Recreation Director Job at City of Isle of Palms
City of Isle of Palms, SC
Recrea�on Director Job Opening
Mission Statement: To be the most sustainable, family-friendly beach community in South
Carolina.
Vision Statement: To be a welcoming, environmentally conscious, and resilient coastal
community commited to enhancing the quality of life for those who come here to live, work
and play.
The Isle of Palms Community
The City of Isle of Palms is a seven-mile-long barrier island located eight miles east of Charleston
on the South Carolina coast. In 1953 the island was incorporated as the City of Isle of Palms by
an Act of the South Carolina Legislature. The City has a Council form of government with a Mayor,
and eight City Council members, each elected to four-year terms. All policy and legisla�ve
decisions are the responsibility of the Council. The City employs a City Administrator to manage
its daily affairs and carry out the policies of the Council.
The City of Isle of Palms is 15 minutes
away from the City of Charleston
which has been voted the #1
Vaca�on spot by Conde Nast in the
last eleven years. The Isle of Palms,
designated the safest city in South
Carolina, has one of the most family-
friendly beaches in the country. The
barrier island stretches across seven
miles of shoreline and lies on a
narrow strip of land hugging the
beach and it is separated from the
mainland by the Intracoastal Waterway and salt marshes.
The year-round popula�on is approximately 5,000 with an influx of day visitors and vaca�oners
reaching upwards of 50,000 during the peak season. The City is a great place to raise a family
and is also considered a re�rement des�na�on. The City’s popula�on is well-educated, greatly
involved in community ac�vi�es, suppor�ve of local businesses and engaged with government.
The community is comprised of year-round residents and vaca�on homeowners. The City’s
popula�on grows significantly during the summer season as daily visitors and vaca�oners choose
the Isle of Palms as their vaca�on des�na�on. With this growth comes unique challenges and
opportuni�es for the Isle of Palms Recrea�on Department as it meets the recrea�onal needs of
our community.
The City has a small centralized
commercial district that includes
family restaurants, shops, boutique
hotels, grocery store and pharmacy
serving full-time residents and
visitors year-round. A city-owned
(but privately managed) marina
offers public access to a variety of
water sports and activities.
The City currently employs 91
regular full-�me employees, plus
part-�me and seasonal employees.
The City has 6 departments: General
Government (Municipal Court,
Finance & Human Resources), Recrea�on, Public Works, Building, Planning & Zoning, Police and
Fire.
Our Recreation Department
The Recreation Center, located
at 24 28th Avenue, is the main
focal point of the island.
Reporting to the City
Administrator, the Recreation
Director leads the Recreation
Dept which consists of (1)
Assistant Recreation Director, (2)
Recreation Supervisors, (1) Parks
and Facilities Specialist, (1) Parks
and Grounds Maintenance
Supervisor, (1) Recreation
Specialist, (1) PT Parks and
Grounds Maintenance.
The Recreation Director supervises a $1.7 million budget. Which includes various programs for
youth to adults and summer camp. The maintenance of facilities including the Bark Park, Baseball
Field, Basketball Courts, Cardio Room, Playground, Frisbee Golf Course, Gymnasium, Picnic
Shelter, Softball Field, and Tennis & Pickle Ball Courts. The Director also oversees the
development and implementation of approximately 20 annual special events and holiday
activities, and 7 camps and clinics. The Recreation Director reports to the City Administrator.
The Candidate
A national search is
underway to attract a
highly qualified individual
to become the next
Recreation Director for the
City of Isle of Palms. The
City seeks to continue its
strong commitment to
recreational activities, and
events cherished by the
community while also
continuing to promote an
outstanding quality of life
for residents and visitors.
The Recreation Director oversees the Recreation Department, building and grounds
maintenance, recreational and athletic programs, and special events. The department has 6 full
time employees, program instructors, and several part time employees. The Director is
responsible for the development and implementation of policies and procedures relating to the
operation, maintenance, and development of various recreation, building maintenance, and
recreational and athletic programs.
The ideal candidate will have impeccable integrity and be an effective communicator who is
genuine, personable, welcoming, and humble in all facets of their interactions with department
members, city staff, and the community. The ideal candidate will be progressive, forward-
thinking creative with a constant drive to improve and expand existing services. The Recreation
Director will develop a culture that embraces and adapts to change and introduce innovate
practices that will translate into improved community engagement, employee retention, job
performance and unparalleled quality of services. The City is looking for a seasoned municipal
executive with experience in cultivating and developing strong community relationships, working
collaboratively and effectively when dealing with complex planning and budgeting matters.
Essential Functions of the Job
- Plan, organize, direct, and administer the operations of the department.
- Serve as department liaison and coordinates department activities with area
departments, local and private agencies, and other community groups.
- Inspect and review playground area, recreation building, athletic fields, and related
- Develop and administer department operating and capital improvements budgets, to
- Ability to manage all aspects of departmental projects and initiatives, from writing
- Oversee and approve all fiscal transactions and requests. Strong budgeting skills to
budgets for all divisions of the department.
- Develop and implement department goals and objectives to enhance the level of service
- Ability to develop rela�onships with representa�ves of Federal, State, County, and civic
recrea�on facili�es, services, sports leagues and coordina�on and opera�on of all
recrea�on programs.
- Maintain open and effective communication with the City Administrator, City officials and
- Formulate rules and regulations governing the use of recreational facilities and the
- Update policy and procedure manuals, regulations, as needed.
- Superior skills in prepara�on and presenta�on of reports and recommenda�ons to City
- Atend all City Council mee�ngs.
- Monitor and manage the Department’s webpage and social media accounts.
- Study public recreation needs, examines other programs to determine their applicability
- Interview and hire department staff and perform employee’s annual performance
- Monitor safety measures for all departmental programs and facilities.
- Function during a declared emergency utilizing the Incident Command System (ICS)
In addition to the essential job functions the successful candidate must possess the following
personal characteristics:
- Outstanding and visionary leadership to the department and City’s future, demonstrating
impartiality.
- Exceptional ability to deal effectively and courteously with people.
- Demonstrated record of leadership and administrative ability.
- Ability to work effectively as a team leader and a team member.
- Personal and professional integrity of the highest order
Required Education, Degrees, Certifications
A Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in
recrea�on, public administra�on, physical educa�on or related field, and five years of
professional supervisory and administra�ve experience in a public park and/or recrea�on
program. Other combina�ons of experience and educa�on that meet the minimum
requirements, as determined by the City, may be subs�tuted.
How to Apply
Qualified candidates should visit the City’s website at Online Applica�on for Employment
(cognitoforms.com)and submit an online applica�on, resume, and cover leter by September 30,
2022. Following this date, applicants will be screened against criteria outlined in this brochure
and job descrip�on. Virtual and on-site interviews with the City will be offered to those
candidates named as finalist, with reference checks, background checks and academic
verifica�ons conducted a�er receiving candidates’ consent. A pre-employment screening to
include controlled substance tests will be conducted by the City.
Compensa�on & Benefits
The salary range for this posi�on is $75,187-$116,540. Salary placement is dependent upon
experience, qualifica�ons and in adherence with pay equity. The City of Isle of Palms provides an
excellent benefits package including:
Insurance – The City pays 100% of group health insurance, including major medical, vision and
dental coverage for full-�me and regular part-�me employees working 30 hours per week. The
City pays between 50% - 62% of dependent health coverage depending on whether the coverage
is for a spouse (54%) children (50%) or full family (62%).
Re�rement – Employees contribute 9% of your base salary towards your state re�rement plan.
The city will contribute 20.24%.
Wellness & Professional Development – The City partners with First Sun for the Employee
Assistance Program to provide numerous resources to employees and their families to deal with
life issues and enhance their emo�onal, financial, professional, and intellectual wellbeing. The
City has two fully equipped fitness centers available 24 hours a day. Employees also have access
to the Recrea�on Center’s Cardio Room and fitness classes at no cost. The City’s Tui�on
Reimbursement Program provides full-�me, eligible employees with tui�on reimbursement for
successful comple�on of college credit hours earned.
Vaca�on & Sick Leave, Holidays – Department Heads start accruing 15 days of annual leave in
their first year of service, 20 days per year for years 6-15 and 25 days of annual leave per year
a�er the 15th year of service. Employees earn 96 hours of paid sick leave annually. Employees
receive 12 paid holidays per calendar year.
Additional Benefits – Use of a City vehicle, mobile phone and mobile tablet.
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