What are the responsibilities and job description for the Parks & Recreation Manager - Recreation position at Gilbert, Arizona?
We Are Seeking
Team Gilbert has an exciting opportunity for a highly motivated professional to fill the position of Parks and Recreation Manager - Recreation. With every job we fill, our focus is on providing best-in-class service to our citizens while offering opportunities for professional growth in a rewarding, innovative work environment.
The Recreation Manager is part of Parks and Recreation’s executive leadership team, overseeing nationally recognized facilities such as Cactus Yards and The Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch. The Recreation Manager plans, develops, supervises, manages, and evaluates activities, facilities, programs, and personnel for the division. This includes oversight of daily operations, policies, budget administration, and the Gilbert Park Ranger program. The role identifies opportunities for improving service delivery methods and procedures, determines resource needs and alternative funding mechanisms, fosters partnerships, and oversees service contracts.
The Parks and Recreation Manager reports to the Parks and Recreation Director. The primary job duties of this position include:
At Team Gilbert, we hire innovative, forward-thinking problem-solvers who love what they do! In addition to possessing the ability to live out our core and functional values daily, candidates must possess the following requirements:
Minimum Qualifications & Special Requirements
Why Team Gilbert?
To view the slide show presentation above, click here.
We Are Here to Help!
Gilbert is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. If any reasonable accommodation is needed while participating in the application and interviewing process, please contact our People Team (Human Resources) at 480-503-6823. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation.
Gilbert provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.
Gilbert offers a comprehensive benefits package for qualifying positions that includes medical and dental insurance, life insurance, disability, pension, tuition reimbursement, parental leave, babies at work, and more! Click Here to see a list of our benefit offerings at-a-glance, or visit our website to see our full employee benefits guide.
01
In the questions that follow, you will be asked for information about your work history, to include things such as dates of employment, names of employers and specific details of the work you did. In answer to questions asking you to describe your work experience, if you do not have that type of experience, enter "N/A". Answers provided in this supplemental questionnaire must be substantiated and verifiable in the employment history section of your application. Be aware that submitting a resume in lieu of completing the employment history section of the application and failing to provide all of the information requested in these supplemental questions will disqualify you from further consideration, so be thorough in answering the questions. Please indicate whether or not you accept these terms by checking the appropriate response below.
Do you have a Bachelor's degree or higher in Parks & Recreation Administration, Turf Management, Public Administration, Business Administration or a related field?
If you answered yes to the previous question and your degree is in a closely related field, please describe it in the space below. If not, please enter N/A.
04
Do you have at least seven years of experience at a leadership level in Parks and Recreation or another related field?
If you answered yes to the previous question, please summarize your experience in the space below. If not, please enter N/A.
06
How many years of experience do you have developing and planning comprehensive recreation programming?
If you answered yes to the previous question, please summarize your experience in the space below. If not, please enter N/A.
08
How many years of experience do you have overseeing or directly supervising staff members?
If you answered yes to the previous question, please summarize your experience in the space below. If not, please enter N/A.
10
How many years of experience do you have leading and developing a large high performing cohesive team. What are some of your best strategies and how would you describe your leadership style?
If you answered yes to the previous question, please summarize your experience in the space below. If not, please enter N/A.
12
The Following Questions Are Strictly Confidential And Will Not Be Made Part Of Your Application For Employment. Preference Status Per Arizona Revised Statute 38-492
Team Gilbert has an exciting opportunity for a highly motivated professional to fill the position of Parks and Recreation Manager - Recreation. With every job we fill, our focus is on providing best-in-class service to our citizens while offering opportunities for professional growth in a rewarding, innovative work environment.
The Recreation Manager is part of Parks and Recreation’s executive leadership team, overseeing nationally recognized facilities such as Cactus Yards and The Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch. The Recreation Manager plans, develops, supervises, manages, and evaluates activities, facilities, programs, and personnel for the division. This includes oversight of daily operations, policies, budget administration, and the Gilbert Park Ranger program. The role identifies opportunities for improving service delivery methods and procedures, determines resource needs and alternative funding mechanisms, fosters partnerships, and oversees service contracts.
The Parks and Recreation Manager reports to the Parks and Recreation Director. The primary job duties of this position include:
- Manages the activities and staff of an assigned division, which includes planning, coordinating, and administering projects, processes, procedures, systems, standards, and/or service offerings. Ensures compliance with applicable Federal, state, and local laws, regulations, codes, and/or standards;
- Demonstrates ability to consistently track departmental performance measures and analyze data for effective decision-making and creating innovative concepts for staff and service delivery efficiencies;
- Prepares long-range plans and assists with developing master plans and other strategic documents; conducts research; prepares surveys; interprets results for use in planning, evaluation, and decision-making; continually monitors and evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery, assesses workload, reporting relationships and opportunities for improvements within the programs, services, and facilities managed and maintained by the Division;
- Manages budgets for division operations. Conducts fiscal/economic impact studies and cost/benefit analyses to prepare budget projections; assists with developing annual operating and capital improvement budgets; monitors revenues for programs; reviews and proposes fee structures; and obtains grant funding for department projects and prepares required grant applications and reports;
- Assists in the development of master plans and strategic documents as well as the design, remodeling, and construction of parks, facilities, and amenities; meets with the Capital Project team including contractors, consultants, and staff members to discuss progress and work products; monitors and inspects projects to ensure compliance with contract specifications; manages warranty items and improvement projects, overseeing the maintenance of parks and amenities, equipment, and grounds.
- View the full job description HERE.
- Posting Closes: April 5, 2026
- Virtual On-Demand Interview Invites: April 8, 2026
- Tentative In-person Interviews: April 27, 2026
- Tentative Start Date: May 26, 2026
At Team Gilbert, we hire innovative, forward-thinking problem-solvers who love what they do! In addition to possessing the ability to live out our core and functional values daily, candidates must possess the following requirements:
Minimum Qualifications & Special Requirements
- Bachelor's Degree in Parks & Recreation Administration, Turf Management, Public Administration, Business Administration or a related field.
- Master’s in Business or Public Administration preferred.
- Seven years of progressively responsible experience in Parks & Recreation Operations, Parks Management, or Recreation Management,
- Seven years of budgeting experience.
- Seven years of supervisory experience.
- Five years of research and analytics experience.
- Valid Arizona Driver's License.
- NRPA Certified Park and Recreation Professional preferred.
Why Team Gilbert?
To view the slide show presentation above, click here.
We Are Here to Help!
Gilbert is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. If any reasonable accommodation is needed while participating in the application and interviewing process, please contact our People Team (Human Resources) at 480-503-6823. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation.
Gilbert provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.
Gilbert offers a comprehensive benefits package for qualifying positions that includes medical and dental insurance, life insurance, disability, pension, tuition reimbursement, parental leave, babies at work, and more! Click Here to see a list of our benefit offerings at-a-glance, or visit our website to see our full employee benefits guide.
01
In the questions that follow, you will be asked for information about your work history, to include things such as dates of employment, names of employers and specific details of the work you did. In answer to questions asking you to describe your work experience, if you do not have that type of experience, enter "N/A". Answers provided in this supplemental questionnaire must be substantiated and verifiable in the employment history section of your application. Be aware that submitting a resume in lieu of completing the employment history section of the application and failing to provide all of the information requested in these supplemental questions will disqualify you from further consideration, so be thorough in answering the questions. Please indicate whether or not you accept these terms by checking the appropriate response below.
- Yes
- No
Do you have a Bachelor's degree or higher in Parks & Recreation Administration, Turf Management, Public Administration, Business Administration or a related field?
- Yes
- No
If you answered yes to the previous question and your degree is in a closely related field, please describe it in the space below. If not, please enter N/A.
04
Do you have at least seven years of experience at a leadership level in Parks and Recreation or another related field?
- Yes
- No
If you answered yes to the previous question, please summarize your experience in the space below. If not, please enter N/A.
06
How many years of experience do you have developing and planning comprehensive recreation programming?
- No experience in this area
- Less than one year
- More than one year, less than three years
- More than three years, less than five years
- More than five years
If you answered yes to the previous question, please summarize your experience in the space below. If not, please enter N/A.
08
How many years of experience do you have overseeing or directly supervising staff members?
- No experience in this area
- Less than one year
- More than one year, less than three years
- More than three years, less than five years
- More than five years
If you answered yes to the previous question, please summarize your experience in the space below. If not, please enter N/A.
10
How many years of experience do you have leading and developing a large high performing cohesive team. What are some of your best strategies and how would you describe your leadership style?
- No experience in this area
- Less than one year
- More than one year, less than three years
- More than three years, less than five years
- More than five years
If you answered yes to the previous question, please summarize your experience in the space below. If not, please enter N/A.
12
The Following Questions Are Strictly Confidential And Will Not Be Made Part Of Your Application For Employment. Preference Status Per Arizona Revised Statute 38-492
- Veteran
- Disabled Veteran
- Veteran's Spouse / Surviving Spouse
- Disabled Person
- Required Question