Salary : $160,723.76 - $241,085.64 Annually
Location : Riverdale Regional Park, 9755 Henderson Rd, Brighton, CO
Job Type: Regular Full-time
Job Number: 07721
Department: Parks, Open Space & Cultural Arts
Opening Date: 10/28/2026
Closing Date: 11/29/2026 4:30 PM Mountain
Position classification: Onsite -- Job duties and expectations require employee to be regularly scheduled onsite.
What Success Looks Like In This JobThe Director of Parks, Open Space, and Cultural Arts (POSCA) is responsible for strategic and operational leadership for all activities of the department. The Director is accountable for financial and operational oversight of the department, parks development, administration of the open space program, parks and trail maintenance, parks capital construction, implementation of special events, cultural arts programming, and serving as a liaison to the Riverdale Golf Course management and the Colorado State University Cooperative Extension offices.
The Director builds trust with others through clear communication, consistent practices, and follow-through.
Examples of Duties for Success- Leads the Parks, Open Space, & Cultural Arts team, establishes departmental priorities, assigns responsibilities, and aligns staffing and resources with approved county goals. Develops strong partnerships with the leadership team and elected officials.
- Builds and develops a strong leadership team within the department. Empowers and supports the Deputy Director, managers, and supervisors to strengthen the department's effectiveness. Encourages growth and development of each leader within POSCA. Provides leadership to team members and performs supervisory duties including instructing, assigning, reviewing, and planning the work of others.
- Represents the Parks and Open Space Department to other County departments, elected officials and outside agencies; explains and interprets POSCA programs, policies, and activities; negotiates and resolves sensitive, significant, and controversial issues.
- Develops and maintains parks and open space-related intergovernmental partnerships. Represents the County and maintains strong relationships with regional partners, including cities, school districts, state agencies, and special districts.
- Manages and participates in the development and administration of the department budget; evaluates needs for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; directs the monitoring of and approval of expenditures; implements budgetary adjustments as necessary. Develops and implements performance metrics to improve business and operational efficiency.
- Monitors departmental operations and customer service to ensure quality control; identifies and resolves deficiencies; prepares and presents regular and special staff reports on departmental issues and projects. Balances advocacy for individual department wants/needs with commitment to and support for the best overall outcomes for the County and community.
- Participates on a variety of boards and commissions; attends and participates in professional group meetings; stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of parks management and administration.
- Collaborates with the County Manager's Office and other team members to develop innovative solutions that support and promote a high-performing organization.
- Provides leadership to the operations of the Adams County Fair in coordination with staff and the Adams County Fair Board.
- Provides leadership to the operations of the Adams County Open Space Program in coordination with staff and the Adams County Open Space Advisory Board.
- Provides leadership for open space grant preparation, submittal, project management, and close out of grants.
- Responds to and resolves difficult and sensitive inquiries and complaints.
- Performs other related duties and responsibilities as required.
Supervisory Responsibilities - Exercises direct supervision over the Deputy Director, assigned managers, and staff, including department-wide management responsibility. Establishes performance expectations, oversees staffing and development, evaluates management effectiveness, and maintains accountability for departmental results.
- Selects, trains, motivates and evaluates team members; provides or coordinates staff training; partners with employees to correct deficiencies; implements discipline and termination procedures, as appropriate.
Qualifications for Success- Knowledge of natural resource management, open space programs, parks, recreation, water resources, and related topics.
- Knowledge of the theories, principles, and practices of organizational leadership, management, business analytics, and public administration.
- Skilled in understanding public service to the community and demonstrating a global organizational perspective in decision making processes.
- Skilled in financial management, fiscal stewardship, budgetary preparation and oversight, and operational efficiency.
- Skilled in principles of supervision, training, and performance evaluation.
- Ability to successfully plan, organize, direct, and coordinate the work of supervisory, professional, technical, maintenance, and administrative personnel; delegate authority and responsibility.
- Skilled at developing, implementing, and administering goals, objectives, and procedures for providing effective and efficient parks and open space services.
- Ability to interpret and apply federal, state, and local policies, procedures, laws, and regulations.
- Ability to operate and maintain regional and satellite parks, trails, and open space system.
- Ability to develop and implement a parks capital improvement program, including the design and management of renovation and new construction projects.
- Skilled at communicating clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
- Ability to establish, maintain, and foster positive and harmonious working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
- Support/promote change; demonstrate flexibility and take calculated risks when appropriate.
- Consistent demonstration of high emotional intelligence, tact and diplomacy.
More Qualifications for SuccessExperience: Seven (7) or more years of increasingly responsible parks and open space management or public administration experience, including five (5) years of supervisory and leadership experience.
Education and Training:- Education is equivalent to a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in Business, Public Administration, Natural Resource Management, Parks and Recreation or a related field.
- A master's degree and experience in Natural Resource Management, Parks and Recreation, Economic Development, Public Administration, and/or Project Management is highly desirable.
License or Certificate: Possession of an appropriate, valid Colorado Driver's License.
Background Check: Must pass a criminal background check.
Location: Office located at Riverdale Regional Park, which is approximately five miles south of Brighton, and one mile west of U.S. Highway 85.
Adams County provides a comprehensive benefits package to employees that goes above and beyond what is offered at most organizations.
Benefits You Expect:
- AFLAC Supplemental Medical Insurance
- Basic Term Life & Optional Term Life Insurance
- Deferred Compensation Plan
- Dental/Vision/Medical Plans
- Generous Vacation/Sick leave
- Long-Term Disability
- Retirement Plan
- Short-Term Disability
Plus some you might not expect:
- Employee Assistance Program
- Employee Fitness Center
- Employee Health Clinics
- Flexible Work Schedules
- Recreation Center Discounts
- Training & Tuition Reimbursement Programs
- Wellness programs
- Lactation friendly certified workplace
01
Please be aware that your cover letter and resume will not be accessed in the initial screening process, so you must complete your application and supplemental questions with as much detail as possible. Any personally identifiable information (PII) such as name and address will be redacted from applications that meet the minimum screening requirements and are forwarded to the hiring manager. If the hiring manager selects you to advance in the hiring process, your cover letter and resume will then be accessible to the hiring team. Information provided on the application is used to determine if a candidate meets minimum qualifications. Only information provided at the time of the application being completed will be considered and additional information that is not listed on the application will not be considered when deciding if a candidate meets or does not meet the qualifications. Applicants are STRONGLY encouraged to include all information and details on their application. I understand and agree that only information provided at the time of my application will be used to determine if I meet the minimum requirements for this position.
- Yes, I understand and agree
- Yes, I understand but disagree.
02
Do you possess seven (7) or more years of increasingly responsible parks and open space management or public administration experience?
03
Do you possess five (5) years of supervisory and leadership experience?
04
Please select how you meet the minimum education requirements:
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in Business, Public Administration, Natural Resource Management, Parks and Recreation or a related field.
- master's degree and experience in Natural Resource Management, Parks and Recreation, Economic Development, Public Administration, and/or Project Management.
- None of the above.
05
Do you currently possess or have the ability to obtain an appropriate, valid Colorado Driver's License?
06
Please describe how your professional experience aligns with the key responsibilities and qualifications of the Parks, Open Space & Cultural Arts Director role. In your response, highlight specific leadership roles, project accomplishments, budget or program management experience, and any work involving parks, open space, or community partnerships.
07
Please describe a time when you managed funding constraints or limited resources in a leadership role. How did you prioritize needs, allocate resources, and ensure successful outcomes?
08
Please describe a time when you led a significant change while collaborating with multiple stakeholders. How did you build buy in, address concerns, and guide the team through the transition?
Required Question
