Venues Supervisor (Senior Recreation Supervisor)

City of Santa Barbara; Santa Barbara (CA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Santa Barbara Parks and Recreation Department is seeking a dynamic Venues Supervisor (Senior Recreation Supervisor) to lead staff, oversee facility rentals and programs, and ensure safe, high‑quality experiences across a diverse portfolio of parks and spaces.

You will develop strategies to promote facilities and events, build partnerships with community groups and vendors, supervise staff, coordinate operations, and implement safety and risk-management practices to maximize public

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement strategies to promote facilities, programs, events, and recreational opportunities.
• Build relationships with community organizations, partners, vendors, contractors, and other stakeholders to expand facility use and engagement.
• Supervise, support, and develop staff while fostering a customer-focused and collaborative work environment.
• Lead the development, implementation, and evaluation of new programs, events, and facility activations across a diverse portfolio of recreational spaces.
• Coordinate facility operations, including scheduling, logistics, maintenance support, customer service, and day‑to‑day operational needs.
• Coordinate with vendors and contractors, monitor performance, address issues, and ensure services meet contractual, City, and departmental standards.
• Promote safe and responsible use of facilities by implementing appropriate safety, emergency response, and risk‑management practices.
• Identify operational challenges and opportunities for improvement and develop solutions that enhance the quality, accessibility, and effectiveness of public spaces.
• Help create welcoming, high‑quality recreational environments that meet the evolving needs of the community.

Job description

ABOUT US

At the City of Santa Barbara, the best part of our organization is our people. As a City of Santa Barbara employee, you will work in an environment with other motivated individuals who are passionate about their work. We strive to provide employees with the support they need to thrive. Discover more about us, our values and our organizational culture here.

The Parks and Recreation Department manages a diverse and unique park and recreation system – over 1,800 acres of parkland encompassing 64 developed and open space parks, as well as 6 miles of beach front, indoor and outdoor recreation and sports facilities, a 100-acre municipal golf course and the community urban forest. With 21 playgrounds, 24 volleyball courts, 36 tennis and pickle ball courts, 2 community gardens, 2 lawn bowls facilities, 3 swimming and wading pools, 16 community buildings, 9 sports fields, and a beachfront skate park, the Departments programs and services support the entire community. Through co-sponsorship and partner agreements, Parks and Recreation collaborates with more than 50 local non‑profit service providers, youth and adult sports organizations, non‑profit foundations, and volunteer community groups. Recreation programs engage people of all ages, with specialized programs for youth, teens, active adults, low‑income families and people living with special needs. The Department has five volunteer advisory committees and is supported by the Parks and Recreation Community (PARC) Foundation.

The Parks and Recreation Department is comprised of four (4) divisions: Administration, Parks, Recreation, and Golf.

Read more about the Parks and Recreation Department here.

THE POSITION

The City of Santa Barbara Parks and Recreation Department is seeking a dynamic and knowledgeable Venues Supervisor (Senior Recreation Supervisor). Incumbent will supervise, assign, review, and participate in the work of staff responsible for providing parks, recreation and community programs, services and activities, facility rentals, and special events, including the supervision of other supervisory staff; oversee and participate in all work activities; and perform a variety of technical tasks relative to assigned area of responsibility.

In this role, you will help ensure that recreation facilities are operated safely, efficiently, and effectively while identifying opportunities to increase participation and activate public spaces. You will:

• Develop and implement strategies to promote facilities, programs, events, and recreational opportunities.

• Build relationships with community organizations, partners, vendors, contractors, and other stakeholders to expand facility use and engagement.

• Supervise, support, and develop staff while fostering a customer-focused and collaborative work environment.

• Lead the development, implementation, and evaluation of new programs, events, and facility activations across a diverse portfolio of recreational spaces.

• Coordinate facility operations, including scheduling, logistics, maintenance support, customer service, and day‑to‑day operational needs.

• Coordinate with vendors and contractors, monitor performance, address issues, and ensure services meet contractual, City, and departmental standards.

• Promote safe and responsible use of facilities by implementing appropriate safety, emergency response, and risk‑management practices.

• Identify operational challenges and opportunities for improvement and develop solutions that enhance the quality, accessibility, and effectiveness of public spaces.

• Help create welcoming, high‑quality recreational environments that meet the evolving needs of the community.

Distinguishing Characteristics

• Receives direction management staff.
• Exercises direct supervision over supervisory, professional, technical and clerical staff.

Work Schedule: This position is required to work fully on‑site.

Knowledge of:

• Operations, services and activities of parks and recreation programs.