About the Department

The Community

The City of Fresno is the largest city in the San Joaquin Valley and the fifth largest city in California, with a population of more than 545,000 residents. Fresno is the financial core of the San Joaquin Valley, and its economy relies on its large-scale agricultural production. Revitalization of Downtown Fresno's core and the construction of High-Speed Rail are two of many exciting projects that continue to successfully support Fresno's growing economy. 

Fresno provides both private and commercial aviation facilities. A wide variety of commercial air carriers operate flights daily from Fresno Yosemite International, and Fresno-Chandler Executive Airport, located within two miles from Fresno’s Civic Center, is the largest general aviation airport in central California.

Located in the geographical center of California, Fresno offers many sights. From fertile agricultural fields, an abundance of lakes, and the snowy Sierra Nevada Mountain range, the scenic variety in Fresno is large. Fresno also features a diverse selection of dining, shopping, farmers markets, vibrant arts and culture, wineries, as well as a variety of attractions. With 300 days of sunshine a year, the climate in Fresno is the source of its agricultural productivity, and allows year-round recreational activities including sailing, snow and water skiing, fishing, backpacking, and golfing. 

Los Angeles is approximately four hours south and the San Francisco Bay Area is approximately three hours north. Fresno is located in proximity to three sites of natural beauty: Yosemite National Park, Kings Canyon National Park, and Sequoia National Park. Residents and visitors alike enjoy these scenes and others, including the Sierra Nevada Mountains and the Pacific Ocean. 

Another advantage to living in Fresno is the exceptional housing that is available at lower price levels than California's other large metropolitan areas. The current median home price in Fresno is approximately $380,000. There are four large school districts in the Fresno area: Fresno Unified, Central Unified, Sanger Unified and Clovis Unified. Fresno is the home of California State University, Fresno, as well as a number of other colleges and universities. 

The people of Fresno enjoy a wide variety of social, cultural, athletic, educational, and recreational activities in an affordable, friendly, and culturally dynamic environment. 

The Organization

Fresno is a full-service charter city operating under a strong mayor form of government. There are seven Council Members. The Council appoints the City Attorney and the City Clerk. The Mayor is elected at-large and does not serve on the Council, but has veto power over certain actions taken by the City Council. The City Manager, who is appointed by the Mayor, is responsible for appointing all other department heads in the City.

The Department

The Parks, After School, Recreation and Community Services (PARCS) Department is dedicated to strengthening community through people, parks, and programs. The PARCS Department is comprised of six geographic operational areas (North, North Central, South Central, South, Regional Parks, and Camp Fresno); seven program areas (Sports, Youth Programs, Science Programs, Senior Programs, Youth & Veteran Employment, Adaptive Recreation, and Neighborhood Safety); and six administrative areas (Fiscal, Personnel, Customer Service, Community Outreach, Grants & Contracts, and Capital Projects Administration).  As proposed for FY2026, PARCS will have a staff of 215 permanent positions and a budget of $64 million for operating and $68 million for capital projects.

The Parks Maintenance and Landscape Divisions work to maintain over 90 parks and 19 community centers, representing over 1,200 acres of open space. The Sports, Recreation, and Community Services programs offer a multitude of programming platforms responsive to all needs in the Community. Programs offered include activities for residents of all ages including daily after-school programs at 19 sites; daily senior programs at 9 sites; science programming offered community-wide and at the Highway City Science Center; City-led youth sports leagues; swimming lessons and recreation swim; summer and day camps; overnight and day camps at Camp Fresno; bicycle and pedestrian safety public education; adult sports leagues; neighborhood safety intervention programs; and adaptive recreation programs, to name a few. 

In January 2018, the City Council adopted the Parks Master Plan Update. The adoption marked the culmination of nearly 18 months of community outreach, stakeholder engagement, staff analysis, and a comprehensive evaluation of parks and amenities. The Plan serves as the visionary guide for improving Fresno’s parks, open space, and recreational services. The Plan provides recommendations, strategies, and highlights the community’s priorities for improvements.

On February 18, 2021, the City Council certified Measure P as passed, and collection of the special sales tax began July 1, 2021. The revenues generated by the Measure P use tax are allocated by the City of Fresno on an annual basis with additional independent oversight provided by the Parks, Recreation and Arts Commission (Commission) consisting of nine (9) members.  The nine-member Commission is appointed by the Mayor and approved by City Council.  

For FY 2026, the total estimated revenue receipts for Measure P are $47 million. Measure P proceeds are utilized to fund specific purposes defined in the ordinance:

The PARCS Department implements a large capital improvement program, consistent with the goals of Measure P and the Parks Master Plan. Through generous grants, partnerships, and investments from the City’s general fund, the FY26 capital program includes over 90 projects representing a 1-year investment of $68 million. Major improvements are underway to modernize and improve existing facilities, including play structures, sports courts and fields, community centers, and more. Seven new parks and park facilities are currently in development, and many more are planned to begin acquisition and development in the coming year.

The Position

The Assistant Director of Parks, After School, Recreation and Community Services oversees the department’s daily operations and collaborates closely with Division Managers. The incumbent exercises considerable judgment and discretion in the administration and direction of the department and its operations. The Assistant Director is responsible for implementing objectives related to the operation, maintenance, and enhancement of parks, recreation, and community services programs. This is an unclassified position in which the incumbent serves at the will of the Department Director.

In addition, the Assistant Director acts as technical advisor to the Director, City Manager and City Council and attends meetings of the City Council, boards, commissions, and committees relevant to parks, recreation and community services. The Assistant Director participates in the preparation and administration of the Department’s annual operating and capital budgets. The Assistant Director is expected to coordinate activities with other departments within the City of Fresno, as well as division sections and outside agencies.

The Ideal Candidate

The Department Director is seeking a strong and innovative leader who will assist in implementation of the long-range vision of providing parks, facilities, and programs that enable residents to live their best lives. The position will serve as a key member of the Department’s management team and must demonstrate a strong record of establishing strategic and effective partnerships with a variety of community stakeholders in order to achieve the mission of the City. The ideal candidate must have excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to prepare clear, concise, and comprehensive reports, records, and other written materials for a variety of audiences.  

The ideal candidate should be a service and solution-oriented person who is skilled in Parks and Recreation activities, and who possesses excellent leadership skills. The ideal candidate will have a record of straightforward and open communication and a willingness to make effective decisions within the parameters of the position, as well as the ability to effectively manage conflicting perspectives. The ideal candidate will also have a strong background in project management, program administration, and overseeing fiscal programs consisting of multiple fund sources with complex regulatory requirements.

The PARCS Department is a dynamic and ever-evolving organization which underwent significant expansion and reorganization over the prior two years to align with the expanded scope of responsibilities and scale of investment provided by Measure P and other outside funding sources. The Assistant Director position is a vital member of this ongoing transformation, who will work closely with other City Departments, community leaders, and staff to support the City Manager and the Mayor’s vision for the City of Fresno.

Minimum Requirements

A background that includes a Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in Recreation, Business Administration, Public Administration, Regional Planning or a related field and five (5) years of progressively responsible and directly related management experience; OR

Nine (9) years of directly related experience including five (5) years at the management level will be considered qualifying for this position. A Master’s degree in a related field is highly desirable.  Possession of a valid California Driver's License is required at time of appointment.

Possession of a valid Driver’s License at time of appointment. Possession of a valid Class C California Driver’s License is required within sixty (60) days of appointment. 

Depending upon assignment, selected candidate may be required to satisfactorily complete a background review of employment, and/or for certain department(s) a criminal history review covering the past ten (10) years

The Selection Process

To apply for this this phenomenal career opportunity, please visit our website at www.fresno.gov/jobs and complete an employment application. Please upload your letter of interest, resume, and five work-related references. 
 
Completed applications will be reviewed and a select group of candidates will be invited to interview.  Applicants deemed to have the most relevant qualifications will be referred for further consideration.

Inquiries should be directed to: 

Leshea Tarver, Senior Human Resources Analyst @ [email protected]