Recreation Services Director

CITY OF AIRWAY HEIGHTS

POSITION DESCRIPTION

TITLE:                                       Recreation Services Director

DEPARTMENT:                          Recreation Center and Park Programs

DATE OF REVISION:                 November 2026

FLSA STATUS:                          Exempt

CORE VALUE STATEMENT:

The City of Airway Heights will provide excellent public service and ensure the safety and wellbeing of our community and employees through the empowerment of each employee. We value integrity, inclusiveness, stewardship, and communication. We are accountable to our community for innovation and collaborative efforts that anticipate needs, leverage resources and deliver solutions. The Director must be a professional and dedicated leader who can work in a team environment and serve as an integral member of the management team. The ideal candidate will be an experienced Parks Recreation Programing and Recreation Center Management who is visibly active in the community and represents the City in a positive manner and who is willing and able to embrace and support City goals. We lead all encounters with professionalism.

 

AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY:

• Executive Leadership & Planning: Developing short- and long-range strategic visions, directing city-wide year-round programming, and directly advising or coordinating the municipal Park Board.
• Financial & Resource Development: Building and managing the annual Recreation Center budget, alongside serving as the primary grant writer to secure external funding for programs.
• Operations & Capital Management: Overseeing facilities maintenance for the Recreation Center and managing large-scale capital improvement projects (CIP) to ensure long-term operational viability.
• Community & Digital Engagement: Collaborating with local community organizations, partnering with other city departments, and managing the public-facing Recreation web presence.
• Administration: Maintaining precise records, documentation, and compliance metrics for all city-wide activities.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

 

• Plans, manages and directs a diversified, year-round, city-wide programs, including management of the recreation center.
• Prepare a variety of reports and related information for decision making.
• Conducts inspections of the recreation center building to ensure compliance with standards and polices.
• Oversees building maintenance, facility improvements, and planning for current and future capital needs to support the long-term sustainability and functionality of the building.
• Manages in depth asset management program to ensure the stability of all assets.
• Supervises and provides direction regarding the recreation center and programs.
• Works with City Council, the Parks Board and Committees to prepare recommendations regarding proposed activities and projects.
• Issues written and oral instructions; assigns duties and examines work for completeness and conformance to policies and procedures.
• Prepares work schedules.
• Promotes interest in recreation and programs through advertising, promotional campaigns, public contracts, and speaks before citizen groups, students and other organizations.
• Research and writes grants appropriate for and available to Recreation, Community Center and Program activities.
• Organizes and provides direction for volunteers.
• Plans and supervises various physical and cultural activities throughout the year.
• Pursues interaction with neighboring communities in order to create and promote new recreation programs and recreation center activities.
• Prepares the annual budget for the Recreation Center and Programs.
• Coordinates contracts, vendors, contractors, and service providers.
• Coordinates and supports Park Board Meetings, including preparing agendas, meeting materials, minutes, and maintaining official records.
• Develop and assist with short-term and long-term recreation facility plans and capital project priorities.
• Responds to community inquiries, concerns, and requests related to parks and recreational facilities.
• Performs other duties as assigned by the City Manager.

DESIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• Master's Degree is preferred in recreation management, public administration, or related field.
• Five (5) years of experience in organizing, directing and maintaining recreation center and recreation program activities.
• An equivalent combination of education, training, and relevant work experience may be considered in lieu of the stated educational requirements.

 

NECESSARY KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:

• Ability to organize and plan to meet deadlines.
• Ability to conduct meetings and events in front of large audiences.
• Ability to supervise staff and contracted service providers.
• Ability to prepare for and make presentations in public settings, respond effectively to citizens’ questions and update recreation and community services related documents.
• Skilled in communicating effectively both orally and in writing, sufficient to exchange or convey information and to give and receive work directions.
• Skilled in establishing and maintaining effective intra-and interdepartmental working relationships with elected officials, department heads and employees.
• Ability to read, comprehend and apply city accounting procedures and BARS regulations.
• Ability to analyze and interpret fiscal and accounting records.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, which may include evenings and weekends.
• Knowledge of and ability to interpret and apply applicable RCWs, state statutes, and city ordinances relevant to Park Board operations and recreation programs and activities.
• Knowledge of and ability to plan, develop, prioritize, and implement capital improvement projects, including assessing facility and infrastructure needs, developing project plan, and coordinating the execution of improvements to support current and future recreation needs.

 

WORK ENVIROMENT:

This is a dynamic position and requires standing, walking and outdoor exposure for potentially long periods of time. The noise level in the recreation center, while normally minimal, can get loud during peak times. The potential candidate must have the ability to work at a desk for extended time and juggle ever changing priorities dependent on the situation at hand. The ability to lift 30 pounds is required.

 

CITY GUIDELINES:

Formal applications, review of education and experience, skill assessment, and oral interview. Reference checks; background investigation; drug screening; and any other job-related tests may be required.

 

The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and the employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

 

“The City of Airway Heights is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, familial status, age, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.”

 

“The City of Airway Heights complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact Jan Quintrall, Public Works and Parks Maintenance, [email protected]