Director of Parks and Recreation

Salary: Depends on Qualifications
Location : 4420 Worcola, Dallas, TX
Job Type: Full-Time Regular Employee
Job Number: UP00351
Department: Parks
Opening Date: 07/10/2026


Summary


Under general direction of the City Manager/Assistant City Manager, the Director of Parks and Recreation oversees, manages, administers, and directs operations divisions within the Parks and Recreation Department. As head of the Department, this role develops goals, strategies, and policies; establishes long term objectives to align with the City's strategic plan and initiatives; ensures compliance with City-adopted policies and procedures; presents information on projects, programs, and initiatives to a variety of stakeholders.

Duties

• Plans, administers, manages, and directs the daily operations of divisions within the Parks and Recreation Department, including the Holmes Aquatic Center, while fostering a workplace culture that is consistent with city values.
• Provides leadership and guidance to staff for the assignment, training, and supervision of assigned professional, administrative, and technical / field employees to ensure that department objectives are met.
• Oversees performance management process, including performance evaluations, ensuring employees follow policies and procedures and maintain a healthy and safe working environment.
• Collaborates with stakeholders for successful capital improvement projects.
• Develops and negotiates agreements and contracts; monitors contract compliance and performance to ensure contract obligations are met.
• Develops, implements, and evaluates departmental policies, procedures, strategies, and goals; maintains, updates, and ensures procedural compliance for programs.
• Researches, analyzes, and makes recommendations for cost effective improvements in departmental operations. Designs, administers, and evaluates departmental programs and services.
• Leads the development and administration of the Department budget; monitors annual budgetary projections and justifications and submits annual department budget requests; approves expenditures.
• Develops long and short-range plans, goals and objectives to meet the demand for services.
• Demonstrates active engagement with the City's leadership team and focuses on developing and maintaining effective relationships with other department directors and leaders.
• Leads planning efforts for the City's special events.
• Collaborates with other City departments and other key partners on behalf of the Parks and Recreation Department.
• Provides staff support to the Parks Advisory Committee.
• Proactively interacts with residents, elected officials, advisory committees and executive management teams providing technical advice, information, and recommendations in support of department and organizational goals and objectives.
• Prepares and delivers presentations at public venues including meetings of the City Council and various associations, groups, and organizations.
• Responds to inquiries and complaints from residents, vendors, contractors, and consultants.
• Plans and directs various department wide programs and initiatives related accreditation through the National Recreation and Parks Association and internal process improvement.
• Prepares and maintains all appropriate records as required by law or as directed by the City Manager and Assistant City Manager.

Qualifications
Minimum

• Bachelor's Degree in a related field required. Five (5) years of leadership experience in parks and recreation or a related field, including at least three (3) years of supervisory experience required.
• Must pass a pre-employment drug screen, work related physical and background check.
• Must possess a valid State of Texas Driver's License.
• Knowledge of practices and principles related to parks maintenance, aquatics, recreation programs and special events.
• Knowledge of management and administration of a parks and recreation department.
• Knowledge of computers and related equipment, hardware and software.
• Knowledge of City policies and procedures.
• Knowledge and skill in effectively managing capital projects.
• Skill in effective oral and written communications.
• Skill in planning and implementing departmental procedures and objectives.
• Skill in effectively supervising and delegating duties to assigned staff.
• Skill in resolving customer complaints and concerns.

Preferred

• Preference for experience with in municipal parks operations and maintenance.
• A state of Texas Registered Landscape Architect designation or Certified Parks and Recreation Professional is preferred.

Supplemental Information
Work is primarily performed in a climate-controlled office environment. Physical demands are sedentary in nature with prolonged sitting. Work may cause fatigue of eyes, fingers, and other facilities because of fairly continuous use of motor senses. Position requires regular and consistent attendance to functions and meetings in other buildings and other sites, and subject to responding to emergencies on an on-call basis. Requires moderate physical effort in carrying/moving 5-10 pounds. Includes walking, standing, reaching, bending, and occasionally driving a vehicle.
View the Director of Parks and Recreation Recruitment Brochure for additional information about the position and the University Park community.
Eligible University Park employee benefits include, but are not limited to:

• Medical, dental and vision insurance
• Life, AD&D and Long-term Disability insurance
• Flexible spending and dependent care accounts
• Retirement benefits
• 457 Deferred Compensation accounts
• Accrued paid vacation and sick leave time
• Paid holidays
• Employee tuition reimbursement
• Higher education learning partnerships for employees and their dependents
• Travel assistance
• Free employee assistance program
• Identity theft protection services