Bachelor's degree in parks and recreation, public administration, or related field.
Minimum of five years of professional experience in parks and recreation management.
Certified Parks and Recreation Professional (CPRP) or Executive (CPRE) preferred.
Experience with CAPRA Accreditation is desired.
NIMS/ICS training certificates required for emergency operations.
Responsibilities
Lead division through supervision of personnel and contractors.
Foster employee engagement and departmental culture across the division.
Direct recruitment, onboarding, and professional development for staff.
Manage the division's budget and monitor expenditures.
Drive cost recovery through financial analysis and program evaluation.
Provide strategic leadership for program and service development.
Ensure compliance with contract and vendor performance standards.
Benefits
Comprehensive health and wellness programs.
Retirement plan options with employer contributions.
Paid time off and holiday leave.
Professional development opportunities and training.
Employee recognition programs.
Full Job Description
Salary: $80,707.53 - $104,920.81 Annually Location : Missouri City, TX Job Type: Full Time Job Number: D62-00042 Department: PARKS AND RECREATION Opening Date: 11/13/2026 Closing Date: 12/31/2026 5:00 PM Central
Definition
The City of Missouri City, known as the "Show Me City," is seeking an experienced and highly qualified Assistant Director of Parks & Recreation. This is a full-time (Executive/Senior Level Officials & Managers and Professionals) position in the City's Parks and Recreation Department. An individual in this position will be responsible for managing the activities of the parks & recreation. Reporting relationship: Director of Parks & Recreation. Examples of Work
Leads a respective division through its superintendent and other direct reports; supervises personnel and contractors; conducts performance evaluations; conducts staff meetings; approves timesheets; facilitates work requests; coordinates work schedules and coverage requirements; and provides coaching, corrective action, and discipline as needed in accordance with City policy.
Serves as a steward of employee engagement and departmental culture in the respective division and, in partnership with the other Assistant Director and the Director, across the department. Builds and sustains a culture of accountability, respect, safety, service, and continuous improvement. Models the department's values and holds supervisors responsible for leading by example, communicating clearly, recognizing good work, and addressing performance concerns promptly and fairly.
Leads employee engagement efforts, including regular two-way communication, staff meetings and listening sessions, recognition programs, employee feedback and surveys, team-building, and follow-through on what employees raise. Monitors engagement indicators such as turnover, retention, internal promotion, training participation, and survey results, and reports on them to the Director.
Directs recruitment, selection, onboarding, training, certification, and succession planning for a respective division. Ensures new-hire (30/60/90-day) and bi-annual evaluations are completed on time and consistently, that supervisors are trained to conduct them, and that employees have clear growth paths, required certifications, and opportunities for professional development and association involvement.
Develops, prepares, and administers the respective division's budget and contributes to the annual department budget; prepares budget documents and narrative; assists the Director with budget presentations; monitors expenditures; facilitates budget amendments, transfers, requisitions, and purchase orders; reviews monthly budget reports, credit card statements of direct reports, and park zone fund balances; and ensures purchasing and requisition requirements are met.
Drives cost recovery in the respective division through financial analysis, revenue forecasting, fee and program pricing strategies, rental and sponsorship opportunities, and operational efficiencies; evaluates services, programs, and facilities against cost recovery goals, market demand, and community access priorities.
Provides strategic and operational leadership for the respective division, including program and service development, scheduling, customer experience, performance measurement, and operational standards. Division focus:
Parks & Forestry: park and facility maintenance standards, landscape and right-of-way maintenance, urban forestry, athletic fields, playgrounds, trails, park inspection and audit programs, and asset management.
Recreation: recreation center, athletic complexes, community programming, community and special events, and the customer experience across recreation facilities.
Oversees contract compliance and vendor performance for the respective division, including maintenance and service contracts, concessions, and agreements with non-profit partners, recognized sports associations, and event partners. Works with the Business Administrator and Purchasing on solicitation and contract administration, and verify that deliverables, insurance, and payment requirements are met.
Directs or co-leads, as assigned by the Director, the overall planning function within the department, including creation and oversight of the Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Master Plan, the department's 5-year Strategic Plan, the Annual Business Plan, Capital Improvement Plan, Design Standards, Needs Assessment, ADA Transition Plan, and facility lifecycle planning. Participate in development review, parkland dedication, land acquisition, and grant opportunities that affect the respective division.
Ensures integration of long-term facility planning with cost recovery targets, asset management, and capital reinvestment strategies. Assists with short- and long-range planning and departmental activities, including park design, development, new park construction, renovations, equipment replacement, capital project oversight, and long-term maintenance forecasting. Ensures asset, inspection, work order, and performance data are accurate and are used to guide decisions.
Serves as or supports the department CAPRA Accreditation Manager or Assistant Manager as assigned by the Director; evaluates accreditation needs; identifies, implements, and manages the application of accreditation standards to meet audit requirements; ensures department compliance with standards. Directs, monitors, and advises department personnel regarding maintaining accreditation standards, documentation, and operational alignment. Researches and evaluates department operations and administrative procedures; documents policies and procedures; recommends and implements plans and strategies to streamline operations; assigns work to division personnel pertaining to accreditation chapters; and ensures division policies, SOPs, and the Staff Handbook remain current and are applied consistently.
Ensures safe, accessible facilities and programs in the respective division, including inspection programs, incident reporting, risk management, and compliance with applicable safety, ADA, and industry standards. Collaborate with the other Assistant Director to keep standards, policies, shared resources, and cross-division work consistent, including athletic facilities, special events, facility use, and staff coverage. Coordinates with other City departments, including participation in the Special Event Review Team.
Prepares and presents to councils, boards, commissions, civic groups, and the general public on department activities, cost recovery initiatives, division operations, and long-term planning efforts. Serves as staff liaison to boards and partner organizations as assigned, and responds to residents, elected officials, and the City Manager's Office with timely, accurate information.
Performs the duties of the Parks and Recreation Director in their absence, inability to perform, or vacancy of the position (as designated by the Director) until that condition ceases; assists Director with long-range planning and strategic financial decision-making.
Perform other related duties as needed.
Subject to 24-hour recall.
Education, Experience, or Certification
Bachelor's degree in parks and recreation, public administration, park planning, natural resource management, or a closely related field, from an accredited college or university and a minimum of five (5) years related professional experience required. Certified Parks and Recreation Professional (CPRP), or Executive (CPRE) preferred. Experience with CAPRA Accreditation desired.
Obtains required NIMS/ICS training certificates in support of the City's Emergency Operations Center (EOC), including serving as Logistics Section Chief in shifts 1 and/or 2 along with the Parks and Recreation Director and the other Assistant Director.
Supplemental Information
The Department of Human Resources Organizational Development may consider an equivalent combination of education, training and/or experience.
