510 - Deputy Director of Recreation and Community Engagement

Job Summary

The Deputy Director of Recreation & Community Engagement provides executive leadership, strategic direction, and operational oversight for the Parks & Recreation Department's recreation, programming, community engagement, aquatics, athletics, special events, administrative support, and community-based service functions. Reporting directly to the Parks & Recreation Director, the position translates departmentwide strategic priorities into measurable operating plans and directs assigned managers, supervisors, coordinators, and teammates. The position strengthens year-round recreation opportunities, inclusive service delivery, community partnerships, volunteer engagement, special events, workforce development, and effective use of PARD facilities and resources. The Deputy Director serves as a senior representative of the Department and may serve as Acting Director when designated.

Competencies

Customer Service
Employee Development
Cultural Competence
Conflict Management
Dependable & Trustworthy
Departmentwide Perspective
Effective Communication
Purpose & Vision
Problem Solving
Strategic Thinking
Leadership
Achieves Results
Decision Making
Financial Stewardship
Planning & Prioritization
Collaboration & Partnership Development

Key Functions/Knowledge/Skills

Directs, coordinates, and evaluates assigned recreation, aquatics, athletics, special events, community engagement, and administrative operations.

Develops and implements short- and long-term recreation and community engagement strategies aligned with the Department's strategic priorities, Master Plan, service standards, and community needs.

Assists the Director in evaluating existing programs and services and developing new or expanded services based on participation, community feedback, operational capacity, equity, safety, and measurable outcomes.

Leads a blended year-round service delivery model using full-time, part-time, and seasonal teammates, contracted instructors, volunteers, community organizations, and strategic partners.

Provides executive oversight of recreation centers, camps, aquatics, inclusion programming, youth and adult athletics, special events, and other assigned community services.

Strengthens PARD-operated athletics, including gymnasium operations and in-house youth programming, while supporting responsible growth of adult sports and coordination with external leagues and organizations.

Directs the departmentwide Special Events operating model, including standardized event procedures, trained rotating PARD event support, volunteer integration, and coordination of specialized resources.

Builds and maintains productive relationships with nonprofit organizations, schools, universities, athletic organizations, instructors, civic groups, health and wellness partners, and other community stakeholders.

Establishes service standards, performance measures, participation goals, program evaluation methods, and reporting expectations for assigned divisions.

Assists in developing and maintaining policies, procedures, contracts, use agreements, reservations, program standards, and operating practices; ensures compliance with applicable City policies and laws.

Prepares and helps administer assigned budgets, forecasts revenues and expenditures where applicable, monitors financial performance, and identifies opportunities to improve service delivery and resource utilization.

Selects, coaches, motivates, develops, and evaluates assigned leaders and teammates; promotes professional development, certifications, cross-training, succession planning, and internal advancement opportunities.

Coordinates with the other Deputy Director to share teammates, equipment, training, technical expertise, and event resources while protecting each division's core operating responsibilities.

Represents the Department at City Commission, boards, public meetings, neighborhood meetings, professional conferences, partner meetings, and other public or intergovernmental settings.

Responds to complex community concerns and operational issues consistent with City policy and the Director's strategic direction.

Serves as Acting Parks & Recreation Director when designated and performs other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Education & Experience

Ph.D./J.D./P.E., etc. (no experience), or master's degree plus three years of experience, or bachelor's degree plus five years of experience, or associate's degree plus seven years of experience, or high school graduation or GED plus nine years of experience.