Director of Parks and Recreation

Salary : $110,468.80 Annually
Location : Parks and Recreation, AZ
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 2026-00043
Department: Parks and Recreation
Opening Date: 08/25/2026
Closing Date: Continuous


ABOUT THE POSITION
YOUR FUTURE BEGINS HERE!
Join one of the fastest-growing cities in Arizona and the youngest in Yuma County!
Under administrative direction, plans, organizes, directs, and reviews the activities and operations of the Parks and Recreation Department, including, but not limited to, recreation programs and services; aquatics; cultural center operations and programs; youth center and youth services; senior center and senior services; parks maintenance and operations; open spaces and related natural areas; recreation facilities; and related programs and services. Provides leadership and strategic direction to the Department and contributes to the overall leadership of the city organization; coordinates assigned activities with other City departments, governmental agencies, community organizations, and other outside agencies; and provides highly responsible and complex administrative support to the City Manager.
As the Director of Parks and Recreation, you will:

• Develop and implement Department goals, objectives, policies, programs, and short- and long-term strategic plans consistent with City priorities; directs and evaluates Department operations and services.
• Coordinate Department activities with City departments, governmental agencies, community organizations, and outside agencies; provides staff support to the City Manager and City Council; and prepares and presents reports, recommendations, and correspondence.
• Direct the development and implementation of the Department's annual work plan; assigns and monitors programs and projects; evaluates operations and service delivery; and ensures effective and efficient use of Department resources.
• Develop and administers the Department budget; forecasts resource needs; monitors expenditures; and oversees the allocation of personnel, equipment, materials, and other resources.
• Select, train, develop, supervise, and evaluate Department personnel; provides leadership and direction; and promotes professional, efficient, and effective Department operations.
• Plan, organize, direct, and evaluate Department programs, services, and operations, including recreation, aquatics, cultural center, youth and senior services, parks maintenance and operations, open spaces, community events, and related facilities and services.
• Assess community needs, participation trends, and other relevant data to develop and recommend programs, services, facilities, parks, and open space initiatives that address current and future community needs.
• Oversee the operation, maintenance, improvement, renovation, and development of parks, open spaces, recreation and community facilities, aquatic facilities, and other Department assets; and participates in related capital improvement planning and projects.
• Represent the Department before community and professional organizations; develops partnerships and sponsorships; and supports community engagement, outreach, and resource-development efforts.
• Administer and monitors contracts, consultant agreements, leases, partnerships, and other agreements related to Department programs, services, facilities, parks, and open spaces.
• Research, analyzes, and prepares reports, studies, presentations, recommendations, and correspondence.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

IDEAL CANDIDATE

Will possess knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of leadership, team building, employee development, performance management, conflict resolution, organizational management, and strategic planning.
• Laws, regulations, policies, and best practices applicable to municipal government, Parks and Recreation programs, services, facilities, parks, and maintenance operations.
• Principles and practices of municipal budgeting, fiscal management, program development, implementation, evaluation, and service delivery.
• Principles and practices for the administration and delivery of recreation, aquatics, cultural, youth, senior, community, and related programs and services.
• Principles and practices of parks, open space, facility, and landscape maintenance; facility operations, programming, scheduling, utilization, repair, and maintenance coordination.
• Methods for assessing community needs, developing and evaluating programs and services, and responding to changing demographics, interests, and community priorities.
• Recreational, cultural, social, and community needs of diverse populations and individuals of all ages, backgrounds, and socioeconomic circumstances.
• Principles and practices of community engagement, public relations, outreach, partnerships, sponsorships, special events, grant development, fundraising, and resource development.

Will possess the ability to:

• Plan, direct, coordinate, and evaluate Department administration and operations, including recreation programs and services, parks maintenance and operations, facilities, and open spaces.
• Develop and administer Department budgets, policies, procedures, programs, strategic initiatives, and operational priorities.
• Lead, supervise, develop, and evaluate personnel while fostering accountability, teamwork, and high-quality service delivery.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with City employees, elected and appointed officials, community organizations, and local, state, and federal agencies.
• Prioritize and manage multiple programs, projects, operational needs, and deadlines while exercising sound judgment and fiscal responsibility.
• Analyze complex issues, evaluate alternatives and potential impacts, and implement effective solutions consistent with City goals, policies, and community priorities.
• Interpret and apply applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, policies, and procedures governing municipal operations, recreation, parks, facilities, and maintenance activities.
• Represent the City and Department before community groups, boards, commissions, agencies, and other organizations; identify and respond appropriately to public, community, and City Council concerns.
• Communicate clearly and effectively, orally and in writing; prepare professional reports, presentations, recommendations, and correspondence.
• Assess community needs and develop, recommend, and implement recreation programs, services, facilities, parks, open space, and maintenance initiatives responsive to changing community needs and priorities.
• Build consensus, foster collaboration, resolve conflicts, and effectively negotiate with diverse individuals, groups, and stakeholders.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Education, Training and Experience:

• A bachelor's degree in Parks & Recreation Administration, Recreation Management, Public Administration, Business Administration, Parks Management or closely related field; AND
• Five (5) years of progressively responsible administrative and management experience in parks and recreation, community recreation, community services, or a related municipal/public sector environment.

Licenses and Certifications:
All required licenses and certifications must be valid at the time of appointment and maintained throughout employment.

• Arizona Driver's License at the time of appointment
• Level 1 Fingerprint Clearance Card
• First Aid/CPR Certification

Special Requirements:

• Residency in the United States and within 25 miles of the City of San Luis.

Desired/Preferred:

• Bilingual in Spanish
• San Luis residency
• Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP)

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION


The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by employees to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.


Physical Demands
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, talk, and hear; use hands and fingers to operate computers, office equipment, vehicles, tools, and other controls; reach with hands and arms; and perform repetitive hand and wrist movements. The employee may be required to walk over uneven terrain and visit parks, open spaces, recreation facilities, and maintenance areas to observe operations and assess conditions. The employee is occasionally required to bend, stoop, climb stairs, and lift or carry items weighing up to 25 pounds. The employee must be physically capable of safely operating City vehicles for job-related purposes. Specific vision abilities required include close and distance vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Mental Demands
While performing the duties of this class, an employee uses written and oral communication skills; reads, interprets, and analyzes complex information, data, reports, policies, regulations, and other documents; exercises sound judgment and discretion; analyzes complex issues and develops effective solutions; uses mathematical and financial reasoning; performs detailed and highly responsible work; manages multiple concurrent priorities, projects, and deadlines; makes decisions with significant operational, financial, and community implications; adapts to changing circumstances and priorities; and establishes and maintains effective working relationships with employees, elected and appointed officials, community members, stakeholders, and representatives of other agencies and organizations. The employee must be able to effectively respond to sensitive, controversial, or dissatisfied individuals and situations while maintaining professionalism, composure, and a customer-service focus.


Work Environment:
Works primarily in an office environment with regular interaction with City officials, employees, community members, outside agencies, and representatives of community and professional organizations. Regularly visits and works at recreation centers, aquatic facilities, cultural facilities, youth and senior centers, and other Department facilities and program locations. Attends evening, weekend, and occasional special events, community meetings, City Council meetings, and other activities outside normal business hours as required.
Work may involve exposure to varying indoor and outdoor conditions while visiting Department facilities and observing programs and activities. May occasionally work in areas with moderate noise, crowds, weather conditions, or other conditions associated with recreation programs and community events. Requires frequent use of computers, telephones, and other standard office equipment. Work requires the ability to maintain effective working relationships and communicate professionally with employees, City officials, community members, and diverse groups.
The City of San Luis is committed to Professional Growth and Career Development -
Current employees may be given preferred consideration if they meet the position's minimum requirements.
OPEN UNTIL FILLED
Applications will be reviewed 10 days after the posting date, and interviews will be conducted if a pool of qualified applicants is determined.Interested incumbents are encouraged to apply promptly.
Candidates with the most relevant backgrounds will be invited to participate in the interview/assessment process.
APPLICATION PROCESS:
To be considered, online applications MUST include all required documents listed under the Minimum Requirements section of the Job Posting. All documents should be uploaded as attachments.
Please note:

• The online application must be completed in full.

• Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application.

• Incomplete applications will not be considered.

The City of San Luis offers the following benefits to all full-time City employees:

MEDICAL/ DENTAL/ VISION INSURANCE - The City of San Luis is proud to provide medical, dental and vision insurance for it's employees which is administered by Personify. Dependent premiums are paid one month in advance and are pre-taxed. Additional information regarding medical, dental and vision benefits may be requested from the Human Resources Department.

ARIZONA STATE RETIREMENT SYSTEM (ASRS) - City employees are required to enroll in the Arizona State Retirement System.

• Employee Contribution - 11.86%
• Employer Contribution - 11.86%

ARIZONA STATE RETIREMENT SYSTEM (ASRS) - LONG TERM DISABILITY (LTD)

• Employee Contribution - .014%
• Employer Contribution - .014%

SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE-
FICA (Social Security Tax) - Employee Contribution- 6.20%
Medicare - Employee Contribution - 1.4500%.

PAID TIME OFF (PTO) -

Vacation Leave Accruals (Based on years of service and accrued on bi-weekly basis)

1. Less than 6 years - 3.08 hrs.
2. 6 - 11 years - 4.62 hrs.
3. 11 years or more - 6.16 hrs.

Sick Leave - 3.69 hrs.

LIFE INSURANCE - The City provides eligible employees with a Life Insurance and Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) benefit. This plan is administered by Standard.

Basic Life Benefit - $50,000.00
AD&D Benefit - $50,000.00

DISABILITY INSURANCE - Disability insurance is available to all employees who work 30 or more hours per week.

Short-Term Disability - Coverage begins on the 15th day of injury or sickness.
Duration of Benefits - 180 days
Benefits Percentage- 66.67%
Waiting Period - 14 days
Maximum Weekly Benefit: $2,000.00

WORKER'S COMP - Insurance coverage for medical expenses and loss of income due to an on-the-job injury is provided by the City of San Luis for all employees.
01


What is your highest level of education?

• Associate's Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree

02


How many years of progressively responsible administrative and management experience do you have in parks and recreation, community recreation, community services, or a related municipal/public sector environment?

• Less than 5 years
• 5-6 years
• 7-9 years
• 10 or more years

03


Do you have an active Arizona Driver's License?

• Yes
• No
• No, but I am willing to obtain one.

04


Do you live in the United States and within 25 miles from the City of San Luis?

• Yes
• No
• No, but I am willing to relocate.

05


Are you a Veteran?

• Yes
• No

06


The information provided in your application must support your selected answers in the supplemental questions. The information you provide will be verified and documentation may be required. Please be as honest and accurate as possible. You may be asked to demonstrate your knowledge and skills in a work sample or during an interview. By completing this supplemental questionnaire, you are attesting that the information you have provided is accurate. Any misstatements, omissions, or falsification of information may eliminate you from consideration or result in dismissal.

• Yes, I understand and agree.
• No, I do not agree.

Required Question