Parks & Recreation Asst. Director - Greenways & Open Space

Full Job Description

The Parks & Recreation Assistant Director - Greenways & Open Space is a full-time Civil Service position in the Metro Parks and Recreation department.

The primary duties of this position consist of providing executive-level leadership, strategic direction, and operational oversight for Metro Parks’ Greenways and Open Space Division, and the Metro Greenways and Open Space Commission.

This position is responsible for planning, developing, protecting, and expanding the Metropolitan Parks greenway and open space system, ensuring alignment with the Department’s Plan to Play Master Plan, Greenways Master Plan, Nashville Open Space Plan, citywide priorities, and long-range capital investment strategies.

The incumbent will oversee a highly complex portfolio that includes multi-jurisdictional planning, land acquisition and negotiation, capital project delivery, grant and external funding management, interdepartmental coordination, public-private partnerships, and community engagement.

This role exercises significant independent judgment and serves as a key advisor to the Parks Director on policy, funding, risk management, and strategic growth of Nashville’s greenways and natural assets

Metro’s Parks and Recreation Department offers a variety of facilities and programs throughout Davidson County.

Currently, the department oversees nearly 16,000 acres of open space, including 184 parks and 107 miles of greenway.

Metro Parks offers after school programs for children, activities for seniors (55+), cultural arts classes, dog parks, fitness classes, nature programs, sports leagues, ice hockey, art galleries, and much more.

It is the mission of Metro Parks and Recreation to sustainably and equitably provide everyone in Davidson County with an inviting network of parks and greenways that offer health, wellness and quality of life through recreation, conservation and community.

This fast-paced, diverse, and multi-faceted environment might be just the place for you!

Requirements

Strategic Leadership & Planning

• Provides division-wide executive leadership for the planning, development, and stewardship of Metro’s greenways and open space system.
• Establishes strategic goals, performance metrics, and implementation plans consistent with departmental objectives, citywide initiatives, and adopted master plans.
• Leads long-range planning efforts related to greenway expansion, connectivity, environmental conservation, and equitable access to open space.
• Serves as a senior representative of the department in policy discussions, interagency initiatives, and citywide planning efforts.
• Serves as administrative leadership and Metro Parks liaison to the Greenways and Open Space Commission

Capital Projects & Infrastructure Development

• Directs and oversees planning, design, and construction of complex capital projects, including greenways, trails, bridges, trailheads, and related infrastructure.
• Ensures projects are delivered on schedule and within budget, while meeting regulatory, environmental, safety, and design standards.
• Coordinates with Planning, NDOT, Public Works, Metro Water, Engineering, Legal, and other agencies on various projects, and to resolve technical, legal, and operational challenges.
• Identifies and mitigates project risks, including right-of-way constraints, environmental sensitivities, and community impacts.

Land Acquisition & Real Estate Negotiations

• Oversees all aspects of land acquisition, easements, licenses, and property negotiations for greenway and open space projects.
• Leads negotiations with private landowners, developers, nonprofit partners, and public agencies.
• Works closely with Metro Legal and Real Property Services to ensure compliance with Metro Charter, ordinances, and acquisition procedures.

Financial Management & Funding Strategy

• Oversees division budgets, capital funding, grants, reimbursements, contracts, and financial reporting.
• Develops and manages complex funding strategies that may include federal, state, local, philanthropic, and private sources.
• Directs preparation and administration of competitive grant applications, ensuring compliance with all funding requirements.
• Provides financial forecasting, scenario analysis, and recommendations to support executive decision-making.

Partnerships & External Relations

• Develops and manages high-profile partnerships with nonprofit organizations, advocacy groups, foundations, neighborhood organizations, and regional agencies.
• Represents Metro Parks in public meetings, stakeholder negotiations, and community forums related to greenways and open space.
• Works collaboratively with partners to leverage external resources while protecting Metro’s long-term interests and public assets.

People Management & Organizational Leadership

• Leads and supervises professional, technical, and administrative staff across the division.
• Fosters a workplace culture grounded in respect, equity, accountability, and collaboration.
• Sets expectations, evaluates performance, coaches leaders, and supports workforce development.
• Ensures compliance with Metro HR policies, safety standards, and ethical requirements.

Policy, Governance & Advisory Role

• Advises the Parks Director on policy implications, funding priorities, operational risks, and strategic opportunities related to greenways and open space.
• Prepares and presents information to the Parks Board, Metro leadership, the Greenways and Open Space Commission, and other governing bodies as needed.
• Ensures division operations align with Metro policies, ordinances, and legal requirements.
• Collaborates with the Metro Planning Department to shape clear, consistent policy for developers, including requirements related to greenway dedication, connectivity, easements, mitigation, and public access.
• Serves as a subject-matter expert , as appropriate, in policy discussions affecting development review, zoning considerations, and long-range planning, ensuring greenway and open space objectives are integrated into private development projects.

Qualifications

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university in planning, landscape architecture, engineering, public administration, environmental studies, or related field of study and six (6) years of increasingly responsible management experience directly related to Greenways and Open Spaces.

No Substitution


LICENSES REQUIRED:
Valid Driver License

Candidates with accreditations earned in a foreign institute are encouraged to apply.

Note: Per Metro Ordinance No. SO94-1078. All employees of the Metropolitan Government shall be residents of the State of Tennessee or become residents of the state within six (6) months of employment as a prerequisite to employment with the Metropolitan Government.

Additional Information

• Master’s degree
• Significant progressively responsible experience in greenways, parks planning, capital project management, land acquisition, or related public sector leadership.
• Progressively responsible supervisory and team management experience
• Ability to effectively work with consultants, Metro agencies, boards, property owners, developers and community groups in project and program development and implementation
• Ability to plan, organize and direct complex projects

We are an equal opportunity employer. All individuals, regardless of personal characteristics, are encouraged to apply. Metro Nashville is committed to selecting the most qualified candidate for each of our roles.

Metro Nashville Government respects the religious beliefs and practices of all employees and will make, on request, an accommodation for such observances when a reasonable accommodation is available that does not create an undue hardship on business operations.


Requests for ADA or other protected accommodations for the recruitment process should be directed to Human Resources at 615-862-6640.