The City of Dallas is searching for a Park & Recreation Director. Dallas places a high priority on parks and is committed to serving the community, children, youth, adults, and persons with disabilities.  The Park and Recreation Department is a recipient of the National Recreation and Park Association's highest honor "Gold Medal Award” and has national accreditation by NRPA’s Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA).  Dallas Parks and Recreation is flourishing and is committed to keeping up the pace with unprecedented growth with the challenges of providing recreation, health and wellness opportunities that citizens want and require.   

The ideal candidate shall be a professional public administrator with a focus and vast experience in parks, recreation, and landscape architecture for large, diverse urban communities, as well as employee development and providing customer service excellence.  This “big picture” thinker must be a community-minded, enterprising, passionate, and participative servant leader committed to cultivating healthy communities through quality programs and dynamic public spaces, urban and park design concepts, capital improvement program administration, long range planning, establishment of successful public-private partnerships and a strong commitment to developing and nurturing productive relationships with citizen advocates, businesses and organizations for the benefit of the Dallas community. 

Candidates shall have a Bachelor's Degree in Park & Recreation Management, Public Administration, Business Administration, Natural Resources Management or directly related field. Master’s degree preferred.  At least 10 years of senior-level park and recreation and/or municipal managerial experience.   Certified Parks and Recreation Professional (CPRP) or Executive (CPRE) is highly desirable.  Experience with CAPRA Accreditation and Landscape Architect credentials are a plus!