https://careercenter.nrpa.org Latest The NRPA Career Center Jobs Mon, 11 May 2026 11:48:59 Z https://careercenter.nrpa.org/jobs/rss/22218154/deputy-director-of-parks-and-recreation-closing-date-5-11-2026-at-11-59-cst https://careercenter.nrpa.org/jobs/rss/22218154/deputy-director-of-parks-and-recreation-closing-date-5-11-2026-at-11-59-cst Saint Paul, Minnesota, Deputy Director Leadership Opportunities Saint Paul Parks and Recreation is hiring two Deputy Directors to strengthen its executive leadership team. These roles support the Director in advancing high-quality services, strong operations, and meaningful community impact across the park system. Deputy Director – Operations and Organizational Services Leads the systems and infrastructure that support service delivery across the department. This role oversees financial management, human resources, and internal operations, while advancing efficient processes, strong workforce practices, and effective coordination of capital projects and partnerships. Here's what you can expect to do: Direct financial oversight of operating, capital, and grant resources Lead human resources strategy, workforce development, and labor relations Strengthen internal systems, processes, and technology to improve efficiency Coordinate capital planning and project implementation with internal and external partners Deputy Director – Community Recreation & Youth Development Leads citywide recreation and youth development programs, with a focus on welcoming, accessible services for all communities. This role oversees recreation centers, youth initiatives, and partnerships, while strengthening program quality, community connections, and long-term sustainability. Here's what you can expect to do: Provide leadership for recreation center operations and youth development initiatives Build and maintain partnerships with schools, community organizations, and public safety Advance equitable access, participation, and community engagement Support program sustainability through earned revenue strategies and service alignment For more information and essential functions, see our  Deputy Director of Parks and Recreation  our job description.  Compensation and Benefits The Deputy Director of Parks and Recreation is part of the Non-Represented City Managers employee group (Employee Group 17). The salary range for this position is  $118,497.60 – $175,968.00 annually , with starting salary dependent on qualifications and experience. In addition to a competitive salary, the City of Saint Paul offers a comprehensive and highly competitive  benefits package   (Download PDF reader)  designed to support your health, financial well-being, and work-life balance: Health & Insurance Benefits Employer-paid 100% of single health insurance premiums and 80% of dependent coverage Employer-paid life insurance equal to 1.5x annual salary Short-term and long-term disability coverage provided by the City  Time Off & Work-Life Balance 17–29 days of paid vacation annually  6 personal leave days each year (cashed out if unused) 11 paid holidays annually Paid parental leave up to 8 weeks (320 hours)  Financial & Retirement Benefits Deferred compensation match up to $2,500 annually Eligibility for additional employer contributions Potential for recognition pay up to 5% of annual salary based on performance Saint Paul Parks and Recreation For over one hundred years, Saint Paul Parks and Recreation has played a vital role in serving residents and visitors across the city. The department was founded on the vision of providing welcoming spaces, accessible programs, and meaningful recreational opportunities for all. Today, Saint Paul Parks and Recreation manages a diverse system of parks, trails, recreation centers, and natural areas that support community well-being and quality of life. The department offers a wide range of programs and services, including youth development, athletics, environmental education, and community events, while caring for the city’s urban forest, parklands, and public spaces. From neighborhood recreation centers to regional destinations like Como Park Zoo and Conservatory, Saint Paul Parks and Recreation is committed to creating safe, vibrant, and inclusive spaces where all people can connect, learn, and thrive. Equity, Inclusion and Belonging:  The City of Saint Paul is dedicated to dismantling systemic racial, cultural, and economic barriers that prevent people from fully enjoying and participating in our community and ensuring fairness in opportunities and outcomes for all individuals. At the City of Saint Paul, we want our workforce to reflect the diverse city that we serve. Our leaders are guided by an unapologetic equity agenda, which promotes the belief that true equity is building a city that works for all of us.   We encourage you to apply as we are most interested in finding the best candidate for this job. How to Apply   Submit a City of Saint Paul online application by the closing date. Upload the following required document(s) via the online application system.  You will not be able to submit your application without the document(s) attached.  (Zip files and web links will not be accepted. Each uploaded attachment is limited to 10MB.)  A resume First time applying online?  Read our   How to Apply Online Guide . Need technical support?  For help with the online application, please call  1-855-524-5627.   Learn more about our Hiring Process   Unclassified Posting:  This is an UNCLASSIFIED position and is therefore not governed by City Civil Service Rules.  Selection Process:  Applicants who meet the criteria and requirements stated on the job posting will be placed on a hiring list for consideration. Hiring Managers may interview/hire anyone from the list. Final Selection Process:  You will be notified if you are invited to participate in the final selection process which may include an interview, job simulation, work sample submission, or other evaluation method. Pre-Employment Screening:  This position requires a background check which may include criminal history, and employment history as a condition of employment. Candidates will be required to submit proof of education to Human Resources upon conditional job offer, if qualifying with education. Human Resources Contact Information:   Michelle LeBow at 651-266-6519 Email:  michelle.lebow@stpaul.gov The City of Saint Paul encourages individuals to apply for positions regardless of criminal history.  Veteran’s Preference : If you are a veteran and would like to receive Veteran’s preference in accordance with MN Statute 197.455, you must submit a photocopy of your DD214 preferably at time of application.  Click here for more information. Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:  The City of Saint Paul is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. Veterans, women, persons of color, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, and individuals with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.   Position Requirements A Bachelor's Degree in Parks and Recreation Administration, Public Administration, Landscape Architecture, Environmental Sciences, or a related field and five (5) years of public administration experience, three (3) of which relate to the field of Parks and Recreation. A combination of education and experience to equal 9 years or more can be used to qualify for the position. The Deputy Director of Parks and Recreation is part of the Non-Represented City Managers employee group (Employee Group 17). The salary range for this position is $118,497.60 – $175,968.00 annually, with starting salary dependent on qualifications and experience. Tue, 21 Apr 2026 10:47:09 -0400 https://careercenter.nrpa.org/jobs/rss/22200443/director-of-parks-and-recreation https://careercenter.nrpa.org/jobs/rss/22200443/director-of-parks-and-recreation Bloomington, Minnesota, The City of Bloomington is looking to hire an inclusive and visionary leader to serve as its next Director of Parks and Recreation. The successful candidate will bring technical skills and knowledge in the areas of parks and facility management. They will also be a collaborative and forward-thinking individual who leads strategic planning, capital investment, community engagement, and operational excellence to ensure the city’s park system promotes health, environmental sustainability, economic vitality, and equitable access to recreation opportunities. The Director reports to the Deputy City Manager for External Services and leads a multidisciplinary department responsible for park planning and development, recreation programming, facility operations, natural resource management, and community partnerships. The Director of Parks and Recreation cultivates a department culture that values collaboration, employee empowerment, leadership development, and innovation to advance the City’s mission. This position is responsible for actively communicating with the Parks, Arts and Recreation Commission, City Council, City management, City department leadership, Parks and Recreation managers and support staff, and seeks out partnerships with local school districts, athletic associations, businesses, service organizations, and other community groups to ensure broadbased community recreation and engagement opportunities. The Director participates as an active member of the City’s Executive Leadership Team and maintains strong, productive and cooperative relationships with other City departments. Please click on this link to view a brochure with more information about this opportunity within The City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department. https://www.bloomingtonmn.gov/sites/default/files/2026-04/Parks_and_Rec_Brochure_2026.pdf   (Download PDF reader) City of Bloomington Values & Expectations Develops, supports, and models a positive and productive workplace culture based on respect, dignity, honesty, and integrity. Allows staff to grow and succeed by providing opportunities for increased responsibility and creating a positive work culture Supports and advances organizational development efforts such as developing a high-performing organization, employee engagement, workforce development, inclusion and equity, and performance measurement efforts Works cooperatively with others; develops and maintains respectful and effective working relationships with diverse coworkers and community members; consistently brings a high level of self-awareness and empathy to all personal interactions Proactively resolves conflicts and misunderstandings in order to ensure a respectful and inclusive workplace Seeks to understand the legacy of structural racism and its impact on employees and the residents we serve; identifies any implications and adverse equity impacts when developing or reviewing policies, projects, activities, and interactions with stakeholders Embraces the City's shared values and contributes towards accomplishing the City's vision and goals by being creative, innovative, continuously learning, and communicating clearly Examples of Duties Strategic Leadership Assist the Department in establishing a Vision that fits with the City's Mission and Values Develop and implement the long-term strategic vision for Bloomington’s parks, trails, and recreation system Lead department planning aligned with comprehensive plan; climate and sustainability initiatives; community health & wellness goals Establish measurable performance metrics and service benchmarks Park System Planning & Capital Development Oversee planning and management of the city’s park system, including parks & open space, trails & greenways, and recreation & cultural facilities Direct development and execution of the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) for park infrastructure Integrate climate resilience, universal design, and ecological stewardship into park development Community Engagement & Equity Ensure park services are accessible, inclusive, and culturally responsive Lead robust community engagement processes in planning and decision-making Expand recreation access for underserved populations, youth, seniors, and people with disabilities Environmental Stewardship Advance sustainable park management practices, including urban forestry, habitat restoration, climate adaptation, and sustainable maintenance practices Promote parks as critical infrastructure for climate resilience and stormwater management Recreation & Cultural Programming Provide oversight for diverse programs, including sports, aquatics, arts & cultural programming, outdoor recreation, and community events Foster innovation in recreation delivery, including technology-enabled programming and partnerships Financial & Enterprise Management Manage departmental operating and capital budgets Oversee enterprise facilities (golf courses, recreation centers, etc.) with strong financial performance Pursue external funding through grants, sponsorships, partnerships, and philanthropic initiatives Workforce Leadership Lead a department workforce that includes professional, maintenance, and seasonal staff Foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, safety, and continuous improvement Develop leadership pipelines and workforce development initiatives Partnerships & Regional Collaboration Collaborate with school districts, nonprofits, regional park systems, arts organizations, and health & wellness partners Strengthen Bloomington’s role within the regional parks and recreation network Governance & Public Communication Advise the Deputy City Managers, City Manager, City Council, and advisory commissions Prepare policy recommendations, presentations, and strategic reports Serve as the public face of the city’s parks and recreation system Additional Knowledge, Skills & Abilities  A team builder who understands the how and why of the programs they are directing A supportive, trusting, transparent leader who is open to new ideas An excellent communicator and reader of people A person of empathy who is a good listener, shows compassion, and creates an inclusive environment that values everyone An approachable leader who creates strong relationships with staff, council and the public while advocating for parks and recreation A commitment to continue to make Bloomington a great place to work A culturally aware and competent leader who embraces diversity Supervision of Others This position supervises others and currently has 5 direct reports, including 2 deputy directors. Minimum Qualifications  Bachelor's degree in parks and recreation, business administration, public administration, health, physical education, or a closely related field At least 6 years of progressively responsible Parks and Recreation experience At least 6 years of supervisory experience At least 1 year of experience being persuasive and influential with a governing board, body, or leadership team and soliciting community engagement At least 1 year of direct experience in the 'business development' side of recreational programming At least 1 year of experience developing and running a multi-purpose community center Desirable Qualifications Master's degree in parks and recreation, business administration, public administration, health, physical education, or a closely related field Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of parks facilities planning, park development, redevelopment, and construction, including the preparation and implementation of capital improvement plans and budgets, retention of appropriate professional consultants, bidding, and construction management Knowledge of the principles of urban planning as they apply to recreation facilities and programs planning, including nationally accepted planning standards for municipal parks and recreation facility needs, application of demographic data, human service needs, transportation, nature conservancy, issues of youth at risk, crime prevention, etc. Anticipated Hiring Range: $164,051 – $177,437 Annually 2026 Full Salary Range: $164,051 – $224,515 Annually Benefits for regular, full-time employees of the City of Bloomington include the following: 10 days paid vacation per year 13 days paid personal leave per year 13 paid holidays per year 12 weeks paid parental leave Employee health and dental insurance Paid employee life insurance Paid employee disability insurance Employer/employee paid pension Deferred compensation Tuition assistance program Health club membership reimbursement Flexible spending account Employee Assistance Program Other optional benefits Great suburban location, on bus line Free employee parking Wed, 15 Apr 2026 09:33:37 -0400