Division Chief; Manager II, Grade M2

About the Position

The Division Chief (Manager II) leads a wide portfolio of recreation programs and services, responsible for evaluating the efficiency and effectiveness of current offerings, identifying opportunities for new or expanded programs, and ensuring community needs are met.

The salary range for this position is $113,715 - $186,855 based on qualifications and experience.

Montgomery County Department of Recreation is a nationally recognized agency that manages 39 facilities, including recreation centers, senior centers, and aquatic facilities. It provides thousands of programs such as out-of-school activities, aquatics, classes, youth and adult sports, senior programs, and therapeutic recreation.

This full-time Division Chief (Manager II) oversees all operations within the Programming Division, including Classes, Camps, Sports, Therapeutic Recreation, 55+ Programs, and Youth Development. The role ensures programs are strategically planned, well-managed, innovative, and aligned with the mission to provide high‑quality, accessible, and inclusive services.

Recreation values diverse perspectives and encourages applicants from BIPOC, immigrants, women, LGBTQIA+, individuals with disabilities, veterans, and bilingual candidates.

• Provide customer‑focused leadership, inspire teamwork, motivate employees, and establish clear direction through effective communication.
• Communicate plans to supervisors, colleagues, and community stakeholders; identify resource needs; monitor recreation trends; recommend program modifications; and oversee program budgets to ensure responsible, strategic, and equitable use of resources. Analyze data to initiate or revise programs and maintain effective working relationships.
• Prepare high‑quality written documents and deliver presentations to senior leadership, community partners, and elected officials; cultivate and sustain meaningful partnerships with government agencies, nonprofits, and community‑based organizations.
• Attend meetings and perform work at off‑site locations; support programs during evenings, weekends, holidays, and occasional outdoor work.
• Report to work as an Essential Employee during general emergencies or periods of liberal leave.
• Serve as manager or supervisor of unionized employees, promoting a positive labor‑management environment based on mutual trust, respect, communication, and collaboration.

• Strong recreation programming and management experience, exceptional communication skills, and the ability to convey information in a clear, concise, and direct manner.

• Position may require work during non‑traditional hours, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and occasional outdoor work in varying weather conditions.
• Front‑facing Department Leadership team member; on‑site presence required with limited telework opportunities.
• Position considered essential; may need to report during emergencies.
• Selected candidates must complete a background investigation and medical history review.
• Montgomery County Government is an equal‑opportunity employer that values diversity.

Experience: Seven (7) years of progressively responsible professional experience in the parks and recreation field, including three (3) years in a supervisory or executive capacity.

Education: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree.

Equivalency: Combination of education and experience may be substituted.

License: Valid Class "C" (or equivalent) driver’s license required for job‑related duties when applicable.

Financial Disclosure: Completion of a financial disclosure required.

Medical Exam Protocol: Completion of a pre‑employment medical history form required.

• Describe executive leadership experience overseeing large‑scale recreation or human‑services program portfolios.
• Provide an example of a strategic initiative you led to expand, redesign, or modernize programs or services, including assessment methods and data relied upon.
• Explain experience providing executive‑level oversight of…