Director of Parks and Recreation Jobs
Director of Parks and Recreation jobs are open across municipal governments, county agencies, nonprofit recreation organizations, and special districts, at every level from assistant director to deputy and senior director, with specializations in facility management, youth programming, and community development. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 61+ Director of Parks and Recreation jobs
Summary
Definition: Assists the Parks Construction Crew in maintaining and repairing park infrastructure throughout the City of Denton.
Essential Functions and Other Important Duties
Essential Functions:
- Under general supervision, proficiently operates one or more types of light to medium sized motorized construction/maintenance equipment, e.g. warehouse/interior forklift, bobcat, backhoe, compressor, riding-compactor, water truck, dump truck, and large interstate tractors with batwing, flail, and boom mower attachments.
- Operates larger motorized equipment as needed.
- Performs public service functions during storms and inclement weather such as ice and high water call outs.
- Performs various skilled duties using hand tools, power tools, and small equipment.
- Performs pre-inspection and post-inspection of all equipment and trucks before and after use; performs minor maintenance activities and cleaning of equipment, and reports problems to supervisor.
- Inspects equipment and park structures for safety compliance.
- Performs custodial and other related duties such as litter control on grounds during special events.
- Responds to after hour call outs.
- Reads and understands reference books and manuals and current industry operational practices
- Maintains regular and punctual on-site attendance
- Performs other duties as assigned.
- Responsible for assisting in setting up, working, and tearing down special events.
- Performs dirt work and setting grade by using transits.
- Performs various construction related tasks including but not limited to painting, welding, carpentry, plumbing, etc.
Job Requirements
Minimum Qualifications / Acceptable Equivalency:
- High school diploma or GED equivalent
- Three years of experience in operation and maintenance of light equipment and other grounds maintenance equipment; with two of the three years’ experience in a construction related occupation.
- Class A CDL or ability to obtain one within one (1) year of employment
- Any combination of related education, experience, certifications and licenses that will result in a candidate successfully performing the essential functions of the job
- Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing
- Ability to form and maintain effective relationships with co-workers and customers
- Ability to work in all kinds of weather
- Ability to read and understand reference books and complicated procedures such as blueprints and equipment operation manuals
- Skilled in the operation of a backhoe, skid steer loader, and dump truck
- Bilingual in Spanish and English
- Possess a Texas Department of Agriculture Non-Commercial Applicators License or an industry approved equivalent.
- Texas Class A CDL
- Must possess a valid Class “A” CDL driver’s license with air brake endorsements OR must possess a valid Class C driver license with a good driving record and the ability to obtain a Class A CDL with Tank Vehicle endorsement within one (1) year of employment.
- Must pass a drug test, driver’s license check, criminal history background check, and social security number verification check
- Must pass a physical examination
- Must be able to work Monday through Friday from 7:00 am to 3:30 pm
- Must be able to work overtime when requested
- Must have or be able to maintain a Texas Department of Agriculture Non-Commercial Applicators License within 18 months of employment or an industry approved equivalent.
- Requires lifting up to 100 lbs.
Environmental Factors and Conditions/Physical Requirements
Overall Strength Demands: The italicized word describes the overall strength demands of the functions performed by the incumbent during a typical workday.
- Sedentary – lifting no more than 10 pounds
- Light – lifting no more than 20 pounds; carry up to 10 pounds
- Medium – lifting no more than 50 pounds, carry up to 25 pounds
- Very Heavy – lifting more than 100 pounds, carry more than 50 pounds
Physical Demand Codes: The following describes if the incumbent is expected to exert the following physical demands during a typical workday and the overall frequency.
Codes for “how often”:
Y = Yes
N = No
E = extensive (100-70%)
M = moderate (60-30%)
I = infrequent (20-10%)
A = almost never (<10%)
Task Code:
1. Standing: E
2. Sitting: E
3. Walking: E
4. Lifting: E
5. Carrying: E
6. Pushing/Pulling: M
7. Overhead Work: E
8. Fine Dexterity: E
9. Kneeling: E
10. Crouching: E
11. Crawling: I
12. Bending: E
13. Twisting: E
14. Climbing: M
15. Balancing: M
16. Vision: E
17. Hearing: E
18. Talking: E
19. Video Display: I
20. Other:
Machines, Tools, Equipment and Work Aids:
The essential functions of this position require the use of light to medium sized motorized equipment such as dump truck, backhoe, front-end loader, skid steer loader, etc.
Environmental Factors:
The essential functions of this position are performed outside during all months of the year with exposure to extreme heat, cold and air.
The City of Denton is an equal opportunity employer. It is the policy of the City of Denton to prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type and to afford equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to any protected class, status, characteristic, or activity. All employment decisions, including decisions regarding recruitment, selection, hiring, compensation, benefits, training, advancement, discipline, discharge, and other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment are made without regard to any lawfully protected class, status, characteristic, or activity.
E-Verify:
The City of Denton participates in the federal E-Verify program in order to verify a new employee's authorization to work in the United States. Applicants must be lawfully authorized to work in the U.S.
Summary
Definition: Assists the Parks Construction Crew in maintaining and repairing park infrastructure throughout the City of Denton.
Essential Functions and Other Important Duties
Essential Functions:
- Under general supervision, proficiently operates one or more types of light to medium sized motorized construction/maintenance equipment, e.g. warehouse/interior forklift, bobcat, backhoe, compressor, riding-compactor, water truck, dump truck, and large interstate tractors with batwing, flail, and boom mower attachments.
- Operates larger motorized equipment as needed.
- Performs public service functions during storms and inclement weather such as ice and high water call outs.
- Performs various skilled duties using hand tools, power tools, and small equipment.
- Performs pre-inspection and post-inspection of all equipment and trucks before and after use; performs minor maintenance activities and cleaning of equipment, and reports problems to supervisor.
- Inspects equipment and park structures for safety compliance.
- Performs custodial and other related duties such as litter control on grounds during special events.
- Responds to after hour call outs.
- Reads and understands reference books and manuals and current industry operational practices
- Maintains regular and punctual on-site attendance
- Performs other duties as assigned.
- Responsible for assisting in setting up, working, and tearing down special events.
- Performs dirt work and setting grade by using transits.
- Performs various construction related tasks including but not limited to painting, welding, carpentry, plumbing, etc.
Job Requirements
Minimum Qualifications / Acceptable Equivalency:
- High school diploma or GED equivalent
- Three years of experience in operation and maintenance of light equipment and other grounds maintenance equipment; with two of the three years’ experience in a construction related occupation.
- Class A CDL or ability to obtain one within one (1) year of employment
- Any combination of related education, experience, certifications and licenses that will result in a candidate successfully performing the essential functions of the job
- Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing
- Ability to form and maintain effective relationships with co-workers and customers
- Ability to work in all kinds of weather
- Ability to read and understand reference books and complicated procedures such as blueprints and equipment operation manuals
- Skilled in the operation of a backhoe, skid steer loader, and dump truck
- Bilingual in Spanish and English
- Possess a Texas Department of Agriculture Non-Commercial Applicators License or an industry approved equivalent.
- Texas Class A CDL
- Must possess a valid Class “A” CDL driver’s license with air brake endorsements OR must possess a valid Class C driver license with a good driving record and the ability to obtain a Class A CDL with Tank Vehicle endorsement within one (1) year of employment.
- Must pass a drug test, driver’s license check, criminal history background check, and social security number verification check
- Must pass a physical examination
- Must be able to work Monday through Friday from 7:00 am to 3:30 pm
- Must be able to work overtime when requested
- Must have or be able to maintain a Texas Department of Agriculture Non-Commercial Applicators License within 18 months of employment or an industry approved equivalent.
- Requires lifting up to 100 lbs.
Environmental Factors and Conditions/Physical Requirements
Overall Strength Demands: The italicized word describes the overall strength demands of the functions performed by the incumbent during a typical workday.
- Sedentary – lifting no more than 10 pounds
- Light – lifting no more than 20 pounds; carry up to 10 pounds
- Medium – lifting no more than 50 pounds, carry up to 25 pounds
- Very Heavy – lifting more than 100 pounds, carry more than 50 pounds
Physical Demand Codes: The following describes if the incumbent is expected to exert the following physical demands during a typical workday and the overall frequency.
Codes for “how often”:
Y = Yes
N = No
E = extensive (100-70%)
M = moderate (60-30%)
I = infrequent (20-10%)
A = almost never (<10%)
Task Code:
1. Standing: E
2. Sitting: E
3. Walking: E
4. Lifting: E
5. Carrying: E
6. Pushing/Pulling: M
7. Overhead Work: E
8. Fine Dexterity: E
9. Kneeling: E
10. Crouching: E
11. Crawling: I
12. Bending: E
13. Twisting: E
14. Climbing: M
15. Balancing: M
16. Vision: E
17. Hearing: E
18. Talking: E
19. Video Display: I
20. Other:
Machines, Tools, Equipment and Work Aids:
The essential functions of this position require the use of light to medium sized motorized equipment such as dump truck, backhoe, front-end loader, skid steer loader, etc.
Environmental Factors:
The essential functions of this position are performed outside during all months of the year with exposure to extreme heat, cold and air.
The City of Denton is an equal opportunity employer. It is the policy of the City of Denton to prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type and to afford equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to any protected class, status, characteristic, or activity. All employment decisions, including decisions regarding recruitment, selection, hiring, compensation, benefits, training, advancement, discipline, discharge, and other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment are made without regard to any lawfully protected class, status, characteristic, or activity.
E-Verify:
The City of Denton participates in the federal E-Verify program in order to verify a new employee's authorization to work in the United States. Applicants must be lawfully authorized to work in the U.S.
See All 61 Director of Parks and Recreation Jobs
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Find JobsDirector of Parks and Recreation Job Market
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Construction & Real Estate
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in director of parks and recreation jobs.
- Bachelor's degree in parks administration, recreation management, or a related field
- Minimum five to seven years of progressively responsible parks or recreation leadership experience
- Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP) credential preferred or required
- Demonstrated experience managing public budgets, capital projects, and municipal procurement
- Proficiency in GIS software, asset management systems, and recreation management platforms
- Strong public presentation skills for city council, board, and community meetings
Tips for Your Director of Parks and Recreation Job Search
Tailor your resume to civic outcomes
Hiring panels for director of parks and recreation roles want to see budget figures managed, programs launched, and community participation numbers grown. Rewrite your bullets around those outcomes, not just job duties, and make capital improvement projects visible.
Target the right government jurisdiction
Municipal, county, and special district parks departments each have different hiring authorities and timelines. Filter your search by jurisdiction type so you're not applying to roles where the salary band or reporting structure won't match your experience level.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists director of parks and recreation openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Highlight your CPRP or CPRE credential
Many competitive applicants hold a Certified Park and Recreation Professional or Certified Park and Recreation Executive designation. If you're credentialed, put it prominently on your resume and in your cover letter, as panels often use it as an initial filter.
Prepare a community engagement portfolio
Interview panels consistently ask for examples of public meetings facilitated, resident feedback incorporated, and equity-focused programming delivered. Bring concrete examples of two or three initiatives where your leadership changed how a community used a space or service.
Negotiate start date around budget cycles
Municipal parks departments often start their fiscal year on July 1, so roles posted in spring may expect a summer start. If your current notice period creates a conflict, raise it early in negotiations rather than after an offer is extended.
Director of Parks and Recreation Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most director of parks and recreations?
The most active employers for director of parks and recreations right now are City of Denton, Spicer, and City of Austin, and the most openings are in Texas, Arizona, and Missouri, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. County and municipal governments consistently account for the largest share of active postings for this role.
How many director of parks and recreation jobs are remote?
About 25% of director of parks and recreation openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting the hands-on nature of overseeing facilities, staff, and community programs. The sub-areas most likely to offer partial remote flexibility include policy planning, grant writing, and administrative functions within larger departments.
How do you become a director of parks and recreation?
Most directors of parks and recreation start with a degree in recreation management, public administration, or a related field, then build experience as a recreation coordinator, program supervisor, or assistant director over several years. Earning a CPRP credential strengthens your candidacy significantly. Moving into a director role typically requires demonstrating budget authority, staff supervision, and capital project experience in a previous management position.
Can you get hired as a director of parks and recreation with limited leadership experience?
Getting hired at the director level with limited formal leadership experience is difficult, but interim or acting director assignments within your current department can bridge the gap. Some smaller municipalities and special districts hire candidates from adjacent fields like nonprofit program management or urban planning if the applicant demonstrates strong community engagement and budget skills alongside a credible professional development path.
What does the director of parks and recreation interview process look like?
The interview process for a director of parks and recreation role typically involves an initial screening call with HR, followed by a panel interview with department heads, city or county officials, and sometimes community representatives. Finalists are often asked to deliver a presentation on a parks challenge or strategic vision. Reference checks and a background review are standard before an offer is extended.
Where can I find and apply to director of parks and recreation jobs?
You can find and apply to director of parks and recreation jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States. Find roles that match your experience and location, then apply directly to each listing from the job page.
See All 61 Director of Parks and Recreation Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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