Recreation and Community Services Director

Recreation & Community Services Director

The City of Vista invites qualified applicants to apply for the position of Recreation & Community Services Director. Located just seven miles inland from the Pacific Ocean in North San Diego County, the City of Vista offers a perfect mild Mediterranean climate. Home to a population of over 98,000, residents and visitors enjoy a wide range of year-round outdoor activities in a setting of gentle rolling hills and pleasant rural surroundings. The City's centralized location provides quick accessibility to the ocean, the mountains, and famous attractions such as LEGOLAND, the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park, Sea World and Disneyland. Vista is home to the Wave Waterpark and the Moonlight Amphitheatre, an open air theater, which draws thousands of Southern Californians each year to experience award-winning productions.

Having invested substantially in its economic development efforts over the years, Vista's 1,200 acre business park is now home to over 900 growing companies that employ over 23,000 employees. Over the last five years, Vista has experienced the greatest economic boom ever in its history, outperforming most other municipalities in San Diego County in retail sales and employment growth, resulting in impressive sales tax revenues that not only give the City of Vista financial stability, but the means to invest in the community as well. Today, Vista is a crossroads of culture, education, technology and commerce with a vision to meet the diverse needs of all its residents residential, corporate and retail.

The City of Vista is seeking an experienced and dynamic leader to oversee its Recreation and Community Services Department. The Department oversees many functions including : Moonlight Stage Productions, VisTix Ticket Office, Rancho Buena Vista Adobe, Parks / Facilities, Public Art, Recreation, Senior Services, The Wave Waterpark, and four city commissions : Parks and Recreation Commission, Senior Citizens' Affairs Commission, Youth Advisory Commission, Public Arts Commission.

Under general administrative direction, to plan, organize, direct and administer programs of the Recreation and Community Services Department, including the City recreation and community services program; to plan and direct the operations of public parks, buildings and grounds; and to perform related work as required.

This one-position class reports directly to the City Manager for the effective administration of the Recreation and Community Services Department in accordance with administrative directives, City Council actions, and applicable laws and regulations. This position acts with a high degree of independence of action in the assigned area of responsibility.

Plans, organizes, directs and administers parks, recreation and community programs, including recreational and community service activities, and the operation and protection of City grounds to include public parks, playground areas, buildings and land adjacent to public buildings; Plans, coordinates and approves program development, evaluation, accounting, auditing and monitoring activities; supervises and conducts surveys of community recreational requirements to include the construction of additional parks; Identifies areas of community needs and develops service delivery systems; evaluates the need for parks, recreational activities and community services, and enlists community participation in programs; Develops and directs a public relations program; Recommends the acquisition, development and improvement of public land and recreational facilities; Develops and administers contracts with vendors and contractors; Develops and administers joint usage contracts with public school districts; Attends and participates in meetings, conferences, and seminars with other departmental administrators, public agencies, private citizens and professional groups to Discuss various community, recreation and parks problems; Provides technical assistance to the community, governmental agencies and organizations on community services, parks and recreational problems, facilities and programs; Investigates and satisfies complaints concerning departmental services and facilities; Supervises the preparation of the Departmental budget and the expenditure of funds; selects, directs, trains, evaluates and coaches personnel; Observes the work of staff for compliance with rules and regulations, to ascertain status of staff's training and development needs, and to establish opportunities through in-service training and staff development programs; Explains policies, procedures and objectives of the unit to staff by written directive and by oral communication; Conducts staff meetings; Acts as technical advisor to the Parks and Recreation Commission and the Senior Citizens' Affairs Commission; Operates City vehicles; and Performs related work as required.

Successful candidates will demonstrate : Strong leadership and communication skills to build partnerships and collaborations within the community. The ability to facilitate teamwork, and collaborative efforts with both staff and the community. The ability to prioritize, handle competing demands, and meet deadlines. Experience in budget, financial planning, and resource development. Effective skills in monitoring programs to measure effective outcomes. Knowledge and skills in the principles and practices of public administration, recreational program management, and personnel management. Political sensitivity and astuteness. A customer service mentality and excellent interpersonal skills, including being personable and approachable. A proven track record in Recreation and Community Services.

Any combination of training, education and experience which demonstrates an ability to perform the duties of the position. A typical qualifying background is a Bachelor's Degree in recreation administration, public administration, or a closely related field; and at least five years of progressively responsible public sector management experience related to recreation and community services programs. A Master's degree is desirable. Administrative level experience planning, organizing and directing comprehensive public recreation, parks construction and maintenance and community sources; Experience in a management classification, wherein the incumbent has acquired the knowledge and abilities listed above.

Municipal, county, state, and federal laws, rules and regulations, ordinances, and codes regarding senior nutrition, transportation grants, public swimming pools and parks, and other community programs and services; Principles, practices, materials and equipment of park maintenance, landscaping and construction; Principles and practices of capital project management, facility management, and project management; Administration, operation, protection and management of a parks and recreation department at an advanced level; Principles and techniques of directing group social and recreational activities, community organizations and resources; Principles of management, administration, budgeting, supervision, training and public relations; Technical, legal, financial, personnel and public relations issues involved in administering a Recreation and Community Services Department; Principles of supervision and training; Various methods and techniques to negotiate with individuals to reach mutually agreeable solutions and outcomes; Advanced record keeping methods.

Operate a vehicle observing legal and defensive driving practices.

Manage the operation of Recreation and Community Services Department programs, including community services; Formulate and administer a departmental budget; Prepare grant proposals and applications; Effectively market and advertise the Department's programs and services; Appraise workloads and plan work schedules; Supervise a department of recreational, parks, community service and clerical personnel; Develop and direct a departmental public relations program; Communicate effectively to groups, organizations and the public in writing and orally; Prepare, review and approve comprehensive reports, plans and estimates; Understand and carry out oral and written instructions; Read, understand and apply complex materials; Establish and maintain effective relationships with those contacted in the course of work; Perform mathematical and statistical computations; Effectively speak in public and developing / delivering presentations.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this class, the employee is regularly required to communicate effectively verbally and in a written manner; observe and interpret data, and analyze and solve problems. The employee must be able to work indoor office environments / outdoor in the field environments. May be exposed to dust at job sites. The employee may have to move up to 50 lbs. and transport up to 10 lbs. objects frequently. Vision abilities required by this job include the ability to detect, determine, perceive, identify, estimate, and assess work related objects and / or work products based on position specific designated tasks. The employee may be required to work outside normal working hours to complete assignments. Must be able to work a flexible schedule. Use of personal vehicle during employment may also be required. Travel required within and out of City to attend meetings.

The salary range for this position is $175,000 to $218,000 annually with an increase of 3.5% on July 1, 2026, and a very attractive benefits package. Salary will depend upon the qualifications and experience of the candidate. A City application form and supplemental questionnaire MUST be submitted and received by the closing date. Please apply online at www.vistat.gov. All other employment inquiries can be directed to the City of Vista, Human Resources Office, Telephone : (760) 643-5381. Candidates must clearly demonstrate through their application materials that they meet the employment standards outlined above. All properly completed applications will be reviewed, and the most appropriately qualified individuals will be invited to continue in the selection process. Examinations for the position may consist of any combination of written, performance, and oral exams to evaluate the applicant's skill, training, and experience for the position. The selected candidate(s) must successfully complete pre-employment clearances which may include a physical, drug screen, and fingerprinting. The provisions of this announcement do not constitute an expressed or implied contract, and any provisions contained in the announcement may be modified or revoked without notice. The City of Vista is an Equal Opportunity and ADA compliant employer. All qualified candidates and veterans are welcome to apply! Recruitment Closes : Friday, October 17th, 2025. Initial Interview Panel : Week of October 27th. Stakeholder Panel Interview : Week of November 10th.