Director of Parks and Recreation

The City of Vinton is currently seeking qualified individuals to apply for the position of Parks and Recreation Director. This management-level role requires a dynamic leader to oversee the planning, organization, and direction of the city's parks and recreation programs. The Director will be responsible for preparing the department’s annual budget, managing both full-time and part-time staff, and working collaboratively with boards and commissions.

The ideal candidate will possess a Bachelor’s degree in Park Management, Recreation Management, or a related field. A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in parks and recreation or a similar field is required. Strong leadership skills, the ability to develop and implement community-focused programs, and prior experience working with boards and commissions are highly desirable.

To apply, please submit a resume and cover letter by Friday, June 27, 2025. Applications can be sent to the City of Vinton at:

Parks and Recreation Director Search
110 West Third Street

PO Box 529

Vinton, IA  52349

Or via email: cward@vintonia.gov

Nature of Work

Under supervision of the City Administrator, the Director of Parks and Recreation’s objectives are to provide executive leadership, administration and direction of the operational, financial, personnel, and capital improvement activities of the Parks & Recreation Department. Which includes the following areas:  Recreation, Parks, Recreation Center, Skate & Activity Center, Swimming Pool and other potential properties as acquired.

Minimum Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s Degree in recreation management, park management or related field; and experience in Parks & Recreation administration and management;
• 5 plus years of increasingly responsible leadership experience in the field of Parks and Recreation.
• National Recreation & Parks Association recognized Certified Park & Recreation Professional (CPRP) preferred.

Example of Duties

• Directs, plans and promotes a comprehensive parks & recreation program, including parks, recreation and all department facilities;
• Initiates staff recruitment, selection, training and discipline of all department employees;
• Develops and implements policy affecting all aspects of the parks and recreation program;
• Continually evaluates the effectiveness of the parks and recreation programs and facilities and makes recommendation to the Board, City Administrator and City Council as directed;
• Communicates with the Board and City Administrator and provides information, alternatives and recommendations for decision making, policy adoption and special projection studies;
• Prepares and provides budgetary direction for the department, including coordination of operating, capital improvement budget, budget analysis and budget decisions;
• Prepares financial plan; develops goals and objectives; reviews and approves expenditures; prepares budget amendments and develops fees and charges;
• Directs fund raising campaigns to support the development of department programs and facilities to include but not limited to grant writing;
• Performs long-range planning to include the development and implementation of the department’s goals;
• Performs public relations functions for parks & recreation programs such as responding to public comments, complaints concerning program activities and service requests; represents the department at meetings and community functions;
• Ability to communicate both verbally and in writing, including public relation functions, responding to public comments and complaints, preparing and presenting reports and studies;
• Ability to manage and direct a professional staff by ensuring the quality and efficiency of work, the understanding of their responsibilities and the resolution of their questions;
• Ability to plan, develop, and administer operating and capital budgets;
• Ability to provide evidence of continuing professional development through attendance at workshops, professional development courses, conferences, professional writing, presentations, etc.;
• Ability to work cooperatively and to maintain effective working relationships to accomplish job responsibilities;
• Ability to quickly learn and put to use new skills and knowledge brought about by rapidly changing information and/or technology;
• Ingenuity and inventiveness in the performance of assigned task;
• Ability to operate motor vehicles;
• Available during evenings and weekends to respond to program, event, park and facility needs.

Special Requirements 

1. Have valid Iowa driver’s license and must be insurable.
2. Must be Certified Pool Operator, or be able to obtain within 60 days of employment.
3. Ability to obtain Certified Parks and Recreation Certification within first year of employment.

Tools and Equipment Used

Examples of some of the equipment utilized on the job include but are not limited to: Computer, including word processing software; calculator; copy and fax machine; phone; mobile or portable radio; automobile, various sports equipment, zero turn lawn mower, various hand tools, gas weed eaters, and UTV.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

1. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to walk, stand, sit, and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to use hands to handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms.
2. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.
3.  The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

*Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

-Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. While performing the duties of this job, the employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts or in outside weather conditions. The employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes, toxic or caustic chemicals.
2. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet while in the office, or moderately noisy when in the field.

This job description is not a complete statement of every task and responsibility that is required on the job.  It contains the major duties performed by an individual and may require a person to assist with other tasks as necessary.