ACTIVE LIVING & PARKS DIRECTOR Position Available In Cabarrus, North Carolina

ACTIVE LIVING & PARKS DIRECTOR


Salary
$97,656.00 – $116,771.20 Annually
Location Cabarrus County, NC
Job Type
Full-Time
Job Number

FY25-01229

Department

ALPS ADMINISTRATION

Opening Date
05/07/2025
Closing Date
5/25/2025 11:59 PM Eastern
Description
“Come Work Where America Thrives” Applicants are encouraged to apply early. The application review process will take place immediately and continue until the position is filled. This recruitment may close any time after the first review or when a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received. Hiring range for this position is $97,656.00 – $116,771.20. Initial placement for new employees is customarily at entry level through 35% percentile. Pay grade for this position is 32.
Cabarrus County, North Carolina is conducting a comprehensive search for a results driven leader with a passion for public service to be our next Active Living & Parks Director. This is an exciting opportunity to provide leadership and support for one of the fastest growing and diverse counties in North Carolina.

About Cabarrus County:

Comprised of Concord, Harrisburg, Kannapolis, Midland, and Mt. Pleasant, Cabarrus County is one of the fastest-growing counties in the state, with a population of 230,000 plus. The community relies on forward-thinking and innovative leaders to manage the rapid growth.
Cabarrus is home to Atrium Health Cabarrus and the North Carolina Research Campus. Other industries include biotechnology, healthcare, manufacturing, industrial and business parks, warehousing and distribution, entertainment and hospitality, retail and aviation.
Management welcomes candidates with a diverse range of qualifications, and we value an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience. We strongly encourage individuals at all experience levels to apply and bring their unique perspectives to our team. Your background could be the perfect fit!

GENERAL DEFINITION OF WORK

Performs complex professional and difficult administrative work in planning, developing, and directing all parks, recreation facilities, senior centers and activities for the County. Work is performed under the general supervision of a Deputy County Manager. Supervision is exercised over all departmental staff.
Examples of Duties

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/TYPICAL TASKS

Planning, developing, and implementing parks, recreation facilities and senior centers programs and services; preparing and monitoring department revenues and capital improvement program; supervision and development of staff; maintaining records and files; preparing reports. (These are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work performed. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.)

• Responsible for hiring, directing, training, evaluating staff and making employment decisions.
• Ensures adherence to safety rules, regulations, procedures and safety procedures training.
• Evaluates existing parks, senior centers, and facilities and works to secure improvements, renovations, development and land.
• Responsible for ensuring a safe environment in the parks, school parks, recreation facilities, and senior centers including facilities and equipment.
• Conducts safety inspections at all parks, school parks, senior centers, and recreation facilities.
• Oversees, reviews, and approves the development and implementation of programs and activities.
• Develops, implements, and maintains a current Active Living and Parks department master plan.
• Develops policies and procedures for cost effective and service oriented operations.
• Establishes public awareness programs.
• Responsible for developing, managing, and overseeing annual department budget including CIP budgets.
• Prepares and monitors grant applications and awards.
• Locates, evaluates, and recommends potential park and greenway lands and senior center locations.
• Works closely with the Active Living and Parks Commission and the Senior Centers Advisory Council in establishing annual goals.
• Works with engineers and architects for plans, bids, specifications, and construction development.
• Manages parks, school parks, senior centers, and recreation facility construction projects.
• Works with consultants, citizens, and local government entities in the development of master plans and facility inventories.
• Attends Board of Commissioners, Active Living and Parks Commission, Senior Centers Advisory Council, and other meetings.
• Performs related tasks as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Comprehensive knowledge of the principles, practices, and methods of park and recreation and senior services planning and programming. Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of public administration with special reference to department personnel and budget administration. Ability to develop and execute a well-rounded program of park and recreation activities and facilities and senior center services and programming; cooperate with and interpret recreational and aging philosophies to the County Manager and private groups and agencies and the general public; communicate complex ideas, both orally and in writing; prepare and present detailed reports; and establish and maintain effective working relationships with public officials, associates, subordinates and the general public.
Minimum Education / Experience requirements

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Graduation from an accredited college or university with major course work in parks and recreation management or related field and extensive experience in the administration of parks and recreation programs and facility operations and senior center operations and programming. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
Some county job postings indicate that you can qualify with an “equivalent combination of education and experience.” If this language is included in the job description, it means you may qualify through either education, your years of directly related experience, or a combination of both.
If you have indicated that you have graduated from a technical school, college, or university with a certificate, diploma, or degree, please be advised that Cabarrus County will conduct a verification of your educational credentials. It is essential that your official transcripts clearly reflect the specific degree, diploma, or certification awarded.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Certification as a Park and Recreation Professional by the National Recreation and Parks Association. Possession of an appropriate driver’s license valid in the State of North Carolina.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

This is medium work requiring the exertion of up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects; work requires standing, fingering, grasping, and repetitive motions; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels; visual acuity is required for depth perception, color perception, peripheral vision, preparing and analyzing written or computer data, use of measuring devices, operation of machines, operation of motor vehicles or equipment, determining the accuracy and thoroughness of work, and observing general surroundings and activities; the worker is subject to inside and outside environmental conditions.
Supplemental Information

Supplemental and Contact Information:

Cabarrus County selects applicants for employment based on job-related knowledge, skills, and abilities without regard to race, color, gender, national origin, religion, age, disability, political affiliation or political influence. Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions. Transcripts, degree evaluations and cover letters may be uploaded with your application. Applicants who obtained their education outside of the United States and its territories are expected to assume responsibility for having their academic degrees validated as equivalent to a degree conferred by a regionally accredited college or university in the United States.
Please be sure to complete the application in full. Resumes may be uploaded with your application but will not be accepted in lieu of a fully completed application and will not be considered for qualifying credit. “See Resume” or “See Attachment” will NOT be accepted.
If multiple applications are submitted to an individual position, only the most recent application received prior to the posting closing date will be accepted. Applications must be submitted by 11:59 PM on the closing date.
Due to the volume of applications received, we are unable to provide information regarding the status of your application over the phone.

To check the status of your application, please log in to your account. Processing applications will take an average of 6 – 8 weeks due to the high volume of applications received. It is not necessary to contact the Human Resources Office to check the status of an application. Upon the closing date, applications are “Under Review” and will be screened by Human Resources for the most qualified applicants. For technical issues with your applications, please call the NEOGOV Help Line at855-524-5627. If there are any questions about this posting other than your application status, please contact HR at 704-920-2200.
Employer
Cabarrus County
Address
65 Church St S
Concord, North Carolina, 28025
Phone
704-920-2200