Parks & Recreation Manager (Preserve)

Job Description:

Parks & Recreation Manager (Preserve)

Description

Introduction

Join the City of Scottsdale as the next Preserve Manager and help shape the future of one of the country’s largest urban preserves. This leadership role oversees the day-to-day operations of the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, ensuring its trails, facilities, resources, and wildlife are effectively managed. Reporting directly to the Preserve Director, the Preserve Manager manages personnel, capital and operating budgets, and a wide variety of projects that carry out the goals of the management objectives of the Preserve. The role also serves as the City’s liaison to the McDowell Sonoran Preserve Commission and McDowell Sonoran Conservancy, fostering strong partnerships and ensuring alignment with community priorities.

Anticipated starting salary for this position may be up to mid-point depending on candidate’s experience and internal equity. The full salary range is listed above and mid-point for this position is $114,774.40 /annually .

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's Degree in Recreation Management or closely related field from an accredited educational institution.
• Five years' experience in professional recreation to include three years of Supervisory experience.
• Experience implementing practices and procedures used in maintaining Parks and Recreation facilities and parks and recreation programs and services.
• Any equivalent combination of education and/orjob-related experience that meets the minimum qualifications may be substituted.

Licensing, Certifications, and Other Requirements

• Must possess and maintain a valid, unrestricted driver's license with no major citations within the past 39 months prior to the start date. The Arizona Department of Motor Vehicles requires that out-of-state driver's licenses must be surrendered within 10 days of relocating to the State of Arizona. Note: A Graduated Driver’s License is considered restricted.
• Every person employed by the City of Scottsdale shall reside in the State of Arizona during his or her active employment by the City, regardless of whether the employee is approved to remote work.

Other pertinent licenses and/or certifications may be required of some positions depending on department/section assignment.

Essential Functions

Performs duties and responsibilities commensurate with assigned functional area which may include, but are not limited to, any combination of the following:

• Supervises employees and coordinates personnel-related activities to include, but not limited to: training, approving work schedules, recommending/approving personnel actions, coaching and counseling, establishing performance goals, and writing performance evaluations.
• Prepares assigned annual program budgets and reviews.
• Develops annual budget plans, prepares monthly reports of the budget status.
• Makes presentations to Parks and Recreation commissions, City Council and external organizations.
• Develops annual work plans to determine staffing and workload needs within all program areas.
• Represents the City at local and regional meetings/seminars.
• Prepares and negotiates grants.

Work Environment/Physical Demands

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position or that an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Most work is performed in a City office environment, with regular site visits to recreation community centers and park areas.
• Walks or moves, stands, bends and accesses paved, gravel or turf park areas to inspect the program areas.
• Lift and carry materials weighing up to 50 pounds with assistance.
• Operate a variety of standard office equipment including computer, telephone, key calculator, copy and fax machine requiring continuous and repetitive arm, hand, and eye movement.
• Travel to/from meetings and various City locations.

To view the job description, list of Essential Functions, work environment and physical demands, click here .

For more information about Scottsdale, Arizona, click about Scottsdale .

Benefits Highlights:

The City of Scottsdale offers a comprehensive benefits package including:

• 12 Paid Holidays, which includes 1 Floating Holiday
• Vacation Accrual; starts at 10.3 hours/month
• Sick Leave Accrual; 8 hours/month
• Medical (which includes behavioral health coverage), Dental and Vision Benefits
• City Paid Basic Life Insurance (equal to one times employee annual salary); option of Supplemental Life Insurance
• Tuition Reimbursement; $2,500/year
• Participation in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS) Defined benefit plan with mandatory employer and employee contributions currently at 12% which includes a Long-Term Disability benefit
• Supplemental Retirement Plans through Nationwide; 457
• Pet Insurance
• Bilingual pay compensation

Please visit the Human Resources and Benefits Information page for more information.

Selection Process:

The application and supplemental questions are an integral part of the selection process and must be completed in full in order for you to be considered as a candidate. Please complete each section and answer all questions as thoroughly as possible. DO NOT state “See Resume” in lieu of answering. Unanswered questions, incomplete responses, omissions, or partial information may result in disqualification from the selection process.

Applicants whose education, training and experience most closely meet the needs of the position may be invited to participate in a selection process that may include a panel interview. Successful candidates will receive a post-offer, pre-employment background screening that may include:

• Fingerprinting search of the national FBI Database
• Criminal Background screening
• Drug Screen
• 39-Month Motor Vehicle Department Records Check

The City of Scottsdale reserves the right to change this process at any time, potentially without advance notice.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY: It is the policy of the city to provide employment opportunities to all persons based solely on ability, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability.

When advised, reasonable accommodations will be made in order for an "otherwise qualified applicant" with a disability to participate in any phase of the recruitment process. Please contact Human Resources to request an accommodation. Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation by contacting HR at (480) 312-2491. Requests should be made 24 hours in advance or as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation. For TTY users, the Arizona Relay Service (1-800-367-8939) may contact HR at (480) 312-2491.

This position description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the position change.

Full-Time Positions:
The City of Scottsdale offers a comprehensive benefit package including vacation, holiday and medical leave as well as insurance for medical, dental, vision, life, short and long term disability insurance. For a more detailed overview of the employee benefits, click here .

Part-Time Positions:
The City of Scottsdale offers paid medical leave for part-time staff.

Commute Solutions Program
City of Scottsdale provides free Valley Metro Platinum passes to employees for the bus and light rail systems when commuting; a vanpool subsidy is also available. Employees can decrease stress, decrease wear & tear on their vehicle, and help the environment all at the same time.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF).
The City of Scottsdale is considered a qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF). You may find more information about the PSFL program by going to the Federal Student Aid website by clicking here .

Closing Date/Time: 8/31/2025 11:59 PM Arizona

Salary:

$97,697.60 - $131,934.40 Annually