Recreation Specialist(Special Events & Community Engagement)

Job Summary

The Recreation Specialist is responsible for planning, coordinating, implementing, and evaluating community special events, festivals, outreach initiatives, and engagement opportunities that enhance the quality of life for residents and visitors. This position develops and administers a variety of community-focused events, partnerships, volunteer initiatives, sponsorship opportunities, and public engagement activities that promote community pride, recreation participation, and meaningful connections throughout the City.

The Recreation Specialist works closely with residents, community organizations, schools, businesses, sponsors, volunteers, vendors, contractors, and City staff to deliver high-quality events and programs that support the department's mission and strategic goals. Responsibilities include event planning, community outreach, volunteer coordination, sponsorship support, customer service, marketing assistance, vendor management, budget support, event logistics, digital communications, and departmental support. The position also assists the Recreation Supervisor with adaptive recreation programs, senior programs, and senior meal program administration as needed to support departmental operations and ensure continuity of services.

The position serves as a primary ambassador for the Parks and Recreation Department by fostering positive relationships with community stakeholders and creating welcoming, inclusive, and engaging experiences for participants of all ages. Duties and responsibilities may be modified at any time to meet the needs of the organization.

Job Functions

• Plan, coordinate, implement, and evaluate community special events, festivals, seasonal celebrations, and engagement activities.
• Develop innovative community programs and outreach initiatives that encourage resident participation and strengthen community connections.
• Coordinate event logistics including site layouts, vendor management, entertainment, equipment rentals, permits, contracts, event timelines, and operational planning.
• Recruit, coordinate, train, schedule, and support volunteers assisting with community events and outreach programs.
• Establish and maintain positive relationships with community organizations, nonprofit agencies, schools, businesses, civic groups, sponsors, and other community partners.
• Assist with sponsorship recruitment, sponsor communications, and recognition opportunities for department events.
• Coordinate vendor applications, agreements, event assignments, and on-site vendor operations.
• Assist with participant registration, event reservations, attendance tracking, and customer service using recreation management software.
• Provide information and assistance to residents regarding programs, special events, volunteer opportunities, facility rentals, and department services.
• Assist with planning and implementing community engagement initiatives designed to increase awareness of Parks and Recreation programs and services.
• Assist with the development, management, and maintenance of the Parks and Recreation Department's social media platforms by creating engaging content, promoting programs and events, capturing photos and videos, responding to public inquiries as appropriate, and ensuring communications align with City branding and communication standards.
• Assist the Recreation Supervisor with the planning, coordination, implementation, and evaluation of adaptive recreation programs and senior programs, as well as the administration of senior meal program documentation, participant records, reporting requirements, and related paperwork, as needed to support departmental operations and ensure continuity of services.
• Coordinate event setup and breakdown activities, including equipment, supplies, signage, decorations, tables, chairs, and recreational materials.
• Assist with preparation and monitoring of event budgets, expenditures, purchasing, and inventory.
• Maintain event records, participation statistics, sponsorship information, volunteer hours, evaluations, and after-action reports.
• Assist with marketing and promotional efforts by coordinating social media content, website updates, flyers, newsletters, brochures, and other communication materials.
• Respond to resident concerns, inquiries, service requests, and event-related issues in a professional and courteous manner.
• Monitor events and activities to ensure participant safety and compliance with established policies and procedures.
• Coordinate instructors, entertainers, vendors, contractors, food trucks, exhibitors, and community partners participating in department events.
• Assist with department-wide recreation programs, facility operations, outreach initiatives, and special projects as assigned.
• Participate in emergency response activities when assigned.
• Perform all other duties as assigned.

Minimum Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Two (2) years of experience in recreation programming, special events, community engagement, customer service, event coordination, marketing, communications, public relations, or a related field.
• Experience coordinating public events, community programs, or outreach activities.
• Valid Texas Driver's License or ability to obtain within a timeframe established by the City.
• Equivalent combinations of education, training, and experience may be considered.

Preferred Qualifications

• Associate's degree in Recreation, Event Management, Communications, Marketing, Public Administration, Hospitality, or a related field.
• Experience coordinating municipal special events or festivals.
• Experience working in parks and recreation, local government, or community services.
• Experience recruiting and managing volunteers.
• Experience working with sponsorships and community partnerships.
• Experience managing social media platforms and creating digital content for public organizations or community programs.
• Experience with adaptive recreation, senior programming, or senior services.
• First Aid, CPR, and AED certifications.
• Experience using recreation management and registration software systems.
• Municipal government experience.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of recreation programming and community engagement.
• Special event planning and administration.
• Customer service and public relations practices.
• Volunteer recruitment and coordination.
• Marketing, social media, digital communications, and promotional strategies.
• Sponsorship development and community partnership practices.
• Recreation software and registration systems.
• Safety and risk management practices.
• Recordkeeping, reporting, and budget monitoring procedures.
• Community resources and stakeholder engagement strategies.

Skills in:

• Event planning and coordination.
• Customer service and community engagement.
• Public speaking and relationship building.
• Organization and time management.
• Communication and interpersonal relations.
• Conflict resolution and problem-solving.
• Computer applications including Microsoft Office and recreation software.
• Social media content creation, photography, videography, digital communications, and marketing.

Ability to:

• Establish and maintain effective relationships with residents, volunteers, sponsors, vendors, community organizations, and City staff.
• Plan and implement successful community events and engagement initiatives.
• Develop engaging digital content that promotes Parks and Recreation programs, services, facilities, and special events while maintaining consistency with City branding and communication standards.
• Coordinate multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously.
• Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Exercise sound judgment and professionalism.
• Work independently and collaboratively within a team environment.
• Adapt quickly to changing event conditions and operational needs.
• Maintain accurate records and prepare reports.

• Essential Physical Demands

  • Frequent standing, walking, sitting, bending, reaching, and lifting.
  • Ability to lift, carry, and move supplies, equipment, and materials weighing up to 50 pounds.
  • Ability to set up and dismantle tents, tables, chairs, barricades, signage, and recreational equipment.
  • Ability to travel between City facilities and event locations.
  • Ability to work indoors and outdoors in varying weather conditions, including heat, humidity, rain, and cold.
  • Ability to operate computers, office equipment, communication devices, cameras, and City vehicles.

• Work Environment

  Work is performed in recreation facilities, parks, event venues, community centers, office environments, and outdoor event locations. The position regularly interacts with residents, volunteers, vendors, sponsors, community partners, contractors, and members of the public. Frequent evening, weekend, holiday, and outdoor work is required to support special events, festivals, community outreach activities, and departmental programs.

  Work Schedule & Emergency Response

  Position may require early morning, evening, holiday, or weekend shifts. Must be able to provide services for the benefit of the general public during emergency situations that threaten the safety of League City's citizens. Must be able to work immediately before, during, or after an emergency.

  Safety Sensitive Designation

  This position should be designated as Safety Sensitive.

  The Recreation Specialist is responsible for coordinating and supervising community events, volunteers, vendors, contractors, and participants during public gatherings. The position regularly operates City vehicles, oversees event setup and operations, assists with adaptive recreation programs, senior programs, and senior meal program administration where participant safety is paramount, and makes decisions affecting public safety during recreation programs and special events. Impairment while performing these duties could create a significant risk of harm to participants, employees, volunteers, or the public.

  As a safety-sensitive position, the employee is subject to applicable drug and alcohol testing requirements, including random drug screening, in accordance with City policy and applicable law.

  Exempt/Non-Exempt Classification Justification

  Non-Exempt

  This position is classified as non-exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) because the primary duties involve direct program coordination, special event implementation, community engagement, customer service, operational support, digital communications, event logistics, and recreation program administration. The position does not primarily perform executive, administrative, or professional duties that would qualify for exempt status and is therefore eligible for overtime compensation as provided by law.

  EEO-4 Classification

  EEO-4 Category: Paraprofessionals

  EEO-4 Code: 03 – Technicians/Paraprofessionals

  This classification is appropriate because the position performs specialized recreation, community engagement, special event coordination, program support, public communication, and recreation services functions requiring technical knowledge, program administration skills, and experience in public service delivery while operating under established departmental policies and procedures.

  
  

Salary : $22 - $32