The City of Derby is seeking an experienced, creative, and forward-thinking leader to serve as its next Parks Director. This is a pivotal role in shaping the future of Derby’s parks, green spaces, public landscapes, and recreation facilities. The Parks Director will guide the development, management, and operation of a diverse and growing park system, advancing the City’s mission to create vibrant neighborhoods, nurture a strong business community and preserve beautiful greenspaces.
The Parks Division oversees a broad range of essential services, including the maintenance of fully developed parks, natural areas, stormwater facilities, urban forestry, athletic fields, playgrounds, aquatics, and 25 miles of multi-use paths. The division also manages key community destinations such as rental facilities, Rock River Rapids Aquatic Center, and regional-level sports complexes. Parks staff support community events and festivals each year and maintain approximately 500 acres of parkland and rights-of-way.
As a division within the Public Works Department, Parks benefits from strong cross-department collaboration, shared resources, and a supportive team culture. This partnership enables the division to meet the evolving needs of a growing community. The Parks Director serves as an integral member of the Public Works leadership team, working closely with colleagues to achieve departmental goals and uphold organizational values. The ideal candidate will be a positive, professional, and inspiring leader who models service excellence and fosters a strong team environment.
The city is currently undertaking more than $22 million in park development projects, with overall administration provided by the Parks Director.
The Parks Division operates with an annual budget of approximately $3 million and includes 20 full-time employees, and 13 part-time/seasonal staff.
The City of Derby strives to be an employer of choice and our desire is to attract and retain honest, hard working and motivated employees who are committed to providing the highest quality of service to the citizens of Derby. We offer competitive wages, awesome benefits, including affordable health insurance with no deductible and no coinsurance and retirement benefits. We also offer Alternative Work Schedules to help employees achieve work-life balance.
Pay Range for 2026: $107,827.20 – $150,924.80 DOQ
Details related to the position description are below:
Shift: 1st Shift, 5 day work week
Compensation: $107,827.20– $150,924.80, DOQ
Total Compensation Calculator https://form.jotform.com/233105242369148
Benefits:
Medical (includes Vision)- City pays up to 87% of monthly premium (depends on wellness level and plan selected); no deductible, no coinsurance, just low-cost copays!
Dental Insurance- City pays 85% of monthly premium.
Wellness Incentives – Includes cost savings on health insurance and ability to convert a portion of sick leave to Wellness leave (used like vacation)
Paid Vacation (40 hours available on first day, remaining 40 accrued)
Sick leave
12 Paid Holidays
Paid Parental Leave
KPERS Retirement – City contributes approximately 8.43%, employee contributes 6%
KPERS Life Insurance- Equivalent to 1 ½ times annual salary
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
Short-Term Disability and Life Insurance
Employee Assistance Program
Tuition Reimbursement = Up to $2,000 per year
Corporate Health Club Discounts
A Typical Work Day May Include:
Meet regularly with division leaders to review operational and administrative needs, direct activities and keep them informed of pertinent information and divisional issues.
Coach and mentor staff so they are able to assist the public with a range of topics, including department and city policies, park standards, and requests for service.
Participate in and motivate employees to adhere to Public Works Culture and Core Values.
Provide and encourage training and professional growth opportunities for staff to ensure they keep up on developments in their fields.
Lead efforts to engage employees in employee-centered activities such as the employee wellness program and other key initiatives.
Make or recommend employment-related decisions involving hiring, discipline, and all other status changes; develop performance expectations and evaluate employee performance.
Review city procedures, division policies, laws, and ordinances and recommend or implement revisions to ensure safety, efficiency, effectiveness, and compliance.
Enforce city and department policies and procedures.
Develop annual division goals, strategies, action plans, and performance measures.
Develop methods and procedures to increase financial and operational efficiency and employee Assist finance in setting rates for rental properties and park amenities when needed.
Provide advanced planning, and operational recommendations regarding Parks division needs to the Public Works Director for consult.
Develop agendas and staff reports, make presentations to the City Council, Park and Urban Forestry Board and other boards as required. Interact one-on-one with residents, participate as a member of the city’s management team, and relay information to the news media when authorized.
Meet with other agencies and department heads on matters affecting parks, forestry, stream maintenance and stormwater issues.
Lead the strategic planning, development, and maintenance of all parks, recreational facilities and green spaces owned by the City of Derby.
Develop budget documents for review and submission as part of the city’s annual budget process. Develop and administer the City’s multi-year capital improvement program as it pertains to the Parks division.
Act as project manager for all park related construction projects.
Manage development, implementation, and update of the Parks Master Plan.
Manage financial documents and funding sources to control expenditures.
Manage purchase requests, equipment orders, parts, and supplies needed for the division to remain within budgetary Ensure bills are paid in a timely manner.
Assist in the development of specifications and/or bid documents for park related projects and equipment purchases.
Manage all division contracts, including consultation, services for hire and construction.
Communicate with other divisions regarding stream blockages and stormwater drainage infrastructure maintenance.
View full job description.
What You Will Need:
Bachelor's degree in Parks and Recreation Management, Natural Resource Management, Business or Public Administration, Landscape Architecture, Arboricultural or related field.
Five years' experience in administrative and supervisory experience in park management, turf management, facility management, public works, or related field.
Valid Kansas driver's license and driving record must meet commercial liability insurance requirements.
FEMA National Incident Command Systems (NIMS) courses IS-100, IS-200, IS-300, IS-400 and IS-700 within 24 months of employment.
What Will Put You Ahead:
Master's Degree in Parks and Recreation Management, Public Administration, Business Administration.
Certified Park and Recreation Professional Certificate through the National Recreation and Parks Association.
Excellent communication skills sufficient to express ideas and agreements concisely and persuasively, both orally and in writing, to a variety of audiences. Negotiation, persuasion, tact, and diplomacy are essential for effectively performing tasks.
Ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders, including city elected officials, all levels of staff, vendors, community partners and the public.
Veterans Preference
The City of Derby provides veterans preference in accordance with K.S.A. 73-201 et seq. Applicants claiming veterans preference must submit a DD-214 and any other required documentation at the time of application. Veterans preference ensures that qualified veterans and certain eligible family members are given consideration in hiring for public employment.
