5 Jobs in Parks and Recreation Management that Pay Well
- Athletics Program Manager
- Aquatics Director
- Recreation Supervisor
- Park Manager
- Parks and Recreation Director
Careers in parks and recreation management give people access to healthy leisure activities in exhilarating settings. Upper-level jobs are a meaningful mix of office and fieldwork. As supervisory roles, they’re largely responsible for securing the safety of park facilities, visitors, patrons, and staff. Employers seek strong leadership, for which they compensate generously. Here are five jobs in this thriving field that pay especially well.
1. Athletics Program Manager
This park professional coordinates organized sports, ensuring they are fair and safe for players. Activities offered can include basketball, soccer, volleyball, tennis, kickball, golf, and racquetball. Gaining popularity is pickleball. Similar to tennis, it involves lobbing a whiffle ball between opponents over a low net, using a paddle. The manager may also hold riveting competitions, such as triathlons and tournaments.
When interacting with staff, officials, parents, and players, the manager must be levelheaded and diplomatic. They must also keep detailed records of accidents and injuries. Financial tasks are making budget requests and purchasing equipment and supplies.
2. Aquatics Director
Careers in parks and recreation management span a range of employment settings, especially for aquatics directors. Job options include gyms, community centers, colleges and universities, the YMCA, public parks, and private swimming schools. Such employers hire aquatics directors to implement inviting pool programs. One challenge for an aquatics director is keeping their pool in business. For this reason, they must closely track expenditures and revenues. Budget management also entails allocating money to buy and maintain equipment. Recreation Management offers director tips for running a profitable aquatics center.
3. Recreation Supervisor
Among careers in parks and recreation management, this one requires ever-fresh creativity. Park visitors can thank the recreation supervisor for delightful events and activities year-round. Examples are scavenger hunts, summer camps, concerts, movies, and festivals. At some parks, the supervisor cooks up fundraising campaigns. To publicize offerings, they may advertise in community papers, create flyers, and design brochures.
As head of their Park Recreation Department, the supervisor hires and trains program staff and volunteers, emphasizing visitor safety. They also assign tasks to recreation workers. Through daily contact with maintenance staff, the supervisor ensures that the facilities are clean and well-stocked.
4. Park Manager
The primary role of a park manager is that of a dedicated guardian, government-authorized to operate a state, city, or county park. By upholding ordinances, the park manager strives to protect the natural resources in their jurisdiction. To ensure that grounds and facilities are safe, they conduct routine inspections of buildings, trails, roads, fences, playgrounds, and picnic areas. They also plan facility construction.
Volunteers and park employees report to the manager, from whom they receive direction and motivation. Among them is the recreation supervisor, keeping the manager abreast of educational and recreational offerings. As steward of visitor services, the manager researches ways to improve customer care. Additionally, they oversee contractors, vendors, and concessionaires.
5. Parks and Recreation Director
This job entails overseeing all the public parks and recreation centers within a United States city. In large urban areas, the scope of facilities can include golf courses, ball fields, community centers, and pools. Among the most fun duties are planning events and programs for all age groups. Armed with statistics, the director regularly meets with the city council, briefing them on department needs, developments, and achievements. They also address public complaints, requiring patience and sensitivity. Regarding fiscal operations, the director formulates the annual budget, including cost estimates to maintain buildings, equipment, and land.
Related Resource: 10 Best Online Master’s in Parks and Recreation Management
All these professions mandate certification in first aid and CPR with AED (Automated External Defibrillation). Additionally, an aquatics director must be certified in lifeguard training, pool operation, and swim instruction. To excel in this field, you must be adept at organization, planning, problem-solving, budget administration, multitasking, time management, and communication, both written and verbal.
