NOTE: This position is non-classified and exempt from classified state service and the rules of the Division of Human Resources and the Idaho Personnel Commission.
NOTE: All applicants must apply by 11:59 PM MST on the closing date.
This senior leadership role offers a unique opportunity to oversee some of Idaho’s most impactful outdoor recreation programs while helping shape recreation policy, funding, and opportunities across the state.
Reporting to the Management Services Administrator and serving as a member of the agency’s senior leadership team, the Recreation Bureau Chief provides strategic direction and oversight for the Recreation Bureau. The position leads statewide programs related to boating, motorized and non-motorized trails, off-highway vehicles (OHV), recreation grants, recreation planning, safety education, and partnerships with federal, state, local, and private stakeholders. Through a team of program supervisors, the Bureau Chief oversees the development, implementation, and performance of Idaho’s major recreation programs and initiatives.
The ideal candidate is a skilled and diplomatic leader who can navigate complex issues, foster strong partnerships, lead organizational change, and balance the diverse and sometimes competing interests of Idaho’s recreation community while building consensus and advancing shared recreation goals. Success in this role requires a blend of leadership experience, recreation expertise, political acumen, and exceptional relationship-building skills.
This is an opportunity to make a lasting impact on outdoor recreation throughout Idaho. If you are committed to collaboration, innovation, public service, and the responsible stewardship of recreation resources, we encourage you to apply and help shape the future of recreation in Idaho.
To learn more about the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation please visit: https://www.parksandrecreation.idaho.gov/
If you would like to learn more about this position, please contact Management Services Administrator, Adam Zaragoza:
Lead Statewide Recreation Programs
Provide leadership and oversight for:
- Idaho's Statewide Boating Program, including boating safety education and law enforcement coordination.
- Boating Law Administrator functions and coordination with the United States Coast Guard.
- Motorized and non-motorized trail programs and related recreation facilities.
- Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) recreation programs.
- Recreation safety education and awareness initiatives.
- State and federally funded recreation grant programs.
- Outdoor recreation planning and recreation resource analysis efforts.
Provide Strategic Leadership
- Establish bureau priorities, goals, policies, and performance measures.
- Develop and implement long-range plans that address emerging recreation trends and user needs.
- Evaluate program effectiveness and identify opportunities for improvement and innovation.
- Lead organizational change initiatives and foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
- Serve as a member of IDPR's senior leadership team.
Guide Legislative and Policy Efforts
- Monitor and evaluate legislation, regulations, and policy issues affecting recreation programs.
- Work closely with legislators, stakeholders, agency leadership, and partner organizations.
- Provide leadership in developing legislation, administrative rules, and agency policies.
- Ensure bureau programs comply with applicable state and federal requirements.
- Serve as a subject matter expert regarding recreation funding, policy, and regulatory processes.
Build Partnerships and Relationships
- Establish and maintain strong relationships with recreation industry partners, user groups, elected officials, federal agencies, tribal governments, local governments, and nonprofit organizations.
- Represent the agency at public meetings, legislative hearings, advisory committees, conferences, and stakeholder forums.
- Facilitate productive discussions among groups with competing interests.
- Build consensus and advance solutions that support Idaho's recreation opportunities.
Manage People and Resources
- Lead and develop a team of managers, program administrators, and professional staff.
- Manage bureau budgets, contracts, agreements, and financial resources.
- Promote a positive, professional, and high-performing work environment.
- Ensure responsible stewardship of public funds and resources.
- Management principles, leadership practices, and organizational administration. Typically gained by a bachelor's degree in public administration, business administration, organizational leadership, recreation management, natural resources, or a closely related field and at least three years of experience managing professional staff, supervisors, budgets, and organizational operations; OR approximately five years of progressively responsible management experience overseeing multiple programs, functions, or organizational units; OR an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience demonstrating considerable knowledge of organizational leadership and administration.
- Considerable knowledge of public policy development and governmental decision-making processes. Typically gained by a bachelor's degree in public administration, political science, public policy, law, natural resources, recreation management, or a closely related field and at least one year of experience participating in policy development, legislative affairs, governmental relations, regulatory processes, or public-sector program administration; OR approximately four to five years of professional experience involving policy analysis, policy implementation, legislative processes, governmental decision-making, or advising organizational leadership on public policy matters; OR an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience demonstrating considerable knowledge of public policy development and governmental decision-making processes.
- Recreation planning theory and methods . Typically gained by completion of upper-division coursework in recreation management, park and recreation planning, natural resource planning, community planning, landscape architecture, or a related field and approximately two to four years of experience participating in recreation planning, resource management, or program development activities; OR an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience demonstrating good knowledge of recreation planning principles and methods.
- Outdoor recreation planning, design, development, and construction practices. Typically gained by completion of upper-division coursework in recreation management, landscape architecture, engineering, natural resources, construction management, or a related field and approximately two to four years of experience involved in the planning, design, development, construction, maintenance, or management of outdoor recreation facilities, trails, parks, boating access sites, or similar recreation infrastructure; OR an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
- State and federal recreation management processes. Typically gained by approximately two to four years of experience administering, managing, coordinating, or supporting recreation programs, grants, projects, or initiatives subject to state or federal laws, regulations, funding requirements, or administrative processes; OR an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
- Boating, trails, OHV, and outdoor recreation safety issues. Typically gained by approximately two to four years of experience administering, managing, planning, educating, enforcing, or supporting programs involving boating, trails, off-highway vehicles, outdoor recreation, public lands, or recreation safety; OR an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
- Supervising and leading professional-level staff and managers.
- Developing and managing complex budgets and multiple funding sources.
- Negotiating agreements among groups with differing interests.
- Coordinating programs with federal, state, tribal, and local agencies.
- Interpreting and applying laws, regulations, and policies.
- Building and maintaining effective stakeholder relationships.
- Communicating effectively in both written and verbal settings.
- Presenting information to executives, boards, elected officials, and public audiences.
- Bachelor's degree or higher in Recreation Management, Natural Resources, Public Administration, Business Administration, Planning, Political Science, or a related field.
- Four or more years of progressively responsible leadership experience in outdoor recreation, public lands, natural resource management, or government administration.
- Experience working with legislative processes, administrative rulemaking, and public policy development.
- Experience drafting legislation, rules, policies, or formal governmental recommendations.
- Experience managing statewide programs involving multiple stakeholders and funding sources.
- Experience leading organizational change and continuous improvement efforts.
- Experience working with federal recreation programs, grants, and land management agencies.
- An exceptional communicator who can effectively engage with staff, stakeholders, elected officials, and the public.
- A skilled manager who can lead people through change while maintaining trust and accountability.
- A diplomatic problem solver who can build consensus among diverse interests.
- A strategic thinker who can balance day-to-day operations with long-term planning.
- Politically astute and capable of navigating complex regulatory and legislative environments.
- A relationship builder who understands the value of collaboration and partnership.
Passionate about advancing outdoor recreation opportunities throughout Idaho.
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WHY IDPR? We are innovators in outdoor recreation, committed to excellent service and resource stewardship. We foster experiences that renew the human spirit and promote community vitality. Our mission is to improve the quality of life in Idaho through outdoor recreation and resource stewardship. IDPR manages 30 state parks, trails and attractions throughout every region of Idaho and the registration programs for boats, snowmobiles and other off-highway vehicles (OHV). Money from these registration programs goes back to users to develop and maintain trails, facilities and programs. IDPR also provides free education courses for boaters and OHV operators. To learn more about Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation please visit : https://parksandrecreation.idaho.gov/
BENEFITS: We offer a competitive benefits package which includes excellent medical, dental and vision insurance. There is generous vacation and sick leave accrual that begins as soon as you start. There are eleven paid holidays in a year; participation in one of the Nation's best state retirement systems; multiple saving plans and optional 401K; life insurance; wellness programs; ongoing training opportunities and more. For additional information related to benefits and/or State programs, please visit: https://dhr.idaho.gov/information-for-state-employees/ .
EEO/ADA/Veteran: The State of Idaho is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities and prohibit discrimination against all individuals based on their race, color, religion, political affiliation or belief, sex, national origin, genetics, or any other status protected under applicable federal, state, or local laws.
The State of Idaho is committed to access and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities, auxiliary aids and services are available upon request. If you require an accommodation at any step in our recruitment process, you are encouraged to contact (208) 334-2263 (TTY/TTD: 711), or email [email protected].
Preference may be given to veterans who qualify under state and federal laws and regulations.
