The City of Missoula is seeking a dynamic Parks & Recreation Director to shape the future of our city’s outdoor spaces, urban forests, trails, and recreation programs. This is your chance to lead a nationally recognized department dedicated to enhancing quality of life, promoting environmental stewardship, and delivering innovative, inclusive services to our residents and visitors.

About Missoula
Nestled in the heart of the Northern Rockies, Missoula is celebrated as one of the most livable cities in the nation—where stunning natural landscapes meet a thriving, community-driven lifestyle. Home to the University of Montana, the city fosters innovation, education, and a resilient local economy. Residents enjoy easy access to outdoor recreation, from hiking and river sports to skiing and cycling, alongside a lively calendar of cultural events, music, and arts that enrich everyday life.

About Parks and Recreation
Missoula Parks & Recreation is at the heart of an active, connected, and thriving community. With over 500 acres of developed parkland, 5,000 acres of conservation lands, and 22 miles of commuter trails, we provide endless opportunities for recreation, exploration, and wellness. Our department manages more than 35,000 trees, 63 miles of natural trails, and even shares space with a herd of 90 elk on Mount Jumbo. Each year, we welcome thousands of program participants, see over 1,000 daily swims at Splash Montana and Currents Aquatics Center, and rely on the dedication of 90 teen volunteers and hundreds of adults, who contribute thousands of service hours. With a team of 61 full-time and up to 400 seasonal staff, a $16 million department budget, we provide top-tier services and deliver countless smiles along the way.

About the Role
The Parks & Recreation Director is a key leadership position responsible for overseeing and advancing the City of Missoula’s parks, recreation, urban forestry, open space, trails, and cultural initiatives. This role provides strategic direction and operational management for a diverse department that includes recreation programming, park maintenance and development, trail planning, urban forestry, and natural resource stewardship. The Director guides division managers, leads long-range planning, ensures efficient use of staff and resources, and plays a vital role in shaping policies that align with the City’s goals. As a member of the Mayor’s Senior Leadership Team, the Director also serves as a policy advisor and represents the department in collaboration with elected officials, advisory boards, neighborhood councils, and regional partners.


Application Requirements
To be considered for the position of Parks and Recreation Director, candidates must submit both an application and a cover letter. The cover letter should specifically address:

• Your vision for how parks and recreation services can enhance community well-being, equity, and resilience.
• And, how you demonstrated this vision in your previous leadership roles.

Applications without a cover letter addressing these points will not be considered.

Application Deadline: Applications will be accepted until Sunday, September 7, 2025, at 11:59 pm MST

Resumes will not be reviewed. All details should be entered on the application.

We anticipate a mid-November start for this role. Exact timing will be confirmed during the hiring process.

• Direct and coordinate the department's division managers with the overall activities of the Parks & Recreation Department, including administration, park and facility maintenance and development, recreation programming, urban forestry and natural resource management, open space acquisition and management, trail development and management, and business functions, including clerical support.
• Develop and implement rules, regulations, policies and procedures to advance the department's mission, goals and objectives; lead long range planning to achieve City and department mission and goals.
• Determine levels of staff, equipment, and other resources needed to effectively provide parks and recreation services to City residents, businesses, and visitors.
• Develop and implement the department annual operating and capital budget, with input from supervisory staff.
• Coordinate strategic planning for the department, including participation in the City's overall strategic planning process; oversee planning and evaluation of present and future recreational programs, park facilities, urban forestry and natural resource programs, open space lands, community trails, sports, and events; oversee major contracts related to planning and construction.
• Develop work plans with managerial staff; conduct annual work plan and performance evaluations of managerial staff; approve recommendations regarding the appointment, promotion, suspension, and dismissal of department employees; oversee the handling of disciplinary actions.
• Work with Missoula City Parks & Recreation Board, Missoula County Park Board, Open Space Advisory Committee, the City Council Parks and Conservation Committee, and neighborhood councils and associations to share information and ideas on city recreation programs, parks, urban forestry, open space, trail maintenance and development.
• Serve on the Mayor’s Senior Leadership Team (SLT) as a policy advisor on Parks & Recreation matters as well as all other topics engaged by SLT.
• Represent the Missoula Parks & Recreation Department in meetings with City officials, businesses, schools, civic organizations, and other agencies and jurisdictions to discuss department functions, coordinate joint activities and programs, and identify and facilitate the resolution of issues and problems.
• Prepare and direct the preparation of a variety of reports.
• Perform other duties as assigned, based on training and qualifications.

• Knowledge of public administration principles and practices, including budgeting, strategic planning, program evaluation and development, employee training and supervision.
• Knowledge of, and ability to learn and interpret, Missoula Municipal Code, Montana Code Annotated, and other local, state, and federal statutes and regulations related to parks and recreation.
• Knowledge of, or the ability to learn, City of Missoula Land Use Plan, Parks, Recreation, Open Space and Trails Plan, Long-Range Transportation Plan, Parks Department Master Fee Schedule, and various other Management Plans.
• Knowledge of, and ability to promote and ensure compliance of, department safety considerations and practices, City safety policies, including Americans with Disabilities Act.
• Skill in using various computer software and databases, including Microsoft 365, and learning job-specific applications and equipment.
• Skill in managing the day-to-day operations of a Parks & Recreation department.
• Skill in developing and evaluating park facilities and recreation programs.
• Skill in public speaking, with the ability to present data, reports, and other findings to a variety of diverse groups and individuals, while facilitating positive outcomes and maintaining a calm demeanor.
• Skill in organization, time management, and prioritizing with the proven ability to have keen attention to detail and accuracy in performing work with adherence to strict deadlines.
• Skill in negotiating and communicating, in person and writing, with the proven ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with diverse individuals.
• Ability to facilitate various groups and build consensus, while working through complex and challenging issues.
• Ability to understand, interpret, and implement various complex laws, regulations, polices, procedures, and guidelines.
• Ability to maintain current knowledge, developments, and trends related to parks and recreation.
• Ability to maintain and exhibit integrity and discretion in handling confidential and sensitive information.
• Ability to maintain and foster a culture of professionalism, adhere to departmental and City standards and specifications, and support a positive team environment.
• Ability to resolve conflicts with facilitating outcomes while maintaining a calm demeanor.
• Ability to learn departmental and City of Missoula practices and procedures, including the policies, goals, and directives of the Mayor, Park Board, Missoula City Council, etc.

• Any combination of education and experience equivalent to ten (10) years of professional level experience in parks & recreation administration, program management and development, or another related field; including three (3) years management level experience.
• Public Sector experience, preferred.

The City of Missoula does not sponsor employment visas (e.g., F-1, H-1B, TM). Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis at the time of application.