Parks and Recreation Director
Sports Events & Tourism Association, Mcminnville, OR, United States
Position Summary
The City of McMinnville is seeking an experienced and visionary Parks & Recreation Director to help lead the future of parks, recreation, and community facilities in one of Oregon’s most vibrant and growing communities.
The Position This position plans, directs, oversees, and administers the activities, operations, and long range planning of the Parks and Recreation Department, including the Aquatic Center, Senior Center, Community Center, recreation sports programs, and other community wide events and interest groups.
The Director coordinates assigned activities with other City departments and outside agencies and provides leadership and strategic support to the City Manager.
The Parks & Recreation Director reports directly to the City Manager and serves as a member of the City’s executive leadership team.
The Director will also play a key role in guiding the continued development of McMinnville’s parks and recreation system, strengthening community partnerships, and ensuring programs and facilities meet the needs of residents of all ages.
To learn more about where we're going, check out the City’s strategic plan, Mac-Town 2032
Future Recreation & Aquatic Facilities An important area of focus for the next Parks & Recreation Director will be helping guide the future of recreation and aquatic facilities in McMinnville. In 2025, voters considered a $98.5 million recreation and aquatic facilities bond measure that fell just 13 votes short of voter approval, reflecting strong community interest in modernizing recreation amenities and expanding programming opportunities.
The City Council is currently evaluating next steps and potential options for addressing the community’s long-term recreation needs, including improvements to existing facilities, new recreation infrastructure, and possible future funding strategies.
The Director will play a key role in supporting community engagement, long range facility planning, and potential capital project development in partnership with City leadership and community stakeholders.
Given the strong level of community interest demonstrated in the recent vote, the City is continuing to explore options to address recreation and aquatic facility needs that meet the community’s long term goals.
The Ideal Candidate The ideal candidate is a visionary and dynamic professional with a proven track record in local government who can support strategic initiatives, lead high-performing teams, and guide the Parks and Recreation Department into its next phase of growth.
The candidate should be a strong leader capable of guiding diverse teams, building collaborative relationships with community stakeholders, and effectively managing complex budgets, programs, and capital projects.
They should possess excellent communication skills, strong strategic thinking abilities, and a commitment to equitable access to recreational programs and green spaces. An understanding of environmental stewardship, public engagement, and innovative programming is essential to ensure the department meets the evolving needs of the community.
Experience leading or supporting the planning, funding, or delivery of major parks, recreation, or aquatic facility projects is highly desirable.
About our City and Community McMinnville benefits from a supportive Mayor, City Council, City Manager, and professional staff who work collaboratively to advance community priorities. Our Council-Manager form of government ensures we deliver on the City Council’s priorities using best practices in municipal management.
McMinnville is a full service city with approximately 325 employees providing a broad range of public services including police, municipal court, wastewater treatment, street maintenance, engineering and planning, building permitting and inspection, parks and recreation, a library, and a municipal airport.
Nestled in the heart of Oregon’s Willamette Valley, McMinnville is an easy going, forward thinking community of nearly 35,000 residents. The American Planning Association has recognized our historic downtown as one of its prestigious Great Streets in America, and the community is internationally known for world‑class Pinot Noir and other Willamette Valley wines.
McMinnville’s central location places residents within easy reach of the Oregon Coast, the State Capitol in Salem, Portland’s urban amenities, and the slopes of Mt. Hood.
The community offers abundant opportunities for families of all types. Our school district boasts a high school graduation rate of over 90%, and higher education opportunities are available through Chemeketa Community College and Linfield University. Childcare options are available throughout the community, and the City offers a wide range of services for older adults through Yamhill County, NorthWest Senior & Disability Services, and the McMinnville Senior Center. Visit McMinnville is a great resource for learning more about our City.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS Any equivalent combination of education and experience which provide the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the duties as described. A typical way to qualify would be an advanced degree and at least seven (7) years of related experience, including at least three (3) years of supervisory experience. This position also requires:
Knowledge of
Modern principles of park planning and design.
Advanced principles, practices, procedures and methods of municipal management and administration, functions and services organization and financial development.
Advanced principles of high performing organizational management, strategic thinking, innovation and change management.
Advanced principles, practices and procedures of inclusion, equity and accessibility.
Public administration concepts, theories, principles and practices.
Applicable Federal, State and local laws, rules, policies and regulations.
Budgeting and Finance Administration principles, practices and methods.
Project management principles and practices.
Principles, practices, and methods of supervision, training and performance evaluation.
Current social, political and economic trends and operating issues of municipal government.
Program development, evaluation and administration principles and practices.
Research and reporting methods, techniques and procedures.
Principles and practices of leadership, communication, collaboration, motivation, team building and conflict resolution.
Skill and Ability to
Develop, direct and evaluate department operations, programs and initiatives and implement broad strategic goals and objectives.
Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, make decisions based on financial considerations, project impact of proposed actions, implement recommendations, and write reports and present information.
Analyze and interpret administrative, legal, technical and financial information.
Prepare and administer a municipal department budget.
Supervise, train and evaluate staff.
Exemplify traits that reflect the City’s culture, including integrity, a customer service orientation, cultural competency, trustworthiness, flexibility and a willingness to change.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS OR LICENSES
Driver’s license valid in the State of Oregon
#J-18808-Ljbffr
The Position This position plans, directs, oversees, and administers the activities, operations, and long range planning of the Parks and Recreation Department, including the Aquatic Center, Senior Center, Community Center, recreation sports programs, and other community wide events and interest groups.
The Director coordinates assigned activities with other City departments and outside agencies and provides leadership and strategic support to the City Manager.
The Parks & Recreation Director reports directly to the City Manager and serves as a member of the City’s executive leadership team.
The Director will also play a key role in guiding the continued development of McMinnville’s parks and recreation system, strengthening community partnerships, and ensuring programs and facilities meet the needs of residents of all ages.
To learn more about where we're going, check out the City’s strategic plan, Mac-Town 2032
Future Recreation & Aquatic Facilities An important area of focus for the next Parks & Recreation Director will be helping guide the future of recreation and aquatic facilities in McMinnville. In 2025, voters considered a $98.5 million recreation and aquatic facilities bond measure that fell just 13 votes short of voter approval, reflecting strong community interest in modernizing recreation amenities and expanding programming opportunities.
The City Council is currently evaluating next steps and potential options for addressing the community’s long-term recreation needs, including improvements to existing facilities, new recreation infrastructure, and possible future funding strategies.
The Director will play a key role in supporting community engagement, long range facility planning, and potential capital project development in partnership with City leadership and community stakeholders.
Given the strong level of community interest demonstrated in the recent vote, the City is continuing to explore options to address recreation and aquatic facility needs that meet the community’s long term goals.
The Ideal Candidate The ideal candidate is a visionary and dynamic professional with a proven track record in local government who can support strategic initiatives, lead high-performing teams, and guide the Parks and Recreation Department into its next phase of growth.
The candidate should be a strong leader capable of guiding diverse teams, building collaborative relationships with community stakeholders, and effectively managing complex budgets, programs, and capital projects.
They should possess excellent communication skills, strong strategic thinking abilities, and a commitment to equitable access to recreational programs and green spaces. An understanding of environmental stewardship, public engagement, and innovative programming is essential to ensure the department meets the evolving needs of the community.
Experience leading or supporting the planning, funding, or delivery of major parks, recreation, or aquatic facility projects is highly desirable.
About our City and Community McMinnville benefits from a supportive Mayor, City Council, City Manager, and professional staff who work collaboratively to advance community priorities. Our Council-Manager form of government ensures we deliver on the City Council’s priorities using best practices in municipal management.
McMinnville is a full service city with approximately 325 employees providing a broad range of public services including police, municipal court, wastewater treatment, street maintenance, engineering and planning, building permitting and inspection, parks and recreation, a library, and a municipal airport.
Nestled in the heart of Oregon’s Willamette Valley, McMinnville is an easy going, forward thinking community of nearly 35,000 residents. The American Planning Association has recognized our historic downtown as one of its prestigious Great Streets in America, and the community is internationally known for world‑class Pinot Noir and other Willamette Valley wines.
McMinnville’s central location places residents within easy reach of the Oregon Coast, the State Capitol in Salem, Portland’s urban amenities, and the slopes of Mt. Hood.
The community offers abundant opportunities for families of all types. Our school district boasts a high school graduation rate of over 90%, and higher education opportunities are available through Chemeketa Community College and Linfield University. Childcare options are available throughout the community, and the City offers a wide range of services for older adults through Yamhill County, NorthWest Senior & Disability Services, and the McMinnville Senior Center. Visit McMinnville is a great resource for learning more about our City.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS Any equivalent combination of education and experience which provide the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the duties as described. A typical way to qualify would be an advanced degree and at least seven (7) years of related experience, including at least three (3) years of supervisory experience. This position also requires:
Knowledge of
Modern principles of park planning and design.
Advanced principles, practices, procedures and methods of municipal management and administration, functions and services organization and financial development.
Advanced principles of high performing organizational management, strategic thinking, innovation and change management.
Advanced principles, practices and procedures of inclusion, equity and accessibility.
Public administration concepts, theories, principles and practices.
Applicable Federal, State and local laws, rules, policies and regulations.
Budgeting and Finance Administration principles, practices and methods.
Project management principles and practices.
Principles, practices, and methods of supervision, training and performance evaluation.
Current social, political and economic trends and operating issues of municipal government.
Program development, evaluation and administration principles and practices.
Research and reporting methods, techniques and procedures.
Principles and practices of leadership, communication, collaboration, motivation, team building and conflict resolution.
Skill and Ability to
Develop, direct and evaluate department operations, programs and initiatives and implement broad strategic goals and objectives.
Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, make decisions based on financial considerations, project impact of proposed actions, implement recommendations, and write reports and present information.
Analyze and interpret administrative, legal, technical and financial information.
Prepare and administer a municipal department budget.
Supervise, train and evaluate staff.
Exemplify traits that reflect the City’s culture, including integrity, a customer service orientation, cultural competency, trustworthiness, flexibility and a willingness to change.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS OR LICENSES
Driver’s license valid in the State of Oregon
#J-18808-Ljbffr