Recreation Services Manager

Job Description:

Recreation Services Manager

Description

Description

RECREATION SERVICES MANAGER

Full-Time Employment Opportunity

The final filing date is Wednesday, May 6, 2026, at 5:00 pm or after receiving 100 qualified and complete applications, whichever is first.

We build community trust by delivering exceptional services. Our Core Values of Public Service: Integrity, Leadership, and Respect. The City of Sunnyvale is looking to hire a Recreation Services Manager to join the Department of Library and Recreation Services! Currently, the Library and Recreation Services Department has an opening in the Marketing and Customer Services Unit; however, this recruitment may also be used to fill future Recreation Services Manager vacancies.

The ideal candidate will possess strong leadership skills and the ability to create a team-oriented environment that emphasizes cooperation with other departments and partner agencies, as well as responsiveness in achieving the City’s goals and objectives.

Under general direction, plans, organizes, oversees, coordinates, and manages the staff and operations of an assigned Recreation Division within the Library and Recreation Services Department, including recreation, arts, and community services programs; participates in the development of policies and strategies for division operations; manages the effective use of division resources to improve organizational productivity and customer service; provides complex and responsible support to the Deputy Director of Recreation Services in areas of expertise; and performs related duties as assigned.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Receives general direction from the Deputy Director of Recreation Services. Exercises direct supervision over supervisory, technical, and administrative support staff.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
This is a management classification responsible for planning, organizing, reviewing, and evaluating recreation, arts, and community service programs of an assigned Recreation Division within the Library and Recreation Services Department. Incumbents are responsible for performing diverse, specialized, and complex work involving significant accountability and decision-making responsibilities, which include developing and implementing policies and procedures for assigned programs, budget administration, reporting, program evaluation, and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements. Incumbents serve as a professional-level resource for organizational, managerial, and operational analyses and studies. Performance of the work requires the use of considerable independence, initiative, and discretion within broad guidelines.

Essential Job Functions

(May include, but are not limited to, the following):

• Plans, manages, and oversees the daily functions, operations, and activities of an assigned Recreation Division, including recreation, arts, and community services programs, youth sports, and aquatics.
• Participates in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, work plans, policies, and priorities for the division; recommends within division policy, appropriate service and staffing levels; recommends and administers policies and procedures.
• Participates in the development, administration, and oversight of the division budget; determines funding needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; ensures compliance with budgeted funding.
• Develops and standardizes procedures and methods to improve and continuously monitor the efficiency and effectiveness of assigned programs, service delivery methods, and procedures; assesses and monitors workload, administrative and support systems, and internal reporting relationships; identifies opportunities for improvement and makes recommendations to the Deputy Director of Recreation Services.
• Participates in the selection of, trains, motivates, and evaluates assigned personnel; provides or coordinates staff training; collaborates with employees to correct deficiencies; recommends discipline.
• Performs project management responsibilities; develops logical and efficient project plans; establishes priorities; monitors and manages task completion; anticipates and avoids problems; works collaboratively and cooperatively with team members and user groups to ensure project accountability.
• Develops and manages requests for proposals for professional and/or contracted services; prepares scope of work and any technical specifications; evaluates proposals and recommends award; negotiates contracts; administers contracts to ensure compliance with City specifications and service quality.
• Oversees the development and implementation of recreation, arts, and community services programs, services, and facilities to meet community needs and interests, while utilizing market-based pricing strategies and a balanced approach to subsidizing activities while reducing dependency on the General Fund.
• Acts as a representative to educational institutions, community groups, private businesses, and others regarding questions, problems, concerns, and activities in the provision of recreation program operations, activities, facilities, amenities, and services; cultivates partnerships to maximize community benefit and leverage City resources.
• Makes recommendations regarding the implementation of annual and long-range Capital Improvement Programs; manages Capital Improvement Projects at gymnasiums, multi-purpose rooms, pools, and related facilities.
• Oversees the marketing of recreation programs and activities; supervises and participates in the design, preparation, and distribution of recreation publicity including activity guides, press releases, brochures, pamphlets, flyers, and printed schedules.
• Evaluates community needs and interests; prepares community surveys; ensures facilities, programs, and activities are meeting the changing needs of the community; recommends new recreation programs; forecasts trends and develops curriculum.
• Plans, organizes, and coordinates special events, including logistics, staffing, budget, and coordination with outside vendors, event producers, and contractors.
• Serves as liaison for assigned functions with other City departments, divisions, and outside agencies; provides staff support to commissions, committees, and task forces.
• Provides highly complex staff assistance to the Deputy Director of Recreation Services; prepares and presents staff reports and other written materials; supervises the establishment and maintenance of working and official division files; ensures the proper documentation of operations and activities.
• Reviews the work of staff to ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations.
• Represents the City in meetings with members of other public and private organizations, community groups, contractors, and the public.
• Attends and participates in professional group meetings; stays abreast of contemporary trends and innovations in the field of recreation and community services.
• Monitors changes in regulations and technology that may affect operations; implements policy and procedural changes after approval.
• Answers questions and provides information to the public; investigates and responds to complaints and inquiries from residents, other departments, and agencies.
• Ensures staff observe and comply with all City and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Physical Demands:
When assigned to an office environment , must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone; ability to stand and walk between work areas may be required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information.
W hen assigned to field (programs/events) , must possess mobility to work in changing site conditions; possess the strength, stamina, and mobility to perform light to medium physical work; to sit, stand, and walk on level, uneven, or slippery surfaces; to reach, twist, turn, kneel, and bend; and to operate a motor vehicle and visit various City sites; vision to inspect site conditions and work in progress. The job involves fieldwork requiring frequent walking in operational areas to identify problems or hazards, with exposure to hazardous materials in some site locations. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects averaging a weight of 25 pounds, or heavier weights, in all cases with the use of proper equipment and/or assistance from other staff. Some of these requirements may be accommodated for otherwise qualified individuals requiring and requesting such accommodation.

Environmental Conditions:
Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees also work in the field and are exposed to loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, road hazards, vibration, chemicals, mechanical and/or electrical hazards. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or the public in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience:
The minimum qualifications for education and experience can be met in the following way:

A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in recreation, leisure, arts administration, public administration, business administration, hospitality management, or related field; AND

Four (4) years of increasingly responsible professional experience in the field of recreation, arts, and/or community services, including prior experience in a lead or supervisory capacity.

Knowledge of:

• Organization and management practices as applied to the development, analysis, and evaluation of programs, policies, and operational needs of the assigned area of responsibility.
• Principles and practices of employee supervision, including work planning, assignment review and evaluation, discipline, and the training of staff in work procedures.
• Principles and practices of leadership.
• Administrative principles, practices, and methods including goal setting, program development, implementation and evaluation, policy and procedure development, quality control, and work standards.
• Principles and techniques for working with groups and fostering effective team interaction to ensure teamwork is conducted smoothly.
• Principles and practices of budget development and administration.
• Principles and practices of contract administration and management.
• General principles of risk management related to the functions of the assigned area.
• Principles and practices of recreation and leisure programming and service delivery, including rules, materials, best practices, and equipment.
• Community organizations to source and partner in the provision of recreation and community programs and services.
• Methods and practices of evaluating, developing, and implementing recreation, arts, and community services programs.
• Complex arithmetic and statistical techniques.
• Research methods and techniques.
• Recent and on-going developments related to the operations of the assigned department.
• Methods and techniques of preparing technical and administrative reports, and general business correspondence.
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations as well as industry standards and best practices pertinent to the assigned area of responsibility.
• City and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service, by effectively working with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff.
• The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed.

Ability to:

• Select and supervise staff, provide training and development opportunities, ensure work is performed effectively, and evaluate performance in an objective and positive manner.
• Develop and implement goals, objectives, practices, policies, procedures, and work standards.
• Provide administrative, management, and professional leadership for the assigned Recreation Services Division.
• Prepare and administer complex budgets; allocate limited resources in a cost-effective manner.
• Understand community leisure and social conditions to determine special recreation needs.
• Plan, oversee, coordinate, review, and evaluate recreation and leisure program operations and activities.
• Develop promotional materials and effectively market City recreation and leisure programs and services.
• Perform mathematical calculations quickly and accurately.
• Research, analyze, and evaluate new service delivery methods, procedures, and techniques.
• Supervise the establishment of filing, record-keeping, and tracking systems.
• Understand, interpret, and apply all pertinent laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures, and standards relevant to work performed.
• Effectively represent the division and the City in meetings with governmental agencies, community groups, various business, professional, and regulatory organizations, and in meetings with individuals
• Prepare clear and concise reports, correspondence, documentation, and other written materials.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy and procedural guidelines.
• Independently organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow-up on assignments.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships.
• Effectively use computer systems, software applications relevant to work performed, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.

Licenses/Certificates:
Possession and continued maintenance of a valid class C California driver's license or the ability to provide alternative transportation as approved by the appointing authority and a safe driving record.

Application and Selection Process

The application period closes on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, at 5:00 pm or after receiving 100 qualified and complete applications, whichever is first . If you are interested in this opportunity, please submit a City of Sunnyvale employment application and responses to the supplemental questions to the Department of Human Resources (postmarks or faxes are not accepted). Candidates are asked to fully describe any training, education, experience, or skills relevant to this position. Electronic applications may be submitted on-line through the City's employment page at Sunnyvale.ca.gov and click on JOBS. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.

EXAM PROCESS

Applications will be competitively screened based on the minimum qualifications of this position. Based upon a review of the application materials, the most qualified candidates will be invited to participate in the examination process, which may consist of an oral examination scheduled for Wednesday, May 20, 2026, (Note: The examination process may be changed as deemed necessary by the Director of Human Resources).

SELECTION PROCESS

Those candidates that receive a passing score on the examination will be placed on an eligibility list for up to one year, in accordance with the City's Civil Service Rules and Administrative Policies. Top candidates on the eligibility list will be invited to participate in a selection interview with the department tentatively scheduled for the week of May 25, 2026. Selection interviews will typically take place in-person, please plan accordingly.

Any candidate selected by the hiring department will be required to successfully complete a pre-employment process, which may consist of a comprehensive background investigation, as well as medical exam(s) administered by a City-selected physician(s) before hire. Prior to starting work, all newly-hired employees will be fingerprinted to check conviction history. A conviction history will not necessarily disqualify an applicant from appointment; however, failure to disclose conviction history will result in refusal of employment or termination.

INFORMATION ABOUT PROOF OF EDUCATION

Any successful candidate selected by the hiring department will be required to submit proof of education (i.e., original copy of the diploma or college/university transcripts).

Any successful candidate selected by the hiring department will be required to submit proof of education (i.e., copy of the diploma or college/university transcripts). An applicant with a college degree obtained outside the United States must have education records evaluated by a credential evaluation service at the candidate’s expense. Candidates may utilize any third-party agency for the evaluation. If you search ‘education equivalency verification’ or similar online, you will obtain results for agencies that provide this evaluation service. A conditional job offer cannot be made until the education has been evaluated and submitted to the Department of Human Resources.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Positions in this job classification are represented by the Summary of Management SMA Benefits

Notice of CFRA (California Family Rights Act) Rights and Obligations

For assistance on how to fill out your job application, watch the following video:

• How to Apply for a City of Sunnyvale Job- YouTube (5:13)

The information contained within this announcement may be modified or revoked without notice and does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.

The City of Sunnyvale is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants for all job openings will be considered without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status, or any other consideration made unlawful under any federal, state, or local laws. The City of Sunnyvale is committed to offering reasonable accommodations to job applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please contact us at (408) 730-7490 or [email protected].

Summary of Management SMA Benefits

Notice of CFRA (California Family Rights Act) Rights and Obligations

Closing Date/Time: 5/6/2026 5:00 PM Pacific

Salary:

$132,526.00 - $165,658.00 Annually