ASSISTANT PARKS & RECREATION DIRECTOR

Town of Mooresville, NC

$90K — $130K *
Hospitality & Recreation
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Recreation, Parks & Recreation Administration, Leisure Studies, Public Administration, or a closely related field
  • 3-5 years of experience in municipal parks and recreation
  • 2 years of supervisory experience
  • Ability to obtain Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP) certification within 3 years
  • Valid North Carolina Driver's License

Responsibilities

  • Oversee daily operations of Recreation, Athletics, and Buildings & Grounds Divisions
  • Manage comprehensive recreation programs and services
  • Coordinate communication between programming and maintenance staff
  • Direct planning and evaluation of community recreation programs
  • Evaluate community needs to develop and improve services
  • Supervise maintenance of parks and public facilities
  • Develop and administer division budgets and grant applications

Benefits

  • Health care, dental, and vision insurance
  • Retirement and deferred compensation plans
  • Flexible spending accounts
  • Life insurance and long-term disability
  • Paid holidays, vacation, and sick leave
Full Job Description
Salary : $90,500.00 - $130,000.00 Annually
Location : Mooresville, NC
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number:
Department: RECREATION ADMINISTRATION
Opening Date: 07/08/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
FLSA: Exempt

Distinguishing Features of the Class
About the Role

The Assistant Parks & Recreation Director provides strategic leadership and daily operational oversight for the Recreation, Athletics, and Buildings & Grounds Divisions of the Parks & Recreation Department. This position is responsible for managing staff, overseeing recreational programming and park maintenance operations, developing budgets, administering grants, and supporting the Department's mission of providing high-quality parks, facilities, programs, and services to the community.
The Assistant Parks & Recreation Director works collaboratively with Town departments, community organizations, schools, and residents to ensure the effective delivery of services and long-term planning for the department. This position also serves as the Director of Parks & Recreation in the Director's absence. Work requires strong leadership, strategic planning, financial management, and public engagement skills. Work is performed under the general supervision of the Director of Parks & Recreation.
Duties and Responsibilites
• Oversee the daily operations of the Recreation, Athletics, and Buildings & Grounds Divisions
• Manage and administer a comprehensive system of recreation programs, athletics, parks, facilities, and maintenance services
• Coordinate communication and collaboration between programming and maintenance staff to ensure efficient service delivery
• Direct the planning, implementation, supervision, and evaluation of youth and adult recreation programs, athletics, camps, after-school programs, cultural arts, special events, and other community offerings
• Evaluate program performance and community needs to develop new programs and improve existing services
• Oversee the department website to ensure program information is accurate, current, and accessible
• Supervise the maintenance of parks, athletic facilities, cemeteries, landscapes, Town buildings, and other public facilities
• Assist in developing preventive maintenance plans and capital asset replacement schedules
• Ensure parks and facilities are safe, well-maintained, and ready for public use through routine inspections and ongoing maintenance programs
• Develop, prepare, justify, and administer division budgets while monitoring expenditures and achieving revenue goals
• Recommend fees for recreation programs based on cost recovery objectives
• Research, prepare, and administer grant applications to support departmental initiatives and capital projects
• Recruit, hire, supervise, train, mentor, and evaluate full-time, part-time, seasonal, and intermittent staff
• Establish performance expectations, provide coaching, and promote employee development and accountability
• Assist staff in resolving operational issues, customer concerns, and employee relations matters
• Develop, update, and implement departmental policies, procedures, and operational standards
• Build and maintain positive relationships with residents, community organizations, schools, elected officials, and Town departments
• Represent the Parks & Recreation Department through community meetings, committees, public events, and other outreach opportunities
• Respond to public inquiries regarding programs, facilities, services, and departmental operations
• Coordinate schedules, maintain departmental records, and prepare operational reports and statistics
• Communicate departmental plans, policies, and procedures to staff and the public
• Operate a Town vehicle in the performance of assigned duties
• Serve as Director of Parks & Recreation in the Director's absence
• Perform other related duties as assigned

Minimum Education and Experience
• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Recreation, Parks & Recreation Administration, Leisure Studies, Public Administration, or a closely related field
• Three (3) to five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in municipal parks and recreation, including recreation programming and parks maintenance management
• At least two (2) years of supervisory experience

OR
• An equivalent combination of education and experience

Special Requirements
• Possession of or ability to obtain a Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP) certification within three (3) years of hire
• Possession of a valid North Carolina Driver's License
We offer a complete benefits package to full-time employees including health care, dental, vision, retirement, deferred compensation plans, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, long-term disability, holidays, vacation, and sick leave.

Part-time employees who work an average of 30 hours per week over the course of a year, receive benefits on a pro-rated basis.

To learn more details, click the following link.

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