Description

The Albert Lea Recreation Department is completing nearly $10 million in improvements to its recreational facilities, and is seeking a Recreation Manager to provide strategic leadership, vision, and operational oversight for the department, its programming and facilities. With the improvements, the Recreation Department will now have year-round ice at its City Arena, providing opportunities for new programs along with long-standing events, leagues, park activities and lessons.

This Manager Is Also Responsible For

Creating an inclusive, welcoming, and culturally responsive recreation system that reflects and celebrates a diverse community.
Leading planning, development, and administration of recreation programs, facilities, events, and services.
Collaborating closely with Public Works and Engineering on park maintenance, facility maintenance, and capital planning.
Partnering with community organizations on long-range planning and strategic initiatives.
Managing and maintaining the City Arena, Aquatic Center, Marion Ross Theater and Senior Center.
Overseeing scheduling of the City Arena and Aquatic Center along with park pavilion rentals and issuance of boat dock permits.
Supporting the Blue Zones Albert Lea Project, a healthy living initiative.

The role requires strong leadership, budgeting, communication, and knowledge of public recreation operations, safety regulations, and facility management.

General Statement of Duties: Oversees the City's recreation programs and facilities, including the Arena, Aquatic Center, Senior Center and Civic Theater; performs related duties as required.

Supervision Received: Works under the general supervision of the Director of Community Enrichment and Engagement.

Supervision Exercised: Exercises general supervision over department staff either directly or through supervisory staff. Includes full-time, part-time and seasonal help.

Examples of Duties

Oversees and directs the Recreation Department operations and programs, ensures effective coordination of maintenance with programming.
Develops and implements policies, procedures, and practices for effective operation of the department, consistent with City policies and relevant laws, rules, and regulations.
Provides oversight for operations, staffing and maintenance of the City Arena, Aquatic Center, Civic Theater and Senior Center along with park programs and special events.
Assists with developing and administrating the annual recreation budgets for programming and maintenance, including the Arena, Aquatic Center, Civic Theater and Senior Center.
Prepares, negotiates and submits usage and rental agreements.
Reviews and develops long-term operational plans and goals for the department; assigns and adjusts priorities to meet shifting long-term plans.
Promotes Recreation programs and activities in coordination with Communications staff.
Supervises staff including interviewing, hiring, training, coaching, assigning and reviewing work; rewarding and disciplining performance; approving department supervisors’ personnel actions; and recommending discharge.
Plans, coordinates and directs a diversified year-round, city-wide parks and recreation program including the management of the Arena and Aquatic Center, and various fields, parks and open spaces.
Coordinates recreation programs with the Parks Department, other City departments, and outside organizations such as school districts and various community groups.
Plans and implements ADA compliance efforts for recreation programs, services, and facilities.
Prepares or oversees planning for long-term maintenance of City buildings and facilities, with supervisory staff; oversees major purchases and capital expenditures; maintains the Capital Improvement Plan.
Directs the planning, development, and construction of recreation facilities in compliance with the City's Comprehensive Plan.
Approves expenditures in compliance with the City Purchasing Policy.
Serves as staff liaison, or assigns a staff member to act as a liaison, at Park and Recreation Board meetings.
Engages with community members and groups to determine recreation programming needs and interests, as well as respond to questions and concerns of the public.
Supports the Blue Zones Albert Lea Project.
Represents the City in government and professional organizations, such as NRPA, MRPA and MIAMA.
Maintains a variety of records and prepares reports and correspondence as needed, including evaluations of recreation programs.
May schedule the use and rentals of facilities including special events and entertainers.
Performs other duties as needed or assigned.

Typical Qualifications

Considerable knowledge of the principles and practices of public recreation including a wide variety of community recreational programs and activities.
Thorough knowledge of management principles and practices as well as effective customer services practices.
Considerable knowledge of OSHA regulations and safety practices related to recreation and sports.
Considerable knowledge of the operation and maintenance of equipment, building and facilities.
Considerable knowledge of state laws, City ordinances, and City policies as they apply to recreation programs and facilities.
Ability to plan, direct and schedule ice time, rentals, sports leagues, events and other activities.
Ability to see, read and understand and to interpret blueprints, technical diagrams and bid specifications.
Working ability to be exposed to a loud work environment and to operate Arena equipment.
Considerable knowledge of Arena and Aquatic Center operations and management.
Thorough ability to supervise staff and volunteers.
Thorough ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with elected officials, business leaders, youth organizations, community organizers, City staff, and the general public, including making public presentations.
Thorough ability to develop and implement department policy and to oversee operations.
Considerable ability to analyze information, solve problems and make effective decisions.
Considerable ability to prepare and administer an annual budget.
Considerable ability to organize, direct and schedule a variety of recreational programs and activities.
Considerable ability to promote park and recreational programs and use of buildings and facilities.
Considerable ability to operate a personal computer with standard word processing and specialized recreation scheduling software.
Considerable ability to see, hear, read and understand to perform the work.
Working ability to sit for long periods of time to perform office functions.
Working ability to drive safely and legally.

Desired Minimum Qualifications

A bachelor’s degree in recreation, leisure studies, physical education, park and recreation administration or an equivalent combination of education and experience with five years professional experience in parks and recreation program administration at least three of which must have been as a supervisor.

SPECIAL QAULIFICATIONS

Must possess and maintain a valid state driver’s license and First Aid and CPR certificate; or ability to obtains within six months of hires.

Note: Asterisked (*) items are essential to the job.

Supplemental Information

Position: Recreation Manager Date: 12/31/2025

Physical Job Requirements and Working Conditions: Pick one box that describes the requirements needed for your job

and the conditions you encounter on the job.

Intermittent - Less than 15% of the time in a typical week (one per week or less)

Occasional - 15%-45% of the time in a typical week

Frequent - 45%-70% of the time in a typical week

Continuous - Over70% of the time in a typical week (averages daily)

N/AIntermittentOccasionalFrequentContinuousWalk

X

Stand

X

Sit

X

Bend or Stoop

X

Kneel or Squat

X

Work with arms above shoulder

X

Climbing

X

Lift or carry less than 10 lbs.

X

Lift or Carry 11-25 lbs.

X

Lift, carry, push, pull 26-60 lbs.

X

Lift, carry, push, pull over 60 lbs.

X

Keyboarding

X

Repetitive movement

X

Working in cold weather below freezing

X

Working in hot weather above 90

X

Exposed to toxic/caustic materials

X

Exposed to bloodborne pathogens

X

Exposed to fumes or airborne particles

X

Exposed to annoying odor

X

Exposed to sickening odor

X

Exposed to grease/grime

X

Exposed to driving on street

X

Exposed to wet conditions

X

Exposed to machine tools

X

Exposed to moving mechanical parts

X

Exposed to high, precarious spaces

X

Exposed to risk of electrical shock

X

Exposed to slippery conditions

X

Inability to leave work stationX

Exposure to angry public

X

Exposure to deadly assaultX

Exposure to offense language

X

Exposure to threatsX

Exposure to traumaX

Limited mental effort and/or stress

X

Some mental effort and stress involved resulting in frustration

X

Considerable mental effort and stress

X

Work alone

X

Work with moderate detail

X

Work with high detail

X

Work with moderate deadlines

X

Work with high deadlines

X

Employee Benefit Summary for the City of Albert Lea 2026

Retirement (PERA) – as a full-time employee of the City of Albert Lea, you are automatically a member of PERA (Public Employee Retirement Association of Minnesota).

Employee Contributions -6.50%
Employer Contributions-7.50%
Vesting- 100% after 3 years

Health Insurance: coverage for you and your eligible dependents start on the first of the month following your date of hire.

The City offers two different health insurance plans with three deductible options for each plan.

HSA/VEBA contribution of single $1,200 and family $1,900 with the opportunity to make an additional $300 through participation in the wellness program

Kavira: offers a new healthcare experience for you and your family. With an experienced team of clinicians, you will receive same-day primary and urgent care via home visits and telehealth. No more unnecessary trips to the doctor – all care is provided through house or workplace visits and via the mobile app. Coverage provided by the City.

Life Insurance: $10,000 provided by the City.

Flexible Benefit Accounts for both health care and dependent care.

LTD – 90 day waiting period, 60% of monthly pay up to a max of $6,000 per month

Leave Benefits Initially

Vacation – 8 hrs. per month (240 max)

Sick Leave – 8 hrs. per month (960 max)

Holiday – 11 paid holidays and 1 Floating Holiday

Voluntary Plan

Supplemental Life Insurance. PERA and/or Sun Life

AFLAC Insurance – optional employee benefits; critical illness, hospitalization, accident.

Dental insurance through Met Life

Deferred compensation (457 plan) -- Mission Square or Nationwide (similar to a 401k)

Identity Theft/Legal Insurance

Vision Plan

City of Albert Lea

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Recreation Manager