Deputy Director of Parks and Recreation
- The City of Harrisonburg (pop. approximately 56,879). Located in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley and one of the fastest-growing cities in Virginia, Harrisonburg is a thriving, multicultural university city and is home to James Madison University and Eastern Mennonite University. With recognition as the commonwealth's first culinary district, exciting outdoor recreation activities within the city and nearby, a thriving arts community, and being known as "The Friendly City," there is something for everyone to enjoy.
The Parks and Recreation Department is searching for a talented industry professional to join our mission-driven team that is building places people love, programs that strengthen community, and a legacy of service that will last for generations. With approximately 84 FTEs and a current budget of $9.372 million, the Parks and Recreation Department provides services in the following divisions: Recreation, Athletics, Aquatics, Golf, Facilities, Maintenance, and Administration. This is an exempt, full-time position with benefits and an anticipated hiring range of $105,955 - $119,204 annually. Find out more information related to this position and the City by viewing the recruitment brochure.
The candidate selected for this position will report directly to the Director of Parks and Recreation and work closely with team members in the areas of cultural programming, special events, and recreation center operations. Additionally, the role will work with the director on the Capital Improvement Program, assist with the development of the operating budget, and assist with the development of master plans and long-range planning for parks and facilities. As a member of the City's Deputy Leadership Team, the individual will also have the opportunity for interaction and involvement in citywide projects. The successful candidate will have a thorough knowledge of recreation administration and facility operations in a diverse community.
A detailed list of essential functions and the ideal candidate's knowledge, skills, and abilities for this position is available in the class specification. -
Minimum Qualifications
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- Bachelor’s degree with coursework in recreation, park administration, or related field and extensive experience (6+ years) in the administration of recreational programs, personnel leadership, facility operations, special event planning, and marketing/advertising of recreation programs and amenities. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be used to meet this requirement.
- Valid driver's license.
- Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP) or Certified Park and Recreation Executive (CPRE) desired but not required for consideration.
- Click here to view the physical requirements of this position.
The selected candidate for this position will be subject to the following screenings and must receive satisfactory results:- DMV driving record review;
- Credit history review;
- Criminal background investigation.
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Supplemental Information
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Application Requirements: In order to be considered for this position, applicants must submit the following: City of Harrisonburg online application, cover letter attachment, resume attachment, and 3 professional references. All required fields on the online employment application must be completed, including your education history and work experience. Incomplete applications and applications with verification(s) of no prior education and/or work history will not be considered. (posted on 12/03/2025)
Applicants unable to attach documents via the online application should email the missing documentation to [email protected] in order to be further considered.
First Review Date: No Sooner Than Wednesday, January 7, 2025. Candidates will not receive an application status update until after this date. Due to the amount of information requested from candidates, please allow a minimum of 10 business days from the first review date to receive a status update.
The City provides an excellent benefits package including health insurance, retirement (VRS & MissionSquare), life insurance, paid leave and holidays.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, disability or veteran status.
The City of Harrisonburg is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
