How to hire a parks and recreation manager

How to hire a parks and recreation manager, step by step

Here's a step-by-step parks and recreation manager hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a parks and recreation manager job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new parks and recreation manager
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the parks and recreation manager you need to hire. Certain parks and recreation manager roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A parks and recreation manager's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, parks and recreation managers from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   The following list breaks down different types of parks and recreation managers and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Parks And Recreation Manager	Description	Hourly rate
   Parks And Recreation Manager	Recreation workers design and lead recreational and leisure activities for groups in volunteer agencies or recreation facilities, such as playgrounds, parks, camps, aquatic centers, and senior centers. They may lead activities such as arts and crafts, dance, sports, adventure programs, music, and camping.	$12-36
   Summer Camp Counselor	Summer camps are programs with different themes organized for children or teenagers during the summer months. Summer camp counselors are responsible for the overall supervision of campers and the planning and implementation of the different programs to give children a memorable experience... Show more	$8-17
   Day Camp Counselor	The job of the camp counselors is to develop recreational plans and oversee camp activities in residential camps. Their duties and responsibilities include organizing camping trips, planning and scheduling group activities, and guiding children and teenagers in various outdoor activities such as swimming and hiking... Show more	$9-21

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Front Desk
   • CPR
   • Mowing
   • Lifeguard
   • Recreational Facilities
   • General Maintenance
   • Youth Program
   • Grounds Maintenance
   • Recreation Centers
   • Routine Maintenance
   • Community Events
   • Recreation Programs
   • Mowers
   • Field Maintenance

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage activity and progress reports including statistical data require by regulators, initial assessments, MDS and IDC documentation.
   • Trash pick up, grass cutting, edging, weed eater, use blowers, trimming fixing sprinklers
   • Hire and train lifeguard staff and conduct staff inservices.
   • Prepare to use certify CPR in case of emergency.
   • Perform landscaping, tree trimming, mowing, and routine park maintenance.
   • Maintain all parks, cemeteries, and other city properties through mowing, weed-eating, mulching, pruning.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your parks and recreation manager job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A parks and recreation manager salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, parks and recreation managers' average salary in iowa is 49% less than in mississippi.
   • Seniority. Entry-level parks and recreation managers earn 67% less than senior-level parks and recreation managers.
   • Certifications. A parks and recreation manager with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a parks and recreation manager's salary.

   Average parks and recreation manager salary

   $43,857yearly

   $21.09 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level parks and recreation manager salary

   $25,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 20, 2025

4. Writing a parks and recreation manager job description

   A parks and recreation manager job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of a parks and recreation manager job description:

   Parks and recreation manager job description example

   Sparkling surfaces and pristine backdrops are at the heart of Disneyland Resort. Our Custodial team takes delight in ensuring that the magic of Disney shines through for all of our Guests to enjoy as they visit this happy place. With a job as a Custodial Host or Hostess, Cast Members have the opportunity to work across a variety of locations, both indoors and outdoors, on-stage and backstage. Preserving the magic is the main priority of the Custodial team, it's a big job, but one that helps ensure that the magic of Disney shines through for all of our Guests to see.
   
   For Custodial Cast Members working third shift positions, responsibilities also include heavy duty industrial cleaning, such as pressure washing, waxing, buffing, high dusting and heavy lifting.
   
   Custodial Hosts and Hostesses receive a starting rate of $17.00/hour.
   
   Basic Qualifications :
   

   • You must be at least 18 years of age to be considered for this role.
   • Must be flexible and able to work a variety of shifts, including days, nights, weekends, holidays and special events
   • This role is Part-Time and requires full availability for any shift, a MINIMUM of THREE (3) days per week, including nights and holidays
     

   
   
   Additional Information :
   SCHEDULE AVAILABILTY
   Our Theme Parks and Resort Hotels operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and some shifts may start as early as 5:00am while some may end as late as 3:00am, 4:00am or 5:00am. Please note that the principles of seniority are used to schedule all roles.
   
   SUBMITTING YOUR APPLICATION
   After clicking “ Apply for this job ” below, the employment application will open in a new window. Please complete ALL pages of the application by clicking “ Next ” on each page, then “ Submit ” on the final page.
   
   KEYWORD: DLR Casting, dlrcasting
   

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find parks and recreation managers for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any parks and recreation managers they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level parks and recreation managers with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your parks and recreation manager job on Zippia to find and recruit parks and recreation manager candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting parks and recreation managers requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new parks and recreation manager

   Once you've decided on a perfect parks and recreation manager candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new parks and recreation manager. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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