Seattle Parks and Recreation Superintendent

Seattle Parks and Recreation; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 194,518 - 320,925; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

Leave, medical, and dental insurance

Long-term disability insurance

Job summary

The City of Seattle is looking for a Superintendent to lead the Parks and Recreation Department. This role involves overseeing a large, diverse parks and recreation system, managing operations, and ensuring quality service delivery.

The ideal candidate will have substantial management experience and a passion for fostering community engagement and equity. This full-time, exempt position offers a salary range of $194,518 to $320,925 annually.

Qualifications

• Extensive management experience in parks and recreation.
• Ability to navigate community processes and build partnerships.
• Politically astute with a commitment to public service.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage Seattle Parks and Recreation.
• Ensure equitable service and safety within parks and facilities.
• Engage with community and government stakeholders.

Skills

Management experience

Excellent communication skills

Political savvy

Conflict resolution

Community engagement

Education

Senior leadership experience in urban parks or recreational programs

Job description

Position Description

The City of Seattle is seeking a collaborative and community-centered superintendent to lead Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) at a pivotal time. Seattle Parks and Recreation is a national leader and innovator in the services and programs that support the public's well-being, promoting healthy people, a thriving environment and a vibrant community. The more than 1,100 SPR employees provide safe, accessible spaces for residents and visitors to work, recreate, and rejuvenate, enhancing quality of life and wellness for children, teenagers, adults, and seniors. SPR manages a 6,441-acre park system comprising nearly 500 parks and extensive natural areas, representing about 12% of the city's land area. SPR also manages many facilities, including 25 community centers, eight indoor swimming pools, two outdoor (summer) swimming pools, two environmental education centers, two small craft centers, four golf courses, an outdoor stadium, and more.

Established in Article XI in the City Charter, the Superintendent of Parks and Recreation is appointed by, and reports to, the Mayor and is subject to confirmation by the City Council every four years. The Superintendent serves as the highest executive authority at Seattle Parks and Recreation and is responsible for planning, operations, and finances. The Seattle Board of Park Commissioners, a volunteer advisory board established by City ordinance, provides recommendations to the Mayor, City Council, and Superintendent on SPR policies for the planning, development, and use of the City's park and recreation facilities.

Seattle Parks and Recreation's funding comes from a mix of tax dollars from the City's General Fund, Seattle Park District funds, the Real Estate Excise Tax, and revenue from other sources, including grants, user fees, and rental charges. The 2026 Operating Budget for the Department is $258.6M, with a Capital Budget of $85.3M.

Job Responsibilities

The Superintendent is responsible for planning, organizing, and administering a large, complex, and diverse parks and recreation system.

Priorities of the Superintendent

• Lead Seattle Parks and Recreation – Ensure the operations, investments, and staff of Seattle Parks and Recreation support city priorities effectively and efficiently. Align operations and investments with city policy goals, service equity, and regulatory compliance. Prioritize investments aligned with mayoral and council priorities and collaborate with the community and partners to understand their needs and implement solutions.
• Meet the needs of a changing community. Maintain and adapt parks, public facilities and programs to meet the needs of our changing city through strategic planning, partnerships and investments. Beyond recreation, ensure community centers can serve as hubs for community building by keeping the spaces inviting, affordable, and programmed to reflect the demographics, interests and needs of the surrounding community.
• Promote racial and social equity. Ensure that community centers serve as the bedrock of a recreation system grounded in racial and social equity, with open doors for all and free or low-cost, community-centric programs. Expand participation and access to recreation programs that increase physical activity and health awareness by analyzing program performance data for equitable outcomes and building equity-based leadership skills among staff. Ensure that open space and recreation facility distribution is based on access, opportunity, equity, and data.
• Ensure safety, cleanliness, and accessibility. Maintaining and adapting parks and public facilities to meet the needs of our changing city through strategic planning, partnerships and investment. Continue to provide necessary maintenance and improvements to aging infrastructure (especially pools and community centers) to maximize the life cycles of these well-used buildings and reduce major maintenance backlogs.
• Excel in service delivery. Emphasize the importance of customer orientation. Establish a high standard of customer service with staff and within facilities to provide a climate of welcoming everyone, cleanliness and attention to each community member’s needs. Support employee development and training programs that foster teambuilding and collaboration so that employees have the knowledge and skills to perform their work and equitably serve the community.
• Engage and develop staff. Foster an inclusive culture where employees feel supported, respected, and empowered to deliver exceptional service and innovate for the people of Seattle. Promote talent development for a flexible, growth-oriented workforce. Manage employees within a union environment, collaborate with union leadership, and supervise personnel actions such as hiring, grievances, and performance management.
• Develop valued partners. Collaborate with community stakeholders, the Associated Recreation Council, Seattle Public Schools, agency partners, developers, private sector stakeholders, property managers, legislators, and funding partners to increase recreational opportunities. Represent the city with government stakeholders, private sector entities, community advocates, funders, executive-level leadership with nonprofits, and other important partners.
• Champion inclusive and accountable governance. Center accountability, transparency, and responsiveness in the direction, management, and oversight of department operations. Leads best-in-class administrative and operational processes that embed inclusive and accountable governance through rigorous fiscal management, collaborative program planning, and transparent, performance-based reporting.

Qualifications

The successful candidate has a passion for parks and recreation, extensive management experience, exceptional communication skills, political savvy, and sensitivity to competing stakeholder needs. They advise executive leadership with credibility, guide equitable stewardship of land, resources, and people, and implement change through shared goals, accountability, and efficient, community-centered processes. Their work history exemplifies SPR’s core competencies of accountability and action, equity and inclusion, communication, service, and teamwork. They value relationships, are known as a good listener, and foster an inclusive culture in which staff feel supported and empowered.

Well-qualified candidates will have senior leadership experience and extensive professional knowledge in administering urban parks and recreational programs. Their background includes successfully navigating highly collaborative community processes, establishing impactful partnerships, and demonstrating administrative, financial, and political expertise, along with a strong commitment to public service. They are recognized as a leader who fosters an inclusive, open, and transparent workplace culture, where staff at all levels are meaningfully involved in decision-making and where data and evidence drive clear, timely decisions.

Additional Information

This is a full-time, FLSA-exempt position that is not covered under the civil service and is classified as an Executive 4.

Salary

The full salary range for this classification is $194,518 to $320,925 annually, based on 2088 hours ($93.16 - $153.70 per hour).

Accommodations

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Contact Pam Inch at [e-mail] to request accommodation.

Background Check

Job offers are contingent on criminal history review and verification of applicant information. In compliance with Seattle's Fair Chance Employment Ordinance, SMC 14.17, applicants will be provided an opportunity to explain or correct background information and provide verifiable information of good conduct and rehabilitation.

Benefits

The City offers a comprehensive benefits package including leave and medical, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability insurance. More information at https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits.

Why work at the City?

At the City of Seattle, public service is more than a job; it’s a chance to shape the future and make a meaningful difference in the lives of everyone who works, lives, or plays in our city. With 12,000 employees across 40+ departments, we are united by a common purpose: to create a Seattle that is vibrant and welcoming for all. Whatever your role, you’ll help power a forward-looking city that leads by example — inclusive, innovative, equitable, and community-focused — while joining a diverse team committed to solving challenges and making a lasting impact together. Join us in building a Seattle where everyone thrives!

Seattle Parks and Recreation commits to advancing equity and social justice in our department and in every neighborhood by growing a dynamic and diverse workforce, making strong investments, creating growth opportunities, and developing beneficial partnership strategies, while acknowledging and pledging to close disparities created by historical practices that often hindered workforce development, environmental justice, and access to quality open spaces, programs, and facilities.

Application Process

Submit a resume and cover letter. Use your cover letter to describe why you want to lead the Seattle Department of Parks and Recreation and what uniquely qualifies you for this role. Interested candidates should apply immediately. The city may close the recruitment at any time once a suitably strong group of candidates has been established.

Equal Opportunity Statement

This position is open to all candidates who demonstrate alignment with the skills and experience described above. The City of Seattle values diverse perspectives and encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ individuals, people with disabilities, and veterans. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, or medical condition.

Questions

If you have questions, please contact Pam Inch at [e-mail].