City of Douglasville, GA

Congratulations to our Parks and Recreation Director, Christopher Bass, MPA, CPRE, on becoming a Certified Parks and Recreation Executive (CPRE) through the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA)! The CPRE establishes a national standard for managerial, administrative, and executive parks and recreation professionals. This mastery-level credential focuses on the practical knowledge and real-world skills essential in today’s evolving parks and recreation environment. We’re proud to have such a committed professional at the helm of our award-winning parks and recreation programs, recently recognized with the prestigious Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Parks and Recreation Management! #GrowthHappensHere

Last week, the City of Douglasville came together to honor the dedication and service of our staff at our annual Service Awards Ceremony. We celebrated employees who have reached milestones of 5, 10, 15, 25, and 35 years of service. We proudly recognized Charles Thomas and Howard Clark for 35 years of service, with Howard Clark also being honored as our Employee of the Year.   We also recognized the retirements of staff members: Gerald Reid 34 years, Stephanie McClarty 27 years, and Hattie Kendrick 21 years.   In addition, the Police Department honored its Employees of the Year. Mac Abercrombie was named Officer of the Year, Angelo Burgos was named Supervisor of the Year, and Jessie Tyson was named Civilian of the Year.   Thanks to all the honorees for your service to the City of Douglasville. You are the heart of what makes this community thrive! #LifeHappensHere

Welcome to the Team! It was great hosting our New Hire Luncheon, celebrating the individuals who have recently joined the City of Douglasville family. Thank you for choosing Douglasville as your work home! We can’t wait to see the incredible contributions you’ll make to our community. #NewBeginningsHappenHere

We are still buzzing with excitement over Douglasville Parks and Recreation being named a Gold Medal Winner! At our recent City Council Meeting, we had the honor of recognizing the Parks & Recreation team for this outstanding achievement. To the Parks Team, thank you for your efforts in creating spaces where everyone belongs. #FunHappensHere

Last week at the Georgia Recreation and Park Association Conference in Columbus, GA, Assistant Parks & Rec. Director Shajra Thrasher, MPA, CPRP, AFO was honored with the Mike Daniel Award. The Mike Daniel Award, named in memory of recreation pioneer Mike Daniel, celebrates individuals who embody excellence in recreation programming. This award highlights professionals deeply committed to developing, supervising, and implementing high-quality recreational, parks, and leisure programs. Unlike other honors that recognize broader contributions, the Mike Daniel Award specifically acknowledges outstanding achievements in program innovation and management. Shajra's outstanding contributions and unwavering dedication to the field have earned her this well deserved honor. #GrowthHappensHere

City of Douglasville offices will be closed on Monday, November 11 in observance of Veterans Day. Our offices will reopen on Tuesday, November 12. We extend our deepest gratitude to all who have served.

Last week, emerging leaders from various departments met for an impactful full-day retreat! Together, they dove into an in-depth Emergenetics assessment, facilitated by UGA Carl Vinson Institute of Government gaining new insights into individual and team dynamics. They also reviewed our Personnel, Policies, and Procedures (PPP) with HR Director Dr. Bryan Westfield, GPHR, SPHR, PHR, SHRM-CP, CLRP, LSSBB and completed a leadership values exercise led by Darius Elder, a John Maxwell leadership consultant. This cross departmental group is eager to continue growing together, with regular sessions planned for 2025 to further develop skills and strengthen our organization’s leadership. #GrowthHappensHere

Help us congratulate Micheal Dantez Bennamon, MBA, CPRP Recreation Program Manager. Dantez recently completed his Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP) Certification and graduated from the National Recreation and Park Association Supervisors’ Management School. His achievements further strengthen our award-winning Douglasville Parks team, recently honored with the Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management.   Thank you Dantez for your hard work and dedication. #GrowthHappensHere

Join the City of Douglasville as a Spring Intern! Are you looking to gain hands-on experience in local government and make an impact on your community? We have open positions in Community Development, Economic Development and Human Resources. Location: Douglasville, GA Pay: $20.00 per hour Hours: Full-time (40 hours/week) Interns will dive into diverse City operations, gaining hands-on experience while identifying areas for improvement and offering meaningful recommendations to enhance process efficiencies. Outside of departmental knowledge, interns also receive hands-on training in financial wellness, interview techniques, and resume building, equipping them with essential skills for future career success. Apply at DouglasvilleGA.Gov/Jobs.