions to an individual account, which are invested, and returns are credited to the account. Vesting occurs at 33% after one year, 67% after two years, and 100% after three years of service. No salary contribution is required.
• Voluntary 457 Deferred Compensation Plan
• Eligibility to purchase prior service credit under the Defined Benefit Plan

The City of Charlottesville manages its own retirement system and does not participate in VRS; however, a Portability Agreement is available for eligible employees. For additional details, please refer to the ‘Benefits’ tab within this posting or visit the City’s Employee Benefits webpage.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations will be considered to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Responsibilities

• Manages the overall operations, services, and personnel in City Aquatic Facilities, Recreation Centers, Skatepark, and special events.
• Supervises, coaches, trains, motivates, assigns, and monitors work activities, and evaluates the performance of subordinate supervisors and employees within assigned units; interviews, selects, and administers disciplinary action to subordinate employees in accordance with established personnel policy and procedures. Establishes professional standards for work quality, quantity, performance, and accountability.
• Assists subordinate supervisors with complex/problem situations and provides technical expertise, guidance, and leadership.
• Participates in the development and implementation of short‑ and long‑term goals, operating objectives, strategies, and plans for supervisors in their assigned units.
• Develops, implements, and evaluates policies and procedures, and recommends change. Analyzes data to establish direction for the supervisors.
• Prepares operating objectives and monitors progress toward these objectives.
• Provides input and advises department leadership on development of management plans and strategies for long‑ and short‑range agency objectives.
• Reviews budget expenditures and budget requests, monitors the annual budget for the assigned units, and develops quarterly target projections and budget plans.
• Oversees the tracking inventory of equipment and operating supplies.
• Submits recommendations for improved service delivery to ensure that scheduling of activities at facilities maximizes revenue and customer satisfaction.
• Coordinates with other department staff or partners to coordinate facility use.
• Handles, investigates, and resolves more complex/difficult citizen comments, complaints, and/or issues.
• Prepares periodic reports concerning organizational activities and accomplishments.
• Completes and submits various financial, administrative, and statistical reports.
• Researches and develops standards that comply with federal, state, and local laws and regulations, that meet industry standards, and that assure participant safety.
• Ensures compliance with all City policies/procedures and department standards of all staff within unit; as well as local, state, and federal laws, codes, and regulations.
• Ensures department standards for cleanliness, maintenance, safety, staffing, and operational effectiveness are met at assigned sites and facilities.
• Operates vehicle to visit various recreation sites and facilities, and/or to assist with programs and events.
• May handle or assist with contract development, enforcement, and opportunities.
• May be required to work weekends, nights, holidays or to be called back to work in weather or non‑weather emergencies or as needed to provide necessary services to the public.
• Responsible for appropriate use and maintenance of City equipment, tools and other resources, including work time.
• Regular and reliable attendance.
• Performs additional duties as required.

Other Duties

• Performs additional duties to support operational requirements as apparent or assigned.

Education and Experience

• Option 1: Bachelor’s degree in recreation, public administration, business or related field AND 6 years of progressively responsible experience related to parks or recreation, including at least 2 years of supervisor or managerial experience.
• Option 2: Associate degree in recreation, public administration, business or related field AND 8 years of progressively responsible experience related to parks or recreation, including at least 2 years of supervisor or managerial experience.
• Option 3: High School diploma or GED AND 10 years of progressively responsible experience related to parks or recreation, including at least 2 years of supervisor or managerial experience.
• Option 4: An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered in lieu of the specific requirements listed above.

Preferred

• Certified Parks & Recreation Professional (CPRP) certification.

Certifications/Licenses/Other Requirements

• Certified Pool Operator (CPO) or Aquatics Facility Operator (AFO) required within 6 months of employment.
• Must obtain and maintain a valid Virginia driver’s license and acceptable driving record according to city criteria.
• Required to successfully pass a pre‑employment background check and pre‑employment drug screen.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Other Characteristics

• Job Knowledge: Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of park and recreation management, fiscal and personnel management, applicable local, state, and federal policies, procedures, laws, codes, and regulations. Knowledge of methods to motivate, supervise, and evaluate staff and to develop and implement staff training programs. Knowledge of the principles and practices of public administration.
• Reading: Intermediate: ability to read and understand written materials such as newspapers, magazines, journals, multi‑step instruction manuals, financial reports, and reference materials.
• Writing: Intermediate: ability to organize data and write clear and concise reports, prepare materials such as business letters, explanations, and summaries with proper format, punctuation, spelling, and grammar.
• Math: Intermediate: ability to deal with number systems; simple formulas, practical application of fractions, percentages, ratios/proportions, and measurement.
• Communication Skills: Advanced: Communicates current and revised policies and makes recommendations regarding development and implementation. May include interactions that involve stressful, negative situations requiring significant tact and the ability to diffuse aggressive behavior and reach consensus. Elements of persuasion may be necessary to gain cooperation and understanding. May involve support of controversial positions or the negotiation of sensitive issues or important presentations. Evaluates customer satisfaction, develops cooperative associations, and utilizes resources to continuously improve customer satisfaction. Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with city staff, management, the public, and others.
• Independence and Decision‑Making: Requires Limited Direction: normally completes work according to their own judgment, requesting supervisory assistance occasionally. Special projects are managed with little oversight and assignments may be reviewed upon completion. Performance reviewed periodically.
• Technical Skills: Skilled: comprehensive, practical knowledge of a technical field with use of analytical judgment and decision‑making abilities appropriate to the assigned and apparent job responsibilities. Intermediate skill in Microsoft Office applications and/or departmental software.
• Fiscal Responsibilities: Assists in the oversight of development, preparation, and submission of division annual operating budget for assigned programs. Reviews, monitors, and approves expenditures of significant budgeted funds for the assigned programs.
• Supervisory Responsibilities: Manages, monitors and directs work performance of subordinate supervisors and direct staff, makes final decisions on hiring, discipline, performance evaluation, setting program/work objectives and realigns work and staffing as needed.
• Other Characteristics: Organization and time management skills, sometimes under strict time constraints; excellent customer service skills; independently prioritizes and balances multiple, complex tasks; works closely with others as part of a team; maintains accurate records and files; frequent change of tasks; constant interruptions and/or requests for service; works effectively with sensitive and confidential issues and information; may require additional hours outside of normal schedule; may require emergency response; may require dealing with angry, frustrated and/or upset individuals.
• Physical Demands: Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally, and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. Constantly operates a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a calculator, copy machine, and computer printer. Must occasionally move about inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc. and position self to maintain files in file cabinet. Must be able to communicate information and ideas so others will understand. Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations. Ability to observe details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
• Machines, Tools, Equipment, Software and Hardware: Typically requires use of standard office equipment and telephone, and related software and hardware; and any other equipment as appropriate or as assigned.
• Work Environment: Work is usually performed in an office environment where there may be exposure to computer screen for extended periods of time, monitor glare and dust. At recreation facilities or sites, may be exposed to allergens, fumes, chemicals, varying temperatures, and outside weather conditions. The noise level is usually moderate.