Executive Director of Parks, Recreation and Community Services (EM)

City of Santa Ana, CA

$198K — $260K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 10+ years of administrative and management experience in parks and recreation or community services.
  • Demonstrated expertise in strategic planning and program implementation.
  • Strong understanding of budget management and resource allocation.
  • Proven leadership capabilities in managing a diverse team.
  • Excellent communication and community engagement skills.

Responsibilities

  • Oversee the development and management of parks and recreation programs.
  • Develop and implement strategies to enhance community services.
  • Manage financial resources and budget for departmental needs.
  • Collaborate with community stakeholders to promote public services.
  • Lead staff in providing high-quality recreational and cultural programming.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive health insurance plans for employees and dependents.
  • Retirement plans including pension and 457 plans.
  • Generous paid time off including vacation, sick leave, and holidays.
  • Educational assistance for professional development.
  • Employee wellness programs and resources.
Full Job Description
Salary: $198,840.00 - $260,004.00 Annually
Location : City Hall, 20 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana, CA
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number:
Department: Parks, Recreation and Community Services
Opening Date: 08/10/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
Bargaining Unit: EM

Description
The City of Santa Ana invites your interest in the position of:
Executive Director of Parks, Recreation and Community Services
For details about this exciting opportunity, please click on the link below to view the brochure:
Executive Director of Parks, Recreation and Community Services Brochure

Selection Process

Please complete and submit a City application form online with a cover letter and resume attached to be considered for this exciting opportunity. This recruitment is continuous until a sufficient competitive pool of well-qualified applications has been received. A first review will be conducted for applications received by Sunday, September 6, 2026 at 11:59pm. Applications (including resume and cover letter) will be evaluated and the most qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the preliminary oral interviews. Candidates deemed most qualified will be invited to participate in the final interview and selection process.

To apply, click on the green "Apply" link above. New users must create a Governmentjobs.com account first. Click on this link for instructions on how to set up your account and apply for the first time:

For additional information or assistance, please contact James Murray at 714-647-5371 or via e-mail at [email protected].
Please visit the following website to view the summary of comprehensive benefits!

(under EM)
NOTE: A more complete set of specifications for this classification may be found on the City's website or on file in the Human Resources Department. The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision contained in this bulletin may be modified or revoked without notice. The types and levels of employee benefits provided, including City contribution toward benefit costs, are subject to change as a result of periodic contract settlements between recognized employee associations and the City of Santa Ana.
01

All applications must include a resume and cover letter. Do you confirm that you have attached both your resume and cover letter to your application?
  • Yes
  • No

02

How many year(s) of progressively responsible administrative and management experience in recreation, parks, community services and cultural programming experience do you possess?
  • None
  • Less than 4 years
  • At least 4 years, less than 8 years
  • At least 8 years, less than 10 years
  • At least 10 years or more

03

What is the highest level of education that you have completed?
  • Did not graduate high school / did not obtain GED
  • Graduated high school / obtained GED
  • Completed some college-level coursework or obtained Associate degree
  • Obtained Bachelor's degree
  • Obtained Graduate degree

Required Question

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