Talent.com
Director, Recreation and Community Services
Director, Recreation and Community ServicesTown of Drumheller • Drumheller, AB, CA
Director, Recreation and Community Services

Director, Recreation and Community Services

Town of Drumheller • Drumheller, AB, CA
30+ days ago
Job type
  • Full-time
  • Permanent
Job description

Director, Recreation and Community Services

Make your mark where history meets horizon. In Drumheller—home to the world-famous Dinosaur Valley—our breathtaking Badlands backdrop, vibrant recreation culture, and tight-knit community create a place where your leadership truly matters. As Director of Recreation & Community Services, you’ll be a champion for community building and active living, shaping experiences that define what it means to live, visit, and play here. If you’re ready to lead with passion, spark innovation, and leave a visible legacy across our valley, we’d love to meet you.

Position Summary

This position provides leadership and operational oversight for community-facing services, including recreational and event facilities, parks and trail systems, Family and Community Support Services (FCSS), and community group partnerships / relations. The Director of Recreation & Community Services ensures that the department programs and services are aligned with Council strategic priorities and managed in a fiscally responsible manner covering multi-year budgets, cost-recovery targets, fee recommendations, and lifecycle planning.

Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

  • Aligns department decisions and priorities with the Recreation Master Plan and other approved strategic documents; interpret and implement plan directions in day‑to‑day operations and long‑range planning.
  • Prepares comprehensive reports, featuring well‑supported recommendations for review by the Chief Administrative Officer and Council.
  • Leads the development and stewardship of applicable municipal policy and bylaws for the department.
  • Provides direction for community recreation services, capital projects, and environmental initiatives to ensure services are sustainable, inclusive, and responsive to community needs.

Parks, Facilities, Aquatics

  • Sets and monitors service standards, utilization targets, customer‑satisfaction goals, and lifecycle plans across multi‑use facilities, parks, trails, aquatic and arena operations.
  • Manages all aspects of administrative operations at the Badlands Community Facility (BCF), Aquaplex, and Memorial Arena including staffing, programming, scheduling, customer service, and revenue generation.
  • Coordinates the maintenance of Town‑owned parks and recreational facilities with the Infrastructure Services department to minimize downtime and ensure alignment with capital renewal with asset management programs.
  • Oversees long‑term planning and sustainability of recreation and parks capital assets and amenities, integrating environmental and accessibility considerations.
  • Provides leadership to FCSS initiatives to align programs and grants to provincial FCSS outcomes and local needs.
  • Leads the planning and evaluation of community programs, recreational / fitness initiatives, and Town special events across all facilities.
  • Manages community grant funding programs and ensures agreement and accountability requirements are met.
  • Engages community members, user groups, and stakeholders to inform programming and facility use.
  • Serves as the Town’s liaison on relevant boards and committees and communicates regularly with the public about recreation facilities through public relations and community engagement.
  • Owns the community‑led special events framework (criteria, risk reviews, site plans, permitting, calendar deconfliction) in collaboration with Protective Services, Infrastructure Services, and Communications.
  • Oversees bookings / permits for facilities / fields / open spaces; working collaboratively with tenants, event organizers, and community groups to maximize facility use and value, optimize utilization, access, and customer experience.
  • Participates in Emergency Management as departmental lead for reception‑centre readiness, facility logistics, and public information support.

    • Financial Planning, Budgeting & Purchasing

  • Prepares and manages operating and capital budgets for the department, monitoring expenditures and revenues to ensure adherence to purchasing policies and approved budgets.
  • Recommends fees‑and‑charges updates and program cost‑recovery targets aligned to market comparators, equity, and accessibility goals; integrates lifecycle planning to sustain service levels.

    • People, Leadership & Culture

  • Supervises, mentors, and supports full‑time, part‑time, casual and seasonal staff teams in alignment with established Collective Agreements and HR policies.
  • Works in collaboration with Human Resources to recruit, performance‑manage, succession plan, and deploy strategic workforce planning strategies according to business calendar and seasonal requirements.
  • Promotes a respectful and inclusive workplace aligned with the Town’s values and in compliance with the Alberta Employment Standards Code, Alberta Human Rights Act, Occupational Health and Safety Act / Regulation / Code, Access to Information Act (ATIA) and the Protection of Privacy Act (POPA).

    • Education and Experience

  • Degree or diploma in Recreation Management, Facility Management, Parks Administration, Business, Community Development, Public / Business Administration, or a related field.
  • Minimum 9 years of progressive leadership experience in community services, recreation or facility operations (preferably municipal), with demonstrated success managing staff, budgets, capital planning, and facility operations.
  • Required (or willingness to obtain within a set timeframe) : NACLAA Level I / II; valid Class 5 driver’s license.
  • Assets : CPRA (Certified Parks and Recreation Professional) or equivalent; ICSEgo exposure.

    • Additional Requirements

  • Knowledge of municipal community services; recreation trends; parks / facility operations; aquatics standards; cemetery operations; FCSS frameworks; OH&S and regulatory requirements; policy / bylaw processes; public engagement and accessibility principles.
  • Strong leadership, problem‑solving, and organizational skills; stakeholder engagement; contract / sponsorship negotiation; grant development; asset / lifecycle planning; financial planning and budgeting; risk management; clear written / oral communication.
  • Balances strategy with operations; navigate political / organizational complexity; present to Council / public; build inclusive, high‑performing teams; interpret and implement strategic documents (e.g., Recreation Master Plan).
  • Holds a valid Class 5 driver’s licence, satisfactory Criminal Record Check and Vulnerable Sector Search, and maintains all position‑related certifications.

    • Salary & Benefits

    Employment Category : Permanent Full-Time

    Hours per Week : 37.5 hours (Monday to Friday)

    Compensation : $119,108.00-$150,869.00

    Benefits : The Town of Drumheller offers a competitive compensation package that includes salary, vacation, personal leave, extended health and wellness benefits, LAPP pension (effective date of hire), professional development support, and an excellent team environment.

    Contact & Application

    Email : hr@drumheller.ca

    How to apply : Please submit your cover letter and resume through the CAREERS section on our website before end of day November 21, 2025.

    #J-18808-Ljbffr

    Create a job alert for this search

    Community Recreation • Drumheller, AB, CA

    Similar jobs
    Building Superintendent

    Building Superintendent

    Government of Alberta • Drumheller
    Full-time +2
    Select how often (in days) to receive an alert : .Job Title : Building Superintendent.Permanent / Temporary : Permanent.Closing Date : Open until filled. Classification : Technologies 3 Salary : $2,165.The Go...Show more
    Last updated: 10 days ago • Promoted
    Health Care Security Officer - Drumheller (Healthcare)

    Health Care Security Officer - Drumheller (Healthcare)

    Paladin Security • Drumheller
    Full-time
    Overview Job Skills / Requirements.Members of the Paladin Security team : .Have their Security License paid for by Paladin. Earn superior wages and benefits.Develop the skills necessary to become a se...Show more
    Last updated: 10 days ago • Promoted
    Casual Custodian

    Casual Custodian

    Prairie Land School Division • Morrin, AB, Canada
    Full-time
    We are searching for A reliable, energetic custodian to join our team.Our ideal candidate will be self-motivated and able to perform tasks independently. You will be responsible for cleaning and san...Show more
    Last updated: 7 days ago • Promoted
    Bus Driver

    Bus Driver

    Prairie Land School Division • Morrin, AB, Canada
    Permanent
    Prairie Land School Division is seeking a fun and energetic individual to safely transport our students to Morrin School. This is a maternity leave replacement position to start in October 2025 unti...Show more
    Last updated: 7 days ago • Promoted
    Associate Dentist - Green Tree Dental

    Associate Dentist - Green Tree Dental

    Greentree Dental • Drumheller
    Full-time +2
    Associate Dentist - Greentree Dental.Step Into a Full Schedule with Mentorship, Technology, and a Loyal Patient Base.Location : 42 Centre St, Drumheller, AB T0J 0Y6. Clinical Focus : General and Resto...Show more
    Last updated: 10 days ago • Promoted
    Director, Recreation and Community Services

    Director, Recreation and Community Services

    Town of Drumheller • Drumheller
    Full-time +1
    Director, Recreation and Community Services.Make your mark where history meets horizon.In Drumheller—home to the world-famous Dinosaur Valley—our breathtaking Badlands backdrop, vibrant recreation ...Show more
    Last updated: 30+ days ago • Promoted
    Housekeeper Wanted - Seeking A Passionate Service Provider In Drumheller, Alberta

    Housekeeper Wanted - Seeking A Passionate Service Provider In Drumheller, Alberta

    Housekeeper.com • Drumheller, Alberta, Canada
    Full-time
    I am interested in finding kitchen cleaning and other house cleaning services for my home.Please contact me if you are interested. Please visit https : / / housekeeper.Show more
    Last updated: 21 days ago • Promoted
    Hospital Security Officer — Training, Benefits & Rewards

    Hospital Security Officer — Training, Benefits & Rewards

    Paladin Security • Drumheller
    Full-time
    A leading security services provider in Drumheller, Alberta, is seeking a Security Professional to monitor patient safety and ensure facility security. This full-time position requires a clean crimi...Show more
    Last updated: 10 days ago • Promoted
    Statistics Private Tutoring Jobs Drumheller

    Statistics Private Tutoring Jobs Drumheller

    Superprof • Drumheller, Canada
    Full-time +1
    Superprof is Canada's #1 tutoring platform, and we're actively recruiting passionate tutors! Whether you're a student, a professional, or simply someone who loves teaching, join the largest communi...Show more
    Last updated: 30+ days ago • Promoted
    Territory Manager - Agriculture

    Territory Manager - Agriculture

    Brandt Group of Companies • Drumheller
    Full-time
    Our Drumheller, Alberta branch is looking for an exceptional individual to join our sales department as a Territory Manager for our Agriculture Division (John Deere). Sell new and used whole goods p...Show more
    Last updated: 10 days ago • Promoted
    Associate Dentist - Green Tree Dental

    Associate Dentist - Green Tree Dental

    Dental Corp • Drumheller
    Full-time +1
    Associate Dentist - Greentree Dental • • • •Step Into a Full Schedule with Mentorship, Technology, and a Loyal Patient Base • •Greentree Dental is looking for a motivated • •Associate Dentist • • to join ou...Show more
    Last updated: 30+ days ago • Promoted
    Earn up to $400 per Day by Playing Games and Taking Surveys

    Earn up to $400 per Day by Playing Games and Taking Surveys

    Almedia • Hussar
    Full-time
    Since its launch 5 years ago, over 50MN users have earned and withdrawn over $150MN! The platform is rated 4.TrustPilot with over 230k+ reviews, establishing Freecash as one of the highest rated op...Show more
    Last updated: 3 days ago • Promoted
    Agriculture Territory Manager : Grow Sales & Territory Strategy

    Agriculture Territory Manager : Grow Sales & Territory Strategy

    Brandt Group of Companies • Drumheller
    Full-time
    A leading machinery manufacturing company in Drumheller, Alberta is seeking a Territory Manager for its Agriculture Division. This entry-level role involves selling new and used products, managing s...Show more
    Last updated: 10 days ago • Promoted
    Post Office Manager

    Post Office Manager

    Shoppers Drug Mart • Drumheller
    Full-time
    Join a locally owned and operated store to help deliver health, beauty and convenience services in your community, and keep the customer at the centre of everything you do.Responsible for organizin...Show more
    Last updated: 10 days ago • Promoted