Parks and Recreation Director
City of Stow, Stow, OH, United States
Position Title
Director of Parks & Recreation
Department & Compensation DEPARTMENT:
PARKS & RECREATION PAY GRADE:
13
Supervision SUPERVISION RECEIVED:
Works under the supervision of the Mayor. SUPERVISION EXERCISED:
Exercise administrative discretion over the Recreation Supervisor and other support staff, part‑time, contracted and/or seasonal personnel, either directly or through subordinate supervisors.
Position Classifications The position of Director of Parks & Recreation in the City of Stow is unclassified by the Stow Municipal Civil Service Commission, is Executive Exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act and is not included in a collective bargaining agreement.
Purpose Performs a variety of complex professional and administrative work in planning, developing, scheduling, directing and implementing a year‑round, city‑wide parks and recreation program.
Essential Functions
Plan, coordinate, and direct a diversified year‑round, city‑wide parks and recreation program, including management of facilities, fields, parks, and open spaces.
Manage and supervise assigned operations to achieve goals within available resources; plan and organize workloads and staff assignments; train, motivate and evaluate assigned staff; review progress and direct changes as needed.
Provide leadership in the development of short‑ and long‑range departmental plans; gather, analyze, and interpret data for studies, reports, and recommendations; and coordinate departmental planning efforts with other departments and agencies.
Provide professional advice to supervisors; make presentations to supervisors, boards, commissions, civic groups and the general public.
Communicate official plans, policies and procedures to staff and the general public.
Assure that assigned areas of responsibility are performed within budget; perform cost control activities; monitor revenues and expenditures; prepare annual budget requests; assure efficient use of budgeted funds, personnel, materials, facilities and time.
Oversee departmental operations and workflow, including developing and implementing procedures to improve efficiency, effectiveness, and service delivery.
Plan, develop, and evaluate parks and recreation programs, services, and facilities to meet the evolving needs of the community, including maintaining and implementing a comprehensive Parks and Recreation Master Plan.
Represent the department through public outreach, presentations, and partnerships; serve as a liaison with elected officials, boards, commissions, and community stakeholders.
Prepare and present reports, studies, and recommendations to support decision‑making, strategic planning, and operational improvements.
Coordinate programs and initiatives with other City departments, schools, community organizations, and external partners to maximize resources and community impact.
Perform other duties as assigned or required to support departmental and organizational needs.
Knowledge Of
City and Department goals, objectives, policies, and procedures
Principles and practices of parks and recreation management, including program development, facility operations, and community engagement
Budgeting, financial management, and basic accounting principles
Government structure, operations, and public administration practices
Grant programs, funding sources, and resource development
Public relations, marketing, and community outreach strategies
Applicable safety practices and risk management principles
Personnel administration, employee development, and supervisory practices
Office and records management systems and standard business practices
Skill In
Leadership, supervision, and team development
Organizational planning, program management, and operational coordination
Use of modern office technology and software applications (e.g., Microsoft Office and recreation management systems such as RecDesk)
Effective written and verbal communication, including public presentations
Interpersonal communication and conflict resolution
Operation of a motor vehicle
Ability To
Lead, plan, and manage comprehensive parks and recreation programs and services
Analyze information, evaluate alternatives, and make sound decisions
Interpret and apply policies, procedures, and regulations
Exercise independent judgment and discretion in a public‑sector environment
Communicate effectively with employees, elected officials, community partners, and the general public
Develop and maintain effective working relationships across diverse groups
Respond to and resolve complaints and sensitive inquiries with professionalism
Prepare and present reports, recommendations, and presentations
Manage multiple priorities and adapt to changing organizational needs
Travel to and access various work sites as required
Routinely work evenings, weekends and holidays
Perform light physical tasks, including lifting or moving materials up to 25 pounds
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Parks and Recreation, Public Administration, Physical Education, or a related field.
Minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in parks and recreation, including supervisory or leadership experience.
Demonstrated knowledge of the principles and practices of parks and recreation management, including program development, facility operations, and community engagement.
Strong understanding of community recreation needs, trends, and available resources.
Knowledge of organizational management, including staff supervision, workflow coordination, and operational planning.
Proven ability to plan, develop, implement, and evaluate comprehensive parks and recreation programs and services.
Ability to analyze data, reports, and operational information to support decision‑making.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, public officials, community partners, and the general public.
Preferred Experience in local government or a comparable public‑sector setting.
Physical Demands This position requires frequent sitting, standing, walking and communication. Occasional use of hands to operate office equipment and reach with arms is required. Vision abilities required include close, distance and peripheral vision as well as the ability to adjust focus.
The employee must occasionally lift or move up to 25 pounds.
Work Environment Work is performed in both office and outdoor settings. The position may involve occasional exposure to varying weather conditions, noise levels, and environmental elements associated with parks and recreation facilities and operations.
The City of Stow offers a comprehensive benefits package to all full‑time employees, including major medical hospitalization, dental, vision and life insurance, and optional ancillary insurance and deferred compensation.
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Department & Compensation DEPARTMENT:
PARKS & RECREATION PAY GRADE:
13
Supervision SUPERVISION RECEIVED:
Works under the supervision of the Mayor. SUPERVISION EXERCISED:
Exercise administrative discretion over the Recreation Supervisor and other support staff, part‑time, contracted and/or seasonal personnel, either directly or through subordinate supervisors.
Position Classifications The position of Director of Parks & Recreation in the City of Stow is unclassified by the Stow Municipal Civil Service Commission, is Executive Exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act and is not included in a collective bargaining agreement.
Purpose Performs a variety of complex professional and administrative work in planning, developing, scheduling, directing and implementing a year‑round, city‑wide parks and recreation program.
Essential Functions
Plan, coordinate, and direct a diversified year‑round, city‑wide parks and recreation program, including management of facilities, fields, parks, and open spaces.
Manage and supervise assigned operations to achieve goals within available resources; plan and organize workloads and staff assignments; train, motivate and evaluate assigned staff; review progress and direct changes as needed.
Provide leadership in the development of short‑ and long‑range departmental plans; gather, analyze, and interpret data for studies, reports, and recommendations; and coordinate departmental planning efforts with other departments and agencies.
Provide professional advice to supervisors; make presentations to supervisors, boards, commissions, civic groups and the general public.
Communicate official plans, policies and procedures to staff and the general public.
Assure that assigned areas of responsibility are performed within budget; perform cost control activities; monitor revenues and expenditures; prepare annual budget requests; assure efficient use of budgeted funds, personnel, materials, facilities and time.
Oversee departmental operations and workflow, including developing and implementing procedures to improve efficiency, effectiveness, and service delivery.
Plan, develop, and evaluate parks and recreation programs, services, and facilities to meet the evolving needs of the community, including maintaining and implementing a comprehensive Parks and Recreation Master Plan.
Represent the department through public outreach, presentations, and partnerships; serve as a liaison with elected officials, boards, commissions, and community stakeholders.
Prepare and present reports, studies, and recommendations to support decision‑making, strategic planning, and operational improvements.
Coordinate programs and initiatives with other City departments, schools, community organizations, and external partners to maximize resources and community impact.
Perform other duties as assigned or required to support departmental and organizational needs.
Knowledge Of
City and Department goals, objectives, policies, and procedures
Principles and practices of parks and recreation management, including program development, facility operations, and community engagement
Budgeting, financial management, and basic accounting principles
Government structure, operations, and public administration practices
Grant programs, funding sources, and resource development
Public relations, marketing, and community outreach strategies
Applicable safety practices and risk management principles
Personnel administration, employee development, and supervisory practices
Office and records management systems and standard business practices
Skill In
Leadership, supervision, and team development
Organizational planning, program management, and operational coordination
Use of modern office technology and software applications (e.g., Microsoft Office and recreation management systems such as RecDesk)
Effective written and verbal communication, including public presentations
Interpersonal communication and conflict resolution
Operation of a motor vehicle
Ability To
Lead, plan, and manage comprehensive parks and recreation programs and services
Analyze information, evaluate alternatives, and make sound decisions
Interpret and apply policies, procedures, and regulations
Exercise independent judgment and discretion in a public‑sector environment
Communicate effectively with employees, elected officials, community partners, and the general public
Develop and maintain effective working relationships across diverse groups
Respond to and resolve complaints and sensitive inquiries with professionalism
Prepare and present reports, recommendations, and presentations
Manage multiple priorities and adapt to changing organizational needs
Travel to and access various work sites as required
Routinely work evenings, weekends and holidays
Perform light physical tasks, including lifting or moving materials up to 25 pounds
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Parks and Recreation, Public Administration, Physical Education, or a related field.
Minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in parks and recreation, including supervisory or leadership experience.
Demonstrated knowledge of the principles and practices of parks and recreation management, including program development, facility operations, and community engagement.
Strong understanding of community recreation needs, trends, and available resources.
Knowledge of organizational management, including staff supervision, workflow coordination, and operational planning.
Proven ability to plan, develop, implement, and evaluate comprehensive parks and recreation programs and services.
Ability to analyze data, reports, and operational information to support decision‑making.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, public officials, community partners, and the general public.
Preferred Experience in local government or a comparable public‑sector setting.
Physical Demands This position requires frequent sitting, standing, walking and communication. Occasional use of hands to operate office equipment and reach with arms is required. Vision abilities required include close, distance and peripheral vision as well as the ability to adjust focus.
The employee must occasionally lift or move up to 25 pounds.
Work Environment Work is performed in both office and outdoor settings. The position may involve occasional exposure to varying weather conditions, noise levels, and environmental elements associated with parks and recreation facilities and operations.
The City of Stow offers a comprehensive benefits package to all full‑time employees, including major medical hospitalization, dental, vision and life insurance, and optional ancillary insurance and deferred compensation.
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