DIRECTOR OF PARKS, RECREATION & MARINE bei City of Long Beach, CA

About the Department

The City of Long Beach, CA (City) is seeking an experienced, innovative, and community-focused leader to serve as its next Director of Parks, Recreation and Marine. This high-profile position offers the opportunity to oversee one of the most unique departments in the nation, combining traditional parks and recreation services with animal care services and marine and coastal operations. With a proposed Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) budget of nearly $88 million and more than 1,300 employees, the Department plays a vital role in enriching the lives of residents and visitors through safe, inclusive, and high-quality programs, services, and facilities. The ideal candidate will bring strong experience in park development, park maintenance, community engagement, and park construction. We are looking for the Director to be a visible and approachable leader who can confidently address challenges, inspire staff, and engage with Long Beach’s diverse community. This is a rare opportunity to guide a nationally recognized, award-winning department at a moment of stability, momentum, and transformational investment, including the Elevate ’28 Infrastructure Investment Plan in preparation for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. If you are a collaborative, strategic, and community-oriented leader ready to make a lasting impact, we invite you to consider this exceptional opportunity to serve as the City’s next Director of Parks, Recreation and Marine.

See the full recruitment brochure & benefits here: 

https://irp.cdn-website.com/80f4e9b5/files/uploaded/Creative+Brochure+LB+PRM+Final.pdf

• City Departments
• Proposed FY26 Budget
• 2030 Strategic Vision
• Elevate '28 Infrastructure Investment Plan

THE PARKS, RECREATION AND MARINE DEPARTMENT

The Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine plays a vital role in enriching the lives of Long Beach residents and visitors through an expansive system of 166 parks, 26 community centers, two historic Rancho sites, two major tennis centers, one of the nation’s busiest municipal golf systems with five courses, the Long Beach Animal Care Services Bureau, the largest municipally operated marina system in the country, and six miles of beaches. With a proposed Fiscal Year 2026 budget of nearly $88 million and more than 1,300 employees, including 476 full-time staff, the Department is among the City’s largest and most visible service providers. Long Beach is one of the few cities in the nation where parks and recreation services are combined with animal care services and marine and coastal operations, creating a unique organization that manages everything from playgrounds and senior centers to marinas, beaches, and waterways.

The Department is guided by a Strategic Plan built on community and staff input, focusing on equity, health, sustainability, innovation, and financial resilience. The Department’s wide range of services are organized into five Bureaus: (1) Animal Care Services, (2) Business Operations, (3) Community Recreation Services, (4) Marine, and (5) Maintenance Operations. 

The Department continues to invest in meaningful initiatives such as the expansion of the Park Ambassador Program, which now supports 39 parks citywide and has significantly improved safety and cleanliness. Exciting projects on the horizon include several tied to the Elevate ’28 Infrastructure Investment Plan, a historic initiative preparing the City for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games:

• El Dorado Park Universal Playground – transforming the play area into a universally inclusive and accessible recreational space.
• Drake Chavez Connection Project – creating a much-needed greenbelt and park space in one of the City’s most critically underserved neighborhoods.
• New Long Beach Senior Center – developing a modern hub for senior programs, health, and social services in the heart of downtown.
• Gold Medal Park Refresh – upgrading athletic and youth facilities citywide to inspire and prepare the next generation of athletes.
• Willow Springs Park Restoration – enhancing the City’s largest natural open space through wetland restoration, improved water quality, and expanded habitat for native plants and wildlife.
• Hamilton Loop Greenbelt – creating a new two-mile greenbelt with trails, gardens, and recreation space.

With strong City Council and community support, a leadership role in delivering Elevate ’28 projects, and recent successes across capital improvements, recreation programming, animal care, and marine operations, the Department is well-positioned to serve the community today and into the future. In addition, the Department will play a critical role in supporting LA ’28 events at the marina and coastal areas, further highlighting its unique position at the intersection of parks, recreation, and marine services.

To learn more about the Department visit:

• Department Organizational Chart
• Department Website
• Department Proposed FY26 Budget

Position Duties

THE POSITION & IDEAL CANDIDATE

The Director of Parks, Recreation and Marine (Director) is a key member of the City’s executive leadership team, reporting directly to the City Manager. This individual will oversee five direct reports and a diverse portfolio that includes parks, recreation, animal care services, marine operations, and maintenance functions, guiding a department of more than 1,300 employees with a proposed Fiscal Year 2026 budget of nearly $88 million. The Director will play a visible and active role in the community, working closely with the City Council, residents, and regional partners to ensure Long Beach continues to deliver safe, inclusive, and high-quality services and facilities.

With proven experience in park development, park maintenance, community engagement, and park construction, the ideal candidate will be a dynamic and approachable leader who thrives in a complex, high-profile, and highly visible environment. They will be as comfortable in the community as they are in the executive office, engaging directly with residents, community groups, and partner organizations. The next Director must be decisive and confident when addressing challenges, while also empowering staff and fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation. They will bring strong communication skills, cultural competence, and the ability to engage a diverse community in inclusive and creative ways.

Key attributes of the ideal candidate include:

• Engaged & Accessible – visible in the community, approachable to residents, and committed to responsive communication with City leadership and staff.
• Decisive & Accountable – unafraid to take on tough issues and provide clear, thoughtful responses to the City Council, staff, and the public.
• Strategic & Hands-On – able to delegate effectively while also willing to roll up their sleeves when necessary.
• Culturally Competent – skilled at engaging Long Beach’s diverse community through inclusive outreach methods.
• Experienced in Park Development & Capital Projects – with demonstrated success in park development, park maintenance, park construction, and community engagement.
• Financially Astute – experienced in navigating resource constraints, maximizing revenue opportunities, and preparing for large-scale initiatives such as the Elevate ’28 Infrastructure Investment Plan and the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
• Humble & Collaborative – confident without ego, able to laugh at themselves, and committed to building trust with staff, City leadership, and the community.

This is an extraordinary opportunity to lead a nationally recognized, award-winning department at a moment of stability and momentum. The next Director will inherit a strong foundation, with a supportive City Council, engaged staff, and significant upcoming projects, and will have the chance to leave a lasting impact on Long Beach’s parks, programs, and coastal legacy.

Minimum Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in recreation, public administration, physical education, or a related field.
• Experience: Seven years of progressively responsible experience in the development of the budget, development and administration of comprehensive parks, recreation and marine programs, community services and animal services or similar programs, with at least five years of experience at the senior management level.

DESIRED

• Education: Master’s degree 

SUBSTITUTIONS

• Education may be substituted for lengthy experience and will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis

SALARY AND BENEFITS 

An annual salary of $222,201 – 267,651* DOE/DOQ, plus a generous benefits package.

*This position will receive a 1% general salary increase effective 9/20/25

See the full recruitment brochure & benefits here: 

https://irp.cdn-website.com/80f4e9b5/files/uploaded/Creative+Brochure+LB+PRM+Final.pdf

Other Qualifications