• Parks and Recreation Director

    Town of Gilbert (Gilbert, AZ)


    Parks and Recreation Director

     

    Print (https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/gilbert/jobs/newprint/5082864)

     

    Apply

     

    

     

    Parks and Recreation Director

     

    Salary

     

    $147,754.00 - $221,631.00 Annually

     

    Location

    AZ 85296, AZ

    Job Type

     

    Full Time

     

    Job Number

     

    26-0065

     

    Department

    PARKS & RECREATION

    Division

    PR ADMINISTRATION

    Opening Date

     

    09/18/2025

     

    Closing Date

     

    Continuous

     

    + Description

    + Benefits

    + Questions

     

    We Are Seeking

     

    Team Gilbert is seeking a Parks & Recreation Director to lead our Parks & Recreation department, consisting of 120 full time and over 250 part-time and seasonal employees providing first-class aquatics, recreation, parks, special events, and sports programs. The team has earned national recognition for innovation in parks and recreation programming, with multiple state and national awards and accolades for community engagement and facility excellence. Gilbert Parks & Recreation is proud to have been named a 2025 NRPA Gold Medal Finalist, while maintaining its CAPRA accreditation. Reporting to an Assistant Town Manager and guided by the Parks & Recreation Master Plan, the Director establishes a vision for parks and recreation services and oversees a $1.3 billion, 10-year parks capital improvement program.

     

    Our ideal candidate is an inspiring and genuine leader who can provide a strong vision to meet strong community demand for parks and recreation services. They will be a strong communicator who can motivate others through a common vision, build partnerships, and execute a vision for the future. They will do all of this while creating an engaging, supportive environment for our current and future team members to grow, develop, and flourish.

     

    Read the full job description here (https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/gilbert/classspecs/newprint/965559) .

     

    View the recruitment brochure slideshow in a new tab here (https://www.canva.com/design/DAGyDIKSy6c/G6Xv3FPd-bdEYg5nUBho8w/view?utm\_content=DAGyDIKSy6c&utm\_campaign=designshare&utm\_medium=link2&utm\_source=uniquelinks&utlId=hd7dc331afd) .

    Proposed Recruiting Timeline:

    + Posting Opens: 9/19/25

    + Candidate First Review: 10/12/25

    + One Way Virtual Video Invitations Sent: 10/16/25

    + Virtual Video Submission Deadline: 10/20

    + In-Person Interview Invites Sent: 10/27

    + In-Person Interviews: 11/12, with possible follow-up the morning of 11/13

    + Anticipated New Hire Start Date: 12/8/25

     

    Note: this timeline is subject to change, and is intended to aid in planning. If candidates have conflicts, please contact the HR team.

     

    About You

     

    You are a forward-thinking problem solver who is mission-driven and passionate about serving your local community, creating exceptional recreational experiences, and developing the workforce of tomorrow. You are a strong servant leader capable of unifying and motivating a skilled workforce, working collaboratively across the organization by being a strategic partner, and putting Gilbert in a position for long-term success. You understand the vital role parks and recreation plays in building healthy, connected communities and are excited to steward significant capital investments while maintaining operational excellence. You must not only embody our core values of being driven, kind, bold, and humble but also meet the following qualifications:

    Minimum Qualifications:

    Bachelor's degree in Parks & Recreation, Public Administration, or related field; Master's degree preferred.

     

    10+ years of progressively responsible leadership experience in a public agency, including a minimum of 5 years of management within a dynamic parks and recreation operation.

     

    Any equivalent combination of experience and training that provides the knowledge and abilities necessary to perform the work.

    Preferred Certifications:

    Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP)

     

    Why Team Gilbert?

     

    Gilbert, AZ is one of the fastest-growing communities in the United States. With a population of nearly 293,000 people, Gilbert has been named the Most Prosperous City in the Country, Best Place to Live, Work and Play, and Arizona's Most Admired Companies to Work For. Our Parks & Recreation system is a crown jewel of our community, featuring award-winning facilities, innovative programming, and a commitment to excellence that has earned national recognition, including our recent designation as a 2025 NRPA Gold Medal Finalist and maintained CAPRA accreditation.

     

    Our mission is to be the City of the Future, and we are committed to innovation and excellence in all that we do. Join us in shaping the next chapter of Gilbert's recreational legacy through our ambitious $1.3 billion, 10-year capital improvement program that will transform how our community plays, connects, and thrives.

     

    We Are Here to Help!

     

    Gilbert is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. If any reasonable accommodation is needed while participating in the application and interviewing process, please contact our People Team (Human Resources) at 480-503-6823. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation.

     

    Gilbert provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

     

    Gilbert offers a comprehensive benefits package for qualifying positions that includes medical and dental insurance, life insurance, disability, pension, tuition reimbursement, parental leave, babies at work, and more! Click Here (https://www.gilbertaz.gov/home/showdocument?id=42978&t=637793142009536761) to see a list of our benefit offerings at-a-glance, or visit our website to see our full employee benefits guide (https://www.gilbertaz.gov/departments/human-resources/benefits) .

     

    01

     

    In the questions that follow, you will be asked for information about your work history. In answers to questions asking you to describe your work experience, if you do not have that type of experience, enter "N/A". Answers provided in this supplemental questionnaire must be substantiated and verifiable in the employment history section of your application. Be aware that submitting a resume in lieu of completing the employment history section of the application and failing to provide all of the information requested in these supplemental questions will disqualify you from further consideration, so be thorough in answering the questions. Please indicate whether or not you accept these terms by checking the appropriate response below.

     

    + Yes

    + No

     

    02

     

    Do you have a Bachelor's degree?

     

    + Yes

    + No

     

    03

     

    If you answered "Yes", please detail the degree. If you answered "No", please enter "N/A".

     

    04

     

    Do you have a Master's Degree?

     

    + Yes

    + No

     

    05

     

    If you answered yes, please list your degree area and institution.

     

    06

     

    Do you have 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in parks and recreation or related public service field?

     

    + Yes

    + No

     

    07

     

    If you answered yes to the prior question, please describe your most recent/most senior role. Highlight aspects such as team size, total budget managed, and notable leadership responsibilities. If you answered no, please write N/A.

     

    08

     

    Do you have a minimum of 5+ years of management experience within a dynamic parks and recreation operation?

     

    + Yes

    + No

     

    09

     

    If you answered yes, please describe your experience and highlight the scope of your role and outline the structure and services offered within your P&R department, along with what you had direct oversight or involvement in. If you answered no, please write N/A.

     

    10

     

    Describe your experience managing large capital improvement projects or programs. Please include project values, timeline management, stakeholder coordination, and any specific challenges you successfully navigated.

     

    11

     

    Which certifications do you possess?

     

    + CPRP - Certified Park and Recreation Professional

    + CPRE - Certified Park and Recreation Executive

    + AFO - Aquatic Facility Operator

    + Certified Autism Specialist (CAS)

    + Other

    + None

     

    12

     

    Why do you feel you would be the ideal candidate for the Parks & Recreation Director role at the Town of Gilbert?

     

    13

     

    The follow question is strictly confidential and will not be made part of your application for employment. Preference Status per Arizona Revised Statute 38-492 (select all that apply):

     

    + Veteran

    + Disabled Veteran

    + Veteran's Spouse/Surviving Spouse

    + Disabled Person

    + None of the Above

    Required Question

    Employer

     

    Town of Gilbert

    Address

    50 E. Civic Center Drive Gilbert, Arizona, 85296

     

    Phone

     

    (480) 503-6823

     

    Website

     

    https://gilbertaz.gov/jobs

     

    Apply

     

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