Job Information
CITY OF FRESNO ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF PARCS in Fresno, California
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF PARCS
(Parks, After School, Recreation and Community Services)
SALARY:
$9,876-$17,054/mo.
FILING DEADLINE: 4/30/2026
THE COMMUNITY
The City of Fresno is the largest city in the San Joaquin Valley and the fifth largest city in California, with a population of more than 545,000 residents. Fresno is the financial core of the San Joaquin Valley, and its economy relies on its large-scale agricultural production. Revitalization of Downtown Fresno's core and the construction of High-Speed Rail are two of many exciting projects that continue to successfully support Fresno's growing economy.
Fresno provides both private and commercial aviation facilities. A wide variety of commercial air carriers operate flights daily from Fresno Yosemite International, and Fresno-Chandler Executive Airport, located within two miles from Fresnos Civic Center, is the largest general aviation airport in central California.
Located in the geographical center of California, Fresno offers many sights. From fertile agricultural fields, an abundance of lakes, and the snowy Sierra Nevada Mountain range, the scenic variety in Fresno is large. Fresno also features a diverse selection of dining, shopping, farmers markets, vibrant arts and culture, wineries, as well as a variety of attractions. With 300 days of sunshine a year, the climate in Fresno is the source of its agricultural productivity, and allows year-round recreational activities including sailing, snow and water skiing, fishing, backpacking, and golfing.
Los Angeles is approximately four hours south and the San Francisco Bay Area is approximately three hours north. Fresno is located in proximity to three sites of natural beauty: Yosemite National Park, Kings Canyon National Park, and Sequoia National Park. Residents and visitors alike enjoy these scenes and others, including the Sierra Nevada Mountains and the Pacific Ocean.
Another advantage to living in Fresno is the exceptional housing that is available at lower price levels than California's other large metropolitan areas. The current median home price in Fresno is approximately $380,000. There are four large school districts in the Fresno area: Fresno Unified, Central Unified, Sanger Unified and Clovis Unified. Fresno is the home of California State University, Fresno, as well as a number of other colleges and universities.
The people of Fresno enjoy a wide variety of social, cultural, athletic, educational, and recreational activities in an affordable, friendly, and culturally dynamic environment.
THE ORGANIZATION
Fresno is a full-service charter city operating under a strong mayor form of government. There are seven Council Members. The Council appoints the City Attorney and the City Clerk. The Mayor is elected at-large and does not serve on the Council, but has veto power over certain actions taken by the City Council. The City Manager, who is appointed by the Mayor, is responsible for appointing all other department heads in the City.
THE DEPARTMENT
The Parks, After School, Recreation and Community Services (PARCS) Department is dedicated to strengthening community through people, parks, and programs. The PARCS Department is comprised of six geographic operational areas (North, North Central, South Central, South, Regional Parks, and Camp Fresno); seven program areas (Sports, Youth Programs, Science Programs, Senior Programs, Youth and Veteran Employment, Adaptive Recreation, and Neighborhood Safety); and six administrative areas (Fiscal, Personnel, Customer Service, Community Outreach, Grants and Contracts, and Capital Projects Administration).
As proposed for FY2026, PARCS will have a staff of 215 permanent positions and a budget of $64 million for operating and $68 million for capital projects.
The Parks Maintenance and Landscape Divisions work to maintain over 90 parks and 19 community centers, representing over 1,200 acres of open space. The Sports, Recreation, and Community Services programs offer a multitude of programming platforms responsive to all needs in the Community. Programs offered include activities for residents of all ages including daily after-school programs at 19 sites; daily senior programs at 9 sites; science programming offered community-wide and at the Highway City Science Center; City-led youth sports leagues; swimming lessons and recreation swim; summer and day camps; overnight and day camps at Camp Fresno; bicycle and pedestrian safety public education; adult sports leagues; neighborhood safety intervention programs; and adaptive recreation programs, to name a few.
In January 2018, the City Council adopted the Parks Master Plan Update. The adoption marked the culmination of nearly 18 months of community outreach, stakeholder engagement, staff analysis, and a comprehensive evaluation of parks and amenities. The Plan serves as the visionary guide for improving Fresnos parks, open space, and recreational services. The Plan provides recommendations, strategies, and highlights the communitys priorities for improvements.
On February 18, 2021, the City Council certified Measure P as passed, and collection of the special sales tax began July 1, 2021. The revenues generated by the Measure P use tax are allocated by the City of Fresno on an annual basis with additional independent oversight provided by the Parks, Recreation and Arts Commission (Commission) consisting of nine (9) members.
The nine-member Commission is appointed by the Mayor and approved by City Council.
For FY 2026, the total estimated revenue receipts for Measure P are $47 million. Measure P proceeds are utilized to fund specific purposes defined in the ordinance:
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