In the public eye: Operations Manager keeps Windham Parks and Rec running smoothly

Editor’s note: This is another in an ongoing series of Windham and Raymond town employee profiles.

By Ed Pierce

Jason Hanken is a problem solver and a big part of the continued success of the Windham Parks and Recreation Department.

Jason Hanken has served for nearly
two years as the Operations Manager
for Windham's Parks and Recreation
Department. In that role, he is the
department's administrative hub
and a primary point of contact
for Windham Parks and Rec
helping residents navigate 
program registrations among
many other duties.
SUBMITTED PHOTO

As the department’s Operations Manager, Hanken serves as the administrative hub and primary point of contact for Windham Parks and Rec.

“On any given day, I’m working directly with Windham residents to help them navigate program registrations, set up payment plans or scholarships, and answer questions about upcoming community activities,” Hanken said. “Behind the scenes, I provide daily operational support to our director and team. That includes handling requisitions, department billing, and financial recordkeeping, as well as ordering supply inventory and managing our registration database.”

He also coordinates reservations for the Windham Town Hall gym, meeting spaces, and park pavilions, while assisting with Dundee Park operations, department staffing, and community events.

Hanken says the best thing about what he does in his job is helping solve problems for people directly, whether that’s at the front counter or over the phone.

“Residents often reach out when they're confused about a program, need help, or just have a lot of questions,” he said. “Being able to take the time to walk them through the process so they leave or hang up feeling totally confident and satisfied makes the job worthwhile.

The most challenging aspect of his job is wearing multiple hats and balancing two distinct speeds of the work.

“I’m juggling immediate, front-line customer service, answering phones, helping residents at the counter, and resolving day-of program questions, with focused administrative tasks like budgeting, purchasing, and facility scheduling,” Hanken said. “Learning to switch gears instantly so our residents get the attention they deserve without letting the behind-the-scenes operations slip is a continuous challenge, but it's what keeps the job interesting.”

In his second year as Operations Manager, Hanken says the biggest misconception people may have about those who work for Parks and Recreation is that staff members just plan games and hang out at events.

“Behind the scenes, our office operates like a full-scale business,” he said. “The community sees the fun end result but they often don't see the operational planning required to make it happen safely and smoothly: budgeting, purchasing, contracts, facility permits, staff training, and daily customer service. It’s a ton of logistics and coordination designed specifically so residents can show up, participate, and have fun without having to think about how it all came together.”

Hanken grew up in South Hiram and graduated from Sacopee Valley High School. He attended Daniel Webster College in Nashua, New Hampshire, earning a degree in sport management. He completed his final credits at Saint Joseph’s College while completing an internship in the athletic department.

His career in recreation started under Linda Brooks years ago as a Summer Camp Director in Standish. From there, he spent several years in New Hampshire as the Assistant Recreation Director for Ossipee and then for Barrington, before returning home to Maine to work for the City of Lewiston.

 

“When I came back to Maine, I landed in Windham and got involved locally by volunteering on the town's Recreation Advisory Board,” Hanken said. “That gave me the opportunity to reconnect with Linda and support the department from the community side. In Lewiston, I worked my way through multiple roles, ultimately becoming the Recreation Superintendent, before taking a brief hiatus to manage a health care practice. When I saw the opening to work alongside Linda again, it was an easy decision. I was already very familiar with Windham, had great respect for the department, and knew firsthand how strongly this community supports its parks and recreation programs.”

He says the most important thing he’s learned while working for Windham Parks and Recreation is that relationships and follow-through are everything.

“Beautiful parks and organized leagues are essential, but the real backbone of recreation is the trust you build across the community,” he said. “Whether it's working alongside other town departments, supporting staff and volunteers, or helping a parent over the phone, consistent and transparent communication is what makes a department succeed.”

According to Hanken, his most memorable moment working for the Windham Parks and Recreation was when the department dedicated the basketball courts at Windham Community Park to Pat Moody.

“Seeing him there, surrounded by what felt like the entire town turning out to support him and play basketball on those courts, completely confirmed I had made the right decision to come back to Windham,” he said. “It showed me firsthand the kind of community pride and heart this town has.” <