Youth Services Coordinator

Are you seeking a challenging yet rewarding career opportunity that allows you to utilize your knowledge, skills, and abilities to oversee recreationally-based programs for children in grades K-5? If so, consider applying to the Youth Services Coordinator position with the City of Harrisonburg's Parks and Recreation Department!

The Youth Services Coordinator (Class Specification: Recreation Program Specialist II - Youth & Childcare Programs) role is a full-time position with benefits and a preferred hiring range of $23.93 - $26.33 per hour (equivalent to $49,774 - $54,766 annually); however, an exact salary will be dependent upon the selected candidate's qualifications/experience and in compliance with City policy. You're the ideal candidate for this position if you can provide leadership to a group of support staff while also performing professional and administrative work planning, organizing, coordinating, implementing, directing, evaluating, and supervising youth and child care programs.

In the Youth Services Coordinator role, you'll:

• Plan, lead, and administer all youth and childcare programs including, but not limited to, school-age and preschool programs;
• Communicate with parents/guardians, youth, and organizations serving youth to determine the needs and interests of youth in the community;
• Evaluate the leisure needs of the recreation center participants and develop, plan, implement, evaluate, and revise programs based on measured results and outcomes;
• Enforce facility, program, and activity rules and regulations to ensure all safety precautions and guidelines are followed;
• Attend to sick and injured patrons, including completing incident/accident reports and contacting parents, as needed;
• Determine equipment and facility requirements for programs and activities;
• Oversee inventory levels and evaluate equipment condition, including ordering appropriate new equipment and disposing of old and outdated equipment according to safety guidelines and budget requirements;
• Evaluate safety and sanitary conditions of facility and equipment by taking needed measures to ensure all proper safety, sanitary, and occupational requirements are in place;
• Work with and deliver feedback to other department personnel to ensure the health and welfare of participants and employees;
• Ensure facilities/rooms are properly prepared for activities, classes, and rentals;
• Mentor elementary and middle school students in attendance at recreation center programs and serve as a role model by promoting/displaying desirable character traits and habits;
• Interview, hire, train, supervise, advise, and evaluate part-time and seasonal staff, student interns, and volunteers; 
• Review risk management issues related to the delivery of recreational services;
• Research grant opportunities and prepare appropriate documents to secure grant funding for programs;
• Prepare news articles and performs other public relations work relating to recreation programs;
• Prepare and maintain appropriate files, reports, and records;
• Operate a City vehicle in the performance of job duties.

A list of the ideal candidate's knowledge, skills, and abilities is available in the class specification (Recreation Program Specialist II - Youth & Childcare Programs).

• Bachelor’s degree with coursework in recreation, leisure services, education or related field and some (generally 3-5 years) experience planning and directing youth programs, camps, activities, and general recreation programs with at least 1 year of supervisory experience. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be used to meet this requirement.
• Valid driver's license.
• Available to work a flexible schedule including days, nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Current possession of CPR/First Aid/AED certification or the ability to obtain within 3 months of hire date.
• The City's preschool program is licensed under the Commonwealth of Virginia as a daytime child care center, and candidates must meet minimum standards as set forth by the Department of Education.
• Experience with licensure through Virginia Department of Education (formerly Social Services) or similar agency is preferred but not required.
• Click here to view the physical requirements of this position.

The selected candidate for this position will be subject to the following screenings and must receive satisfactory results:

• DMV Driving Record Review;
• Drug Screen;
• Fingerprinting;
• Tuberculosis (TB) Test;
• Criminal Background Investigation;
• Any requirements set forth by the Commonwealth of Virginia's Department of Education to ensure licensure of the preschool program.

To Apply: In order to be considered, all candidates must submit a complete City of Harrisonburg online employment application, including previous work experience and education history. This position may close at any time after 10 calendar days. (posted 08/27/2025)

Salary : $49,774 - $54,766