Parks and Recreation Director

WATAUGA COUNTY POSITION OPENING

Watauga County Parks and Recreation Department is accepting applications for the position of Parks and Recreation Director. Position supervises and directs the staff and activities of the Parks and Recreation Department and oversees the operations of the Community Recreation Center. Position is responsible for the development and implementation of policies and procedures relating to operations, programming, maintenance, marketing, long-range planning, and fiscal management of the County's Parks and Recreation Department and Community Recreation Center. The Recreation Director reports directly to the County Manager and serves as the staff advisor to the County's Parks and Recreation Commission. The ideal candidate should be proactive, self-confident, innovative, possess excellent communication and supervisory skills and have a strong customer service orientation to a diverse community. Qualifications include a Bachelor's degree in Recreation and Parks Administration or related field with five years of progressively responsible experience managing public parks and recreation programs; a Master's degree in leisure services, public and/or athletic administration or related field is desired; and Certified Parks and Recreation Professional preferred. Salary Grade 16, $81,831 - $102,289 Dependent Upon Qualifications. County benefit package includes health insurance, retirement, paid holidays, vacation and sick leave. Application deadline is Monday, June 1, 2026. Apply at NC Works Career Center, 130 Poplar Grove Connector, Boone, NC 28607, (828) 278-6460. Applications may also be obtained at www.wataugacounty.org (Employment Link) and submitted by mail, email WataugaCounty@ncworks.gov , or fax (828) 278-6468. An active NCWorks account is required , please visit ncworks.gov to create an account or to retrieve username. Watauga County is an EEOE