Parks & Open Space Director

The Boulder County Parks and Open Space Department is seeking to hire a Parks & Open Space Director. Boulder County is seeking a visionary and experienced leader to serve as the next Parks & Open Space Director. This is a unique opportunity to guide one of the top county parks and open space organizations in the nation that is dedicated to conserving natural areas, connecting communities, and providing exceptional visitor experiences and education programs.

The ideal candidate will be a visionary leader, skilled strategist, and trusted advisor to the Office of County Administrator, Commissioners, Staff and the Department’s appointed Advisory Board. This is a role for someone who thrives in complex environments, can balance big picture thinking with operational excellence, and understands how to bring diverse stakeholders together to achieve ambitious goals. They will have proven ability to navigate politically nuanced settings, guide large teams with accountability and empathy, and transform policies into action to advance the mission and goals of the organization. They are a leader who can move seamlessly between public meetings and one-on-one conversations, equally at ease engaging with elected officials as they are listening to and talking with community members.

Boulder County is a forward-thinking community with over 200 employees serving the needs of more than 300,000 residents. From the peaks of the Rocky Mountains to thriving agricultural lands and urban centers on the plains, Boulder County's 740 square miles include some of the Front Range’s most diverse and natural landscapes. Our county's leaders and employees have long held a commitment to being stewards of land, environment, and community. From visionary open space, land use, and sustainability policies to award-winning wellness and public service programs, our county government helps foster a vibrant, healthy, and active community. As individuals and as an organization, we value and respect diversity, striving for a high quality of life for all employees and residents. Our policies and practices reflect our dedication to providing the very best in public service. Even as we celebrate Boulder County’s achievements in preserving land through our open space program, we must also acknowledge that those lands were the territories of the Ute, Cheyenne, and Arapaho peoples.

Boulder County has preserved more than 105,000 acres of land as open space, through fee acquisitions and conservation easements, including agricultural lands in the plains, foothills, and mountain landscapes. This land and the open space owned by government partners in Boulder County function together as rural buffers between communities, wildlife habitat, productive agricultural lands, and lands for passive recreation including non-motorized trails, fishing, and picnic areas.

The Parks & Open Space Director will provide strategic leadership and management for the sound stewardship of the county’s public lands, natural resources, and amenities. Areas of emphasis will include balancing new acquisitions and maintenance of existing lands, protecting natural systems and biodiversity, sustaining Boulder County’s agricultural lands, providing appropriate public access and passive recreation, and maintaining Parks & Open Space land as public use of the system dramatically increases.

The Parks & Open Space Director will also be responsible for initiatives to address climate change, advance racial equity consciousness within the department and with respect to the people who enjoy our parks and open space and expand culturally responsive and inclusive programs. The Director reports to the Deputy County Administrator and serves at the pleasure of the Board of County Commissioners. The Director leads the Parks & Open Space Management Team to advance the mission of conserving natural, cultural, and agricultural resources and providing passive public recreation and other open space uses that reflect sound resource management and community values.

This is a full-time, benefited position that will work, Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm. This position will work out of 5201 St. Vrain Road Longmont, Colorado. Under Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) guidelines, this position is exempt. 

Boulder County requires its employees to reside in the state of Colorado as of the first day of work.

• 2026 Hiring Salary Range: $165,000.00 - $185,000.00 Annually

Please visit the Boulder County careers page for full details and to apply.

Please Note: Applications will only be accepted through the Boulder County careers page.