The City of Fresno, CA is located in the heart of the state in the fertile San Joaquin Valley. From the agricultural fields on the valley floor to the snow-capped peaks of the Sierra Nevada Mountain range, the Fresno area offers something for everyone.  With a population of approximately 540,000 residents, Fresno is the fifth-largest city in California and serves as the financial, industrial, trade, and commercial capital of the central San Joaquin Valley.

The City is looking for a new Director to lead the Parks, After-School, Recreation & Community Services Department (PARCS), with a staff of 72 employees and a budget of $25,520,300 for operating and $23,520,00 for capital projects. The PARCS Department is comprised of four divisions: After School Recreation and Community Services, Parks Maintenance, Neighborhood Safety and Community Engagement (ONSCE), and Administration.  The new Director will have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to shape the future of recreation and community programming with the Measure P special sales tax, which was approved earlier this year.  For FY2022, the total estimated revenue receipts for Measure P are $29,573,100.  Proceeds from Measure P would be utilized to fund specific purposes to include improving and maintaining safe, clean neighborhood parks and playgrounds; new neighborhood parks; senior and youth recreation facilities; youth and senior recreation programs; after school programs; and job training for youth and veterans.

The ideal candidate shall have a passion for parks and recreation, be a strategic and entrepreneurial-minded leader that proactively embraces and encourages inclusion, equity, accessibility, and diversity, and will also enhance the organization’s culture and structure. We are not looking for a status-quo leader, but a strong collaborator to work with outside agencies, community advocates, citizen groups, community organizations, and key stakeholders to effectively articulate and implement the City's vision for green space, recreation facilities, and programming for all ages.

Candidates shall have a background that includes a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in recreation, landscape architecture, forestry, public administration, physical education or related field, and five years of professional supervisory and administrative experience in a public park, recreation and/or diversified community-based service program is required.  This is an unclassified position in which the incumbent serves at the will of the City Manager.  It is essential that the new Director has previous experience working with unions.

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