The Director of Parks & Recreation provides visionary leadership for Bloomington’s parks, trails, recreation, arts, and natural resource systems. The Director leads strategic planning, capital investment, community engagement, and operational excellence to ensure the city’s park system promotes health, environmental sustainability, economic vitality, and equitable access to recreation opportunities.
The Director reports to the Deputy City Manager for External Services and leads a multidisciplinary department responsible for park planning and development, recreation programming, facility operations, natural resource management, and community partnerships. The Director of Parks and Recreation cultivates a department culture that values collaboration, employee empowerment, leadership development, and innovation to advance the City's mission. This position is responsible for actively communicating with the Park, Arts and Recreation Commission, City Council, City Management, City Department Leadership, Parks & Recreation managers and support staff, and seeks out partnerships with local school districts, athletic associations, businesses, service organizations, and other community groups to ensure broad-based community recreation and engagement opportunities. The Director participates as an active member of the City's Executive Leadership Team and maintains strong, productive, and cooperative relationships with other City Departments.
Please click on this link to view a brochure with more information about this opportunity within The City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department.
https://www.bloomingtonmn.gov/sites/default/files/2026-04/Parks_and_Rec_Brochure_2026.pdf
CITY VALUES & EXPECTATIONS
- Develops, supports, and models a positive and productive workplace culture based on respect, dignity, honesty, and integrity. Allows staff to grow and succeed by providing opportunities for increased responsibility and creating a positive work culture
- Supports and advances organizational development efforts such as developing a high-performing organization, employee engagement, workforce development, inclusion and equity, and performance measurement efforts
- Works cooperatively with others; develops and maintains respectful and effective working relationships with diverse coworkers and community members; consistently brings a high level of self-awareness and empathy to all personal interactions
- Proactively resolves conflicts and misunderstandings in order to ensure a respectful and inclusive workplace
- Seeks to understand the legacy of structural racism and its impact on employees and the residents we serve; identifies any implications and adverse equity impacts when developing or reviewing policies, projects, activities, and interactions with stakeholders
- Embraces the City's shared values and contributes towards accomplishing the City's vision and goals by being creative, innovative, continuously learning, and communicating clearly
Strategic Leadership
- Assist the Department in establishing a Vision that fits with the City's Mission and Values
- Develop and implement the long-term strategic vision for Bloomington’s parks, trails, and recreation system
- Lead department planning aligned withcomprehensive plan; climate and sustainability initiatives; community health & wellness goals
- Establish measurable performance metrics and service benchmarks
Park System Planning & Capital Development
- Oversee planning and management of the city’s park system, includingparks & open space, trails & greenways, and recreation & cultural facilities
- Direct development and execution of the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) for park infrastructure
- Integrate climate resilience, universal design, and ecological stewardship into park development
Community Engagement & Equity
- Ensure park services are accessible, inclusive, and culturally responsive
- Lead robust community engagement processes in planning and decision-making
- Expand recreation access for underserved populations, youth, seniors, and people with disabilities
Environmental Stewardship
- Advance sustainable park management practices, includingurban forestry, habitat restoration, climate adaptation, and sustainable maintenance practices
- Promote parks as critical infrastructure for climate resilience and stormwater management
Recreation & Cultural Programming
- Provide oversight for diverse programs, including sports, aquatics, arts & cultural programming, outdoor recreation, and community events
- Foster innovation in recreation delivery, including technology-enabled programming and partnerships
Financial & Enterprise Management
- Manage departmental operating and capital budgets
- Oversee enterprise facilities (golf courses, recreation centers, etc.) with strong financial performance
- Pursue external funding through grants, sponsorships, partnerships, and philanthropic initiatives
Workforce Leadership
- Lead a department workforce that includes professional, maintenance, and seasonal staff
- Foster a culture ofcollaboration, innovation, safety, and continuous improvement
- Develop leadership pipelines and workforce development initiatives
Partnerships & Regional Collaboration
- Collaborate with school districts, nonprofits, regional park systems, arts organizations, and health & wellness partners
- Strengthen Bloomington’s role within the regional parks and recreation network
Governance & Public Communication
- Advise the Deputy City Managers, City Manager, City Council, and advisory commissions
- Prepare policy recommendations, presentations, and strategic reports
- Serve as the public face of the city’s parks and recreation system
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES REQUIRED
- A team builder who understands the how and why of the programs they are directing
- A supportive, trusting, transparent leader who is open to new ideas
- An excellent communicator and reader of people
- A person of empathy who is a good listener, shows compassion, and creates an inclusive environment that values everyone
- An approachable leader who creates strong relationships with staff, council and the public while advocating for parks and recreation
- A commitment to continue to make Bloomington a great place to work
- A culturally aware and competent leader who embraces diversity
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor's degree in parks and recreation, business administration, public administration, health, physical education, or a closely related field
- At least 6 years of progressively responsible Parks and Recreation experience
- At least 6 years of supervisory experience
- At least 1 year of experience being persuasive and influential with a governing board, body, or leadership team and soliciting community engagement
- At least 1 year of direct experience in the 'business development' side of recreational programming
- At least 1 year of experience developing and running a multi-purpose community center
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
- Master's degree in parks and recreation, business administration, public administration, health, physical education, or a closely related field
- Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of parks facilities planning, park development, redevelopment, and construction, including the preparation and implementation of capital improvement plans and budgets, retention of appropriate professional consultants, bidding, and construction management
- Knowledge of the principles of urban planning as they apply to recreation facilities and programs planning, including nationally accepted planning standards for municipal parks and recreation facility needs, application of demographic data, human service needs, transportation, nature conservancy, issues of youth at risk, crime prevention, etc.
SUPERVISION OF OTHERS
This position does supervise others and currently has 5 direct reports, including 2 deputy directors.
Anticipated Hiring Range: $164,051 – $177,437 Annually
2026 Full Salary Range: $164,051 – $224,515 Annually
Full-Time; Exempt; Non-Union; Benefits Eligible
The City of Bloomington is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to creating a diverse workforce that reflects the community we serve. Applicants who are black, indigenous or persons of color are encouraged to apply. We also encourage women, veterans, members of the LGBTQIA community, and individuals with disabilities to apply.
The position description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change
