Superintendent of Safety & Outdoor Education Park Police Chief
For more than 70 years, Johnson County Park and Recreation District (JCPRD) has enhanced the quality of life in Johnson County through exceptional parks, high-quality programs, innovative services, and a deep commitment to professional excellence. Today, JCPRD is recognized as one of the leading park and recreation agencies in the nation. The district earned the National Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management in 1995, 2017, and most recently in 2025 — one of the highest honors in the field. JCPRD is also the most visited park system in the region and is home to Shawnee Mission Park, the most visited park in the state of Kansas. JCPRD is the only special park and recreation district in Kansas and operates under the leadership of an eight-member policy-making board appointed by the Johnson County Board of County Commissioners. The organization is structured into five divisions: Parks & Golf Courses, Recreation, Culture, Safety & Outdoor Education, and Administrative Services. Together, these divisions support a broad and growing system that serves residents of all ages, interests, and abilities. The district manages more than 10,700 acres, including 18 developed parks, four streamway parks, more than 150 miles of trails, and two premier golf courses. Each year, millions of visitors experience JCPRD parks, trails, facilities, and programs, making the district a vital part of life in Johnson County.
JCPRD also offers over 4,200 programs annually, engaging more than 2.7 million participants through recreation, culture, education, sports, childcare, and outdoor experiences. The district operates a wide range of high-quality facilities, including the Johnson County Museum, the Arts & Heritage Center, two multipurpose fieldhouses, a gymnastics and multiservice center, a sports dome, athletic fields, an aquatic center, a nature center, an amphitheater, a challenge course, and other community-serving spaces. As the largest childcare provider in Kansas, JCPRD works within four school districts and serves over 4,000 children each day. The district also maintains a fully commissioned Park Police Department dedicated to protecting natural resources, supporting public safety, and helping to ensure that parks and facilities remain welcoming for all. Together, JCPRD’s parks, programs, facilities, and people reflect a simple but powerful commitment: to serve the community with excellence and help make Johnson County one of the best places to live, work, and play.
As the largest county in the state of Kansas, Johnson County’s population is just over 620,000. In a 2026 Community Survey conducted by the ETC Institute, Johnson County residents expressed high satisfaction with their community as a place to live, raise children, and work. When asked about overall satisfaction with county services, residents rated JCPRD the highest in overall satisfaction, further affirming the district’s vital role in enhancing the quality of life for its residents. With its welcoming environment, strong community values, and excellent public services, Johnson County provides an exceptional backdrop for personal and professional fulfillment.
JCPRD is fully accredited having passed 100% of all CAPRA standards.
Superintendent of Safety & Outdoor Education Park Police Chief Responsibilities include leadership, management, and vision of the Safety & Outdoor Education Division (SOE); setting the strategic direction of the division, ensuring alignment with broader JCPRD and Johnson County objectives; communicating those strategies with internal and external stakeholders; ensuring the sound financial status of the SOE Division through delivery of both General Fund and Enterprise Fund supported programs; serving as a key member of the district’s senior leadership team. Oversees law enforcement and emergency services, determining patrol coverage requirements and capabilities for this 24/7 operation; implements crime prevention/reduction strategies; assists and oversees the development and enforcement of JCPRD Code 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. Oversees 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.
Opportunities & Current Challenges l Ongoing implementation of JCPRD’s Safety Plan l Recruitment and retention in a tight market l E-motos: public education and regulation
The Ideal Candidate Professional Experience: l Required - Ten years of relevant experience at a progressive public service, park and recreation, or related agency. l Required - Five years of experience as a field supervisor in law enforcement with two years in a command staff role. l Required - Five years in programming and/or management in public service, park and recreation, or related field.
Education/Certificates: l Required - Must be a certified law enforcement officer. l Preferred - Bachelor’s degree in Law Enforcement, Outdoor Education, Recreation Administration, or related field. l Preferred - Master’s degree in Public Administration, Law Enforcement, Recreation Administration, or related field.
Required Skills: l Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, strong mathematical and budgeting skills, ability to work on multiple prioritie simultaneously. l Leadership and supervisory skills, including teambuilding, motivation, delegation of duties, strategic planning, goal setting, and complex decision making. l Adept at public presentations and report preparation.
The salary range for the incoming Superintendent of Safety and Outdoor Education - Park Police Chief at JCPRD is $107,371 - $161,056, with placement within this range determined by qualifications and experience. In addition to the competitive base salary, the position includes annual allowances, such as $4,200 for vehicle expenses and $960 for cell phone coverage. JCPRD offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes: l Three medical insurance plan options, plus vision and dental insurance. l Deferred compensation retirement and employer matching contribution - JCPRD’s 401(a) plan will contribute a dollar for dollar match of an employee’s contributions up to a maximum of 4% of an employee’s bi-weekly base salary for each pay period. l Kansas Police Fire retirement system (KPF) - Effective first day of employment full-time regular employees become members of KPF, and begin contributing 7.15% of their gross bi-weekly compensation. l JCPRD provides, at no cost to you, basic life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance through New York Life. In the event of your death, our life insurance policy helps provide a safety net for
your beneficiaries. Your coverage is equal to one times your annual base pay to a maximum of $150,000. l Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Employees and their family members living at home are eligible to participate in the Employee Assistance Program provided by ComPysch. l Vacation - Full-time regular employees accrue vacation leave per month on a graduated scale beginning with 8 hours per month to a maximum of 14.5 hours per month. l Sick leave - Full-time regular employees accrue 8 hours of sick leave per month. There is no waiting period, but employees must accrue sick leave before they are eligible to use it. l Other leave options include: Caregiver, Parental, and Military l Holidays - 13 paid holidays per year. l Educational Reimbursement - JCPRD reimburses eligible educational expenses for qualified employees upon completion of initial performance trial period. l Complimentary Classes and Family Discounts - Employees are entitled to unlimited enrollments in designated district-sponsored classes at no charge. A family discount is available for eligible family members.
To Apply Please email a cover letter and resume to prk-hrdept@jocogov.org This position will remain open until filled Applicants selected as finalists for this position will be subject to comprehensive background and reference checks.