What are the responsibilities and job description for the Assistant Superintendent for Recreation position at Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board?
Summary
Founded in 1883, the MPRB is an independently governed park system featuring 7,059 acres of parkland and water, including 185 park properties, 55 miles of parkways, 102 miles of biking and walking paths, 22 lakes, 12 formal gardens, seven golf courses, and 49 recreation centers. With more than 30 million visits annually, Minneapolis parks serve visitors from near and far with the park systems natural beauty, historical significance, and exceptional amenities. Since 2013, MPRB has consistently ranked among the top five urban park systems in the U.S. by the Trust for Public Land. Additionally, MPRB is CAPRA-accredited, a distinction held by fewer than 200 park agencies nationwide, demonstrating commitment to operational excellence.
Nine elected commissioners appoint the Superintendent, who appoints and works directly with a Deputy Superintendent and three Assistant Superintendents. The new Assistant Superintendent of Recreation will be responsible for the overall oversight and management of the MPRB Recreation Services Division with more than 350 employees and a $36 million division budget. They will work directly with two Department Directors to manage current activities and long-range planning of the division to ensure that services performed and provided by the Recreation Division staff are compatible with the Park Board’s mission. These include but are not limited to recreation centers, golf courses, aquatic facilities, ice arenas, athletic facilities, and winter recreation sites; recreation, education, and interpretive programming; Spark’d Studios programming; before- and after-school childcare; youth development activities; Therapeutic and Inclusion services; Citywide program development; and youth and adult sports.
The ideal candidate will be a dynamic leader who will oversee recreation services, providing strategic leadership, management, and innovation for all division activities. This role is responsible for developing and implementing policies, procedures, and goals that align with the MPRB’s Comprehensive Master Plan while fostering collaboration across divisions, government agencies, and community partners to enhance resident services. The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong political acumen, consensus-building skills, and a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion by developing programs that reflect and serve Minneapolis’ diverse communities.
This position requires an independent and positive-thinking leader who can motivate and manage a dedicated workforce across multiple locations, ensuring accountability and high performance. Key responsibilities include budget management, labor relations, contract oversight, and data-driven decision-making to improve recreation programs and services. Additionally, the role involves serving as staff representative to the Park Board Commissioners and various committees, advocating for policies and initiatives that enhance recreational offerings for the diverse communities served by the MPRB.
What You'll Do
- Being present and actively involved in the facilities, programs, and parks.
- Engage with community members, stakeholders, and partner organizations to strengthen public participation.
- Participate in the Superintendent’s Executive Leadership Team and be the voice for recreation staff and participants of the various programs and services.
- Provide strong financial management and budgeting skills to maintain fiscal responsibility.
- Provide exceptional communication, leadership, and strategic planning abilities.
- Work with an elected governing board and leadership team and engage the community in decision-making.
- Provide visionary leadership and set a strategic direction for the MPRB’s recreation division’s future.
- Oversee financial planning, budgeting, and resource management to ensure long-term sustainability.
- Manage daily operations of facilities and recreational programs using data and analytics to successfully meet the evolving needs of the community.
- Develop and implement processes, standards and procedures within the Recreation Division to ensure all facilities and programs meet expectations.
- Foster a positive and collaborative work culture, empowering staff to excel and innovate.
- Continue the encouragement of staff to be creative and innovative without the fear of failure.
- Encourage staff to celebrate successes and value the joy and fun of providing programs and services to the residents.
What To Bring
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a major in Parks and Recreation, Recreation Administration, Public Administration, or closely related field. (Master’s Degree Preferred)
- Progressively responsible experience in leadership, management and administration in an urban setting or large suburban environment: Ten (10) years
- Increasingly responsible experience in recreation programming and service delivery, including youth, adults, seniors, and families: at least eight (8) years
- Increasingly responsible experience in varied recreation facility operation and management: at least eight (8) years
- Experience supervising others: at least eight (8) years
- Experience supervising unionized employees: at least five (5) years
Additional Information
How to apply:
Apply online at www.GovHRjobs.com with resume, cover letter, and contact information for five (5) professional references by 5:00 pm (CST), Thursday, April 24, 2025. Questions regarding recruitment may be directed to Joe DeLuce, Senior Consultant, jdeluce@mgt.us or Chuck Balling, Senior Consultant, cballing@mgt.us.
The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board is an Equal Opportunity Employer and strongly encourages diverse candidates to apply.
The MPRB cares about the community and YOU! Here's how we show it.
For full-time benefited positions, the MPRB offers a competitive wage and benefits package including health care, dental, life and disability insurance as well as retirement and survivor benefits. Benefits are administered by the City of Minneapolis. We pride ourselves on a comprehensive benefits program that supports employees' health and financial well-being.
Programs, resources, and benefit eligibility varies based on position, average hours worked, location and length of service. For detailed benefits information, please visit the benefits page.
INSURANCE
Health insurance
Eligibility for benefits begins the first of the month following employment date. The MPRB offers eligible employees one plan design with a choice of six provider networks, allowing you to select the best option for you. Available plans include Medica Choice Passport, Medica Elect, VantagePlus with Medica, Park Nicollet First with Medica, Ridgeview Community Network powered by Medica, and Clear Value with Medica.
Enhanced mental health services
MPRB employees and their family members covered by MPRB’s medical plan will each have access to up to 20 visits for mental health services covered at 100%. The enhanced mental health benefits will include the first 10 office visits, including evaluations and diagnostic and treatment services, and 10 intensive outpatient program visits per year per person with an in-network or out-of-network provider at no charge. After the 20 visits, regular plan benefits and coverage will apply.
Employees Assistance Program
All MPRB employees – whether covered or not by the MPRB’s employee medical plan – have access to the employee assistance program, which provides confidential services to help employees and their family members deal with a wide array of issues. Employees can speak virtually or in-person with an EAP representative.
Dental insurance
The MPRB offers dental insurance through Delta Dental of Minnesota and pays 100% of the monthly premium for eligible employees.
Long-term disability (LTD) insurance
The MPRB offers long-term disability insurance, which helps to replace income for employees who are unable to work as a result of illness or injury, and pays 100% of the monthly premium for eligible employees.
BENEFITS
Paid time off
Our generous leave package includes vacation, paid sick leave, and 12 paid holidays plus 1 floating holiday per year, which gives employees the opportunity to enhance their quality of life outside work. Amounts and accrual rates are based on years of experience and collective bargaining agreements.
Paid Parental Leave
MPRB employees are eligible for up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in the event of a birth or placement for adoption of a child.
Retirement
MPRB employees earn a pension and may choose to participate in additional retirement savings programs.
- Pension: The MPRB participates in the Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA). Employees and the MPRB both contribute a percentage of your pay to fund future benefits.
- Deferred compensation: Employees may choose to participate in pre-tax or after-tax savings plans through the Minnesota State Retirement System (MSRS).
Eligible employees may choose to participate in the Metropass transportation program. The Metropass program allows eligible employees to enroll in a pass for unlimited bus or light rail rides at a discounted price.
LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT
Tuition Reimbursement
The Tuition Reimbursement Program allows employees who take courses for credit and approved in advance which have a direct relationship to their job or which provide advancement opportunities within the MPRB, to request tuition reimbursement upon successful completion of coursework and proof of payment. This program is only available for reimbursement of tuition for course credit at accredited educational institutions. Eligible employees can receive up to $5,250 in reimbursement each calendar year.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program
The MPRB is a qualifying employer in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program. The PSLF Program forgives the remaining balance on your Direct Loans after you have made 120 qualifying monthly payments under a qualifying repayment plan while working full-time for a qualifying employer.
OTHER PERKS
Employees can also take advantage of optional life insurance, flexible spending accounts, technology discounts, employee discounts, and more. For more information, please visit the benefits page.
Salary : $156,929 - $185,354
