Parks & Recreation Manager (Preserve)
New Yesterday
Salary: $97,697.60 - $131,934.40 Annually
Location : Indian Bend Wash Visitor's Center, AZ
Job Type: Full-Time Regular
Job Number: FY2526-00173
Division: COMMUNITY SERVICES
Department: PRESERVE PLANNING & ADMINISTRATION
Opening Date: 08/11/2025
Closing Date: 8/31/2025 11:59 PM Arizona
Introduction
Join the City of Scottsdale as the next Preserve Manager and help shape the future of one of the country's largest urban preserves. This leadership role oversees the day-to-day operations of the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, ensuring its trails, facilities, resources, and wildlife are effectively managed. Reporting directly to the Preserve Director, the Preserve Manager manages personnel, capital and operating budgets, and a wide variety of projects that carry out the goals of the management objectives of the Preserve. The role also serves as the City's liaison to the McDowell Sonoran Preserve Commission and McDowell Sonoran Conservancy, fostering strong partnerships and ensuring alignment with community priorities.
Anticipated starting salary for this position may be up to mid-point depending on candidate's experience and internal equity. The full salary range is listed above and mid-point for this position is $114,774.40/annually.
Minimum Qualifications
Education and Experience
Bachelor's Degree in Recreation Management or closely related field from an accredited educational institution.
Five years' experience in professional recreation to include three years of Supervisory experience.
Experience implementing practices and procedures used in maintaining Parks and Recreation facilities and parks and recreation programs and services.
Any equivalent combination of education and/orjob-related experience that meets the minimum qualifications may be substituted.
Licensing, Certifications, and Other Requirements Must possess and maintain a valid, unrestricted driver's license with no major citations within the past 39 months prior to the start date. The Arizona Department of Motor Vehicles requires that out-of-state driver's licenses must be surrendered within 10 days of relocating to the State of Arizona. Note: A Graduated Driver's License is considered restricted.
Every person employed by the City of Scottsdale shall reside in the State of Arizona during his or her active employment by the City, regardless of whether the employee is approved to remote work.
Other pertinent licenses and/or certifications may be required of some positions depending on department/section assignment.
Essential Functions
Performs duties and responsibilities commensurate with assigned functional area which may include, but are not limited to, any combination of the following: Supervises employees and coordinates personnel-related activities to include, but not limited to: training, approving work schedules, recommending/approving personnel actions, coaching and counseling, establishing performance goals, and writing performance evaluations.
Prepares assigned annual program budgets and reviews.
Develops annual budget plans, prepares monthly reports of the budget status.
Makes presentations to Parks and Recreation commissions, City Council and external organizations.
Develops annual work plans to determine staffing and workload needs within all program areas.
Represents the City at local and regional meetings/seminars.
Prepares and negotiates grants.
Work Environment/Physical Demands
The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position or that an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Most work is performed in a City office environment, with regular site visits to recreation community centers and park areas.
Walks or moves, stands, bends and accesses paved, gravel or turf park areas to inspect the program areas.
Lift and carry materials weighing up to 50 pounds with assistance.
Operate a variety of standard office equipment including computer, telephone, key calculator, copy and fax machine requiring continuous and repetitive arm, hand, and eye movement.
Travel to/from meetings and various City locations.
To view the job description, list of Essential Functions, work environment and physical demands, click here
For more information about Scottsdale, Arizona, click about Scottsdale.
Benefits Highlights:
The City of Scottsdale offers a comprehensive benefits package including: 12 Paid Holidays, which includes 1 Floating Holiday
Vacation Accrual; starts at 10.3 hours/month
Sick Leave Accrual; 8 hours/month
Medical (which includes behavioral health coverage), Dental and Vision Benefits
City Paid Basic Life Insurance (equal to one times employee annual salary); option of Supplemental Life Insurance
Tuition Reimbursement; $2,500/year
Participation in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS) Defined benefit plan with mandatory employer and employee contributions currently at 12% which includes a Long-Term Disability benefit
Supplemental Retirement Plans through Nationwide; 457
Pet Insurance
Bilingual pay compensation
Please visit the Human Resources and Benefits Information page for more information.
Selection Process:
The application and supplemental questions are an integral part of the selection process and must be completed in full in order for you to be considered as a candidate. Please complete each section and answer all questions as thoroughly as possible. DO NOT state "See Resume" in lieu of answering. Unanswered questions, incomplete responses, omissions, or partial information may result in disqualification from the selection process.
Applicants whose education, training and experience most closely meet the needs of the position may be invited to participate in a selection process that may include a panel interview. Successful candidates will receive a post-offer, pre-employment background screening that may include: Fingerprinting search of the national FBI Database
Criminal Background screening
Drug Screen
39-Month Motor Vehicle Department Records Check
The City of Scottsdale reserves the right to change this process at any time, potentially without advance notice.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY : It is the policy of the city to provide employment opportunities to all persons based solely on ability, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability.
When advised, reasonable accommodations will be made in order for an "otherwise qualified applicant" with a disability to participate in any phase of the recruitment process. Please contact Human Resources to request an accommodation. Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation by contacting HR at (480) 312-2491. Requests should be made 24 hours in advance or as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation. For TTY users, the Arizona Relay Service (1-800-367-8939) may contact HR at (480) 312-2491.
This position description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the position change.
Full-Time Positions:
The City of Scottsdale offers a comprehensive benefit package including vacation, holiday and medical leave as well as insurance for medical, dental, vision, life, short and long term disability insurance. For a more detailed overview of the employee benefits,
Part-Time Positions:
The City of Scottsdale offers paid medical leave for part-time staff.
Commute Solutions Program
City of Scottsdale provides free Valley Metro Platinum passes to employees for the bus and light rail systems when commuting; a vanpool subsidy is also available. Employees can decrease stress, decrease wear & tear on their vehicle, and help the environment all at the same time.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF).
The City of Scottsdale is considered a qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF). You may find more information about the PSFL program by going to the Federal Student Aid website by clicking
01
Are you a current City of Scottsdale employee? Yes
No
02
Do you have a valid driver's license (not expired or suspended/revoked)? Yes
No
03
Do you have any of the following restrictions on your driver's license? Please note that this does not include vision correction. Interlock Device
Court Mandated Restricted Hours
I have a Graduated Driver's License (Class G License).
Other Non-Medical Restriction(s)
I have no restrictions on my driver's license
04
Please indicate which best describes your education. Note: The degree (to include the major) must be listed in the Education Section of the application. High School / GED or Equivalent
HS/GED/Equivalent & Some College Coursework
Associates Degree
Bachelor's Degree
Master's Degree or Higher
None of the above
05
Please indicate how many years of experience in professional recreation you have. Three years or less, or none
Between three and five years
Between five and seven years
Nine, or more years
06
If you have professional recreation experience, please summarize your experience. Also, please provide the name of the employer/ organization. NOTE: This experience mentioned here must be shown in the Work Experience section of the application. Do not state "See resume" in lieu of responding to this question. If you don't have this experience, please write "None."
07
Within your professional recreation experience , do you have three years of supervisory experience? Yes
No
08
If you have supervisor experience within the recreation field, please summarize your experience. Also, please provide the name of the employer/ organization. NOTE: This experience mentioned here must be shown in the Work Experience section of the application. Do not state "See resume" in lieu of responding to this question. If you don't have this experience, please write "None."
09
If you have experience implementing practices and procedures used in maintaining Parks and Recreation facilities and parks and recreation programs and services, please summarize your experience. Also, please provide the name of the employer/ organization. NOTE: This experience mentioned here must be shown in the Work Experience section of the application. Do not state "See resume" in lieu of responding to this question. If you don't have this experience, please write "None."
10
Do you have experience managing natural open space, preserves, wildlife habitat, or similar land resources? Yes
No
11
If you have experience working with appointed boards, commissions, and/or non-profit organizations, please summarize your experience. Also, please provide the name of the employer/ organization. NOTE: This experience mentioned here must be shown in the Work Experience section of the application. Do not state "See resume" in lieu of responding to this question. If you don't have this experience, please write "None."
12
If you have experience with public speaking and presentations, please summarize your experience. Also, please provide the name of the employer/ organization. NOTE: This experience mentioned here must be shown in the Work Experience section of the application. Do not state "See resume" in lieu of responding to this question. If you don't have this experience, please write "None."
13
Please indicate how you learned about this job opportunity with the City of Scottsdale. City Website
Employee Referral
Facebook
Glassdoor
Governmentjobs.com
Indeed
Instagram
Job Fair (In-Person / Virtual)
Recruiter
Other
Required Question
- Location:
- Prescott, AZ, United States
- Job Type:
- PartTime
- Category:
- Personal Care And Service Occupations