Sports & Youth Services Division Chief

Salary: Depends on Qualifications
Location : Activity Center at Bohrer Park, 506 South Frederick Avenue, Gaithersburg, MD
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number:
Department: Parks, Recreation & Culture
Division: Parks, Recreation & Culture Administration (1411)
Opening Date: 10/08/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
FLSA: Exempt

Description
The City of Gaithersburg is seeking an experienced professional to lead and direct the Sports & Youth Services Division. This is a highly responsible leadership position that provides direct management oversight to this multi-functional team which encourages active play through organized sports and promotes positive youth development.

The Sports & Youth Services Division Chief provides vision and direction and is directly responsible for planning, development, execution, and evaluation of all programs, activities, events, and facilities related to sports programs for all ages and abilities; fun, safe, and enriching after-school and weekend activities to benefit youth through recreation, mentoring, leadership, and support; the City's summer camp program for children ages 5 through 14; two youth centers which provide after-school, weekend, and summer activities for middle and high school aged youth; and a skate park facility providing a unique recreational opportunity for in-line skaters, BMX bikes, and skateboarders.

The Division Chief oversees key functions of the Division and its staff and is accountable for ensuring that services and programs within these areas/facilities are well-programmed, safe, welcoming, further the Department's goals and objectives, align with the Department's and City's vision and strategic directions, and consistently meet the highest quality and standards to serve the City's residents, visitors, and community members.
The ideal candidate will be a proven effective communicator with outstanding people skills, as the position requires extensive contact with program participants and their family members, City staff and officials, and the general public. Customer service inside and outside the organization will be a top priority, with special emphasis on the delivery of programs and services to the public. The Division Chief will be an innovative and creative leader who will bring a fresh perspective as well as exceptional leadership and management skills to the position. Good judgment and common sense are essential. We're looking for an individual who will be an excellent day-to-day manager who can keep operations running smoothly and anticipate problems before they develop, while also taking time to consider the future. The successful candidate will excel at bringing out the best in people, recognizing and mentoring talent, and creating an environment of collaboration and partnership.

Starting salary for this position is negotiable within the target hiring range ($100,000 to $106,000) and will be offered at a level consistent with the experience and qualifications of the candidate. The City provides comprehensive insurance benefits (medical, dental, vision, life), paid time off, generous retirement contributions, tools to assist with paying down student loan debt and managing student loans, training and professional growth opportunities, and excellent work/life balance.

Job Functions
What you will do with us:

• Oversee, direct, coordinate, manage, and participate in work related to sports and youth services programs, summer camps, recreational facilities (youth centers and skate park), and other programs, activities, and events.
• Lead and manage day-to-day operations, budgetary preparations, fiscal and performance measure monitoring, work assignments and priorities, projects, and programming.
• Supervise all personnel administration functions.
• Monitor and evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of operational performance including service delivery methods and procedures; identify opportunities for improvement; recommend appropriate services and staffing levels.
• Manage and participate in the development and implementation of short- and long-term goals, objectives, policies, and priorities for assigned programs.
• Engage with community groups and individuals to exchange information regarding interests, needs, and available and future programming.
• Represent the City and the Department in a variety of public settings.
• Provide outstanding service, pursue continuous improvement, and exceed expectations.

Key job responsibilities are highlighted above. Please to view the classification description for the Sports & Youth Services Division Chief position. The classification description indicates the full salary range established for this position to provide opportunity for growth and development (Grade 115 in the City's FY 2027 Schedule of Salary Ranges).

Qualifications
What you will need to be considered:

• A strong background in management and supervision of comparable recreation/leisure services, facilities, programs, and staff and a successful track record in program and service delivery.
• Proven ability to fully engage in day-to-day operations as well as to step outside the box and think about the big picture.
• Multi-faceted organizational abilities to concurrently manage a variety of programs and budgets and to juggle competing priorities.
• Excellent interpersonal, analytical, problem-solving, presentation, and written and verbal communication skills and the ability to effectively collaborate with multiple internal and external stakeholders.
• An understanding of the needs of an ethnically and economically diverse community.
• A proven track record as an innovative leader with the ability to educate, motivate, and develop staff to achieve their highest potential and to encourage creative and innovative approaches and ideas to promote expanded recreational opportunities.

Education/Training and Experience:

• A Bachelor's Degree in Recreation, Leisure Studies, Physical Education, or related field.
• At least 7 years of relevant experience in organized community recreation programs, including at least 4 years in a management or responsible supervisory capacity.
• A valid driver's license and safe driving record.
• CPR/AED and First Aid certification (may be obtained through the City upon hire).
• Certified Parks & Recreation Professional (CPRP) or other relevant professional designation preferred.
• Or any acceptable equivalent combination of education, experience, and training that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to satisfactorily perform job duties.

Additional Information
To be considered, interested applicants must submit:

• A complete online application
• Current Resume (attached to the online application)
• Letter of interest (attached to the online application); your letter of interest should include why you are interested in this position and highlight the special skills and abilities that make you uniquely qualified to serve in this position.

First review of applications will begin by October 23, 2026. The position will remain open until filled; recruitment will close without notice when a sufficient number of qualified applications are identified or all hiring decisions have been made.
This is a full-time salaried "exempt" position requiring a minimum of 40 hours per week (not eligible for overtime compensation under the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and the City's personnel regulations). The position requires working evening and weekend hours to meet program needs, and can accommodate limited remote work (at the discretion of the Department Director). Direct deposit of paychecks is a condition of employment for all City of Gaithersburg employees.
For more information about the position, please contact Director of Parks, Recreation & Culture Carolyn Muller at or 240.805.1633. Questions regarding the online application process may be directed to the Department of Human Resources at or 301.258.6327.
This recruitment will establish an eligibility list which will be used to fill the current vacancy and may be used to fill other openings in this classification which occur in the next 12 months.
The City of Gaithersburg offers its full-time employees a broad range of benefits to enhance their personal and professional lives. Employees are eligible on their first day of employment (unless otherwise specified). We provide employees with competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, and an environment that supports a healthy work/life balance.

HEALTH BENEFITS

• Medical, Dental & Vision Coverage - employer pays 85% of premium in each tier
• Multi-tiered coverage options (single, single + spouse, single + child, single + children, family)
• Retirement Health Savings contribution (for non-participants in medical or dental plans)

Medical Insurance

• CIGNA HealthCare Open Access Plan
• Prescription Drug Plan
• Wellness Initiatives

Dental Insurance

• Sun Life Indemnity Plan
• Use a dentist of choice or participating dentist for increased savings
• Basic or Enhanced Plans offered

Vision Insurance

• National Vision Administrators
• Use a provider of choice or participating provider for increased savings

RETIREMENT SAVINGS PLANS

• Eligible for immediate enrollment in all plans upon hire
• 401A - Employer contribution equivalent to 8% of employee's annual base salary; fully vested after 5 years
• 401K - Employer 3% matching contribution on the first 5% of employee's annual base salary contributed by the employee; fully vested after 5 years
• 401A Supplemental - Additional 5% employer contribution to eligible employees in the Public Works and Police Departments who have physically demanding jobs on a consistent basis; fully vested after 10 years
• 457-deferred compensation plan and Roth IRA (employee contributions only)

PAID LEAVE

• Vacation (12 - 24 days accrued annually; accrual rate based on years of service)
• Sick Leave (13 days accrued annually; unlimited accrual)
• Personal Leave (28 hours granted annually)
• Family Care Leave (up to 8 weeks in rolling 12-month period for eligible employees) to care for newborn/newly adopted/newly placed child or family member
• Holidays (11 holidays observed each year)
• Volunteer Service (12 hours granted annually)
• Jury duty, bereavement leave, military leave (as needed)

ADDITIONAL BENEFITS

• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Tools to assist with paying down student loan debt and managing student loans
• Employer paid Basic Life and AD&D Insurance
• Long-Term Disability & Workers' Compensation Insurance
• Multilingual Stipend ($2,080 per year for eligible employees, paid biweekly)
• Language Learning Program (through Babbel)
• Housing Stipend (Up to $3,600 per year for eligible employees)
• Tuition Assistance (Up to $5,250 per year eligible after 1 year of service)
• Healthy Lifestyle Incentives
• Employee Assistance Program
• First-Time Homebuyer Assistance
• Ongoing Training/Personal Development Programs
• Credit Union
• Recreation & Leisure Opportunities & Discounts
• Direct Deposit (required)

Click on the link below to view general information about the benefits available.

(pdf)
01

Each applicant must complete this supplemental questionnaire as part of the application screening and selection process. The information you provide will be reviewed and may be used to determine your eligibility to move forward in the selection process. Incomplete responses, false statements, omissions, or partial information ("see resume" is not acceptable) may result in disqualification from the selection process. Do you agree to answer each supplemental question truthfully and certify that your responses can be verified from information included within your application?

• Yes
• No

02

Indicate the highest level of education obtained.

• High School Diploma or GED
• Some College (No Degree)
• Associate's Degree
• Bachelor's Degree or Higher
• Other

03

If you have a college degree, indicate the area of study in which it was obtained.

• Parks & Recreation Management/Administration
• Leisure Studies
• Public Administration
• Physical Education
• Education
• Closely Related Field
• Other
• No College Degree

04

If you answered "Closely Related Field" or "Other," please list your field of study.
05

Are you currently a Certified Parks & Recreation Professional (CPRP)?

• Yes
• No
• In Process

06

List any other relevant current professional certifications, licenses, or other credentials that you possess. Include the date completed or attained. If none, please state "None."
07

List any relevant specialized training or college level coursework that you have completed. Include date of completion. If none, please state "None."
08

Do you have at least seven years of professional experience in organized recreation services or recreation programming similar to the activities described in the job posting? (Be sure this experience is reflected on your application.)

• Yes
• No

09

Concisely describe your professional experience creating, implementing, and/or managing/overseeing programming for sports, youth services/youth development, summer camps, or other related services. Include specific examples of programs or activities developed or supervised.
10