Director of Parks, Recreation and Senior Center

Town of Branford Job Announcement
For questions: (203) 315-0628 or (203) 315-0629
Director of Parks, Recreation and Senior Center
Email your resume, and cover letter to: CAREERS@BRANFORD-CT.GOV
Location: Town of Branford, CT
Employment Type: Managerial Exempt, Fulltime
Hours: Monday-Friday and weekends as
needed
Pay Scale: $103,163 to $121,369 plus Generous
Benefits. Base salary increases July 1, 2025
This is a special opportunity to lead one of the most well-respected Parks, Recreation and Senior
Center Departments in the State of Connecticut. As the Director of Parks, Recreation and Senior
Center for Branford, you will work as a member of the senior leadership team reporting to the
First Selectman and working with the Town’s Boards and Commissions to enhance and continue
to grow the town park’s environment while having direct impact on the recreational and
educational development of its community members. You will plan, organize, and supervise a
comprehensive public parks and recreation, social, cultural and educational department for the
community including special programs and activities, and varied seasonal indoor and outdoor
activities and programs to meet the needs of Branford’s residents. S/he also evaluates the
needs of the various populations (children, teenagers, adults, seniors, etc.) and seeks out new
ideas and methods to provide the appropriate services. The Director of Parks and Recreation is
required to exercise considerable independent judgment in administering and managing the
department and is responsible for maintaining and improving upon the efficiency and
effectiveness of all areas under his/her direction and control.
• Plan, organize, initiate and direct comprehensive community parks and recreational
operations, special events and activities in the department and evaluates the effectiveness
of programs and recreational, social, cultural, and educational needs of the community;
develop short term and long range comprehensive departmental plans. Conduct needs
assessments; coordinate activities with public, private cultural and recreational
organizations.
• Oversee the management, care and maintenance of Town and Schools athletic fields; direct
and coordinate the inspection, care and maintenance of parks and recreational areas,
facilities, beachfronts, pool, skating rink, grounds and related irrigation systems; develop
and maintain organic and turf management program; determine and recommend priorities
for repairs and maintenance of fields; manage subcontractor services.
• Participate in the acquisition, planning, construction, improvement and maintenance of all
departmental areas and facilities and inspect and approve projects in progress for the
Community Center and park/recreational facilities. Perform inspection, repair and
maintenance functions for selected Town buildings.
• Review and approve or develop as warranted, operating procedures for the use of outdoor
and indoor facilities, athletic fields, recreation facilities, beaches, the pool, the ice-skating
rink and all recreational programming and activities; develop safety practices for use of all
facilities and programs.
• Promote proactive, customer – focused services; respond and follow up with constituent
complaints and concerns; refer unusual issues to appropriate departments or agencies.
Town of Branford Job Announcement
For questions: (203) 315-0628 or (203) 315-0629
• Participate in the preparation and dissemination of department public
information materials including brochures, booklets and press releases and
prepare and deliver oral presentations to local, civic and cultural
organizations.
• Develops department policies and procedures and assigns, trains,
supervises, counsels and evaluates staff. Consults with, Human Resources, and Board of
Recreation on such personnel actions as hiring, termination, and discipline. Assures safe
working conditions for employees.
• Prepare and administer operating budget for the department; present budget to
appropriate Boards, First Selectman and RTM. Authorizes all invoices for departmental
expenditures. Is responsible for oversight of expenditures and operating the Department
within the approved budget limits. Develops databases and spreadsheets to track
transactions.
• Write bid specifications and obtain estimates for equipment and materials.
• Present narrative and statistical reports to the Board of Recreation, the Commission on the
Elderly and represent the department at Board of Finance and RTM meetings, as required.
• Oversee orientation program for full time, part-time and seasonal staff. Assure safe working
conditions for employees through training programs as required by State and Federal Agencies;
act as department safety officer, working with the Town Worker’s Compensation loss control
vendor.
Other Functions:
• Performs similar or related work as required, directed or as situation dictates.
• Continued professional development
• Assists other departments, offices or staff as needed to promote a team effort to serve the
public
Supervision:
Supervision Scope: Performs responsible duties requiring independent judgment and initiative in
planning, organizing and directing the work of the office. Also performs a wide variety of special
professional and administrative responsibilities requiring an extensive knowledge of parks
maintenance and recreation programming.
Supervision Received: Works under the general direction of the First Selectman and Board of
Recreation following professional standards, procedures and policies.
Supervision Given: Directly supervises the Assistant Directors and is also responsible for the
Program Supervisor, Program/Activities Coordinators, Lead Maintainer, Maintainers, Clerical and
various part time and seasonal positions, developing job direction, assigning tasks, providing
instructions as needed, and monitoring performance.
Minimum Required Qualifications:
Education, Training and Experience:
The qualifications required would generally be acquired with a bachelor’s degree in Recreation and
Leisure Studies or some closely related field and over 7 years of responsible recreation and parks
Town of Branford Job Announcement
For questions: (203) 315-0628 or (203) 315-0629
maintenance experience, including supervisory experience; or an equivalent
combination of education, work experience and training. A master’s degree in
recreation or a related field is desirable.
Special Requirements:
A valid CT Driver’s license
Certified Parks and Recreational Professional (CPRP) and Certified Playground Safety Inspector
(CPSI) preferred or obtained within three years of appointment.
CPR, Basic First Aid and AED certifications preferred.
Knowledge, Ability and Skill:
Knowledge: Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of municipal recreation
programming and administration; thorough knowledge of parks administration and maintenance;
knowledge of recreation, sports and social activities as are usual in a public recreation program;
knowledge of and ability to coordinate the programming, operation and the request for
maintenance of indoor and outdoor facilities; knowledge of beachfront, aquatics, skating rink and
pool operations and maintenance; knowledge of social trends and indicators and their impact on
recreational policy; knowledge of computer applications appropriate for office; thorough
knowledge of turf management, practices and applications and landscape maintenance; knowledge
of municipal park and recreation budgeting.
Ability: Ability to develop short term and long range comprehensive plans for programs and
activities, and to implement and evaluate such programs and activities; ability to establish and
maintain effective working relationships with town staff and officials, the public and the media;
ability to handle multiple projects and programs at one time; ability to assign, train, and supervise
programs and staff, including aquatics, beach and maintenance; ability to manage and administer
contracts for service; ability to prepare and administer an operating budget for the department;
ability to provide comprehensive reports outlining critical issues, pending litigation and status of
capital projects.
Skill: Excellent verbal and written communication skills; aptitude for working with people and
maintaining effective working relationships with various groups; aptitude for working with
paperwork and details; skill in using standard office equipment; skills associated with handling
numerous projects at one time; skills associated with the supervision and training of staff and
maintenance of buildings, properties and equipment.
Job Environment:
Administrative work is performed in a moderately noisy office with regular interruptions during
the day from the general public; frequently required to perform inspections of outdoor and indoor
recreation programs, parks, fields, rinks and beaches under possible adverse weather conditions,
including extreme hot and cold; frequently driving to recreational facilities and sites.
Requires the operation of an automobile, telephones, computers, copiers, facsimile machines, and
other standard office equipment.
Makes frequent and periodic contact with other municipal departments, including Public Works,
Town of Branford Job Announcement
For questions: (203) 315-0628 or (203) 315-0629
Police, Fire and Wastewater Treatment; Counseling and Social Services
Department; Board of Education staff, sports groups, civic groups, health
district, Board of Recreation, vendors and contractors and the public.
Communication is frequently in person, by telephone, fax, and email in writing
or at meetings. Contacts require a high level of persuasiveness and
resourcefulness to influence the behavior of others or to resolve problems.
We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for
employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected
veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or any
other characteristic protected by law. The Town of Branford reserves the right to limit the number of
qualified candidates who will be considered for the position. The selected candidate must pass a
substance abuse test given at the Town's expense. The Town of Branford is a drug free workplace. The
Town of Branford conducts background investigations for all positions prior to hiring. Refusal to sign
the release form will terminate the candidate from further consideration.

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