Superintendent of Safety & Outdoor Education / Park Police Chief

Join the award-winning Johnson County Park and Recreation District (JCPRD) team and help make a real impact in this community! As part of our National Gold Medal Award–winning organization, you’ll help bring joy, adventure, and enrichment to millions each year. JCPRD welcomes over 7 million visitors to our parks and engages 3 million+ participants in more than 4,000 programs—and we’re still growing.

When you work at JCPRD, you’re joining a team recognized locally, regionally, and nationally for excellence in parks, recreation, culture, education, and public service. Enjoy outstanding benefits, retirement plans, employee incentives, and a workplace culture built on passion, creativity, and teamwork.

Named Best Large Employer in Johnson County for two years running, JCPRD is the perfect place to grow your career, make a difference, and have fun doing it. Come work where you play—and help us inspire healthier, happier lives for everyone!

Job Description:

The following Leadership Competencies apply to supervisors, managers, and executives based on designated responsibilities:   

• People Management – Clearly defines subordinate roles and responsibilities; motivates employees to perform and delegates work effectively; applies consistent performance standards and handles performance problems decisively and objectively; leads by example.
• Operations Management – Directs and guides operations in alignment with the County’s and department’s overall goals and objectives; ensures the execution of efficient processes to maximize the County’s and department’s resources; utilizes operational knowledge to make sound decisions.
• Strategic Leadership – Determines the strategic direction of the team or department in alignment with overall county goals; effectively communicates strategies internally and externally; creates a culture to support strategies and provides mechanisms to implement them; fosters buy-in and enthusiasm with employees.

Essential Duties:

Provides the leadership, management and vision for the Safety & Outdoor Education Division necessary to achieve the agency's goals and objectives and as directed by the Executive Director and the JCPRD Board of Commissioners, including the management of divisional staff.  Recruits, hires, trains, leads, motivates, and manages direct reports.  Oversee the development and implementation of strategic short and long-term plans for the effective delivery of high-quality outdoor education programs and events.  Ensures quality operation and maintenance of JCPRD grounds and facilities as related to safety, interpretive, and outdoor education programs.

Oversees law enforcement and emergency services.  Determines patrol coverage requirements and capabilities.  Implements crime prevention/reduction strategies.  Assists and oversees the development and enforcement of JCPRD Codes of Regulations.  Collaborates with various municipal law enforcement agencies and the Johnson County Sheriff's Office to ensure high-level service and responsiveness.  Ensures the safety and security of JCPRD patrons, employees, and properties.

Ensures the sound financial status of the Safety & Outdoor Education Division through the delivery of both General Fund and Enterprise Fund supported programs.  Develops and monitors all cost center budgets within the division.

Monitors program selection, development, promotion, and participation. Guides the establishment of and approves processes and procedures to ensure the successful operation and maintenance of JCPRD owned or managed outdoor education and/or law enforcement facilities and/or programs.

Determines the strategic direction of the division with overall JCPRD and Johnson County goals in mind. Effectively communicates strategies internally and externally. Creates a culture to support strategies and provides mechanisms to implement them. Fosters buy-in and commitment with key stakeholders.

Serves as a member of the Administrative Team, JCPRD's highest-level leadership group, to ensure the effective, fair, and consistent management of the agency; Serves as an ambassador of JCPRD to external entities and of the Admin Team with internal groups.

Prepares information and advises the JCPRD Board monthly on items falling within this division's purview

Supervisory Responsibilities:

Yes	This position is also responsible for the supervision and leadership of employees, which includes making employment-related decisions and/or recommendations, and formally evaluating performance.

 

Duties and responsibilities, as required by business necessity may be added, deleted or changed at any time at the discretion of management, formally or informally, either verbally or in writing.  Scheduling and shift assignments and work location may be changed at any time, as required by business necessity.

Salary Range: $51.62 - $77.43 per hour

Location: Shawnee Mission Park, 7900 Renner Road, Shawnee Mission, Kansas 66219

First Applicant Review Date will be Thursday, October 8, 2026.

JCPRD EXEC Park Police Chief_2026

https://issuu.com/jcprd/docs/jcprd_park_police_chief_2026

 Job Requirements:

Minimum Job Requirements:

• Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center certification as an LEO following attendance at a KLETC approved Police Academy.
• Ten years of relevant experience at a progressive public service, park and recreation, or related agency.
• Five years as a field supervisor in law enforcement with two years in command staff role.
• Five years in programming and/or management in public service, park and recreation, or related field.

Preferred Job Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice, Outdoor Education or other related field is preferred.
• Master's degree in Public Administration, Law Enforcement, Recreation Administration or related field.

Education/Experience Substitutions:

  Yes            Experience may be substituted for degree.

  Yes            Education may be substituted for experience.

Physical, Environmental, and Special Working Conditions:

• Excessive standing and/or walking 5%
• Lifting 25lbs
• On call/stand-by work required
• Safety sensitive job
• Weather essential job (Departmental)
• All County employees may be called upon to assist other departments in a declared emergency situation                                      

JCPRD requires reference/background screening for all positions.  Specified criteria may vary by Department.

Please apply at JCPRD.com, Johnson County Park & Rec, KS | Official Website