Recreation Manager

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.

The 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.

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

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

• Oversees and directs the Recreation Department operations and programs, ensuring 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 staff liaison, or assigns a staff member to act as a liaison, at Park and Recreation Board meetings.
• Engages with community members and groups to determine recreation programming needs and interests, as well as respond to questions and concerns of the public.
• Supports the Blue Zones Albert Lea Project.
• Represents the City in government and professional organizations, such as NRPA, MRPA and MIAMA.
• Maintains a variety of…