Come help shape how Hopkinton plays, connects, and comes together.
Some jobs are easy to explain. This one isn't, because Parks & Recreation is everywhere.
It's the field that needs to be ready for Saturday morning. The program a child talks about all week. The summer employee getting their first experience in the workforce. The Town Common lit up for the holidays. A summer day at the beach. The community event that brings hundreds of people together. It's parks and playgrounds, programs and facilities, partnerships and planning and plenty of things that weren't on today's schedule.
The Town of Hopkinton is looking for a Parks & Recreation Director who is excited to lead all of it.
Anticipated Hiring Range: $85,488 - $102,585.60 annually, depending on qualifications
Full Position Range: $85,488 - $119,683.20 annually
Competitive Benefits and Leave Package
Our next Director will lead a busy municipal Parks & Recreation Department serving people throughout the community through programs, athletics, events, parks, playgrounds, and recreational facilities. The Director leads full-time and seasonal employees and works closely with the Parks & Recreation Commission, Town departments, schools, community organizations, residents, coaches, families, and other partners.
On any given day, you might be working with staff on a new program, talking through a facility issue with DPW, preparing for a Commission meeting, reviewing the budget, meeting with a community partner or solving the unexpected problem that arrived five minutes ago.
You'll lead people, manage resources, build partnerships, and think about what Hopkinton needs today and what it will need next.
Who we're looking for
Someone who can lead and develop a team, build trust, listen to different perspectives, make thoughtful decisions, and keep things moving when priorities compete.
Someone who enjoys working with the public and can move comfortably between the big picture and the details, setting priorities, managing a budget, supporting employees, overseeing programs and facilities, working with a Commission, and, occasionally, putting on sensible shoes and going out to look at a field.
You'll understand the operational side of parks and recreation - facilities, fields, public spaces, seasonal operations, safety, and the details that keep everything running. Experience overseeing waterfront or aquatic operations is especially welcome, with experience in natural waterfront settings such as lakes or ponds particularly valuable.
We're looking for sound judgment, creativity, initiative, collaboration, and a genuine enthusiasm for public service.
Because great Parks & Recreation departments don't simply offer activities. They help create community.
What you'll bring
- Education & Experience: Bachelor's degree with major coursework in recreation administration, public administration, business administration, or a related field and three to five years of progressively responsible municipal or state experience managing a significant parks and recreation department - or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Preferred Education: Master's degree preferred.
- License: Valid driver's license required.
- Certifications: Red Cross CPR and First Aid certifications required or must be obtained within one year of hire. MRPA and/or NRPA certification preferred.
If you're an experienced Parks & Recreation professional who likes leading people, solving problems, building relationships, trying new things, and seeing the results of your work throughout the community, we'd like to hear from you.
Internal and External Applicants: To be considered for first priority review, please submit a completed Application for Employment, cover letter, and resume by 4:00 PM, Thursday, September 24th. This position will remain open until filled.
