Executive Director – Parks -El Paso County, CO

Executive Director Job Announcement
Bismarck Parks and Recreation District
Bismarck, North Dakota

As the Executive Director of Bismarck Parks and Recreation District in Bismarck, North Dakota,
you will lead a Gold Medal Award winning and CAPRA accredited parks and recreation district
with 69 full-time and more than 1,100 part-time employees and provide oversight of a $28.2
million annual operating budget. You will manage BPRD operations as the chief administrator
and develop, along with the Board of Park Commissioners, the operations, capital
improvements, staffing, maintenance, acquisitions and financing plans to provide and maintain
a comprehensive public parks and recreation program utilizing multiple facilities and grounds.
BPRD owns and manages more than 2,700 acres of park land with more than 85 miles of
recreational trails and creates programs and places for residents and visitors to enjoy a wide
variety of recreation throughout the year. Learn more about Bismarck in this short video.
Candidates must be able to effectively communicate verbally, in writing, and using technology;
develop and foster relationships that are beneficial to BPRD with other governmental entities,
user groups, clubs, organizations and associations; maintain confidentiality; and work in a team
setting, independently with direction and self-directed. Candidates must be able to set and
achieve goals, meet timelines, and demonstrate leadership in a group setting with varied
audiences and interests, along with creativity, resourcefulness and confidence. The final
candidate must be able to pass BPRD’s background check process.

Candidates will be screened for these minimum qualifications: A bachelor’s degree in parks and
recreation administration or sport and leisure management with public administration
emphasis, or a related bachelor’s degree. A related master’s degree is also preferred. Position
also requires a minimum of seven years of full-time progressively responsible administrative
and executive level management leadership experience. Applicant must possess a current
professional certification (CPRP or CPRE) through the National Recreation and Park Association,
or the successful applicant must become certified within six months of hire date. A combination
of education and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities may also
be considered. The applicant must possess or have the ability to attain a valid North Dakota
driver’s license and must be able to lift 30 pounds alone or heavier lifting with other employees.
Preferred qualifications include additional education, experience or certifications related to the
job description.

Starting bi-weekly salary range is $5,087.88 – $7,631.80 and will include the comprehensive full-
time employee benefits of the BPRD.

A cover letter, BPRD job application, resume, and two letters of recommendation must be
received by 5:00pm CT on March 13, 2026, or until the position is filled.
Mail: Executive Director Search, ES Attorneys, 1100 College Drive, Suite 5, Bismarck,
ND 58501

Email: ParkDistrictApplication@esattorneys.com
The job description and application can be viewed and obtained at the Bismarck Parks and
Recreation Office at 400 East Front Avenue, Bismarck, ND 58504 or at
https://www.bisparks.org/jobs/executive-director/.
For additional information about this position, please contact
ParkDistrictApplication@esattorneys.com.