Parks Manager
Salary
$122,491.20 - $156,332.80 Annually
Location
Modesto, CA
Job Type
Full Time
Job Number
4654
Department
Parks, Recreation, & Neighborhoods
Division
Operations Services Administration
Opening Date
07/09/2026
Closing Date
7/23/2026 5:00 PM Pacific
Bargaining Unit
MCMA
The Position
The City of Modesto is looking for a dynamic Parks Manager to lead park maintenance, landscape contracts, and major events across our park system. This role works closely with multiple departments and provides key support to the Director of Parks, Recreation and Neighborhoods. Candidates should bring five years of growing parks or landscape operations experience (including two years supervising) and a bachelor's degree in a related field.
Salary Incentives:
2.5% Education Incentive - Bachelors Degree
5% Education Incentive - Masters Degree
The Parks Manager is responsible to plan, organize, direct, and coordinate the activities of the Parks Operations Division within the Parks, Recreation and Neighborhoods Department, including the maintenance and operations of the City's parks, administering the landscape maintenance agreements, and overseeing the coordination of large events that occur in the parks; to coordinate activities with other divisions and departments; and to provide highly complex staff assistance to the Director of Parks, Recreation and Neighborhoods.
Application Process
The Supplemental Questionnaire is the Training and Experience Exam (Weighted 100%). In addition to the City of Modesto employment application, applicants must complete and submit online responses to the supplemental questionnaire. Only the applicants who meet the minimum qualifications by the final filing date will become candidates and their supplemental questionnaire will be rated and scored. This exam will evaluate the relevance, level, and progression of a candidates education, training and experience. Therefore, your responses to the supplemental questionnaire should be thorough and complete because the exam score will determine your ranking on the eligible list for this position. When completing the supplemental questionnaire, please note:
The City of Modesto is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to fostering, cultivating and preserving a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion. A City application is required, including Supplemental Questionnaire. The City of Modesto does not sponsor H-1B Visas. Salary offered depends on candidate's experience.
Essential and Marginal Function Statements
Plan, organize and direct Parks Operations Division activities including maintenance of neighborhood, community, and regional parks, Modern Woodman Field, parking lots, land/ streetscape maintenance, rights of way, and other landscaped areas.
Develop and implement divisional goals, objectives, policies, and procedures.
Direct, oversee, and participate in the development of the Parks Operations Division work plan; assign work activities, projects, and programs; monitor workflow; review and evaluate work products methods and procedures.
Prepare the Parks Operations Division budget; assist in budget implementation; participate in the forecast of additional funds need for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; administer the approved budget.
Recommend the appointment of personnel; provide or coordinate staff training; conduct performance evaluations; implement discipline procedures as required; maintain discipline and high standards necessary for the efficient and professional operation of the Department.
Supervise the division's safety program; coordinate and attend safety meetings; ensure the adherence to safe work practices by subordinate personnel.
Inspect work sites before, during, and after completion to assure work is completed in a satisfactory and thorough manner; inspect work completed by outside contractors.
Negotiate, manage, and oversee complex operational and maintenance services agreements and maintain liaison with contractors; prepare and review cost estimates for proposed work and recommend final acceptance of completed work.
Manage automated management information systems and programs; serve as administrator for the City-wide Department of Motor Vehicle employer testing program.
Manage water usage and monitor backflow prevention devices in a complex park system.
Receive, investigate, and respond to citizen requests, suggestions, and complaints; manage large and complex special events.
Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other City employees and the public using principles of good customer service.
Represent the division and department to outside agencies and organizations; participate in outside community and professional groups and committees; provide technical assistance as necessary.
Research and prepare technical and administrative reports; prepare written correspondence.
Marginal Functions:
Perform related duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
Knowledge of:
Principles and practices of park maintenance and operations, ballpark maintenance, horticulture, and landscape maintenance.
Record keeping and reporting procedures, including computerized maintenance systems.
Pertinent local, State and Federal rules, regulations, laws, and contract management.
Office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications and databases.
Principles and practices of budget development, implementation, and monitoring.
Principles and practices of supervision, training, organizational management, and personnel management.
Ability to:
Interpret and ensure project compliance with federal, state, and local laws, codes, rules, and regulations.
Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions and implement recommendations in support of goals.
Organize, direct, and implement comprehensive programs related to assigned divisional operations.
Perform the most complex work of the division.
Gain cooperation through discussion and persuasion.
Effectively conduct public presentations.
Coordinate, prepare, and administer multiple budgets.
Supervise, train, and evaluate personnel.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted during the course of work.
Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
Operate office equipment including computers, applicable software, and database applications.
Experience and Training Guidelines:
Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:
Experience:
Five years of increasingly responsible experience in parks/landscape and recreational facilities operations, including two years of supervisory responsibility.
Training:
Equivalent to a bachelors degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in landscape maintenance, parks and recreation administration, ornamental horticulture, biology, or a related field.
License or Certificate:
Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate and valid California drivers license.
Possession of a Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP) certification within twelve (12) months of appointment. required.
A Certified Playground Safety Inspection certification issued by the National Playground Safety Institute is desirable.
Failure to obtain any of the required license/certifications within the prescribed time may result in release from probation or termination.
Physical and Mental Requirements
Mobility: frequent use of keyboard; frequent sitting for long periods of time; occasional bending or squatting. Lifting: frequently up to 10 pounds; occasionally up to 50 pounds. Vision: constant use of overall vision; frequent reading and close-up work; occasional color and depth vision. Dexterity: frequent repetitive motion; frequent writing; frequent grasping, holding, and reaching. Hearing/Talking: frequent hearing and talking, in person and on the phone. Emotional/Psychological: frequent decision-making and concentration; frequent public and/or coworker contact; occasional working alone. Environmental: frequent exposure to noise.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Work is performed both in office and field environments. Office work is in a typical temperature-controlled office environment subject to typical office noise and environment. Field duties involve working outside in a variety of climates and conditions. Positions may require occasional overtime or weekends.
Modesto Confidential and Management Association (MCMA)
Employee benefits are subject to change and are not guaranteed. For a detailed explanation of benefits currently in effect please see the Memoranda of Understanding.
PUBLIC EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT SYSTEM: CalPERS enrollment in either the 2% @ 60 or the 2% @ 62 formula is dependent on eligibility, as per AB 340. Employee pays the full member contribution. Retirement benefit is based on the employees three year final compensation average. The City does not participate in Social Security except for the required 1.45% Medicare contribution by both the City and the employee (applies to employees hired after 4-1-86).
HOLIDAYS: 12 paid holidays per year plus 8 hours holiday credit.
MANAGEMENT LEAVE: 80 hours per year for positions exempt from overtime.
VACATION: Accrued at the rate of two weeks during the first year, increasing to five weeks during the 21st year of service.
SICK LEAVE: Accumulated at 8 hours per month, 96 hours per year. Employees may accumulate up to 2,200 hours.
MEDICAL INSURANCE: Health, dental and vision coverage is provided. The Citys monthly contribution to health, dental and vision benefits is based on a three-tier system as follows:
$ 2,110.00 Employee + Family
$ 1,494.00 Employee + 1 Dependent
$ 748.00 Employee Only
$ 450.00 Opt Out
The employee pays the balance. An employee who opts out of health coverage receives the amount noted above minus dental and vision premium on their paycheck and treated as taxable income. Dental and vision coverage continuation is available upon retirement.
DEFERRED COMPENSATION: With a matching contribution by the employee, the City will contribute 1.5% of salary, increasing to 2.5% at 9+ years of service, to a voluntary 457 Plan.
RETIREE HEALTH SAVINGS ACCOUNT (RHS): $2,880 initial deposit provided upon completion of a two (2) year vesting period. After initial contribution, the City shall contribute $130 per month.
LIFE INSURANCE: Coverage in the amount of $120,000 is provided by the City. Supplemental coverage is available at employee cost.
DISABILITY INSURANCE: Coverage is provided by the City, at City cost. This benefit pays 66 2/3% of the first $12,000 per month in salary.
EDUCATIONAL INCENTIVE: Masters Degree Pay in the amount of 5% of salary. Bachelors Degree Pay in the amount of 2.5% of salary.
BILINGUAL INCENTIVE LEAVE: Employees who pass a review panel and are needed in this capacity by the department, will receive 3 hours of Bilingual Leave Time per pay period into their Compensatory Time Off (CTO) balance.
LONGEVITY PAY: 2.5% of salary at 10 years of service.
SECTION 125 PLAN: Providing for pre-tax deductions for employee-paid health premium and dependent care costs.
01
I understand that in order for my application to receive every consideration in the selection process, I must complete the following Supplemental Questions and provide concise but detailed answers. I understand that the Supplemental Questionnaire is the Training and Experience Exam (Weighted 100%) and that these responses must match the information I provide in the Work Experience and Education sections of my application. When answering narrative descriptions of my experience, I understand that I must include the name of the employer and dates of employment. I certify that all information provided on this application and the Supplemental Questions is true to the best of my knowledge.
02
How many years of experience do you have in parks/landscape and recreational facilities operations?
03
Please select the highest level of education you have COMPLETED:
04
How many years of supervisory experience do you have?
05
Please describe the scope of your supervisory experience. Include the number of employees supervised, job functions they performed and your involvement in their performance evaluations. If you do not have supervisory experience, indicate N/A.
06
How many years of public sector experience do you have?
07
Do you possess any of the following certifications?
08
Describe your work experience negotiating, managing, and overseeing operational and maintenance services agreements? If none, please indicate N/A.
Required Question
Employer City of Modesto
Address 1010 10th Street, Suite 2200
P.O. Box 642
Modesto, California, 95353
Phone (209) 577-5402
Website http://www.modestogov.com