Applications are submitted online until the position is filled and/or the posting is closed. After reviewing this job announcement, please click on the link at the bottom of the page to apply online. A resume is required with the application. Further instructions on submission of documents are available in the online application. A resume may not be substituted for an application.

Reporting to the County Manager, the Director of Parks and Recreation provides strategic leadership, vision, and direction to the Allegheny County Parks system. The Director implements the policies of the elected County Executive and works with the Allegheny County Parks Foundation to envision and develop park projects. The Director works with the elected and appointed officials, civil servants, potential funders, and volunteer leadership to craft strategic and financial planning objectives. The Director provides leadership to a staff of approximately 185 full-time and 700 temporary employees, oversees an annual operating and capital budget of over $35 million, and serves as an ambassador to the community and other governmental agencies. The Director’s Office is responsible for the executive management of the highly diverse services and operations of the Allegheny County Park’s Department.

The Director ensures and coordinates safety and security efforts throughout the Parks system in partnership with the Allegheny County Police, and the Departments of Public Works and Facilities Management.

The Allegheny County Parks Department oversees nine county parks which encompass over 12,000 acres of park property and attract 23,000,000 visits per year. The Department maintains a wide variety of facilities in the County Parks and offers numerous and diverse recreational and program activities and events providing year-round opportunities to enhance the quality of life for residents and visitors.  

• Implements County policies and projects related to parks and recreation.
• Leads all staff responsible for the County’s parks property, programming, and facilities.
• Directly manages approximately eight staff members including two Deputy Directors.
• Oversees maintenance of property and facilities at nine parks: including four pools, 279 rental facilities, 28 ball fields, three golf courses, two skating rinks, nine off-leash dog areas, two stages, 200 miles of hiking trails, ski slopes, and many other areas for designated and general outdoor activities.
• Manages programming planned and conducted by a staff of rangers and naturalists.
• Protects historically significant structures and artifacts and conservation of land and resources.
• Reports Park issues and concerns to the County Manager.
• Develops annual Parks Department operating and capital budget requests; monitors the budget.
• Oversees grant management activities including approval of funding sources and requested amounts.
• Supervises management of third-party revenue and expense contracts.
• Prepares annual grant request and report for the Regional Asset District.
• Maintains effective working relationships with the County Executive, the Allegheny County Parks Foundation, and the “Friends of the Park” organizations.
• Represents Allegheny County to other federal, state, and local officials, private agencies, philanthropic groups and individuals and citizens groups to present and explain the department’s mission, vision, programs, policies, and activities.
• Performs related duties and responsibilities as requested or required.

• Demonstrated knowledge of government and/or public budgeting principles, procedures, techniques, and issues.
• Fund and appropriation accounting concepts and methods and relevant laws and regulations governing the work.

• Microsoft Office Suite 

• Identify and evaluate property, programming, and facility-related plans while considering trends, costs, social pressures, environmental resources, and needs.
• Organize, administer, and evaluate short- and long-range business practices, programs, and service delivery.
• Handle multiple demands and priorities simultaneously.
• Set priorities to meet deadlines for multiple concurrent projects.
• Identify and respond to sensitive community, County, and Parks Foundation issues, concerns, and needs.
• Pursue and maintain cooperative private/public partnerships through collaboration and consensus-building.
• Demonstrate awareness of and appreciation for the cultural diversity of Allegheny County and guiding programming that reflects and serves all resident communities.
• Understand, interpret, and communicate the policies, procedures, laws, and regulations appropriate to the administration of parks policy, programming, property, and facilities.
• Providing support to ensure the successful performance of all staff.
• Establish and maintain respectful and productive working relationships.
• Lead and coordinate the activities of a large, integrated, and complex department.
• Coordinate departmental budget preparation efforts.
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Represent Allegheny during public speaking engagements.