In 2009, "The Office" producers Michael Schur and Greg Daniels offered Offerman a regular supporting role in their NBC sitcom "Parks and Recreation": that of Ron Swanson, the deadpan, government-hating, libertarian head of a city parks department and boss of Amy Poehler's character Leslie Knope. "Slate" magazine declared Offerman ""Parks and Recreation" secret weapon", and said he regularly stole scenes and "has a gift for understated physical comedy." The role weaves antagonism and political philosophy with humanity, while the intense libertarian philosophy the character lives out is often played off against the equally intense social liberalism and "do-gooder" mentality of Poehler's character. Offerman said that supporting parts such as that of "Parks and Recreation" are his ideal roles, and that he draws particular inspiration from Reverend Jim Ignatowski, the character played by Christopher Lloyd in the sitcom "Taxi".