Recreation Manager

About the Role

Join our diverse, inclusive, and talented workforce of more than 11,000 team members who are at the heart of what makes Denver, Denver. As stewards of Denver’s legacy park system, the City and County of Denver’s Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) is committed to delivering exceptional customer service and improving the health of our residents and environment. Through innovative programs and the creation of safe, beautiful, and sustainable spaces, DPR manages a dynamic system of 30 recreation centers and nearly 20,000 acres of urban and mountain parkland, including off-street trails, parkways, and natural areas.

DPR recognizes diversity as a strength in the representation of our organization to best serve our customers and community. To that end, DPR is committed to examining department policies and processes that value diverse perspectives, eliminating barriers to inclusion, implementing strategies for equitable outcomes, and transforming policies to institutionalize equity.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily operations for up to four recreation centers, Adventure Hubs, and associated Outdoor Adventure programs.
• Implement policies, operating procedures, and practices aligned with departmental and city-wide strategies, including:
  • DPR’s Mission, Vision, and Values
  • Game Plan for a Healthy City
  • Outdoor Adventure/Alternative Sports plan
  • Parks Legacy Plan
• Create weekly, monthly, and annual work plans that support recreation standards and strategic goals.
• Review, develop, and adjust work plans, priorities, schedules, and staffing levels to ensure efficient and effective service delivery.
• Support contractors, volunteers, collaborators, and community partners to deliver high-quality programs.
• Inspect and approve contract work to ensure compliance with specifications.
• Participate in planning efforts including Denver Bond projects, CIP projects, and recreation maintenance initiatives.
• Direct, coach, and mentor recreation supervisors and staff across recreation centers, Adventure Hubs, and Outdoor Adventure programs.
• Ensure staff understand and implement customer service expectations and departmental performance standards.
• Lead staff development initiatives, including training, succession planning, and continuous improvement practices.
• Develop goals, document performance, conduct evaluations, and issue recognition for exceptional performance.
• Provide guidance on complex or unusual assignments and promote teamwork, communication, and innovation.
• Conduct hiring interviews and select candidates for vacancies.
• Review disciplinary actions and respond to formal/informal grievances.
• Represent the department and its initiatives with a strong focus on delivering exceptional customer service.
• Mediate conflicts, resolve issues, and determine appropriate solutions during daily operations.
• Coordinate projects with other city agencies, external partners, and community groups.
• Cultivate community engagement opportunities, events, and communication efforts to expand program reach and participation.
• Handle sensitive public relations issues and maintain positive relationships with community members, vendors, collaborators, and elected officials.
• Oversee My Outdoor Colorado coalition efforts and Great Outdoors Colorado grant management (contract and fiscal oversight).
• Collaborate with internal DPR teams to implement the Outdoor Adventure/Alternative Sports vision plan and support Adventure Hub operations.
• Optimize team performance and achieve KPIs, departmental goals, and strategic objectives.
• Champion innovation, creative problem-solving, and new opportunities to enhance resident and customer experiences.
• Manage operating costs and ensure all budgets remain within approved limits.
• Allocate funds and resources effectively to complete assigned work programs.
• Provide oversight of checkbook reconciliation and monthly expense reporting.
• Maintain compliance with fiscal accountability rules and deadlines.
• Assist with facility inspections, equipment inventory, and management of recreation equipment, vehicle fleets, and capital assets.
• Perform additional tasks as assigned in support of Recreation Division priorities and departmental needs.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Parks and Recreation Management, Business Administration, or another related field.
• Three (3) years of experience at the type and level of functional or operational management, which must have included management of professional individual contributors.
• One (1) year of the appropriate type and level of experience may be substituted for each required year of post-high school education. Additional appropriate education may be substituted for the minimum experience requirements.
• Valid Driver’s License at the time of application.
• Certification in CPR and First Aid at the time of application or by the completion of probation.

Skills

• Experience implementing best management practices, procedures, and techniques.
• Experience in outdoor recreation programming and risk management.
• Experience managing grants.
• Experience overseeing recreation equipment, vehicle fleets, and recreation and aquatic facilities in a medium to large municipal system.
• Experience managing capital equipment, building operations, and the ability to learn DPR recreation standards.
• Experience with capital planning, design, and building operation plans.
• Skill in using data analysis to develop return-on-investment operational plans.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience with systems such as ActiveNet, Jaggaer, Salesforce, Qualtrics, Microsoft applications, and Workday.
• Demonstrated expertise in accounts payable, purchase requisitions, and budget management, preferably within local government.
• The ability to influence others and hold teams accountable.
• A proven record of building and maintaining effective relationships with coworkers, management, vendors, volunteers, collaborators, and contract service providers.

Benefits

• A guaranteed life-long monthly pension, once vested after 5 years of service.
• 457B Retirement Plan.
• 140 hours of PTO earned within the first year + 11 paid holidays, 1 personal holiday, and 1 volunteer day per year.
• Competitive medical, dental, and vision plans effective within 1 month of start date.

More information about the perks and benefits can be found on our website.

Pay

The hiring range for this position is $101,050/year - $125,000/year, based on experience. The salary range is $101,050.00 - $166,733.00.

Schedule

This position is based at the Denver Post Building (101 W. Colfax, Denver, Colorado) or assigned recreation centers and/or program sites. Employees work in-person for the Recreation Division where needed, based on business need. The working schedule may vary and may include evenings or mornings.