Salary : $96,590.55 - $149,715.35 Annually
Location : 601 West Third Street, Wendell 27591, NC
Job Type: Full time
Job Number: 2026-PRC-APRD-04
Department: Parks and Recreation
Opening Date: 10/07/2026
Closing Date: 10/23/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
FLSA: Exempt
DescriptionGeneral Statement of WorkThe Assistant Parks and Recreation Director performs complex professional and administrative work planning, directing, and managing the service operations, budgets, and personnel for parks and recreation programs, parks, and facilities; performs related work as required. Supervision is exercised over designated departmental staff. Work is performed under general direction of the Parks and Recreation Director.
This position has been identified as a role that requires a North Carolina SBI criminal history record check based on responsibilities involving work with individuals under 18 years of age. The results of this record check will be used in the hiring decision for this position.
Distinguishing Features of the Class An employee in this class serves as the Assistant Director of recreational, athletic, leisure services, and facilities and grounds maintenance personnel. The employee in this class is the visible presence of the Town's recreation programming services and oversees communications for recreational programs and events through local media, including developing promotional materials and events, participation in meetings, and management of the department's web presence.
Essential Duties and Tasks - Plans, directs, coordinates, and supervises day-to-day operations of parks and recreation programs, services, facilities, and staff; promotes programs, prepares reports, and coordinates work with other departments; assists Director with personnel and public information matters.
- Oversees strategic direction of service areas and ensures program outcomes support long-range departmental goals.
- Assists the Director in the development and refinement of departmental-wide systems, policies, and processes that improve organizational performance and ensure effective compliance operations.
- Provides executive oversight of program managers and supervisors, ensuring accountability for strategic objectives, budget targets, and operational performance. Evaluates community needs and effectiveness of programs by working with Town officials, community groups, and individuals; attends and represents the department at public meetings; identifies and responds to community concerns consistent with established policies.
- Oversees key budget segments with responsibility for budget development, monitoring, and strategic financial recommendations. Supports the Director in developing departmental budget presentations and may present on financial matters relevant to their areas of oversight.
- Serves as project lead on complex and high-impact initiatives requiring cross-departmental coordination, strategic decision-making, and long-term implementation planning.
- Assists the Director in evaluating the adequacy of existing facilities and in the development of strategies to ensure the current and future needs are met.
- Assists the Director in administering and overseeing service contracts and agreements related to the operation of the Parks and Recreation program and facilities.
- Serves as acting Director in the absence of the Parks and Recreation Director.
- Performs other related duties as assigned.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities- Thorough knowledge of recreation administration principles and practices.
- Thorough knowledge of the principles and methods of parks and recreation planning and programming.
- Thorough knowledge of the methods involved in organizing, conducting, promoting, and supervising recreation activities.
- Skill in developing and implementing department-wide systems, processes, and policies that improve operational effectiveness and align with strategic direction.
- Ability to exercise independent judgment and decision-making, particularly when acting in the Director's capacity.
- Knowledge of modern and effective supervisory principles and practices including leadership, motivation, communication, and performance coaching and evaluation.
- Knowledge of the application of information technology to the work.
- Knowledge of municipal budget development, financial analysis, and resource planning, including oversight of significant budget segments and contribution to large-scale resources planning.
- Knowledge of laws and regulations regarding hiring and supervising staff.
- Skilled in collaborative conflict resolution, public speaking, meeting facilitations, and customer service excellence.
- Ability to develop and execute a comprehensive program of recreational activities and facilities.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates and the public.
- Ability to present complex information to Town leadership, public bodies, and community groups, including leading presentations on major initiatives and providing executive-level recommendations.
Desirable Education and ExperienceEducation and ExperienceGraduation from an accredited college or university with a degree in Recreation Administration, Physical Education, or related field; Progressively responsible leadership experience in municipal recreation management, including executive-level experience in budgeting, policy development, program oversight, and staff leadership; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Special Requirements• Valid North Carolina Driver's License.
• Certified Parks and Recreation Professional from the National Parks and Recreation Association preferred, or the ability to acquire within 24 months
of employment.
• CPR and First Aid certifications.
Physical RequirementsWork requires the frequent use of an office computer, cell phone, and other office equipment. The employee may be required to sit for long periods of time with occasional bending or squatting. Employee should be able to perform the basic life operational functions of climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, and repetitive motions. Employee is required to lift or move objects of up to 10 pounds frequently and up to 80 pounds occasionally. Employee must have the visual acuity to perform frequent reading, to prepare and analyze data and figures, for close-up work, and to distinguish color and depth. Employee must use hands for writing or typing and must hear and talk with others, either in person or on the phone. Work requires long periods of concentration for reading and developing plans, making frequent decisions and instructions to staff, communicating with coworkers, and interacting with the public.
Working ConditionsWork is typically performed in an environmentally controlled office environment. Work also requires working in outside environment to assess programming of sporting and recreation events and to evaluate the work of subordinates. Employees in this class are subject to meetings outside the normal 8-hour day environment and may include travel to facilities and working after hours and on weekends without additional compensation. Employees in this class may also be infrequently subject to working in hot or cold environmental temperatures and working with tools and equipment.
FLSA Status: Exempt
DisclaimerThis classification specification has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees to perform the job. The Town of Wendell reserves the right to assign or otherwise modify the duties assigned to this classification.
The Town of Wendell provides a comprehensive benefit package to all active full-time employees, which includes medical, dental, vision, retirement, and a 401(k) with a contribution from the Town that begins on your first day of employment.
Please note that the following is only a summary of Town employee benefits and policies. This document does not constitute a guarantee of benefits.
HEALTHCAREMedical and Pharmacy BenefitsThe Town of Wendell offers medical and pharmacy benefits to all eligible full-time employees at
no cost to employees (employee-only coverage), administered by Meritain throughAetna and CVS Caremark. Additionally, the Town offers an HRA (Health Reimbursement Arrangement) account to employees in the amount of $1,440 to help cover out-of-pocket healthcare expenses.
Dental and VisionDental and Vision plans are offered
at no cost to employees (employee-only coverage) through MetLife.
TeladocTeledoc is a telemedicine and virtual healthcare platform that provides remote access to medical, mental health, and speciality care services and is offered at
no cost to employees.
WELLNESSThe Town of Wendell offers a Lifestyle Balance Account (LBA) in the amount of $2,100 to be used for a variety of wellness and/or personal needs, including child activities (i.e. camps), educational programs, fitness (including classes, fitness equipment, fitness trackers, and more), healthy meal delivery services, meditation/mindfulness programs, med spa services, and many other categories in support of your overall personal wellness.
VOLUNTARY SUPPLEMENTAL BENEFITSEmployees may purchase additional supplemental insurance benefits, with premiums paid 100% by the employees: Voluntary Life and AD&D for employee, spouse, and child(ren), Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, Accident, Critical Illness, and Hospital Indemnity
FINANCIAL BENEFITSRetirementThe Town of Wendell offers retirement benefits through the Local Governmental Employees' Retirement System (LGERS). LGERS is a defined benefit plan (also known as a pension plan), and enrollment is mandatory for employees. Employees are required to contribute 6% of their regular gross wages every pay period.
The Town contributes 14.38% of regular gross wages (16.08% for sworn officers) towards your LGERS plan.
401(k) and/or 457(b)In addition to the generous employer contribution to your LGERS retirement plan, the town also contributes 5% of your gross wages to a 401(k) or 457(b) plan. You may also contribute to these plans through payroll deduction. The 5% is provided to you automatically regardless of whether you make contributions.
Basic Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) BenefitsThe Town offers a life insurance policy along with accidental death & dismemberment benefits in the amount of 1.5X your basic annual earnings up to a maximum of $200,000, at no cost to you.
Longevity PayEmployees are compensated for years of continuous service as of 12/1 of each year (as approved in the annual budget). Payments, if budgeted, are issued on December 1st or the paycheck immediately before.
PAID TIME OFFVacation Leave AccrualFull-time employees of the Town of Wendell earn vacation leave monthly based on the following schedule:
Months of ServiceEmployeesLaw Enforcement Officers0-35
(Less than 3 Years)
8.00 hours per month
8.40 hours per month
36-95
(3-7 Years)
10.00 hours per month
10.50 hours per month
96-179
(8-14 Years)
12.00 hours per month
12.60 hours per month
180-239
(15-19 Years)
14.00 hours per month
14.70 hours per month
240-299
(20-24 Years)
16.00 hours per month
16.80 hours per month
300-359
(25-29 Years)
18.00 hours per month
18.90 hours per month
360+
(30+ Years)
20.00 hours per month
21.00 hours per month
Sick Leave AccrualFull-time employees of the Town earn sick leave monthly based on the following schedule:
EmployeesLaw Enforcement Officers8.00 hours per month
8.40 hours per month
HolidaysThe following days are holidays with full pay for employees of the Town:
New Year's Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving (Thur. & Fri.), Christmas (3 days to coincide with the State of North Carolina)
Law enforcement officers subject to an 84-hour schedule will receive 8.4 hours per holiday preloaded into their accrual balance and may be used at any time (once all comp time is exhausted). Any unused holiday leave remaining after the final pay period of the fiscal year will be converted to vacation leave.
Other Paid Time OffTypeCommunity Service Leave
12 hours of community service leave available per fiscal year
Caregiver Leave (Parental Leave and Elder Care Leave)
Eight (8) weeks of job-protected, continuous paid parental or elder care leave.
Bereavement Leave
Provided for the death of the employee's immediate family, not to exceed 24 consecutive hours for any 2 occurrences in the calendar year
01
Do you currently possess the Certified Parks and Recreation Professional (CPRP) credential, or are you able to obtain it within 24 months of employment?
02
Do you have experience preparing or assisting in the preparation of municipal budgets?
03
Do you have experience developing or assisting in the development of municipal policies or procedures?
04
Do you have experience interpreting or applying municipal policies in a
