SUPERINTENDENT OF RECREATION

The Superintendent of Recreation is a leadership position responsible for the strategic planning, supervision, and evaluation of the Vernon Hills Park District’s recreation services. This includes oversight of recreation programs, events, childcare, fitness, aquatics, cultural arts, customer service, sponsorships, and facility operations. The Superintendent ensures the alignment of all recreation initiatives with the Park District’s mission and community needs, while fostering innovation, fiscal responsibility, and staff development. This role provides direct supervision to the Recreation Facilities Manager, Recreation Programs Manager, and Early Childhood Manager.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Supervise and evaluate the Recreation Program Manager, Recreation Facilities Manager, and Early Childhood Manager.
• Responsible for the development and delivery of a comprehensive offering of community recreation programs, facilities and services.
• Review and evaluate all recreational programming, making recommendations for change and oversee improvements as required to meet community demand.
• Lead department-wide planning and coordination across program and facility operations.
• Coordinate and assist with the delivery of various large-scale community events.
• Promote professional development and team growth among managers and staff.
• Foster a department culture of collaboration, innovation, accountability, and inclusion.
• Develop and oversee departmental goals, objectives, and performance metrics aligned with District strategic plans.
• Analyze community trends and feedback to support recreation initiatives and long-term planning.
• Compile and analyze program registration reports, membership sales figures, and program and facility usage rates.
• Guide the development and implementation of department policies and procedures.
• Prepare and monitor the comprehensive departmental operating and capital budgets.
• Review and approve division-level budgets and purchasing requisitions submitted by managers.
• Monitor revenues and expenditures; identify and implement cost-effective strategies to ensure fiscal responsibility.
• Make recommendations to the Executive Director for the purpose of both long and short-term improvements.
• Support the implementation of programs and services across all recreation divisions.
• Ensure program diversity and inclusion to meet the recreational and educational needs of the community.
• Oversee and manage the family scholarship program.
• Serve as a liaison to community organizations, affiliates and stakeholders.
• Coordinate and be liaison for Park District Advisory Commission.
• Represent the District at public meetings, professional conferences, and local committees.
• Work closely with Marketing and IT departments to support promotions, communications, and operational systems.
• Ensure promotion of recreational programs and facilities. Provide guidance, set deadlines and assist in the creation of the District program brochure.
• Assist in the development of marketing plans for recreation programs and facilities.  
• Ensure compliance with District policies, ADA, OSHA, and all applicable laws and standards.
• Oversee emergency preparedness and response procedures across recreation facilities.
• Enforce safety and risk management protocols in alignment with District guidelines.
• Assist with implementing and executing Distinguished Accreditation standards and criteria.
• Manage the lightning detection system for the District, which is jointly utilized by the Village of Vernon Hills, Vernon Hills High School, and Stevenson High School.
• Employee must be able to work with other members of senior management and a publicly elected Board of Park Commissioners, to include presentations and attendance at meetings.
• Evening, weekend and holiday work when necessary.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

SAFETY AND RISK MANAGEMENT

• Maintain working knowledge of District and departmental safety rules.
• Attend required safety meetings and in-service trainings.
• Follow the Risk Management Manual, Emergency Response Plan, and OSHA compliance policies.
• Ensure Emergency Operation Plan and Safety Checklist are completed before each event.
• Train and drill staff on medical emergencies, evacuation, and disaster procedures.

PSYCHOLOGICAL CONSIDERATIONS

• Employee must demonstrate leadership qualities to perform the required work.
• Must exhibit good problem-solving ability and demonstrate good judgment.
• Employee must work effectively under deadlines.
• Employee may experience stress.
• Must be able to maintain a positive working relationship with other employees.
• Employee must demonstrate the ability to make difficult personnel decisions without emotion and based on fact.
• Employee must possess good customer service skills with the ability to resolve differences and problems that arise with patrons.
• Employee must be able to function in a sometimes fast and ambiguous environment.
• Maintain a high level of confidentiality.

PHYSIOLOGICAL CONSIDERATIONS

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to handle or feel and is required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand and sit. The employee is occasionally required to walk and reach with hands and arms.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
• Lift objects up to 40 lbs.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS

• Employee general work area is indoors in an office environment with temperature control and fluorescent lighting.
• Employee may be required to work in the outdoor environment with variable temperature and weather conditions.
• Protective clothing is not required, unless a specific project or task requires appropriate safety measures such as hearing or eye protection, use of respirators and other protective items as needed.
• May be exposed to a variety of communicable diseases to include exposure to the potential of blood borne pathogens.
• May be exposed  to high noise levels.
• May be exposed to  extreme weather conditions (heat, cold, wet, dry, windy).

COGNITIVE CONSIDERATIONS

• Employee must have the ability to communicate in English, both verbally and in writing.
• Employee must have the ability to read, write, and organize materials.
• Employee must possess time management and organizational skills to effectively perform  the job.
• Ability to demonstrate good safety awareness and judgement

A Bachelor’s degree in Parks and Recreation or a closely related field is required from an accredited university; Master’s degree preferred. In addition, a minimum of eight years of progressive, full time, supervisory/management experience in the field of recreation or any equivalent combination of education, experience, and training which provides the knowledge, skills and abilities will be considered. 

CPRP certification preferred (as eligible per NRPA). Must possess CPR/AED and First Aid certification within 60 days of hire. Valid Illinois Class "D" driver's license is required. Must successfully complete a physical exam, drug screening, background check, and road test. Strong organizational, leadership, and communication skills are essential.