Community Recreation Manager

Are you ready to lead innovative programs elevate community centers and make a lasting impact in San Bernardino

We invite you to join our team as a Community Recreation Manager and help drive the future of recreation and community services!

San Bernardino offers access to major transit corridors natural beauty and a wide range of housing and lifestyle options. Its a place where public service careers are supported by a strong sense of community and purpose and where motivated professionals can grow contribute and be part of something meaningful.

About the Position:
The Community Recreation Manager plays a key leadership role within the Recreation and Community Services Division overseeing a broad range of City-wide programs initiatives and community service centers. This position is responsible for planning developing and managing recreational and community services that serve residents of all ages including youth programs year-round lunch and nutrition initiatives sports programs after-school programming special events and off-site activities.

The incumbent provides strategic direction supervises assigned staff manages budgets and grants evaluates community needs and develops programs that enhance quality of life for San Bernardino residents. The position also oversees daily operations of multiple community centers and the Citys amphitheater ensuring public spaces operate efficiently safely and in alignment with City policies and service standards. This role requires strong leadership community engagement and the ability to build collaborative partnerships that support inclusive accessible recreation opportunities for the community.

The Ideal Candidate:
The ideal candidate is an experienced recreation and community services professional who thrives in a dynamic community-focused environment. They bring proven experience managing large-scale programs leading teams and delivering services that meet diverse community needs. They excel at building strong relationships with residents community partners staff and City leadership and understand the importance of accessible and innovative programming.

This individual is a strategic thinker who can assess needs evaluate program effectiveness and make data-informed recommendations to improve or expand services. They are comfortable managing budgets grants and contracts and have experience coordinating programs across multiple locations. The ideal candidate demonstrates exceptional communication skills customer service and the ability to navigate sensitive issues with diplomacy. They model professionalism foster a high-performance culture and bring enthusiasm for creating safe inclusive and engaging spaces that support community well-being.

• Education & Experience
  • Bachelors degree in Recreation Public Administration or a related field.
  • Experience in community recreation programming facility management or municipal operations.
• Knowledge of
  • Principles and practices of recreation program planning and evaluation.
  • Budget development and grant administration.
  • Customer service and community engagement strategies.
  • Applicable laws regulations and safety standards for public facilities.
• Skills & Abilities
  • Strong leadership and supervisory skills to guide staff and volunteers.
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for working with diverse communities.
  • Ability to analyze problems develop solutions and implement improvements.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office and recreation management software.
• Other
  • Bilingual skills (English/Spanish) highly desirable.
  • Ability to work evenings weekends and attend special events as needed.
  • Valid California drivers license.

Education Training and Experience:
A typical way of obtaining the knowledge skills and abilities outlined above is graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a major in public or business administration recreation management a social science or a closely related field; and five years of progressively responsible professional recreation or community services experience at least three of which were in a supervisory or program/project management capacity; or an equivalent combination of training and experience. Experience in a public agency is preferred.

Accreditation shall be by a national or regional accreditation body that is recognized by the Secretary of the United States Department of Education.

Licenses; Certificates; Special Requirements:
A valid California drivers license and the ability to maintain insurability under the Citys vehicle insurance policy.

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of needs assessment program development implementation oversight and evaluation as they apply to recreation and community services program management.

• Standard practices information sources and trends in the field of recreation and community services programming.

• Federal state and local laws regulations and court decisions applicable to assigned areas of responsibility.

• Methods and practices of grant application development and administration.

• Principles methods and practices of budget and contract development and administration.

• Safety issues associated with the care of program participants and center patrons and CPR and first-aid practices and training.

• Methods and techniques used in customer service and public relations.

• Principles and practices of effective management and supervision.

• City human resources policies and procedures Civil Service Rules and labor contract provisions.

Ability to:

• Plan organize set priorities of and implement a wide variety of large recreation and community services programs and activities; participate in evaluation of and make sound recommendations for improvements or expansion.

• Plan assign direct and coordinate the work of staff engaged in performing a wide range of recreation and community services activities.

• Implement and enforce recreation and community services program policies procedures and processes.

• Coordinate programs with other community groups and agencies.

• Represent the City effectively in meetings with community groups the media and the public.

• Exercise sound expert independent judgment within areas of responsibility.

• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

• Prepare clear concise and comprehensive correspondence reports and other written materials.

• Exercise tact and diplomacy in dealing with sensitive and complex issues and situations.

• Prepare clear concise and comprehensive correspondence reports studies and other written materials.

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with participants other department personnel outside agency and community organization contacts media contacts and others encountered in the course of work.

Recruitment Timeline

This recruitment will close on Sunday January 18 2026 or until a sufficient number of applications have been received.

Applications review: Week of Monday January 19 2026

**All dates are subject to change at the discretion of the personnel officer**

All applicants are required to submit an online application through the Citys official website at .This recruitment will remain open until January 18 2026 at 11:59 PM or until a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received.

Applications must be fully completed and clearly demonstrate that the minimum qualifications for the position are met. All information provided is subject to review investigation and verification. While resumes may be uploaded as supplemental documentation they will not be accepted in place of a fully completed City application.

Following the initial screening the most qualified candidates whose backgrounds best match the needs of the City will be invited to continue in the selection process. Meeting the minimum qualifications does not guarantee advancement. Candidates will remain under consideration until a final selection is made and an offer is accepted. The City of San Bernardino reserves the right to close the recruitment at any time and may determine that none of the applicants including those who meet the minimum qualifications are suitable for the position.

• Pre-employment Medical Exam including drug and TB test.
• Background Investigation with the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
• Employment/Professional Reference Check.

Accordingly the City will provide information from each new employees Form I-9 to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Social Security Administration to confirm authorization to work in the United States.

For more information about E-Verify please visit the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website at

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) the City provides reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. Each request is evaluated on a case-by-case basis. To request an accommodation please contact the Human Resources Department directly at .

This bulletin is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute a contract expressed or implied. Its contents may be modified or withdrawn without prior notice.

For questions regarding this recruitment contact Stephanie Rivera at Additional information is available at .