Parks Manager at City of Wilsonville – Wilsonville, Oregon

Help Shape the Places People Love!

From neighborhood playgrounds to nature trails, Wilsonville’s parks are where the community comes to play, relax, and connect. Behind every well-maintained park is a dedicated team and we are looking for a Parks Manager to lead that effort. In this role, you’ll oversee the daily operations, maintenance, and improvements of Wilsonville’s parks system. You'll guide a skilled team, manage projects and budgets, and collaborate with other departments and community partners to ensure our public spaces are safe and welcoming.

If you know what it takes to maintain exceptional public spaces, manage staff with confidence, and think creatively about how to improve parks and facilities, this could be your next great role.

Why You’ll Love Working Here
We care deeply about our people—both the ones who enjoy our parks and the dedicated team members who maintain them. Our parks aren’t just green spaces, they are places where the community comes together. That connection starts with you. When you join our team, you become part of an organization that values professionalism, balance, inclusion, innovation, and purpose-driven public service. We like to call it #thewilsonvilleway. It is how we collaborate across departments, engage with our community, and take pride in everything from playground upgrades to trail maintenance to long-term planning. You will work alongside people who take their jobs seriously and who also know how to enjoy the work, support one another, and make a real, visible impact in the community every single day.

What You'll Do (Besides Enjoy the Scenery)

• Manage day-to-day operations for parks, trails, and recreation facilities
• Lead a skilled, dedicated crew focused on safety, service, and stewardship
• Plan and oversee park upgrades, infrastructure projects, and seasonal needs
• Respond to service requests and help deliver top-notch public experiences
• Stay on top of sustainability practices, compliance requirements, and new trends in parks and open space management

Who We are Looking For

• A natural leader who’s just as comfortable in a team meeting as you are out in the field
• Organized, efficient, and experienced in municipal parks or public works
• Skilled in managing people, projects, and public expectations
• An excellent communicator with a service-first mindset and a collaborative spirit
• Ready to help shape a parks system that reflects the values of the Wilsonville community

If you’re ready to lead with purpose and help shape the future of Wilsonville’s parks, we encourage you to apply today. Bring your experience, your vision, and your passion for public spaces. We will give you the platform to make it count.

The Parks Manager oversees the daily activities and operations of the Parks Division, including: planning and implementing park maintenance and improvement projects; budgeting and long-range planning for parks, trails, and recreational facilities; developing enhancements to park amenities and user experiences; performing operational analyses; and planning, directing, and managing Parks employees. This position also develops, implements, monitors, and evaluates systems, policies, and procedures to ensure the highest quality of parks and recreational services are provided.

The Parks Manager is part of the Parks Management team and reports directly to the Parks and Recreation Director. This position exercises direct supervision of Parks employees and may also represent the Director in various local and regional meetings.

This is an exempt, mid-management classification in the Parks and Recreation Department. The incumbent manages day-to-day operations and maintenance of City parks and related public spaces, provides professional-level support to the Director, and assists in long-range planning, budgeting, and policy implementation. This role requires a strong professional background in parks management, along with the ability to coordinate programs and services with other City departments and community partners. The class is distinguished from the Parks and Recreation Director, who has overall responsibility for all departmental functions, programs, and strategic direction.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
The following tasks are representative and not to be considered all inclusive.

• Provides leadership, direction, and day-to-day management of Parks maintenance and operations.
• Manages and participates in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies, and priorities for operations and maintenance programs; recommends, within departmental policy, appropriate service and staffing levels; recommends and administers policies and procedures.
• Assists in managing and participates in the preparation and administration of the Parks and Recreation Department’s annual operating and capital improvement budgets; forecasts additional funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; monitors and approves expenditures; implements budget adjustments as necessary.
• Develops, oversees, and implements capital improvement projects for parks infrastructure and facilities; coordinates project timelines, budgets, contractor performance, and interdepartmental collaboration.
• Researches and writes grant applications to secure external funding for capital and operational improvements; tracks and reports grant outcomes to funding agencies.
• Selects, supervises, trains, evaluates, and disciplines assigned staff; fosters a safe, inclusive, and productive work environment.
• Assists in planning, directing, and coordinating park maintenance and operations activities; meets regularly with staff to identify and resolve issues; assigns projects and areas of responsibility; reviews and evaluates work methods and procedures.
• Reviews work methods and service delivery; identifies opportunities for improved effectiveness and implements changes.
• Works closely with Engineering, Planning, Public Works, and other departments on shared responsibilities and public improvement projects.
• Serves as departmental representative at City Council meetings, public hearings, and community events as needed.
• Responds to and resolves complaints, inquiries, or service issues from residents, businesses, and user groups.
• Maintains compliance with environmental regulations, ADA accessibility standards, and public safety requirements.
• Prepares and presents reports, staff memos, and operational updates to management, City Council, or advisory committees.
• Stays current on emerging trends, technologies, and best practices in parks and recreation management, sustainability, and urban forestry.
• Complete other tasks as assigned.

Customer Service Standards for Employees
These standards are to ensure the organization is focused on providing high quality service to the public and other employees. Employees are expected to meet these standards as part of their job responsibilities.

Communication

• Acknowledge customers when they enter a city facility by greeting them with a smile and positive tone of voice whether in person, on the phone or in email. Gather necessary information to assist the customer. Where possible, handle issues/questions/requests without transferring customer to someone else.
• Seek out answers to questions first; if unsuccessful provide name/contact information of someone who can assist.
• Listen, understand, and clarify to gain in depth understanding of the needs to ensure they are being met.
• Address difficult or contentious issues in a constructive manner. Be positive and enthusiastic when speaking with customers.

Respect

• Be courteous and polite.
• Treat customers with dignity and respect.
• Understand customer's expectations and treat them as a priority. Actively listen and give customer undivided attention.
• Appreciate differing perspectives, opinions, and needs.
• Demonstrate integrity and build trust through credibility, reliability, commitment, and ethical behavior.

Responsiveness

• Provide prompt and reliable service. Respond to phone/email as soon as possible.
• Follow through in a timely manner on commitments made to customers and provide estimated timeline for completion.
• Change voicemail and email when out of office/unavailable and provide alternate contact person for customers.
• Demonstrate a "can-do" approach.
• Exhibit problem-solving skills leading to sound judgment and quality decisions.

Education: A Bachelor’s degree in Parks and Recreation Management, Public or Business Administration, Environmental Science, or a related field.

Experience: Five (5) years of increasingly responsible experience in parks operations or public works, including at least two (2) years in a supervisory or management capacity.

An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to perform the essential duties may be considered.

Required Certifications/Licenses: Valid driver license

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities
Knowledge of:

• Principles, practices, and techniques of municipal parks operations, groundskeeping, and facility maintenance.
• Budget development, grant writing, and capital improvement planning for parks and recreation systems.
• Applicable local, state, and federal laws, regulations, and codes, including environmental and ADA compliance.
• Sustainable land management practices, urban forestry, integrated pest management, and irrigation systems.
• Methods and tools used in park construction, maintenance, and asset management.
• Organizational development, supervisory practices, and labor relations principles.
• Emergency response planning as it relates to public spaces and city infrastructure.

Skill in:

• Planning, organizing, prioritizing, and directing staff and operational activities efficiently.
• Preparing clear and concise reports, proposals, policies, and correspondence.
• Developing and managing budgets, grants, contracts, and project timelines.
• Building strong relationships and effectively communicating with staff, elected officials, contractors, and community stakeholders.
• Analyzing operational issues and implementing effective, forward-thinking solutions.

Ability to:

• Lead diverse teams and motivate staff in a collaborative and safety-focused work culture.
• Interpret and apply City of Wilsonville policies, codes, and ordinances.
• Work independently while exercising sound judgment in complex and sensitive situations.
• Represent the City professionally in meetings, negotiations, and public forums.
• Adapt to changing priorities, new technologies, and evolving community needs.

Work Environment: This position works in both office and field environments. Office duties are typically performed in a quiet, temperature-controlled setting. Fieldwork may involve exposure to a variety of outdoor conditions, including heat, cold, rain, or wind. The position also includes visits to park sites, trails, and maintenance facilities, where the manager may be exposed to loud noise, dust, fumes, and mechanical or electrical equipment. This role may occasionally involve working near active construction areas or maintenance crews. Interactions with the public or external stakeholders may involve resolving service issues or enforcing departmental policies in sensitive or high-stress situations.

Physical Requirements: This position requires the ability to move between indoor office spaces and outdoor park and facility locations. The incumbent must be able to sit or stand for extended periods, move over uneven terrain, climb stairs or small inclines, and access various City park locations. Dexterity and coordination are needed to operate a computer, mobile devices, and office equipment. The ability to occasionally bend, kneel, stoop, or reach is required when reviewing fieldwork or accessing equipment or storage areas. The position occasionally involves lifting or carrying objects weighing up to 25 pounds. Incumbents must be able to operate a motor vehicle to travel between City sites. Vision sufficient to read printed materials, digital displays, plans, and schematics is necessary, as is hearing and speech to communicate clearly in person, over the phone, and during meetings or presentations.

Cognitive Functions: This position works in a fast-paced and often complex environment where sound judgment, strategic thinking, and multitasking are critical. The role requires the ability to independently manage competing priorities, oversee multiple ongoing projects, and meet strict deadlines. The incumbent must be able to interpret and apply City policies, regulatory requirements, maintenance standards, and contractual terms, often in situations where precedent is limited or where creative solutions are required. Exceptional communication skills are essential for preparing reports, leading meetings, and engaging with staff, residents, and outside agencies. The position involves frequent problem-solving, supervision of staff, and collaboration across departments. It also requires the ability to manage sensitive public issues and represent the City in high-visibility situations, often while navigating diverse perspectives and maintaining professionalism.

Tools and Equipment Used: This position regularly uses computers, phones, printers, and related office equipment, along with a variety of software including word processing, spreadsheet, and database programs. In the field, they may coordinate or oversee use of radios, hand tools, or maintenance equipment by operations staff.