Parks & Recreation Director

The Position

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.

As a member of the City’s executive Leadership Team, the Director contributes to citywide strategic planning, policy development, emergency preparedness, and organizational decision-making. 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.

To view the position’s full job description, please see the attachment provided here.

Upcoming Priorities

Veterans Memorial Golf Course: The City assumed responsibility for the course at the end of 2025, making 2026 the first full year of municipal operation in approximately 30 years. The financial and operational data gathered during this initial year will provide an important foundation for preparing the 2027–2028 biennial budget, evaluating service levels, and identifying future capital and operational needs.

Sustainable Capital Funding: The Director will be expected to help develop a sustainable approach to funding parks and recreation capital projects. Following the unsuccessful Metropolitan Parks District ballot measure in February 2026, the City does not anticipate returning to voters with a parks-related funding package until approximately 2029. In the meantime, the Department lacks a dedicated, ongoing revenue source for major capital improvements, creating an important strategic and community-engagement challenge for the next Director.

Fiscal Management and Rising Costs: Rising utility expenses, particularly water costs, will require thoughtful resource management and clear communication with the community. The Director will need to balance fiscal constraints with public expectations regarding park appearance, maintenance standards, and overall levels of service.

Leadership Transition: This recruitment represents a significant leadership transition for the organization. It is the City's first open recruitment for a Parks and Recreation Director in approximately 24 years, following a long period of leadership continuity and internal succession.

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. A valid state driver’s license is required.

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.

Compensation & Benefits

• $153,993 - $187,356 DOQ
• Medical, dental, orthodontia, and vision insurance, with multiple plan options. City contributes toward full-family medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Health Savings Account contribution for employees enrolled in an HDHP.
• City-paid $50,000 life and AD&D insurance.
• Voluntary life, AD&D, long-term disability, and supplemental insurance options.
• Washington State PERS retirement plan.
• Deferred compensation options with City match up to 3.5%.
• 20 days of vacation annually for Department Directors, increasing to 25 days with longevity.
• 10 paid holidays annually.
• 40 hours of floating holiday time (used within the calendar year).
• Sick leave accrual of 8 hours per month.
• Employee Assistance Program, including six covered sessions per issue.
• YMCA corporate membership discount.
• Wellness program.
• Additional candidate incentives might include relocation assistance, professional development support, and front-loaded vacation.