Recreation Manager

Salary: $78,998.00 - $94,328.00 Annually
Location : City Hall - Albert Lea, MN, MN
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 00121
Department: Recreation
Division: Recreation
Opening Date: 06/02/2026
Closing Date: 6/29/2026 11:59 PM Central

Description

The Albert Lea Recreation Department is completing nearly $10 million in improvements to its recreational facilities, and is seeking a Recreation Manager to provide strategic leadership, vision, and operational oversight for the department, its programming and facilities. With the improvements, the Recreation Department will now have year-round ice at its City Arena, providing opportunities for new programs along with long-standing events, leagues, park activities and lessons.
This manager is also responsible for:

• Creating an inclusive, welcoming, and culturally responsive recreation system that reflects and celebrates a diverse community.
• Leading planning, development, and administration of recreation programs, facilities, events, and services.
• Collaborating closely with Public Works and Engineering on park maintenance, facility maintenance, and capital planning.
• Partnering with community organizations on long-range planning and strategic initiatives.
• Managing and maintaining the City Arena, Aquatic Center, Marion Ross Theater and Senior Center.
• Overseeing scheduling of the City Arena and Aquatic Center along with park pavilion rentals and issuance of boat dock permits.
• Supporting the Blue Zones Albert Lea Project, a healthy living initiative.

The role requires strong leadership, budgeting, communication, and knowledge of public recreation operations, safety regulations, and facility management.

General Statement of Duties:
Oversees the City's recreation programs and facilities, including the Arena, Aquatic Center, Senior Center and Civic Theater; performs related duties as required.

Supervision Received:
Works under the general supervision of the Director of Community Enrichment and Engagement.

Supervision Exercised:
Exercises general supervision over department staff either directly or through supervisory staff. Includes full-time, part-time and seasonal help.
Examples of Duties

• Oversees and directs the Recreation Department operations and programs, ensures effective coordination of maintenance with programming.
• Develops and implements policies, procedures, and practices for effective operation of the department, consistent with City policies and relevant laws, rules, and regulations.
• Provides oversight for operations, staffing and maintenance of the City Arena, Aquatic Center, Civic Theater and Senior Center along with park programs and special events.
• Assists with developing and administrating the annual recreation budgets for programming and maintenance, including the Arena, Aquatic Center, Civic Theater and Senior Center.
• Prepares, negotiates and submits usage and rental agreements.
• Reviews and develops long-term operational plans and goals for the department; assigns and adjusts priorities to meet shifting long-term plans.
• Promotes Recreation programs and activities in coordination with Communications staff.
• Supervises staff including interviewing, hiring, training, coaching, assigning and reviewing work; rewarding and disciplining performance; approving department supervisors' personnel actions; and recommending discharge.
• Plans, coordinates and directs a diversified year-round, city-wide parks and recreation program including the management of the Arena and Aquatic Center, and various fields, parks and open spaces.
• Coordinates recreation programs with the Parks Department, other City departments, and outside organizations such as school districts and various community groups.
• Plans and implements ADA compliance efforts for recreation programs, services, and facilities.
• Prepares or oversees planning for long-term maintenance of City buildings and facilities, with supervisory staff; oversees major purchases and capital expenditures; maintains the Capital Improvement Plan.
• Directs the planning, development, and construction of recreation facilities in compliance with the City's Comprehensive Plan.
• Approves expenditures in compliance with the City Purchasing Policy.
• Serves as…