About Our Job

With competitive pay, great benefits, and endless opportunities, working for the City and County of Denver means seeing yourself working with purpose — for you, and those who benefit from your passion, skills, and expertise. Join our diverse, inclusive, and talented workforce of more than 11,000 team members who are at the heart of what makes Denver, Denver.

Application Deadline and Required Materials

This job posting is expected to stay open until 11:59 PM on Sunday, May 10. Please submit your application as soon as possible and no later than Sunday, May 10 at 11:59 PM.

We kindly request that you submit a resume and cover letter with your application.

What We Offer

The City and County of Denver offers a competitive salary commensurate with education and experience. The hiring salary range for this position is $109,134/year - $155,000/year, based on experience. We also offer generous benefits for full-time employees which include, but are not limited to:

• A guaranteed life-long monthly pension, once vested after 5 years of service

• 457B Retirement Plan

• 140 hours of PTO earned within first year + 11 paid holidays, 1 personal holiday and 1 volunteer day per year

• Competitive medical, dental, and vision plans effective within 1 month of start date

More information about the perks and benefits we provide to full-time employees to allow them to find balance, thrive, and build a mile high career can be found on our website.

Location

This is an in-person role that will be officed out of the Denver Post Building in downtown Denver, Colorado. This role will be expected to travel regularly between parks districts and other operational sites across Denver to provide direction and support. This position does not work remotely.

About Us

As stewards of Denver’s legacy park system, the City and County of Denver’s Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) is committed to delivering exceptional customer service and improving the health of our residents and environment. Through innovative programs and the creation of safe, beautiful, and sustainable spaces, DPR manages a dynamic system of 30 recreation centers and nearly 20,000 acres of urban and mountain parkland, including off-street trails, parkways, and natural areas. This work is made possible by a dedicated team of professionals who design, promote, and preserve these world-class spaces for generations to come.

What You’ll Do

Denver’s parks are among the City’s most treasured public assets. Ranked 10th in the country by the Trust for Public Land, Denver’s parks connect neighborhoods, promote health and wellness, protect natural resources, and create spaces where community thrives. The Department of Parks and Recreation manages an expansive and dynamic system that includes neighborhood parks, trails, natural areas, and public amenities that serve residents and visitors every day.

We are seeking an experienced visionary and collaborative leader to serve as Denver’s next Director of Parks. The Director of Parks will lead a diverse team responsible for maintaining high-quality parks, open spaces, and recreational assets across the city. This role is ideal for a strategic thinker who thrives in a dynamic environment and is committed to advancing equity, operational excellence, and strong interdepartmental partnerships.

The Director of Parks will lead high-performing teams, manage significant operating resources, drive strategic priorities outlined in the Game Plan for a Healthy City, and champion innovative practices in sustainability, service delivery, and asset stewardship. This position reports to senior leadership within the department and plays a critical role in shaping the future of Denver’s park system.

Key Responsibilities of the Director of Parks include:

Leadership & Team Development

• Provide direction, mentorship, and support to Parks Operations managers, supervisors, and staff.

• Foster a culture grounded in equity, collaboration, accountability, safety, and continuous improvement.

• Promote effective communication and engagement across all levels of the organization.

Operational Management

• Develop, implement, and evaluate parks maintenance standards, ensuring consistency, quality, and alignment with community expectations.

• Oversee daily operations including landscaping, facilities maintenance, asset management, and seasonal programs.

• Manage budgets, contracts, and resource allocation to support efficient service delivery.

Cross-Department Collaboration

• Build and maintain strong working relationships with citywide partners, including the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure (DOTI), and other operational divisions.

• Coordinate joint initiatives, shared maintenance responsibilities, and integrated service strategies.

Community & Stakeholder Engagement

• Represent the department with elected officials, executive leadership, community groups, neighborhood stakeholders, and partner agencies.

• Respond to residents’ concerns and inquiries with professionalism and a solutions-oriented approach.

• Build collaborative relationships that strengthen public trust and improve outcomes.

Strategic Planning & Improvement

• Identify opportunities to enhance operational systems, workforce development, and service equity.

• Lead or support long-term planning efforts related to parks infrastructure, sustainability, and capital improvements.

What You’ll Bring

Our ideal candidate is a seasoned public sector or parks leader who combines strategic vision with strong operational execution. You are comfortable leading through complexity, building relationships, and inspiring teams to deliver excellent public service.

We are seeking a seasoned leader who/with:

• Demonstrates a strong commitment to equity, inclusive leadership, and collaborative problem-solving.

• Knowledge of park maintenance standards, urban landscapes, irrigation systems, and public asset stewardship.

• Excels at engaging effectively and building trust with staff at all levels—from frontline crews to executive leadership.

• Brings excellent communication, relationship-building, and change?management skills.

• Thrives in a fast-paced environment with competing priorities and diverse stakeholders.

• Experience managing large teams through multiple layers of leadership.

• Strong background in budget administration, workforce planning, and organizational management.

• Ability to build trust with residents, boards, and elected officials.

• Familiarity with enterprise asset management systems and data-informed operations

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working in a municipal or public-sector environment.

• Demonstrated success leading equity-focused initiatives or workforce development programs.

• Familiarity with asset management systems, performance metrics, or quality assurance programs.

• A bachelor’s degree in Parks and Recreation Management, Landscape Architecture, Environmental Management, Urban Planning, Natural Resource Management, Environmental Science, Forestry, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a related field

• A valid and current driver’s license at the time of application

Required Minimum Qualifications

• Education requirement: Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration or a related field based on a specific position(s).

• Experience Requirement: Five (5) years of experience at the type and level of functional or operational management, which must have included management of subordinate supervisors.

• Education/Experience Equivalency: Two (2) years of the appropriate type and level of experience may be substituted for each required year of post-high school education. Additional appropriate education may be substituted for the minimum experience requirements.

• License/Certifications: None