Parks and Recreation Director

Salary: $186,528.00 - $226,728.00 + benefits package

Location: Monterey, CA

Closing Date: September 7, 2025

Description:

ABOUT THE POSITION:

This leadership position presents an exceptional opportunity for a seasoned Parks and Recreation professional to shape the future of parks and recreation services in the City of Monterey. The Parks and Recreation Director will oversee a range of services that includes community recreation programs for all ages, parks, beaches and urban forestry, special events, facility operations, and the Monterey Sports Center - one of the Citys flagship facilities.

The City is seeking a collaborative and visionary leader to take the department forward. The new Director will focus on strengthening the alignment between the Sports Center and broader recreation programs, fostering a more integrated and cohesive team and enhancing services that reflect the evolving needs of the Monterey community.

This is a key executive role for a leader who brings strategic insight, operational strength, and a deep commitment to community wellness and engagement. The position offers the opportunity to lead in a well-managed, full-service city that values innovation, professionalism, and the natural beauty that defines the Monterey Peninsula.

Please see the brochure linked below for more details about this position and the City of Monterey.
Parks and Recreation Director Recruitment Brochure

ABOUT THE CITY OF MONTEREY:
Nestled along California's Central Coast, the City of Monterey is known for its natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, hospitality, and sense of community. The City of Monterey is a full-service charter city operating under a Council-Manager form of government. The City of Monterey provides police, fire, public works, planning, recreation, and parks services and operates its conference center, sports center, parking, and marina facilities.

WHY WORK FOR US?

The City of Monterey offers a competitive benefits package to full-time employees. Some of these benefits include a Health Spending Fund, Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance, Vacation Accruals, Sick Leave, 14 Paid Holidays, Education Incentive Pay, Tuition Reimbursement Programs, CalPERS Retirement, and more!

Application Process

A limited number of applicants who clearly show that they most closely meet the needs of this position in terms of training, experience, education, and other job-related characteristics will be accepted to participate in the selection process. This process will include evaluation and initial screening of the standard on-line City application to determine which candidates progress to the next phase of the recruitment process. The subsequent selection process may include a written test/written exercise, performance exercise, panel interview, and a final departmental interview. The Human Resources Department reserves the right to make changes to components of the examination process.

As a condition of employment, the selected candidate will be required to successfully pass a Live Scan fingerprint background check and reference check.Depending on the position, as a condition of employment, the selected candidate may also be required to pass a physical exam including a drug screen and afederal background check to gain access to military and police facilities and systems.

Candidates who successfully progress through all phases of this recruitment process will be placed on an eligible list. The eligible list is active for 12-months and may be used to fill additional positions including lower-level positions, regular part-time, and part-time temporary seasonal, determined to have similar duties and requirements.
A detailed resume and cover letter are required with your application. Please include in your cover letter the size of staff and budget you currently manage. To be considered, please attach your resume and cover letter to your online application by Date & Time.

Qualifications:

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Education: Completion of a Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in Park Management, Recreation/Leisure Services, or a related field. A Master's Degree in a related field is highly desirable.
Experience: Six (6) years of increasingly responsible administrative experience in Park and Recreation management with three (3) years experience managing at the level equivalent to the level of a major Division Chief or higher.
An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

How To Apply:

All applications must be submitted online at the website below. The application process will require a detailed resume and cover letter. Please include in your cover letter the size of staff and budget you currently manage.

monterey.gov/hr

A limited number of applicants who clearly show that they most closely meet the needs of this position in terms of training, experience, education, and other job-related characteristics will be accepted to participate in the selection process.

To be considered, please attach your resume and cover letter to your online application by September 07, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. Hard-copies, faxes and emailed material will not be accepted.

TALENT ACQUISITION SCHEDULE

• Filing Deadline - September 7, 2025, at 11:59p.m.
• Panel Interviews - In-person panel interviews are scheduled for September 22, 2025.

• Finalist Interview Process - In-person final interviews are scheduled for September 23, 2025.

Please contact Human Resources with any questions.

City of Monterey Human Resources

735 Pacific St. Suite B Monterey, CA 93940

Tel:

Website: monterey.gov

Contact Name: Human Resources Department