Parks & Recreation Manager

Parks & Recreation Manager

Salary

$100,812.00 - $136,896.00 Annually

Location

City of Palm Springs, CA

Job Type

Full Time - Regular

Job Number

Recreation - 0826

Department

Recreation

Division

Recreation Administration

Opening Date

08/27/2026

Closing Date

9/17/2026 4:00 PM Pacific

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Position Summary

Salary Note: Although the full salary range for this position is provided, appointments are made at the range minimum

THE CITY: Palm Springs, located in the Coachella Valley, is known for its luxurious yet relaxed lifestyle. Picture waking up to fresh air, surrounded by palm trees, and enjoying stunning mountain views. This city offers a perfect blend of nature and modern living for both residents and visitors. Palm Springs is ideal for families, offering numerous parks, gardens, and nature reserves for leisurely activities and wildlife encounters. With a wide range of attractions and events, there's always something fun for everyone in the family. To see the exciting things going on visit the Engage Palm Springs website. The City of Palm Springs is committed to cultivating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace, from policies to inclusive healthcare, and making people of various backgrounds feel welcome and supported. To view our recent Human Rights Campaign of 100%, visit the Municipal Equity Index website.

THE POSITION: This position is a member of the Parks & Recreation Department and oversees and coordinates parks and recreation programs, community service activities, and special events related to the goals of the Parks & Recreation Department including operations, activities, special events, and programs of assigned areas; implements program goals and objectives; assists with parks and recreation programming and initiatives, and performs a variety of administrative, professional and technical tasks in support of assigned areas of responsibility.

Examples of Essential and General Responsibilities

Examples of Essential and General Responsibilities:

Essential and other important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Oversee and coordinate parks and recreation programs and community service activities at a City recreational center facility or in City parks including cultural, education, vocational, and recreational programs as they related to the City of Palm Springs, and encourage neighborhood and community involvement in programs and activities.
• Manage, select, train, schedule, motivate, and evaluate staff; provide or coordinate staff training; work with employees to correct deficiencies; implement discipline procedures.
• Recommend and assist in the implementation of goals and objectives; establish schedules and methods for providing community service; implement policies and procedures.
• Monitor program performance; recommend and implement modifications to systems and procedures.
• Plan, coordinate and administer various special events and celebrations; identify social, educational, and vocational needs of the community and utilize proper resources.
• Schedule, attend, and participate in meetings for staff, community representatives and committees. Attend workshops and seminars as needed.
• Promote and coordinate specific activities within a community service program; prepare program event and facility marketing material including news releases, flyers, schedules of events, pamphlets and brochures.
• Organize, schedule, and implement community service activities and other related programs.
• Schedule usage of community service facilities for activities including recreational, educational and social programs; provide information and assistance to users of facilities.
• Maintain records and develop reports concerning new or on-going programs and program effectiveness; maintain records for staff members and patrons; maintain and file proposed projects and program reports; prepare statistical reports as required.
• Monitor and inspect parks and recreational facilities; schedule maintenance and secure facilities.
• Serve as liaison to various outside groups and organizations to coordinate programs of interest to the City.
• Participate in the preparation and administration of assigned budget; submit budget recommendations; monitor expenditures.
• Participate in grant writing and grant administration practices.
• Participate on planning teams to incorporate recreation-focused infrastructure improvements into City recreation centers and parks.
• Develop, manage, plan, coordinate, and administer the Citys special programs, events, and recreational programs.
• Assist in oversight, development, and coordination of recreation program activities including upkeep of recreational facilities and equipment, event set-up, grounds maintenance, custodial services, security, and staff supervision.
• Meet with vendors, stakeholders, and customers to arrange program and event set-up, security, custodial work, rental facilities, as well as other needed services.
• Coordinate, manage, chair, and attend meetings with staff, community, commissions/boards, and committees; take and transcribe meeting minutes.
• Develop survey instruments; conduct surveys of program participants to determine participant needs; interpret and record survey results; implement program changes in response to results.
• Maintain awareness of new developments in the field of parks and recreation, special events, and community programs; incorporate new developments as appropriate into programs.
• Assist in the general operations of recreation programs and staff as assigned or in absence of the Director and Assistant Director.
• Perform related duties and responsibilities as required.

Minimum and Preferred Requirements

Experience:

• Three (3) years of increasingly responsible recreation and community service experience, event planning, or event management experience which includes one (1) year of administrative supervisory responsibility is required.
• Recreation management software experience such as ActiveNet, Rec Tech or equivalent is preferred.
• Experience managing community center/park facilities is preferred.
• Experience developing programs for all ages and abilities is preferred.
• Experience working special events is preferred.

Training:

• High School Diploma or equivalent is required.
• A bachelor's degree in public administration, business administration, or a closely related field is preferred.

License or Certificates:

• Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California Driver License with a satisfactory driving record (a driving record may be deemed unsatisfactory for any of the following reasons: three or more moving violations or reportable accident within the last three years; conviction of driving under the influence within the last five years) is required.
• Possession of, or ability to obtain and maintain, a valid CPR certificate within six (6) months of hire date is required.
• Possession of or ability to obtain and maintain, a valid First Aid Certificate within six (6) months of hire date is required.

Special Requirements:

• Must be willing and able to work various shifts and rotating schedules including nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Incumbents are enrolled in the California Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) Pull Notice Program. The DMV Pull Notice Program provides information on the incumbents driving record and driving record status on a periodic basis to the City.

Working Conditions

The following work environment and physical conditions described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions and expectations.

This position works in an Office and outdoor environment; exposure to computer screens, noise, heat, and cold; work closely with others and may require maintaining physical conditions necessary for driving, walking, standing, or sitting for prolonged periods of time; heavy, moderate, or light lifting and carrying; operating motorized equipment.

Application and Exam Information

A completed application, resume, and supplemental questionnaire are required by the closing date and time. As a candidate for the position, you will want to be sure your application accurately reflects your skills and abilities as they relate to the position to achieve maximum opportunity. Applications will be reviewed carefully and only those who appear to have the best qualifications will be invited to continue in the selection process.

Minimum requirements must be clearly demonstrated on the application to be considered as this information will be used to determine minimum qualifications. Experience requirements must be demonstrated in the "Work Experience" section of the application, other sections of the application will not be used to determine experience qualifications.

Resumes and other documents may be submitted, however, they will not be used to determine minimum qualifications, please do not use phrases such as "see attached" or "see resume" as they will not be considered. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee an invitation to compete further in the process. Minimum requirements must be met at the time of application submission unless stated otherwise.

Selection Process Information - The selection process for this position may include one or more of the following: application review, qualification review, written exam, practical exam, oral panel exam and department interview.

Candidates must successfully pass each stage of the selection process above in order to continue to the next step. This process may be modified or changed depending on the number of qualified candidates.

Please remember to submit all your application materials by the closing date and time. Incomplete or applications received after the closing date and time cannot be considered. All information on the application is subject to investigation and verification.

For more information on completing your application materials, click here.

If you are ready to join the exciting Team Palm Springs and you meet the requirements detailed above, please click the apply button. For more information contact Human Resources at:

The City of Palm Springs

3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way

Palm Springs, CA 92262

www.palmspringsca.gov

760-323-8215

Applications must be received by 4:00pm, September 17, 2026 in order to be considered for this opportunity. The City of Palm Springs reserves the right to accelerate or extend the "Closing Date" of open positions at any time, dependent upon the number of applications received.

The City of Palm Springs is an equal employment opportunity employer and we encourage all persons to file applications. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, family or marital status, disability, medical condition or pregnancy, genetic information, religious or political affiliation, or veteran status.

Disaster Service Worker: In accordance with Government Code Section 3100, City of Palm Springs Employees, in the event of a disaster, are considered disaster service workers and may be asked to respond accordingly.

The City of Palm Springs provides a comprehensive benefit program for employees including:

• Medical, Dental, & Vision Insurance
• Retiree Health Savings Plan
• Life Insurance
• Long Term Disability Plan
• Employee paid Supplemental Insurance Programs
• Employee paid Deferred Compensation Program
• Employee Assistance Program
• Tuition Reimbursement Program
• Retirement Plan through California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS)
• Benefit program details vary by work unit and bargaining contracts. Click here to view additional information and bargaining unit contracts.
• The City does not participate in the Social Security program, except for the mandatory 1.45% Medicare contribution for all regular positions.

01

Each applicant must complete this supplemental questionnaire as a part of the application screening and selection process. The information you provide will be reviewed and may be used to further evaluate your experience and education to move forward in the selection process. Incomplete responses, false statements, omissions, or partial information may result in disqualification from the selection process. Do you agree to answer each supplemental question truthfully and that your responses can be verified from the information included in the Work Experience and Education sections of your application?

• Yes
• No

02

This position may be required to work various shifts and rotating schedules including nights, weekends, and holidays. Are you willing and able to work various shifts including nights, weekends, and holidays?

• Yes
• No

03

Do you have the required High School diploma or equivalent?

• Yes
• No

04

Do you have the preferred Bachelors degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in public administration, business administration, or a closely related field.

• Yes
• No

05

Do you have the required three (3) years of increasingly responsible recreation and community service experience, event planning, or event management experience which includes one (1) year of administrative supervisory responsibility?

• Yes
• No

06

Please describe your increasingly responsible recreation and community service experience and where you gained that experience. Note: Entering "N/A" or "See Resume/Application" does not qualify as an acceptable response. If none, please indicate "none".

07

Please describe your event planning, or event management experience which included one (1) year of administrative supervisory responsibility and where you gained that experience. Note: Entering "N/A" or "See Resume/Application" does not qualify as an acceptable response. If none, please indicate "none".

08

Please describe your administrative supervisory responsibilities and where you gained that experience. Note: Entering "N/A" or "See Resume/Application" does not qualify as an acceptable response. If none, please indicate "none".

09

Do you have possession of and ability to maintain, the required appropriate, valid California driver license, with a satisfactory driving record?

• Yes, I have possession of and ability to maintain, the required appropriate, valid California driver license, with a satisfactory driving record
• No, but I am able to obtain and have the ability to maintain, the required appropriate, valid California driver license, with a satisfactory driving record by the time of appointment
• No

10

Do you have the required current First Aid certificate?

• Yes, I have possession of and the ability to maintain the required First Aid certificate.
• No, but I am able to obtain and have the ability to maintain, the required First Aid certificate within the first six (6) months of hire.
• No

11

Do you have the required current CPR certificate?

• Yes, I have possession of and the ability to maintain the required CPR certificate.
• No, but I am able to obtain and have the ability to maintain, the required CPR certificate within the first six (6) months of hire.
• No

12

Please indicate below the areas you have participated in. Check all that apply.

• Manage Staff
• Plan, coordinate and administer special events
• Promote and coordinate activities within a community service program
• Prepare event marketing material including news releases, flyers, pamphlets and brochures
• Participate in preparation and administration of department budgets
• Monitor department expenditures
• Participate in grant writing and grant administration
• Coordinate, manage and chair meetings with staff, community, or committees
• Develop and conduct surveys
• None of the above

13

Do you have the preferred recreation management software experience such as ActiveNet, Rec Tech or equivalent?

• I have ActiveNet experience
• I have Rec Tech experience
• I have both ActiveNet and Rec Tech experience
• I have experience with other recreation management software
• I do not have experience with recreation management software

14

Please describe your recreation management software experience and where you gained that experience. Note: Entering "N/A" or "See Resume/Application" does not qualify as an acceptable response. If none, please indicate "none".

15

Do you have the preferred experience in managing community centers or park facilities?

• Yes, I have experience in managing community centers
• Yes, I have experience in managing park facilities
• Yes, I have experience in managing both community centers and park facilities
• No, I do not have experience in managing either community centers or park facilities

16

Please describe your experience in managing community centers or park facilities and where you gained that experience. Note: Entering "N/A" or "See Resume/Application" does not qualify as an acceptable response. If none, please indicate "none".

17

Do you have the preferred experience in developing programs for all ages and abilities?

• Yes
• No

18

Please describe your experience in developing programs for all ages and abilities and where you gained that experience. Note: Entering "N/A" or "See Resume/Application" does not qualify as an acceptable response. If none, please indicate "none".

19

Have you attached the required resume to your application? Please note that applications submitted without a resume will be deemed "incomplete" and will not receive further consideration.

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer City of Palm Springs

Address 3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way

Palm Springs, California, 92262

Phone 760-323-8215

Website http://www.palmspringsca.gov