City of Long Beach
DIRECTOR OF PARKS, RECREATION & MARINE
City of Long Beach, Long Beach, New York, United States
Overview
The City of Long Beach, CA is seeking an experienced, innovative, and community-focused leader to serve as its next
Director of Parks, Recreation and Marine . This high-profile position oversees a department that combines traditional parks and recreation services with animal care services and marine and coastal operations. The Department has a proposed FY2026 budget of nearly $88 million and more than 1,300 employees, and plays a vital role in delivering safe, inclusive, and high-quality programs, services, and facilities for residents and visitors. The ideal candidate will have strong experience in park development, park maintenance, community engagement, and park construction, and will be a visible, approachable leader who can address challenges, inspire staff, and engage with Long Beach’s diverse community. The position supports Elevate ’28 infrastructure investments in preparation for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
See the full recruitment brochure and benefits here: https://irp.cdn-website.com/80f4e9b5/files/uploaded/Creative+Brochure+LB+PRM+Final.pdf
The Community Idyllically located on the Pacific Coast just south of Los Angeles and adjacent to Orange County, Long Beach is a vibrant city of approximately 450,000 residents. The City offers a diverse, inclusive community with a mix of urban amenities, cultural richness, and coastal charm. Long Beach encompasses about 51 square miles, with many parks, beaches, and recreational opportunities. Residents enjoy a mild climate favorable to outdoor activities. The city hosts attractions such as the Aquarium of the Pacific, the historic Queen Mary, and the IndyCar Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach. Long Beach will be the largest venue city for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Long Beach’s economy includes aerospace, education, health services, manufacturing, tourism, and professional services. It is home to California State University, Long Beach and Long Beach City College, with strong K-12 schools. Transportation options include the Long Beach and Metro transit systems and the city’s airport. Long Beach is recognized as one of the nation’s most walkable and bike-friendly cities.
The City Government Long Beach operates as a charter city with an elected Mayor and nine City Council members. The City Manager oversees daily operations of 15 departments with a proposed FY26 annual budget of $3.7B. The City employs over 6,000 staff, with most represented by eleven employee associations. The City also includes the following components: City Departments, Proposed FY26 Budget, 2030 Strategic Vision, Elevate ’28 Infrastructure Investment Plan.
THE PARKS, RECREATION AND MARINE DEPARTMENT
The Department oversees 166 parks, 26 community centers, two Rancho sites, two major tennis centers, a large municipal golf system, the Long Beach Animal Care Services Bureau, the largest municipally operated marina system in the country, and six miles of beaches. The FY2026 budget is nearly $88 million with more than 1,300 employees (including 476 full-time staff). The department is unique in combining parks and recreation services with animal care services and marine/coastal operations.
The department is guided by a Strategic Plan focused on equity, health, sustainability, innovation, and financial resilience. It is organized into five Bureaus: Animal Care Services; Business Operations; Community Recreation Services; Marine; and Maintenance Operations.
Recent and upcoming initiatives include expanding the Park Ambassador Program (now supporting 39 parks citywide) and Elevate ’28 projects such as:
El Dorado Park Universal Playground — transforming the play area into an inclusive, accessible space.
Drake Chavez Connection Project — creating a greenbelt and park space in an underserved neighborhood.
New Long Beach Senior Center — developing a modern hub for senior programs, health, and social services in downtown.
Gold Medal Park Refresh — upgrading athletic and youth facilities citywide.
Willow Springs Park Restoration — restoring wetlands, improving water quality, and expanding habitat.
Hamilton Loop Greenbelt — creating a two-mile greenbelt with trails and recreation space.
With strong City Council and community support and a leadership role in Elevate ’28, the department is positioned for current and future success, including support for LA 2028 events at the marina and coastal areas.
To learn more about the Department, visit:
Department Organizational Chart; Department Website; Department Proposed FY26 Budget
The Position & Ideal Candidate The Director of Parks, Recreation and Marine reports to the City Manager and oversees five direct reports and a diverse portfolio that includes parks, recreation, animal care services, marine operations, and maintenance. The Director leads a department of more than 1,300 employees with a FY2026 budget of nearly $88 million, and plays a visible role in the community, working closely with the City Council, residents, and regional partners to ensure safe, inclusive, and high-quality services and facilities.
Ideal candidates will have proven experience in park development, park maintenance, community engagement, and park construction. They should be a dynamic, approachable leader who thrives in a complex, high-profile environment and is comfortable in both community settings and the executive office. The Director should be decisive and confident when addressing challenges, empower staff, and foster collaboration and innovation. Strong communication, cultural competence, and the ability to engage a diverse community in inclusive and creative ways are essential.
Key attributes:
Engaged & Accessible — visible in the community and responsive to residents, leadership, and staff.
Decisive & Accountable — able to address tough issues with clear, thoughtful responses.
Strategic & Hands-On — capable of delegation while willing to roll up sleeves as needed.
Culturally Competent — adept at inclusive outreach to Long Beach’s diverse community.
Experienced in Park Development & Capital Projects — success in park development, maintenance, construction, and engagement.
Financially Astute — skilled in navigating resource constraints and large-scale initiatives like Elevate ’28 and the 2028 Games.
Humble & Collaborative — confident without ego, building trust with staff and the community.
This is an extraordinary opportunity to lead a nationally recognized, award-winning department and to influence its future trajectory amid stability, momentum, and significant upcoming projects.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education:
Bachelor’s degree in recreation, public administration, physical education, or related field.
Experience:
Seven years in development of budgets and administration of parks, recreation and marine programs, community services and animal services or similar, with at least five years in a senior management role.
DESIRED
Education:
Master’s degree.
SUBSTITUTIONS
Education may be substituted for extensive experience and will be reviewed case-by-case.
SALARY AND BENEFITS
Annual salary range: $222,201 – $267,651 DOE/DOQ, plus a generous benefits package. A 1% general salary increase is effective 9/20/25.
HOW TO APPLY
For first consideration, apply by October 20th at:
www.tristargovsolutions.com/careers
SAVE THE DATES
Interviews are scheduled to take place in-person on November 13th and 14th. Candidates must be available for both dates.
QUESTIONS?
Email sam@tristargovsolutions.com or visit www.tristargovsolutions.com. Phone: 408-605-0790.
The City of Long Beach is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in its workforce. The City is committed to transparency in publishing updated demographic information for employees, including workforce diversity data and pay by race and gender. The City will consider qualified applicants with a criminal history pursuant to the California Fair Chance Act. Details are available at calcivilrights.ca.gov/fair-chance-act.
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Director of Parks, Recreation and Marine . This high-profile position oversees a department that combines traditional parks and recreation services with animal care services and marine and coastal operations. The Department has a proposed FY2026 budget of nearly $88 million and more than 1,300 employees, and plays a vital role in delivering safe, inclusive, and high-quality programs, services, and facilities for residents and visitors. The ideal candidate will have strong experience in park development, park maintenance, community engagement, and park construction, and will be a visible, approachable leader who can address challenges, inspire staff, and engage with Long Beach’s diverse community. The position supports Elevate ’28 infrastructure investments in preparation for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
See the full recruitment brochure and benefits here: https://irp.cdn-website.com/80f4e9b5/files/uploaded/Creative+Brochure+LB+PRM+Final.pdf
The Community Idyllically located on the Pacific Coast just south of Los Angeles and adjacent to Orange County, Long Beach is a vibrant city of approximately 450,000 residents. The City offers a diverse, inclusive community with a mix of urban amenities, cultural richness, and coastal charm. Long Beach encompasses about 51 square miles, with many parks, beaches, and recreational opportunities. Residents enjoy a mild climate favorable to outdoor activities. The city hosts attractions such as the Aquarium of the Pacific, the historic Queen Mary, and the IndyCar Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach. Long Beach will be the largest venue city for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Long Beach’s economy includes aerospace, education, health services, manufacturing, tourism, and professional services. It is home to California State University, Long Beach and Long Beach City College, with strong K-12 schools. Transportation options include the Long Beach and Metro transit systems and the city’s airport. Long Beach is recognized as one of the nation’s most walkable and bike-friendly cities.
The City Government Long Beach operates as a charter city with an elected Mayor and nine City Council members. The City Manager oversees daily operations of 15 departments with a proposed FY26 annual budget of $3.7B. The City employs over 6,000 staff, with most represented by eleven employee associations. The City also includes the following components: City Departments, Proposed FY26 Budget, 2030 Strategic Vision, Elevate ’28 Infrastructure Investment Plan.
THE PARKS, RECREATION AND MARINE DEPARTMENT
The Department oversees 166 parks, 26 community centers, two Rancho sites, two major tennis centers, a large municipal golf system, the Long Beach Animal Care Services Bureau, the largest municipally operated marina system in the country, and six miles of beaches. The FY2026 budget is nearly $88 million with more than 1,300 employees (including 476 full-time staff). The department is unique in combining parks and recreation services with animal care services and marine/coastal operations.
The department is guided by a Strategic Plan focused on equity, health, sustainability, innovation, and financial resilience. It is organized into five Bureaus: Animal Care Services; Business Operations; Community Recreation Services; Marine; and Maintenance Operations.
Recent and upcoming initiatives include expanding the Park Ambassador Program (now supporting 39 parks citywide) and Elevate ’28 projects such as:
El Dorado Park Universal Playground — transforming the play area into an inclusive, accessible space.
Drake Chavez Connection Project — creating a greenbelt and park space in an underserved neighborhood.
New Long Beach Senior Center — developing a modern hub for senior programs, health, and social services in downtown.
Gold Medal Park Refresh — upgrading athletic and youth facilities citywide.
Willow Springs Park Restoration — restoring wetlands, improving water quality, and expanding habitat.
Hamilton Loop Greenbelt — creating a two-mile greenbelt with trails and recreation space.
With strong City Council and community support and a leadership role in Elevate ’28, the department is positioned for current and future success, including support for LA 2028 events at the marina and coastal areas.
To learn more about the Department, visit:
Department Organizational Chart; Department Website; Department Proposed FY26 Budget
The Position & Ideal Candidate The Director of Parks, Recreation and Marine reports to the City Manager and oversees five direct reports and a diverse portfolio that includes parks, recreation, animal care services, marine operations, and maintenance. The Director leads a department of more than 1,300 employees with a FY2026 budget of nearly $88 million, and plays a visible role in the community, working closely with the City Council, residents, and regional partners to ensure safe, inclusive, and high-quality services and facilities.
Ideal candidates will have proven experience in park development, park maintenance, community engagement, and park construction. They should be a dynamic, approachable leader who thrives in a complex, high-profile environment and is comfortable in both community settings and the executive office. The Director should be decisive and confident when addressing challenges, empower staff, and foster collaboration and innovation. Strong communication, cultural competence, and the ability to engage a diverse community in inclusive and creative ways are essential.
Key attributes:
Engaged & Accessible — visible in the community and responsive to residents, leadership, and staff.
Decisive & Accountable — able to address tough issues with clear, thoughtful responses.
Strategic & Hands-On — capable of delegation while willing to roll up sleeves as needed.
Culturally Competent — adept at inclusive outreach to Long Beach’s diverse community.
Experienced in Park Development & Capital Projects — success in park development, maintenance, construction, and engagement.
Financially Astute — skilled in navigating resource constraints and large-scale initiatives like Elevate ’28 and the 2028 Games.
Humble & Collaborative — confident without ego, building trust with staff and the community.
This is an extraordinary opportunity to lead a nationally recognized, award-winning department and to influence its future trajectory amid stability, momentum, and significant upcoming projects.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education:
Bachelor’s degree in recreation, public administration, physical education, or related field.
Experience:
Seven years in development of budgets and administration of parks, recreation and marine programs, community services and animal services or similar, with at least five years in a senior management role.
DESIRED
Education:
Master’s degree.
SUBSTITUTIONS
Education may be substituted for extensive experience and will be reviewed case-by-case.
SALARY AND BENEFITS
Annual salary range: $222,201 – $267,651 DOE/DOQ, plus a generous benefits package. A 1% general salary increase is effective 9/20/25.
HOW TO APPLY
For first consideration, apply by October 20th at:
www.tristargovsolutions.com/careers
SAVE THE DATES
Interviews are scheduled to take place in-person on November 13th and 14th. Candidates must be available for both dates.
QUESTIONS?
Email sam@tristargovsolutions.com or visit www.tristargovsolutions.com. Phone: 408-605-0790.
The City of Long Beach is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in its workforce. The City is committed to transparency in publishing updated demographic information for employees, including workforce diversity data and pay by race and gender. The City will consider qualified applicants with a criminal history pursuant to the California Fair Chance Act. Details are available at calcivilrights.ca.gov/fair-chance-act.
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