Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation

Summary Description

Under the general direction of the Director of Parks and Recreation. Plans, organizes and directs the City's Parks, Recreation and Facilities operations, including, but not limited to: direct input and recommendations on park and city facility development and maintenance projects, as well as on recreation programming. Assists the Director in determining major departmental policies affecting the department. Performs administrative functions including budget development, grant management, and facilitating the public bidding process. The nature of the work performed requires that an employee in this position establish and maintain effective working relationships with other City employees, business and community organizations, outside contractors, representatives of the media and the public.

Curious about the impact you could make? Click the Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation guide and explore your future as our next Assistant Director!

The City of Urbandale offers a comprehensive salary and benefit package.

Full-time Non-union Benefits For This Position Include

• Relocation package available up to $5,000 for candidates relocating from over 60 miles to move within the city limits of Urbandale.
• Cell phone allowance
• Individual health insurance for only $77.46 per month; or family health insurance for only $237.74 per month
• Dental, vision, and flexible spending account options
• 15 paid vacation days per year
• 12 paid sick days per year
• 10 paid holidays 3 additional personal holidays
• 4 weeks of paid paternal leave
• City-paid Long Term Disability coverage
• IPERS retirement plan
• 457(b) retirement plan with 2% city match
• City-paid Life Insurance policy plus additional voluntary life insurance options
• Employee Assistance Program
• Onsite Wellness Center
  
  

Routine Job Duties/Responsibilities

• Assumes the duties of the Parks and Recreation Director in the Director's absence, to handle all matters pertaining to the operation of the city’s parks, recreation, and facilities.
• Works with the Director to plan and coordinate policies and programs to best meet the park conservation and forestation needs, facilities use, recreation programming, and long-term planning.
• Plans, organizes, and directs all activities relating to the Parks, Recreation and Facilities operations.
• Leads the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies, and priorities for assigned programs including but not limited to park planning; design, construction, cost estimates, maintenance, repair and reconstruction work; recommend appropriate service and staffing levels.
• Develops, prepares, and justifies a budget for areas of responsibility. Controls and accounts for the expenditure of funds and approves purchases in accordance with the approved budget. Ensures revenue goals are met.
• Provides direct input and recommendations on park and city facility development and maintenance projects, landscape designs, Recreation programs etc.
• Responsible for developing bid documents, plan review, and facilitating the public bidding process for parks and facility projects.
• Negotiates contracts regarding park and facility development with designers, engineers, contractors, vendors and developers.
• Assists with or directly supervises parks acquisition and development projects, studies, and planning projects.
• Participates in the negotiation, development, planning, design and implementation of related City Capital Improvement Projects as well as capital improvements to existing facilities.
• Receives, investigates, and resolves participant, volunteer, staff, citizen, community group, or community partner inquiries, concerns, complaints, and problems.
• Seeks alternative means of supporting and financing department programs; writes grants, solicit funds, and volunteer staffing from large service groups, community organizations, and individuals.
• Responsible for payroll administration, and maintaining required paperwork for Parks, Recreation and Facilities staff.
• Prepares letters for the Tree Board, Parks and Recreation Commission and City Council on parks, recreation and facility related projects and programs.
• Plans and participates in the development and implementation of the Parks, Recreation and Open Space master plan, and other department master plans - that include services and capital enhancements.
• Manage the Cartegraph Asset and Operations Management and Impulse maintenance software system, used by the city to track and monitor work orders, park and trail assets, mowing contracts, trail projects and customer service inquiries.
• Explains and ensures that employees follow established work policies; implements and follows the approved collective bargaining agreement.
• Directs the selection, orientation, training, performance management, wage administration, and discipline of employees in the Parks, Recreation and Facilities Department, in accordance with City policy.
• In conjunction with other Parks, Recreation, and Facilities staff, evaluates and assists Director in evaluating employee work performance.
• Performs other duties and responsibilities as assigned.
  
  

Periodic Job Duties/Responsibilities

• Serves as a liaison, prepares agenda and related documents for Tree Board, provides requested information, and attends the meetings of the Tree Board, Parks and Recreation Commission, and City Council on an as needed basis. Prepares and prioritizes the annual Tree plan and budget for the Tree Board; monitors the actual number of trees planted and the costs of the Tree Board; maintains records utilized in the annual Tree city USA recertification process.
• Researches, writes, and administers grants to enhance Department programs and achieve goals.
• Represents the Department’s interests on boards and committees; as necessary, Makes presentations at meetings with City officials and administrators, community organizations and governmental agencies, citizens and other groups or individuals.
• Deliver presentations and lead discussions with community members and stakeholders regarding parks and recreation programs, projects, improvements and enhancements.
• Seeks and manages volunteers, civic groups, social agencies, and individuals seeking to work on special park system improvements.
• Coordinates efforts to promote and market services offered by the Parks and Recreation Department.
• Attends meetings, conferences, workshops and training sessions to remain current on new practices/development in parks supervision and administration
• Works with other city departments and staff including Engineering/Public Works and Community Development in coordinating efforts for projects that cross departmental areas of responsibility
• Researches and develops best practice methods in a variety of parks and recreation areas, including but not limited to vandalism deterrents and repair, tree debris clean up, mowing practices, and use of private contractors for public projects.
• Assures that the City and Department’s mission, goals and objectives are fully supported and initiated.
• May act as interim Director in the absence of the Director of Parks and Recreation.
  
  

Typical Qualifications

Must be able to pass a pre-employment offer: reference checks, drug screen, motor vehicle report and background and credit history check. Any combination of education and experience providing the required skill and knowledge is qualifying. Typical qualifications would be equivalent to:

• Bachelor’s degree in one of the following: Park and Recreation Management/Administration, Leisure Services, Natural Resources Management, Horticulture, Landscape Architecture, Park Planning, Turf Management, or a related field, required;
• Five (5) years’ progressively responsible experience in the Parks and Recreation field with two (2) years of supervisor experience, demonstrating increased responsibility for work assignments, project management and employee oversight, required.
• Valid Driver's License is required.
  
  

For the full list of skills, knowledge and abilities of this position visit the AD of Parks and Recreation job description

Supplemental Information

Applicants selected to advance in the process will be invited to participate in two rounds of interviews. Candidates will be notified via email and/or text message to self-schedule their interview time slots. Be sure to apply with a valid email you check regularly and sign up for text message option.

Anticipated Timeline

Initial virtual interviews: April 20, 2026 - April 21, 2026 - (official date will be determined by the number of candidates and sent out in future communication)

Finalist interview: April 30, 2026 - May 1, 2026 - (official date will be determined by the number of candidates and sent out in future communication)

Start date approximately: June, 2026

The salary range listed includes pay steps based on length of service with the City of Urbandale. New employees usually start at the lower end of the pay range.

The City of Urbandale is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Persons with disabilities must submit requests for ADA accommodations to the Human Resources Department, in writing at HR@urbandale.org prior to the application deadline.

Full Time Benefits

For more details on the incredible benefits the City of Urbandale offers see the

2026 Benefits Guide Non-Union

01

Please indicate your level of relevant education.

• No higher education degree
• Bachelors Degree completed
• Masters Degree in progress
• Masters Degree completed
  
  

02

Please indicated the years' of experience you have in the Parks and Recreation field

• None
• Less than 2 years
• 2-4 years
• 5 years
  
  

03

Please indicate the years' of supervisor experience you have in the Parks and Recreation Field.

• None
• Less than 2 years
• 2 years
• 3 years
  
  

04

Do you have any additional Parks and Recreation certifications?

• None
• Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP)
• Certified Playground Safety Inspector
• Certified Pool Operator / Aquatic Facility Operator
  
  

05

The starting salary for this position $113,991. Does this align with your salary expectations?

• Yes
• No
• Required Question