El Paso County is seeking an experienced, collaborative, and forward-thinking Assistant Director of Parks & Recreation to help lead a diverse and high-impact department responsible for parks, sports complexes, aquatics, golf course operations, events, marketing, and recreational programming across a growing region.

Following a major voter-approved 2024 bond investment in new construction, upgrades, and significant improvements—including the historic Ascarate Park—the Assistant Director will play a key leadership role in shaping the future of recreation for the County.

About the Position

Reporting directly to the Director of Parks & Recreation, the Assistant Director serves as a key member of the department’s leadership team and is responsible for:

Providing day-to-day oversight of parks and recreation operations across multiple facilities and program areas.

Supporting department-wide strategic planning, performance measures, budgeting, contract management, and policy development.

Guiding and mentoring staff, ensuring high-quality service delivery, and maintaining strong community partnerships.

Leading major capital improvement initiatives, special projects, and venue programming efforts.

Representing the department before Commissioners Court, community groups, media, and partner agencies.

Ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local regulations as well as County policies.

This role requires strong leadership, excellent communication skills, and the ability to manage diverse operations across a large geographic area. The ideal candidate is a creative problem-solver who thrives in a collaborative environment and is passionate about delivering exceptional recreational experiences for residents and visitors year-round.

Essential Functions:

Serve as principal assistant to the Director in managing departmental operations.

Participate in strategic planning and evaluation of departmental systems, policies, and programs.

Prepare and monitor budgets; approve expenditures; and support grant applications and contract development.

Provide operational direction to division managers and staff, including hiring, training, performance evaluations, and workforce development.

Conduct operational reviews, evaluate service delivery, and recommend improvements.

Oversee programming for parks, sports complexes, golf course, aquatics, special events, and venue rentals.

Develop and maintain event policies, programming guidelines, and annual event calendars.

Manage partnerships, sponsorships, and community engagement initiatives.

Ensure compliance with safety standards, procurement regulations, and departmental procedures.

Participate in the development and implementation of the County’s Capital Improvements Program (CIP).

Oversee planning, design, and construction of park and facility projects—from small-scale improvements to multi-million-dollar developments.

Coordinate with Public Works, Purchasing, architects, engineers, and contractors to ensure timely and successful delivery of projects.

Community Relations & Representation

Represent the department in Commissioners Court, public meetings, and with stakeholders.

Respond to public inquiries, resolve complex issues, and maintain strong community relations.

Conduct presentations, prepare reports, and provide policy recommendations to County leadership.

Ensure accurate recordkeeping, reporting, procurement documentation, and compliance with County policies.

Stay informed of industry trends and apply best practices to department operations.

Foster a strong team culture rooted in customer service, continuous improvement, and safety.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Parks & Recreation Management, Public Administration, or a related field.

Seven (7) years of professional experience in parks/venue management and event planning.

Three (3) years of supervisory or management experience overseeing public parks, venue operations, or multi-location recreational programs.

Any combination of education, experience, and training that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities will be considered.