Parks and Recreation Assistant Director

The Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation supports the Director in the overall administration, operation, and continued development of Delaware County's parks, recreation programs, facilities, and community amenities. This position provides operational leadership for park programming, athletic field permits, special event permits, picnic permits, facility rentals, and Clayton Park Golf Course operations.

The Assistant Director is responsible for supporting high-quality customer service and safe, efficient operations by coordinating with County departments, supervising staff, managing facility and program scheduling, administering permit processes, developing operational procedures, and implementing initiatives that expand and enhance recreational opportunities throughout Delaware County.

As a member of the Parks and Recreation leadership team, the Assistant Director works closely with the Director to identify operational needs, forecast staffing and budget requirements, evaluate facilities and programs, and recommend improvements. The position requires the ability to manage multiple projects and activities occurring simultaneously across various County locations.

The Department of Parks and Recreation operates in a fast-paced environment with programs, events, and facility activities occurring throughout the County. The Department maintains approximately 855 acres across 15 outdoor properties and operates four community buildings. As the Department continues to expand programs and recreational amenities, all team members are expected to support the Department's overall mission, goals, programs, and operations.

• Assist the Director with the overall administration and daily operations of County parks, recreation facilities, community buildings, programs, and recreational amenities.
• Oversee and coordinate daily operations of recreation centers, parks, community programs, facility rentals, athletic field permits, special event permits, picnic permits, and related recreational activities.
• Provide operational oversight and support for Clayton Park Golf Course, including scheduling, customer service, facility coordination, and performance monitoring.
• Supervise, guide, and support assigned staff to ensure effective operations, quality customer service, and adherence to County and departmental policies and procedures.
• Assist the Director with the development and administration of the Department's annual operating budget, including forecasting expenditures, evaluating operational needs, researching purchases, and recommending appropriate allocation of available resources.
• Understand the County's budget and purchasing cycles and provide recommendations that maximize available funding and support departmental priorities.
• Manage facility and program scheduling and develop efficient workflows to ensure permittees, departmental staff, maintenance personnel, Delaware County Park Police, County Facilities, Public Works, and other involved parties receive appropriate information and comply with established policies and procedures.
• Support the development, implementation, and expansion of recreational programming and community opportunities throughout Delaware County.
• Collaborate with community organizations, athletic leagues, Friends of Parks groups, vendors, municipalities, and other partners to support programming and recreational initiatives.
• Monitor program, facility, and golf course performance through participation data, customer feedback, operational metrics, and other available information.
• Evaluate program participation and facility utilization and provide recommendations for improving or expanding use of County parks and recreational facilities.
• Respond to customer concerns, permit issues, facility concerns, and operational matters in a professional and timely manner.
• Identify facility, grounds, technology, and equipment needs and coordinate with the County Facilities Department, Public Works Department, Information Technology, capital project staff, and other County departments as appropriate.
• Assist with planning for facility improvements, maintenance projects, equipment replacement, and other capital or operational needs.
• Develop, maintain, and improve administrative processes, electronic scheduling systems, permit procedures, operational guidelines, and related departmental workflows.
• Support special events and major recreational programs, including coordination of staffing, facilities, logistics, permits, security, and operational requirements.
• Attend Parks and Recreation Board meetings and provide operational updates, recommendations, reports, and information as requested by the Director.
• Assist in preparing information necessary to support timely purchasing decisions, equipment requests, facility improvements, and other departmental needs.
• Represent the Department at meetings, community events, public presentations, and other functions as assigned.
• Assist the Director with implementation of departmental goals, strategic initiatives, policies, and operational priorities.
• Serve as acting Director when designated or in the Director's absence.
• Perform other duties as assigned in support of the Department's mission and operations.

• Bachelor's degree in Recreation Administration, Parks and Recreation Management, Public Administration, Business Administration, or a related field; an equivalent combination of education, training, and relevant experience may be considered.
• Three or more years of progressively responsible experience in parks and recreation, recreation programming, facility operations, public administration, or a related field.
• Prior experience coordinating programs, facilities, events, permits, or operational activities.
• Experience supervising or providing leadership to staff, programs, or projects.
• Valid driver's license and ability to travel between County parks, facilities, and other work locations as required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional certification such as Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP).
• Experience working in municipal, county, or other public-sector parks and recreation operations.
• Experience with recreation management, scheduling, permitting, or facility management software.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of parks and recreation operations, recreation programming, facility management, permitting, scheduling, and operational best practices.
• Knowledge of principles and practices related to public-sector administration, budgeting, purchasing, and resource allocation.
• Strong leadership and supervisory skills with the ability to guide, support, and develop staff.
• Ability to organize and coordinate programs, facilities, events, permits, and operational activities across multiple locations.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, County leadership, community members, partner organizations, vendors, athletic organizations, and the general public.
• Demonstrated commitment to providing professional and responsive customer service to internal and external customers.
• Strong organizational, planning, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to identify operational needs, evaluate alternatives, and recommend practical solutions.
• Ability to assist with budget forecasting, purchasing decisions, and allocation of departmental resources.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, assignments, deadlines, and priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work independently while functioning effectively as part of a collaborative leadership team.
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively with employees, community members, vendors, County departments, boards, and other stakeholders.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, email, internet research, and technology used for scheduling, permits, facility management, recreation programming, and related departmental operations.
• Ability to learn and effectively utilize new software, systems, and technology as operational needs evolve.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to perform the physical activities necessary to oversee parks, recreational facilities, programs, and special events, including regularly walking and standing for extended periods.
• Ability to occasionally bend, stoop, reach, climb stairs, and navigate indoor and outdoor recreational areas and facilities.
• Ability to occasionally lift, carry, push, or move materials, supplies, equipment, or other items weighing up to 30 pounds.
• Ability to travel between County parks, recreation facilities, community buildings, and event locations.
• Ability to perform duties in both indoor and outdoor environments, including exposure to varying weather and environmental conditions.
• Ability to visually inspect facilities, recreational areas, grounds, and equipment and identify operational, maintenance, and safety concerns.
• Ability to use computers, phones, office equipment, and recreation management systems necessary to perform the essential functions of the position.
• This position requires a combination of office-based and active field responsibilities and is not exclusively sedentary.
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Working Conditions:
The Assistant Director works in both office and field environments and regularly travels between County parks, recreation facilities, community buildings, and other locations.
The position may require attendance at community meetings, Parks and Recreation Board meetings, special events, public presentations, and recreational programs outside of normal business hours. Occasional evening and weekend work is required.
The Assistant Director may also be required to respond to urgent facility, program, event, or operational issues outside of normal business hours and must be comfortable working in an environment where multiple activities and priorities may occur simultaneously.