Salary : $111,867.00 - $184,581.00 Annually
Location : Palm Bay, FL
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 2801
Department: Recreation
Opening Date: 08/13/2026
FLSA: Exempt
Bargaining Unit: General Employee

MINIMUM TRAINING & EXPERIENCE
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The following education and experience will be accepted:

• Bachelor's degree in recreation administration or a closely related field, plus a minimum of six (6) years of experience in professional parks and recreation work; OR
• Associate degree in recreation administration or a closely related field, plus a minimum of ten (8) years of experience in professional parks and recreation work.

Outstanding interpersonal, written and verbal communications skills are required. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite required. Must possess a valid Florida Driver's License and have and maintain an acceptable driving record.

Minimum of five (5) years of responsible supervisory experience over personnel, finances, programming, partnerships, and special events.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Certification with the National Recreation and Park Association (or Florida Recreation and Park Association) as a certified Parks and Recreation Professional is highly desirable.
EMERGENCY DECLARATION STATUS

Essential Employees may be required to work during an undeclared emergency and/or declared emergency. On an incident by incident basis, the employee's Department Head will make the determination as to who will be required to work.
GENERAL STATEMENT OF JOB
Under limited supervision, consistent with the strategic priorities of the City, performs planning, organization, development, administrative, and supervisory work in the direction of the City's recreation programs, including programming and special events. Work involves administering a comprehensive recreation program for the entire City within budgetary limitations, including the operation of all recreation properties assigned to the Department. The employee is responsible for supervising professional, technical, and clerical staff; for developing and implementing department goals and objectives, policies and procedures; and for administering the departmental budget and grant funds. Considerable independent judgment and initiative are required in performing assigned duties. Tact and courtesy are required in contact with City Officials, department heads, and the public. Reports to the City Manager, or designee.

SPECIFIC DUTIES & RESPONSIBLITIES
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
Supervises and directs the activities of professional, technical, and clerical staff, processing employee concerns, directing work, counseling, disciplining, and completing employee performance appraisals; directs the selection and employment of personnel; receives, reviews, and acts on plans and procedures developed by departmental staff; holds staff meetings to outline objectives and discuss various phases of the recreation programs; evaluates and oversees the coordination of training programs.
Performs strategic planning to develop measurable objectives and goals to advance the City's strategic plan, Council policy direction, and City Management assigned priorities.
Advances the City's vision of providing diverse cultural and recreational amenities for all by providing detailed, fact-based analysis of existing programs and special events, implementing new and innovative programs and special events, leveraging partnerships to expand recreational programming and events, to advance Palm Bay as a vibrant and livable community.
Analyzes departmental programs, facilities, and services as a measure of evaluation to ensure continued effectiveness in meeting parks and recreation needs and interests of the public.
Supervises procedures to answer grievances from the public or employees; acts as a liaison between the department and other City departments and the public.
Plans and directs the recreation program within budgetary limitations and in consideration of requests, displayed interests, and full utilization of available facilities.
Develops, establishes, and implements departmental goals and objectives and policies and procedures; reviews activity reports to determine progress and status in attaining department goals and objectives; develops and implements necessary changes.
Develop short and long-range plans for recreation programs and facilities according to anticipated City growth, future interest, and expanded parks and recreation needs.
Review departmental operations, identify solutions to address operational gaps, develop strategic plans, coordinate activities, provide technical expertise, and provide staff direction.
Directs the preparation and administration of the department's budget and monitors the revenues and expenditures of the adopted budget.
Researches, coordinates, and prepares grant proposals for available government funding for various programs and projects administered by the department; administers grant funds, ensure preparation and timely submission of required reports; maintains files of grant sources and supporting data.
Responsible for providing high-quality, responsive customer service to both internal and external customers of the department. Expected to promote interdepartmental collaboration, build employee morale, maintain a harmonious working relationship with employees and the general public, and foster a workplace culture of integrity.
Develop and implement strategies to modernize department operations and technology to enhance end user experience.
Oversees and monitors the department's KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) to ensure targets are achieved.
Monitors internal controls for fraud, errors, and omissions within the department.
May perform other duties as assigned.
ADDITIONAL JOB FUNCTIONS
Serves as the technical advisor for the Recreation department.
Attends meetings of department heads, various supervisory and advisory boards, agencies, and community groups to present department programs and receive feedback about same; may serve as a member of various professional or advisory boards, attending meetings and participating in activities, as appropriate.

Must be available to attend City-sponsored events on evenings and weekends, as required.
Performs other related work as required.
This job description is not intended to be and should not be construed as an all-inclusive list of all the responsibilities, skills or working conditions associated with the position. While it is intended to accurately reflect the position activities and requirements, Management reserves the right to modify, add or remove duties and assign other duties as necessary that are a logical assignment to the position.
This position is a Department Director and is covered under Personnel Policies and Administrative Code.

Health Insurance: Health care plan options include HDHP, OAPIN and OAP through Cigna.

Dental Insurance: Dental coverage is offered in three plans that include DHMO & PPO High/Low plans.

Vision Insurance: Vision coverage includes an annual eye exam, frames and lenses or contact lenses in lieu of eyeglasses.

Life Insurance: The City of Palm Bay provides each employee with life insurance in the amount of two times their annual base salary at no cost. Additional coverage is available at the employee's cost up to the Guaranteed Issue amount of $250,000.

Dependent/Spouse Life Insurance: The City of Palm Bay provides each employee with dependent/spouse life insurance in the amount of $5,000 per dependent at no cost. Additional coverage is available at the employee's cost.

Short Term Disability: Coverage pays 66 2/3% of employee's annual base salary during a short-term disability period not to exceed 26 weeks.

Long Term Disability: Coverage pays 66 2/3% of employee's salary at time of disability after a 180 consecutive day waiting period.

Executive Defined Contribution Retirement Plan: City contributes a base of 3.75%. Employees may contribute up to 9.75% and the City will match the employee's contribution up to 6%.

Holidays: 11 holidays and 1 birthday holiday and 1 floating holiday.

Paid Leave: You accrue 96 hours of vacation and sick leave per year. Accrued vacation hours increase after 10 years of service. Administrative leave - 80 hours per year.
01

Do you have a valid driver's license and have maintain an acceptable, safe driving record?

• Yes
• N0

02

What is the highest level of education that you have completed?

• Did not complete High School
• High School Diploma or G.E.D
• Associate Degree in recreation administration or a closely related field
• Bachelor's Degree in recreation administration or a closely related field
• Master's Degree or higher in recreation administration or a closely related field
• Degree in another field

03

How many years of experience do you have in professional park and recreation work?

• Less than 6 years
• 6 to 7 years
• 8 to 10 years
• More than 10 years

04

How many years of responsible supervisory experience over personnel, finances, programming, partnerships and special events do you have?

• Less than 5 years
• 5 to 6 years
• 6 to 7 years
• 7 to 8 years
• More than 8 years

05

Which best describes your level of proficiency with the Microsoft Office Suite?

• None
• Beginner
• Intermediate
• Advanced

06

Do you have outstanding interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills?

• Yes
• No

07

Do you have a certification with the National Recreation and Park Association (or Florida and Park Association) as a certified Parks and Recreation Professional?

• Yes
• No

Required Question