The City of McMinnville is seeking an experienced and visionary Parks & Recreation Director to help lead the future of parks, recreation, and community facilities in one of Oregon’s most vibrant and growing communities.
The Position
This position plans, directs, oversees, and administers the activities, operations, and long range planning of the Parks and Recreation Department, including the Aquatic Center, Senior Center, Community Center, recreation sports programs, and other community wide events and interest groups.
The Director coordinates assigned activities with other City departments and outside agencies and provides leadership and strategic support to the City Manager.
The Parks & Recreation Director reports directly to the City Manager and serves as a member of the City’s executive leadership team.
The Director will also play a key role in guiding the continued development of McMinnville’s parks and recreation system, strengthening community partnerships, and ensuring programs and facilities meet the needs of residents of all ages.
To learn more about where we're going, check out the City’s strategic plan, Mac-Town 2032.
Future Recreation & Aquatic Facilities
An important area of focus for the next Parks & Recreation Director will be helping guide the future of recreation and aquatic facilities in McMinnville. In 2025, voters considered a $98.5 million recreation and aquatic facilities bond measure that fell just 13 votes short of voter approval, reflecting strong community interest in modernizing recreation amenities and expanding programming opportunities.
The City Council is currently evaluating next steps and potential options for addressing the community’s long-term recreation needs, including improvements to existing facilities, new recreation infrastructure, and possible future funding strategies.
The Director will play a key role in supporting community engagement, long range facility planning, and potential capital project development in partnership with City leadership and community stakeholders.
Given the strong level of community interest demonstrated in the recent vote, the City is continuing to explore options to address recreation and aquatic facility needs that meet the community’s long term goals.
The Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate is a visionary and dynamic professional with a proven track record in local government who can support strategic initiatives, lead high-performing teams, and guide the Parks and Recreation Department into its next phase of growth.
The candidate should be a strong leader capable of guiding diverse teams, building collaborative relationships with community stakeholders, and effectively managing complex budgets, programs, and capital projects.
They should possess excellent communication skills, strong strategic thinking abilities, and a commitment to equitable access to recreational programs and green spaces. An understanding of environmental stewardship, public engagement, and innovative programming is essential to ensure the department meets the evolving needs of the community.
Experience leading or supporting the planning, funding, or delivery of major parks, recreation, or aquatic facility projects is highly desirable.
About our City and Community
McMinnville benefits from a supportive Mayor, City Council, City Manager, and professional staff who work collaboratively to advance community priorities. Our Council-Manager form of government ensures we deliver on the City Council’s priorities using best practices in municipal management.
McMinnville is a full service city with approximately 325 employees providing a broad range of public services including police, municipal court, wastewater treatment, street maintenance, engineering and planning, building permitting and inspection, parks and recreation, a library, and a municipal airport.
Nestled in the heart of Oregon’s Willamette Valley, McMinnville is an easy going, forward thinking community of nearly 35,000 residents. The American Planning Association has recognized our historic downtown as one of its prestigious Great Streets in America, and the community is internationally known for world-class Pinot Noir and other Willamette Valley wines.
McMinnville’s central location places residents within easy reach of the Oregon Coast, the State Capitol in Salem, Portland’s urban amenities, and the slopes of Mt. Hood.
The community offers abundant opportunities for families of all types. Our school district boasts a high school graduation rate of over 90%, and higher education opportunities are available through Chemeketa Community College and Linfield University. Childcare options are available throughout the community, and the City offers a wide range of services for older adults through Yamhill County, NorthWest Senior & Disability Services, and the McMinnville Senior Center. Visit McMinnville is a great resource for learning more about our City.
POSITION SUMMARYPlans, directs, oversees and administers the activities and operations of the Parks and Recreation Department (Park planning and development, Aquatic Center, Senior Center, Community Center, Rec Sports, and other general community wide special events and interest groups.). Coordinates assigned activities with other City departments and outside agencies; serves as a member of the executive management team and providers leadership and complex administrative support to the City Manager.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
Department Oversite- Establish departmental strategic goals, objectives and culture.
- Directs activities of department personnel, through subordinate supervisors. Hears grievances and administers disciplinary action. Interviews and participates in hiring, disciplinary actions as well as terminations. Ensures provision of adequate training within department.
- Prepares and presents annual department budget request. Manages and monitors approved department budget. Reviews and approves expenditures. Audits, analyses and reviews programs and makes necessary modifications. Develops and administers fundraising, grants, other resources and alternative funding for Department.
- Responsible for developing and administering McMinnville Municipal Code Chapter 12.36. Acts as the final appeal for park exclusion orders administered by law enforcement officers, City staff or security personnel.
Parks and Recreation Planning and Development- Manages the planning and development of a comprehensive system of parks that serve the interests and values of the community. Conducts park plan studies. Provides project management and coordinates efforts with affected City staff to achieve park improvements including acquisitions, development and renovations. Advises developers and contractors on issues and projects affecting parks, greenways, and open space. Prepares and reviews memorandums of understanding, intergovernmental agreements and other business documents and associated transfers of services and/or property.
- Manages the planning and development of indoor recreation facilities including forecasting growth, trends, space needs, operating expenses, community needs and goals.
- Oversees complex construction projects and contracts.
Community and partner engagement and enrichment- Manages and leads community outreach and engagement efforts by directing the work of advisory committees, community surveys, programs and events. Advises, participates with, and staff’s special community interest groups, other public agencies and commissions, community groups and individuals related to Parks and Recreation planning and operations.
- Prepares and negotiates intergovernmental agreements, memorandum of understandings, partner contracts, purchase and sale agreements and joint use agreements.
- Is responsible for all media communications for Parks and Recreation.
Supervision- Manages, coordinates, and supervises the work of direct reports.
- Responsible for interviewing, hiring, disciplining, and terminating employees.
- Establishes department goals, priorities, and metrics in alignment with the city’s goals and objectives.
- Establishes individual performance expectations and objectives for direct reports.
- Selects, supports, and motivates staff.
- Provides and coordinates staff training and supports professional development goals.
- Oversees workplace safety programs and policies.
- Conducts performance review meetings and produces written performance evaluation documents.
- Provides coaching for performance improvement and takes appropriate disciplinary action, up to and including termination, to address performance deficiencies.
GENERAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, other agencies, and the public.
- Perform other duties as assigned within the scope of the classification.
- Participate in committees when requested.
- Maintain proficiency in job requirements which may include attending training and meetings, reading materials, and meeting with others in areas of responsibility, which may require travel.
- Maintain work areas in a clean and orderly manner.
- Maintain confidentiality, data integrity, and comply with all related city, state, and federal standards related to confidentiality.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Any equivalent combination of education and experience which provide the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the duties as described. A typical way to qualify would be an advanced degree and at least seven (7) years of related experience, including at least three (3) years of supervisory experience. This position also requires:
Knowledge of:
- Modern principles of park planning and design.
- Advanced principles, practices, procedures and methods of municipal management and administration, functions and services organization and financial development.
- Advanced principles of high performing organizational management, strategic thinking, innovation and change management.
- Advanced principles, practices and procedures of inclusion, equity and accessibility.
- Public administration concepts, theories, principles and practices.
- Applicable Federal, State and local laws, rules, policies and regulations.
- Budgeting and Finance Administration principles, practices and methods.
- Project management principles and practices.
- Principles, practices, and methods of supervision, training and performance evaluation.
- Current social, political and economic trends and operating issues of municipal government.
- Program development, evaluation and administration principles and practices.
- Research and reporting methods, techniques and procedures.
- Principles and practices of leadership, communication, collaboration, motivation, team building and conflict resolution.
Skill and Ability to:
- Develop, direct and evaluate department operations, programs and initiatives and implement broad strategic goals and objectives.
- Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, make decisions based on financial considerations, project impact of proposed actions, implement recommendations, and write reports and present information.
- Analyze and interpret administrative, legal, technical and financial information.
- Prepare and administer a municipal department budget.
- Supervise, train and evaluate staff.
- Exemplify traits that reflect the City’s culture, including integrity, a customer service orientation, cultural competency, trustworthiness, flexibility and a willingness to change.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS OR LICENSES:
- Driver’s license valid in the State of Oregon
WORKING CONDITIONS:
This position is designated as an essential employee role, requiring the individual to be available and responsive during regular working hours as well as in the event of unexpected situations, emergencies, or critical operational needs. This may include working outside of regular hours, including weekends or holidays, based on business needs.
The position requires regular (80%+) ability to use dexterity and fine motor skills. Continuous (81% of the time) use of office equipment. The position requires minimal (5-20%) physical effort such as lifting, carrying, or movement, etc. Movements required to complete work are not difficult, and only require some degree of agility and hand eye coordination. The work environment is usually well-protected, with minimal hazards or obstacles (5-20%). There is little or minimal element of personal risk or hazard. Job conditions are usually comfortable, with minimal (5-20%) issues of confinement, temperature change, incident of noise, or interactions of a disagreeable nature, inside/outside work, dirty conditions, exposure to contagious disease, etc. Position may have minimal responsibility for driving.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Responsible for the direct supervision of approximately 5 FTE employees and the indirect supervision of approximately 50-100 employees.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED:
Works under the general direction of the City Manager.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Required documents (cover letter and resume) must be provided at the time of application. Please remove any personal information such as photographs, date of birth, gender, social security number, and other protected information from your documents. Documents containing protected information will be considered incomplete. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
- Finalists for this position will be subject to a computerized criminal history check, driving record check (if driving is required for position), and education/certification verification. Adverse background information will be reviewed and could result in withdrawal of a conditional job offer or termination of employment.
- The City of McMinnville does not offer visa sponsorship. Within three days of hire, you will be required to complete the US Department of Homeland Security’s I-9 form confirming authorization to work in the United States.
- Positions are subject to budget consideration and approval. For the candidate who is hired into this position, salary placement will be based on guidelines in the handbook or association agreement (as applicable) to assess education and experience. For this reason, please be sure to include everything in your application that you want considered towards placement.
The City of McMinnville only accepts applications through our online application system at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/Mcminnville. We want you to be successful in applying with us. We highly encourage you to complete and submit your application in advance of the deadline. For technical assistance, please call (855) 524-5627.
The City of McMinnville is an equal opportunity employer.
Applicants with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation (e.g., assistive listening devices)
to participate in the recruitment and/or selection process should contact Vicki Hedges, Human Resources Director.
The City of McMinnville is proud to hire veterans.
Applicants are eligible to use Veteran's Preference in accordance with ORS 408.225, 408.230 and 408.235; and OAR 105-040-0010 and 105-040-0015. Military personnel who expect to be honorably discharged from the military within 120 days of certifying veteran status on this job application, may also request preference. Preference will only be given if the applicant meets the minimum qualifications and any special qualifications for the position and they electronically attach the required documentation at the time of application.
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED:
- MEMBER COPY 4 of the Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD Form 214 or 215) – OR – Letter from the US Dept. of Veterans Affairs indicating a non-service connected pension. If you need to request a copy of your DD-214, click here.
- Disabled Veterans must also submit a copy of their Veterans disability preference letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs.
For information regarding Veteran's Preference qualifications, visit the following website: https://www.oregon.gov/boli/workers/Pages/veterans-preference.aspx
The City of McMinnville prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. We are committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions at the City of McMinnville are based on business needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, age, religion or belief, gender, sexual orientation, ability, family or parental status, or any other status protected by state and federal law. We do not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics.
