Recreation Manager | Denver Parks and Recreation

About Our Job

With competitive pay, great benefits, and endless opportunities, working for the City and County of Denver means seeing yourself working with purpose — for you, and those who benefit from your passion, skills, and expertise. Join our diverse, inclusive, and talented workforce of more than 11,000 team members who are at the heart of what makes Denver, Denver. 

Application Deadline and Required Materials

This job posting will accept applications until 11:59PM on Sunday, November 8.

We kindly request that you submit a resume and cover letter with your application.

What we Offer

The City and County of Denver offers a competitive salary commensurate with education and experience. The hiring range for this position is $101,050/year - $125,000/year, based on experience. We also offer generous benefits for full-time employees which include but are not limited to:

• A guaranteed life-long monthly pension, once vested after 5 years of service.
• 457B Retirement Plan.
• 140 hours of PTO earned within first year + 11 paid holidays, 1 personal holiday and 1 volunteer day per year.
• Competitive medical, dental and vision plans effective within 1 month of start date.

More information about the perks and benefits we provide to full-time employees to allow them to find balance, thrive, and build a mile high career can be found on our website. 

Location and Schedule 

In this position you can expect to work at the Denver Post Building (101 W. Colfax, Denver, Colorado) or assigned recreation centers and/or program sites. Employees work in-person for the Recreation Division where needed, based on business need. The working schedule for this role is based on program and business needs and may vary based on the day of the week and may include evenings or mornings. 

Who We Are

As stewards of Denver’s legacy park system, the City and County of Denver’s Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) is committed to delivering exceptional customer service and improving the health of our residents and environment. Through innovative programs and the creation of safe, beautiful, and sustainable spaces, DPR manages a dynamic system of 30 recreation centers and nearly 20,000 acres of urban and mountain parkland, including off-street trails, parkways, and natural areas. This work is made possible by a dedicated team of professionals who design, promote, and preserve these world-class spaces for generations to come.

DPR recognizes diversity as a strength in the representation of our organization to best serve our customers and community. To that end, DPR is committed to:

• Examining department policies and processes that value diverse perspectives and eliminate barriers to inclusion.
• Identifying where inequities exist and implementing strategies to ensure equitable outcomes.
• Strengthening diversity in Parks and Recreation services by transforming policies to institutionalize equity.
• Reinvesting in resources aimed at ensuring DPR is an equitable and just organization.

What You’ll Do 

Denver Parks and Recreation is seeking a Recreation Manager to play a key role in the operation of recreation centers and program infrastructure throughout the City and County of Denver. This position is an excellent opportunity for an experienced and knowledgeable recreation professional who is passionate about building strong, cohesive teams and delivering high-quality services to the community.

In this role, the Recreation Manager will oversee a section of the Recreation Division, including up to four recreation centers. The position also manages the My Outdoor Colorado coalition work and the Great Outdoors Colorado grant, including contract and fiscal responsibilities. The Recreation Manager works closely with internal DPR teams to advance the Outdoor Adventure/Alternative Sports vision plan and support the operation of DPR’s Adventure Hubs. Responsibilities include developing, implementing, and monitoring work programs aligned with division standards; leading full-time, on-call, and seasonal staff; and supporting the efforts of contractors, volunteers, community collaborators, customers, Denver residents and visitors, City Council, and division partners.

As a Recreation Manager, you will act on:

Operations & Program Management

• Oversee daily operations for up to four recreation centers, Adventure Hubs, and associated Outdoor Adventure programs.
• Implement policies, operating procedures, and practices aligned with departmental and city-wide strategies including:
  • DPR’s Mission, Vision, and Values
  • Game Plan for a Healthy City
  • Outdoor Adventure/Alternative Sports plan
  • Parks Legacy Plan
• Create weekly, monthly, and annual work plans that support recreation standards and strategic goals.
• Review, develop, and adjust work plans, priorities, schedules, and staffing levels to ensure efficient and effective service delivery.
• Support contractors, volunteers, collaborators, and community partners to deliver high‑quality programs.
• Inspect and approve contract work to ensure compliance with specifications.
• Participate in planning efforts including Denver Bond projects, CIP projects, and recreation maintenance initiatives.

Leadership & Staff Management

• Direct, coach, and mentor recreation supervisors and staff across recreation centers, Adventure Hubs, and Outdoor Adventure programs.
• Ensure staff understand and implement customer service expectations and departmental performance standards.
• Lead staff development initiatives, including training, succession planning, and continuous improvement practices.
• Develop goals, document performance, conduct evaluations, and issue recognition for exceptional performance.
• Provide guidance on complex or unusual assignments and promote teamwork, communication, and innovation.
• Conduct hiring interviews and select candidates for vacancies.
• Review disciplinary actions and respond to formal/informal grievances.

Customer, Community, & Stakeholder Engagement

• Represent the department and its initiatives with a strong focus on delivering exceptional customer service.
• Mediate conflicts, resolve issues, and determine appropriate solutions during daily operations.
• Coordinate projects with other city agencies, external partners, and community groups.
• Cultivate community engagement opportunities, events, and communication efforts to expand program reach and participation.
• Handle sensitive public relations issues and maintain positive relationships with community members, vendors, collaborators, and elected officials.

Strategic Initiatives & Special Programs

• Oversee My Outdoor Colorado coalition efforts and Great Outdoors Colorado grant management (contract and fiscal oversight).
• Collaborate with internal DPR teams to implement the Outdoor Adventure/Alternative Sports vision plan and support Adventure Hub operations.
• Optimize team performance and achieve KPIs, departmental goals, and strategic objectives.
• Champion innovation, creative problem-solving, and new opportunities to enhance resident and customer experiences.

Fiscal & Resource Management

• Manage operating costs and ensure all budgets remain within approved limits.
• Allocate funds and resources effectively to complete assigned work programs.
• Provide oversight of checkbook reconciliation and monthly expense reporting.
• Maintain compliance with fiscal accountability rules and deadlines.
• Assist with facility inspections, equipment inventory, and management of recreation equipment, vehicle fleets, and capital assets.

Other Duties

• Perform additional tasks as assigned in support of Recreation Division priorities and departmental needs.

What You’ll Bring 

Our ideal Recreation Manager pays close attention to detail, delivers excellent customer service, and brings strong experience in recreation center operations and program management. They value community, build meaningful relationships, and work collaboratively with DPR staff, partners, and residents to strengthen Denver’s recreation network. They are a creative thinker, a strong communicator, and an influential leader who excels at networking, relationship‑building, gaining buy‑in, and engaging the community.

Additionally, our ideal candidate will have:

• Experience implementing best management practices, procedures, and techniques
• Experience in outdoor recreation programming and risk management
• Experience managing grants
• Experience overseeing recreation equipment, vehicle fleets, and recreation and aquatic facilities in a medium to large municipal system
• Experience managing capital equipment, building operations, and the ability to learn DPR recreation standards
• Experience with capital planning, design, and building operation plans
• Skill in using data analysis to develop return‑on‑investment operational plans
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Experience with systems such as ActiveNet, Jaggaer, Salesforce, Qualtrics, Microsoft applications, and Workday
• Demonstrated expertise in accounts payable, purchase requisitions, and budget management, preferably within local government
• The ability to influence others and hold teams accountable
• A proven record of building and maintaining effective relationships with coworkers, management, vendors, volunteers, collaborators, and contract service providers 

Required Minimum Qualifications 

Education requirement: Bachelor's Degree in a related field based on a specific position(s) including Parks and Recreation Management, Business Administration, or another related field.  

Experience Requirement: Three (3) years of experience at the type and level of functional or operational management, which must have included management of professional individual contributors.

Education/Experience Equivalency: One (1) year of the appropriate type and level of experience may be substituted for each required year of pos-high school education. Additional appropriate education may be substituted for the minimum experience requirements. 

Licensure/Certifications:

• Requires a valid Driver’s License at the time of application.
• Requires certification in CPR and First Aid at the time of application or by the completion of probation.
• Licenses and certifications must be kept current as a condition of employment

About Everything Else

Job Profile

CA2750 Manager

To view the full job profile including position specifications, physical demands, and probationary period, click here.

Position Type

Unlimited

Position Salary Range

$101,050.00 - $166,733.00

Target Pay

$101,050/year - $125,000/year, based on experience

Agency

Parks and Recreation

The City and County of Denver provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, genetic information, age, or any other status protected under federal, state, and/or local law. 

It is your right to access oral or written language assistance, sign language interpretation, real-time captioning via CART, or disability-related accommodations. To request any of these services at no cost to you, please contact Jobs@Denvergov.org with three business days’ notice.

Applicants for employment with the City and County of Denver must have valid work authorization that does not require sponsorship of a visa for employment authorization in the U.S.

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