Recreation Superintendent Jobs
Recreation Superintendent jobs are open across municipal parks and recreation departments, county governments, resort and hospitality operations, and nonprofit community centers, at every level from entry-level coordinator to senior superintendent and director, with specializations in facility management, aquatics, and youth programming. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 6+ Recreation Superintendent jobs
(Regular, Exempt)
Starting Salary Range: $89,091.99 - $111,376.07/annualized, DOQ
Closing Date: December 4, 2026
Shift/Workdays and Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00AM - 5:00PM (Generally), weekends and evenings as needed
How to Apply: Using the “apply” button on this page, please complete the required online application, upload a resume and a list of three professional references with full contact information. For general questions about the position, contact Unique Hiram at (785) 587-2447 or hr@cityofmhk.com.
Summary/Objective
Oversees the responsibility of the Recreation Division to provide and create high quality recreational, cultural, educational, and leisure opportunities to benefit and enhance the lives of all citizens in this community. Assures quality programming for all segments of the community by directing the planning, organization, training, and implementation of each activity, while being responsible for all budgetary implications including achieving all cost recovery targets.
Essential Functions
Oversees Recreation Division programming and operations through planning, organizing, directing, implementing, evaluating, and providing overall support of staff functions.
- Analyzes program growth and needs and works with the Director of Parks and Recreation to develop long term strategy through program master plans to meet these needs.
- Monitors all program progress, conducts and secures program evaluations, proposes procedure changes, develops special event formats, makes public presentations to community groups to promotes the department and encourages support of programs, promotes project interest, solicits contributions, and requests sponsorships for a wide variety of programs.
- Oversees the municipal Recreation and Aquatics programming of the community from preschool through Active Adults, while staying within pre-established programmatic budget guidelines. This is accomplished through personnel screening for quality staff, coordinating program publicity, review of program content with Recreation Administrative staff, developing program and staff evaluations and recommending budgetary and capital improvement expenditures.
- Recommends, monitors, and implements cost recovery targets for programs, events, and the Division as a whole.
- Provides supervision and oversight of applicable staff.
- Hires and trains staff members, as needed.
- Provides supervision and oversight of applicable staff.
- Coordinates schedules of applicable staff.
- Administers City of Manhattan Policies and Procedures in a consistent manner.
- Ensures employees supervised demonstrate productivity, competence, and high morale, as well as utilize employees’ skills and abilities.
- Conducts performance planning and evaluations for employees in a timely manner, to include development of goals, objectives, and deadlines.
- Resolves routine personnel issues or problems.
- Leads and manages staff with clear and consistent communications.
- Develops an annual assessment of programs with recommended fees as set forth by City Ordinance.
- Develops in-house training seminars, workshops, and clinics to aid the staff in communication skills, emergency first aid, and the mechanics and techniques of officiating.
- Organizes and implements special events and state tournaments by utilizing staffing resources, community volunteers, merchant donation/sponsorships, and service organizations.
Develops and maintains effective working relationships with other City staff, representatives from community agencies and organizations, program/facility patrons and the public, utilizing a variety of communication tools and resources.
- Sits on several boards and committees and acts as Parks/Recreation Department contact and/or liaison to several local organizations to provide support and technical assistance on related projects and initiatives.
- Speaks in front of large groups.
Manages fiscal resources through effective budgeting, reviews of purchasing and allocation of expenditures, and long-range planning for capital improvements.
- Assists in formulation of an annual departmental budget by developing the Recreation Division Capital Improvement Program facility and programmatic recommendations, based on a five-year program master plan, evaluation procedures, public acceptance.
- Financial accountability and expansion needs identified through long-range planning.
- Directs the procurement of equipment and facilities by actively taking part in the acquisition of bid letting of contracts and developing vendor agreements.
- Researches and assigns grant writing to appropriate Recreation staff.
Compiles data from program and facility operations, analyzes program needs and prioritization, prepares reports and makes recommendations for action plans.
- Anticipates future program and facility growth needs through Recreation Administrative staff comments, evaluations, surveys, and public input.
- Prepares detailed analysis and evaluation of Recreation and Aquatics program results through after-action reports and cost-effective reports.
- Analyzes and incorporates the safety factor into all programs by developing written regulations and guidelines to be followed by the Recreation Specialist/Aquatics and each Recreation Supervisor, and in turn seasonal Recreation employees, for employee and participant protection.
- Special projects are directed to and reported on by the Director of Recreation, such as vendor contracts and agreements, feasibility studies, committee results, specification writing, writing of entertainment contracts for performers, developing division goals and submitting division accomplishments.
Required Education and Experience
- Bachelor’s Degree in Recreation Administration or a closely related field from an accredited college or university.
- Ten (10) years of experience, or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that provides the required knowledge, skill, and ability.
Preferred Education and Experience
- Previous experience in directing or leading a division or work group.
- Certified Parks & Recreation Professional CPRP.
Compensation & Benefits
- Boot, Clothing and Vehicle Allowances, if applicable.
- City issued Cell Phone, if applicable.
- Retirement/Pension - City employees are required by statute to contribute to the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System (KPERS). Voluntary retirement contributions are offered with Nationwide, Mission Square, and Empower KPERS 457.
- Medical, Dental, Vision - The City offers an excellent benefits package that includes wellness, medical, vision, dental, and prescription drug benefits.
- Paid Holidays – 10.5 paid holidays per year plus one additional floating holiday.
- Paid Vacation - 12 to 26 days per year based on years of service.
- Paid Sick Leave - 12 days per year.
- Paid Parental Leave - up to 6 weeks of paid leave.
- Education Reimbursement, Professional Development. Certifications/Licensure - The City will reimburse up to $8,000 per calendar year for tuition and fees. Professional Development funds are based on department budget. Certification/licensure may be reimbursed by the City.
- Other Benefits - Long-term disability, employer paid group life insurance, basic life insurance, employee assistance program and an array of voluntary benefit options.
The City of Manhattan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value diversity and believe the best workplaces bring together employees with diverse skill sets, backgrounds, experiences, and viewpoints to achieve common goals. Applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status, or any basis protected by law.
(Regular, Exempt)
Starting Salary Range: $89,091.99 - $111,376.07/annualized, DOQ
Closing Date: December 4, 2026
Shift/Workdays and Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00AM - 5:00PM (Generally), weekends and evenings as needed
How to Apply: Using the “apply” button on this page, please complete the required online application, upload a resume and a list of three professional references with full contact information. For general questions about the position, contact Unique Hiram at (785) 587-2447 or hr@cityofmhk.com.
Summary/Objective
Oversees the responsibility of the Recreation Division to provide and create high quality recreational, cultural, educational, and leisure opportunities to benefit and enhance the lives of all citizens in this community. Assures quality programming for all segments of the community by directing the planning, organization, training, and implementation of each activity, while being responsible for all budgetary implications including achieving all cost recovery targets.
Essential Functions
Oversees Recreation Division programming and operations through planning, organizing, directing, implementing, evaluating, and providing overall support of staff functions.
- Analyzes program growth and needs and works with the Director of Parks and Recreation to develop long term strategy through program master plans to meet these needs.
- Monitors all program progress, conducts and secures program evaluations, proposes procedure changes, develops special event formats, makes public presentations to community groups to promotes the department and encourages support of programs, promotes project interest, solicits contributions, and requests sponsorships for a wide variety of programs.
- Oversees the municipal Recreation and Aquatics programming of the community from preschool through Active Adults, while staying within pre-established programmatic budget guidelines. This is accomplished through personnel screening for quality staff, coordinating program publicity, review of program content with Recreation Administrative staff, developing program and staff evaluations and recommending budgetary and capital improvement expenditures.
- Recommends, monitors, and implements cost recovery targets for programs, events, and the Division as a whole.
- Provides supervision and oversight of applicable staff.
- Hires and trains staff members, as needed.
- Provides supervision and oversight of applicable staff.
- Coordinates schedules of applicable staff.
- Administers City of Manhattan Policies and Procedures in a consistent manner.
- Ensures employees supervised demonstrate productivity, competence, and high morale, as well as utilize employees’ skills and abilities.
- Conducts performance planning and evaluations for employees in a timely manner, to include development of goals, objectives, and deadlines.
- Resolves routine personnel issues or problems.
- Leads and manages staff with clear and consistent communications.
- Develops an annual assessment of programs with recommended fees as set forth by City Ordinance.
- Develops in-house training seminars, workshops, and clinics to aid the staff in communication skills, emergency first aid, and the mechanics and techniques of officiating.
- Organizes and implements special events and state tournaments by utilizing staffing resources, community volunteers, merchant donation/sponsorships, and service organizations.
Develops and maintains effective working relationships with other City staff, representatives from community agencies and organizations, program/facility patrons and the public, utilizing a variety of communication tools and resources.
- Sits on several boards and committees and acts as Parks/Recreation Department contact and/or liaison to several local organizations to provide support and technical assistance on related projects and initiatives.
- Speaks in front of large groups.
Manages fiscal resources through effective budgeting, reviews of purchasing and allocation of expenditures, and long-range planning for capital improvements.
- Assists in formulation of an annual departmental budget by developing the Recreation Division Capital Improvement Program facility and programmatic recommendations, based on a five-year program master plan, evaluation procedures, public acceptance.
- Financial accountability and expansion needs identified through long-range planning.
- Directs the procurement of equipment and facilities by actively taking part in the acquisition of bid letting of contracts and developing vendor agreements.
- Researches and assigns grant writing to appropriate Recreation staff.
Compiles data from program and facility operations, analyzes program needs and prioritization, prepares reports and makes recommendations for action plans.
- Anticipates future program and facility growth needs through Recreation Administrative staff comments, evaluations, surveys, and public input.
- Prepares detailed analysis and evaluation of Recreation and Aquatics program results through after-action reports and cost-effective reports.
- Analyzes and incorporates the safety factor into all programs by developing written regulations and guidelines to be followed by the Recreation Specialist/Aquatics and each Recreation Supervisor, and in turn seasonal Recreation employees, for employee and participant protection.
- Special projects are directed to and reported on by the Director of Recreation, such as vendor contracts and agreements, feasibility studies, committee results, specification writing, writing of entertainment contracts for performers, developing division goals and submitting division accomplishments.
Required Education and Experience
- Bachelor’s Degree in Recreation Administration or a closely related field from an accredited college or university.
- Ten (10) years of experience, or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that provides the required knowledge, skill, and ability.
Preferred Education and Experience
- Previous experience in directing or leading a division or work group.
- Certified Parks & Recreation Professional CPRP.
Compensation & Benefits
- Boot, Clothing and Vehicle Allowances, if applicable.
- City issued Cell Phone, if applicable.
- Retirement/Pension - City employees are required by statute to contribute to the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System (KPERS). Voluntary retirement contributions are offered with Nationwide, Mission Square, and Empower KPERS 457.
- Medical, Dental, Vision - The City offers an excellent benefits package that includes wellness, medical, vision, dental, and prescription drug benefits.
- Paid Holidays – 10.5 paid holidays per year plus one additional floating holiday.
- Paid Vacation - 12 to 26 days per year based on years of service.
- Paid Sick Leave - 12 days per year.
- Paid Parental Leave - up to 6 weeks of paid leave.
- Education Reimbursement, Professional Development. Certifications/Licensure - The City will reimburse up to $8,000 per calendar year for tuition and fees. Professional Development funds are based on department budget. Certification/licensure may be reimbursed by the City.
- Other Benefits - Long-term disability, employer paid group life insurance, basic life insurance, employee assistance program and an array of voluntary benefit options.
The City of Manhattan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value diversity and believe the best workplaces bring together employees with diverse skill sets, backgrounds, experiences, and viewpoints to achieve common goals. Applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status, or any basis protected by law.
Recreation Superintendent Jobs by Experience Level
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Find JobsRecreation Superintendent Job Market
Who's Hiring
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in recreation superintendent jobs.
- Bachelor's degree in recreation management, parks administration, or a closely related field
- Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP) credential or eligibility to obtain it
- Minimum three to five years of progressively responsible parks and recreation leadership experience
- Demonstrated experience managing staff, volunteers, and seasonal employees across multiple facilities
- Experience developing, implementing, and evaluating community recreation programs and budgets
- Working knowledge of facility maintenance standards, safety regulations, and ADA compliance requirements
Tips for Your Recreation Superintendent Job Search
Tailor your resume to CAPRA standards
Many parks and recreation employers prioritize Commission for Accreditation of Parks and Recreation Agencies alignment. Highlight any experience supporting accreditation processes, documentation systems, or policy compliance so hiring committees can see that fit immediately.
Lead with your CPRP certification prominently
Certified Park and Recreation Professional credentials carry real weight in this field. Put your CPRP or state equivalent in your resume header or directly below your name so it's visible before a hiring manager reads a single bullet point.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists recreation superintendent openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Target postings by department budget scope
Recreation superintendent roles vary enormously by budget responsibility. When you search, filter or scan postings for mentions of annual operating budgets or FTE counts so you're applying to roles that match your actual management experience, not just your job title.
Prepare a programming portfolio before interviews
Bring documented examples of seasonal programs you built, participant enrollment numbers you grew, or community partnerships you secured. Hiring panels for this role ask for concrete programming evidence, not just management philosophy.
Negotiate start dates around fiscal cycles
Municipal recreation departments typically operate on fiscal year budgets. If you're evaluating an offer, ask when the new fiscal year begins, since starting before that date often gives you full access to programming funds and hiring authority from day one.
Recreation Superintendent Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most recreation superintendents?
City of Clarksville, Bergen County, NJ, and Hunter Contracting are hiring the most recreation superintendents right now, with openings concentrated in Tennessee, Texas, and Arizona, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Municipal parks and recreation departments at the city and county level make up the largest share of active postings.
How do you become a recreation superintendent?
Start with a bachelor's degree in recreation management, parks administration, kinesiology, or public administration. Build field experience through entry-level recreation coordinator or program specialist roles, ideally gaining exposure to budget management and staff supervision. Earning your CPRP credential strengthens your candidacy significantly. Most employers expect candidates to have supervised staff and managed seasonal programs before stepping into a superintendent role.
Can I get a recreation superintendent job with little or no experience?
Direct superintendent appointments with no experience are rare, but you can build toward the role faster than most candidates expect. Volunteer coordination, internship supervision, or seasonal program leadership at a parks department counts as relevant experience. Emphasize any budget responsibility, even at a small scale, and document participant outcomes from programs you ran. Some smaller municipal departments promote internally from recreation coordinator positions within two to three years.
What does the recreation superintendent interview process look like?
Most recreation superintendent searches involve a structured panel interview with a committee that typically includes HR, a parks and recreation director, and sometimes a community member or elected official. Expect scenario-based questions about budget cuts, community conflict, and staff performance. Many employers also ask candidates to present a short programming or strategic vision exercise. A second interview or site tour is common before a final offer is extended.
Where can I find and apply to recreation superintendent jobs?
You can find and apply to recreation superintendent jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from parks departments, county governments, resorts, and nonprofit organizations across the United States. Find roles that match your experience and apply directly to each listing from the same place.
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Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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