Recreation Superintendent

City of Bedford; Bedford (TX); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Bedford seeks an experienced Director of Parks and Recreation to lead recreation, aquatics, senior services, and cultural arts. You will oversee facilities, programs, and events, and develop policies and budgets to meet community needs.

Reporting to the City Manager, you will manage staff, negotiate contracts, and collaborate with partners while ensuring safety, accessibility, and quality of life for residents.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Parks and Recreation or related field, plus five years of experience in parks and recreation administration, including three years supervisory experience.
• Preferred CPRP or CPRE certifications from NRPA; Pool/Spa Operator’s License or AFO certificate.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret budgets, contracts, and regulatory documents; strong communication and reporting skills.

Responsibilities

• Manages daily operations of recreation, aquatics, senior services, cultural arts, and events.
• Oversees facilities, safety, and compliance with laws and standards.
• Develops and evaluates new programs based on community needs and best practices.
• Plans and implements goals, policies, and service strategies.
• Supervises staff; participates in hiring, training, and performance reviews.
• Administers operating and capital budgets; monitors revenues and expenditures.
• Oversees registrations, rentals, fees, and financial controls.
• Develops contracts and partnerships with vendors and sponsors.
• Coordinates marketing, outreach, and community engagement efforts.
• Represents department to city council and advisory boards.

Skills

Budgeting

Contract management

Staff supervision

Marketing

Community engagement

Risk management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Parks and Recreation or related field

Five years of progressive experience in parks and recreation administration

Three years supervisory/management experience

Tools

CPRP/CPRE certifications

Job description

SUMMARY

Under the administrative direction of the Director of Parks and Recreation, plans, manages, coordinates, and administers the City's recreation, aquatics, senior services, special events, cultural arts, facility rentals, and related programs and services. Provides strategic and operational leadership for assigned divisions and facilities; develops and implements programs, policies, budgets, contracts, and services designed to meet community needs and enhance the quality of life for residents.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Manages the daily operations of recreation, aquatics, senior services, cultural arts, special events, facility rentals and related programs and services through subordinate supervisory staff.


2. Provides overall operational oversight of assigned recreational facilities, including recreation and senior centers, athletic complexes, aquatics facilities, sports fields, and other designated facilities, ensuring safe, efficient, and effective operations in accordance with City policies and applicable laws and standards.


3. Plans, develops, evaluates, and recommends new or enhanced programs, services, and special events based on community needs, participation trends, available resources, and industry best practices.


4. Develops and recommends goals, objectives, policies, procedures, and service strategies for assigned areas and implements approved initiatives.


5. Supervises subordinate supervisors and staff; participates in hiring, training, work assignments, performance management, employee development, recognition, and disciplinary actions in accordance with City policies and applicable laws.


6. Assists in developing, administering, and monitoring operating and capital budgets for assigned divisions. Monitors expenditures, revenues, fees, participation, facility utilization, and other performance measures and makes recommendations to improve efficiency, program quality, and revenue generation.


7. Oversees program registration, facility reservations and rentals, fee structures, revenue collection, and related financial controls for assigned programs and facilities.


8. Plans and manages major City-sponsored special events and develops and maintains relationships with sponsors, vendors, community partners, volunteers, businesses, and residents.


9. Develops, negotiates, administers, and monitors contracts and agreements related to assigned programs and services, including independent contractor, license and access, youth sports, facility use, sponsorship, and other applicable agreements.


10. Develops and administers policies, procedures, standards, and guidelines related to recreation, aquatics, senior services, cultural arts, special events, sports fields, facility rentals, and other assigned operations. Ensures compliance with applicable laws, regulations, safety standards, licensing requirements, accessibility requirements, and City policies.


11. Coordinates marketing, communications, outreach, and promotional efforts for assigned programs, facilities, services, and special events in coordination with appropriate City staff.


12. Serves as staff liaison to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board and Senior Advisory Board and assists with the Beautification Advisory Board. Prepares and presents staff reports, agenda items, recommendations, and presentations to City Council, advisory boards, community organizations, and the public.


13. Represents the Parks and Recreation Department at community meetings, public events, professional organizations, and other activities. Develops and maintains effective relationships with residents, community groups, businesses, schools, sports organizations, volunteers, and other stakeholders.


14. Works collaboratively with Parks Services, Facilities, Public Works, Finance, Communications, Police, Fire, and other City departments regarding facility maintenance, field and facility use, special events, construction projects, safety, and other operational needs.


15. Assists with the planning, design, development, renovation, and construction of recreation, aquatic, senior services, and other assigned facilities and capital improvement projects, providing operational input regarding design, programming, equipment, accessibility, maintenance, and long-term needs.


16. Research trends, industry standards, grant opportunities, funding sources, and best practices and recommends initiatives that improve programs, facilities, services, and community engagement.


17. Responds to and resolves citizen concerns, service requests, complaints, and operational issues related to assigned programs, facilities, events, and services. Uses customer feedback, participation data, surveys, and other information to evaluate programs and guide service improvements.


18. Participates in department-wide strategic planning, policy development, organizational initiatives, and special projects. Performs other related duties as assigned.


19. Regular and timely attendance is required, as well as the ability to establish and maintain effective, professional, and courteous working relationships with others.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Manages subordinate supervisors responsible for employees and volunteers in the Recreation, Aquatics, Special Events, Senior Services, and Cultural Arts areas. Provides overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of assigned divisions and operational units. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with City policies and applicable laws, including hiring, training, assigning and directing work, evaluating performance, employee development, recognition, disciplinary action, and resolving personnel and operational issues.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in Parks and Recreation, Recreation Administration, Public Administration, Program Management, or a closely related field, plus five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in parks and recreation administration, including three (3) years of supervisory or management experience; or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

Preferred: Certified Parks and Recreational Professional (CPRP) or Certified Parks and Recreation Executive (CPRE) from the National Recreation and Parks Association; Pool/Spa Operator’s License or Aquatic Facility Operation (AFO) Certificate.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret professional publications, technical materials, financial reports, contracts, regulations, and legal documents. Ability to respond effectively to inquiries and complaints from residents, employees, vendors, contractors, regulatory agencies, and community organizations. Ability to prepare reports, correspondence, policies, staff reports, agenda items, and presentations and effectively communicate information to City leadership, City Council, advisory boards, employees, community groups, and the public.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Ability to perform calculations involving budgets, revenues, expenditures, fees, percentages, ratios, participation rates, facility utilization, and other operational data and apply basic mathematical concepts to practical administrative and operational situations.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to identify and analyze problems, gather and evaluate information, establish facts, and make sound decisions. Ability to interpret and apply policies, regulations, contracts, financial information, and operational data. Ability to manage multiple priorities, projects, and deadlines while exercising sound judgment and discretion.

SPECIALIZED KSA’S

Knowledge of principles and practices of parks and recreation administration, including recreation, aquatics, senior services, cultural arts, special events, facility operations, program development, budgeting, contract administration, personnel management, marketing, community engagement, and risk management.

Ability to lead multiple programs, facilities, and operational functions; analyze financial and operational information; develop and implement effective programs and services; communicate effectively with diverse audiences; build productive relationships with employees, residents, community partners, vendors, and other stakeholders; manage complex projects and competing priorities; and exercise sound judgment, initiative, and problem‑solving skills.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand and walk. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, couch, or crawl. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and color vision.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to outdoor weather conditions. The employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions; moving mechanical parts; high, precarious places; and risk of electrical shock. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.