Parks and Recreation Director

The Town of Meredith is accepting applications for Parks & Recreation Director. The current Director is retiring after 25 years. The Director is responsible for planning, organizing, and directing all operations and services of the Parks and Recreation Department. This position ensures that departmental initiatives align with the Town’s goals and values. The Director oversees facility operations, staffing, programming, and maintenance of all parks and recreation areas, while ensuring that all programs and facilities provide a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment for residents and visitors.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

As the Parks & Rec Director you will have direct and indirect supervision over all Parks and Recreation staff including four full-time employees and approximately thirty part-time and seasonal employees.

• Establishes short term and long-term policies, procedures, goals, and objectives for the Department.
• Manages the selection and evaluation of all full-time staff, part-time staff, and contracted services.
• Prepares and presents reports for Manager and possible Board of Selectmen meetings as they relate to Department issues.
• Develops, recommends, and implements the annual operating budget for the department. Monitors and administers the approved budget. Processes purchase orders and approves expenditures for the department.
• Confers with the town manager on key issues to gain support or approval of established objectives. Makes recommendations to assist management in making needed decisions and improvements.
• Receives and investigates concerns and inquiries by residents, patrons, and user groups. Responds to the concerns and inquiries and takes action to resolve them.
• Makes recommendations to the town manager for the Capital Improvement Plan for the long-term needs of the Department.
• Coordinates and manages departmental needs for services and collaborates with other town departments.
• Monitors, reviews, and communicates the implementation phases of the department’s 15 Year Master Plan to ensure completion of long-term strategic plans.
• Performs special assignments, including researching and preparing reports on current or trending topics and specific projects.
• Writes and administers local, state, and federal grants. Coordinates fundraising activities for special events and projects.
• Oversees and executes the permitting process for the scheduling and usage of all Department facilities.
• Ensures all facilities meet all safety, accessibility, and health standards including emergency procedures and inspections.
• Collaborates with the school district, non-profits, civic groups, state and local social service agencies, and commercial establishments to establish partnerships to support programming and facility use and enhancements.
• Works with and often leads the effort of a wide variety of volunteer committees and many different projects and initiatives.
• Creates, manages, and completes the Request For Proposal (RFP) and Request For Qualification (RFQ) process.
• Works with town, county, and state officials to manage the Community Center as an emergency shelter.
• Stays current on Parks and Recreation trends by networking with professional colleagues, attending conferences and training sessions, and holding memberships in professional associations such as the New Hampshire Recreation and Parks Association and the National Recreation and Parks Association.
• Ability to manage after hours calls related to building emergencies or alarms.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

Bachelor’s Degree in Recreation Management, Sports Management, Physical Education, or related discipline and a minimum of five years experience in municipal recreation with progressive supervisory and administrative experience; or any equivalent combination of education and experience which demonstrates possession of the required skills and abilities.

PAY AND BENEFITS:

This is a full-time, salaried, exempt position. The salary range is $85,170 to $111,787 and the starting rate depends on experience. Benefits include affordable health insurance (3 plans and one is $0 deductible), 100% town-paid dental insurance, FSA, paid vacation and sick time, 11 paid holidays, and 100% town-paid short-term disability, long-term disability, and life insurance. Plus enrollment in the New Hampshire Retirement System. 

HOW TO APPLY:

Interested candidates should visit the Job Opportunities page of the town website for application instructions.

Applications will be accepted until the role is filled with the initial review of applications scheduled for December 8th and interviews being scheduled on December 16th.