Recreation Administrator

Salary : $79,240.00 - $142,631.00 Annually
Location : Parks Administration - City Hall, Hampton, VA
Job Type: Full-Time Permanent
Job Number: 09312
Department: RECREATION
Opening Date: 06/23/2026
Closing Date: 6/30/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
FLSA: Exempt


Function
Do you have the passion and skill to build strong community engagement through research, planning and implementation? The Parks, Recreation and Leisure Services Department is looking for a creative planner, a strong leader and an enthusiastic individual to help guide department programs and pave the way for an exciting future.

Examples of what you will be doing:
Facilitates the daily operations of the Recreation division to include short-term and long-range planning, developing, coordinating and implementing programming, facility maintenance, budgeting, record keeping, supervising and developing staff, evaluating departmental programs and service needs, and ensuring compliance with policies and procedures through subordinate staff. May serve as the PRLS Director in their absence. This position reports to the Director and develops and implements programs within organizational policies, and reports major activities to executive level administrators through conferences and reports.
Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university in Parks and Recreation Administration, Public Administration, Business Administration, Management, Leisure Services, or a related field. Master's Degree is preferred.
• Requires a minimum of five (5) years of full-time equivalent progressively responsible experience planning and directing community programs and public park and recreation activities to include a minimum of five (5) years of experience supervising the work of others to include experience supervising subordinates in recreation programming, activities, events and facility operations.
• Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP) certification preferred.
• Must possess a valid driver's license and must have and maintain a satisfactory driving record based on the City of Hampton's criteria.
• Must successfully pass a background check prior to any offer of employment or promotion.

Additional Requirements

• May require working beyond a standard 40-hour work week.
• Requires effective communication with internal and external customers. Requires extensive contact with a variety of professional and public interest groups, City departments, and various local agencies and must have the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships
• Requires some travel throughout the City and may require occasional out-of-town travel.
• The incumbent may be considered "essential personnel" during City emergency situations or at the direction of the City Manager which may include long hours and unusual schedules.

Click here for a complete job description.
Benefits Overview
This is a summary of benefits associated with permanent, full-time positions. Benefits associated with other positions can be found with specific job listings. Benefits begin on the 1st of the month following one full calendar month of employment in the following benefit plans:

• Sentara Health Medical Insurance
• OptumRx
• Delta Dental Insurance
• Anthem Blue View Vision
• FSA Reimbursement accounts

• Standard: Accident and Critical Illness
• Trust Mark Universal Life Insurance
• Legal Resources Plan
• Mission Square: 457 / Roth IRS / Roth 457 (b) IRA

• Employees begin accruing annual and sick leave immediately.
• Other forms of leave include:
  • Maternity Leave
  • Parental Bonding Leave
  • Care for Sick Parent Leave
  • Birthday Leave
  • Personal day (available every quarter)

The eleven paid holidays each year include:

• New Year's Day
• Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
• President's Day
• Memorial Day
• Juneteenth Day
• Independence Day
• Labor Day
• Veterans' Day
• Thanksgiving Day
• Christmas Day
• Employee's birthday
• A tax deferred retirement plan 457 is offered through the ICMA Retirement Corporation. An after-tax retirement plan, Roth IRA, is offered through the ICMA Retirement Corporation View phone number on click.appcast.io). For more information, see the
• Group life insurance is offered through the VRS and the carrier is the Minnesota Life Insurance Company.
  Tax deferred retirement plan 457 is offered through the ICMA Retirement Corporation View phone number on click.appcast.io). For more information, see the
• Training and Career Development: The Employee Education Assistance Program (EEAP) encourages employee development through (1) educational programs leading to a degree, (2) skilled craft or trade training leading to a certificate or license and (3) coursework to renew and update skills. Eligibility criteria apply. In addition, the City offers training opportunities in technological, leadership, supervisory, and other areas of government/business knowledge and skill development.
• Medical/Dental and Dependent Care Reimbursement Accounts are offered on a pre-tax basis in order to reduce the amount of tax the employee pays.
• The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is confidential and personal counseling service for the employee and their immediate family View phone number on click.appcast.io, View phone number on click.appcast.io or
• Direct deposit into most banks is a convenient finance feature.
  Savings bonds are available to the City's workforce.
• Employees are covered for Workers' Compensation where appropriate.

01


Please describe your highest level of education in Parks and Recreation Administration, Public Administration, Business Administration, Management, Leisure Services, or a related field of study?

• High school diploma
• Some college coursework in a related field of study
• Associate's degree
• Bachelor's degree
• Master's degree or higher

02


Which of the options below best describe your years of progressively responsible experience planning and directing community programs and public park and recreation activities?

• 1-2 years of experience
• 3-4 years of experience
• 5 years of experience
• 6-7 years of experience
• 8-9 years of experience
• 10 or more years of experience

03


Which of the options below best describe your years of supervisory experience- which has been included on your work history

• 1-2 years of experience
• 3-4 years of experience
• 5 years of experience
• 6-7 years of experience
• 8-9 years of experience
• 10 or more years of experience

04


Are you certified as a Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP)?

• Yes
• No

05


I understand that this position will require the flexibility to work non-standard work hours when needed.

• Yes
• No

06


This position is considered "essential personnel" during times of emergencies or as directed by the City Manager. I understand I will be required to work as assigned during a period of emergency.

• Yes
• No

07


This position requires that you possess a valid driver's license and have and maintain a satisfactory driving record based on the City of Hampton's criteria. Failure to provide your driver's license number will prevent us from considering your application. Please confirm your driver's license number by entering it below:
08


I understand that if offered employment in this position, I must successfully complete a criminal background check.

• Yes
• No

09


I understand this position is exempt.

• Yes
• No

10


I understand that all relevant work history must be included on my application and accurately reflect the responses provided above to be considered for this position.

• Yes
• No

Required Question