Recreation Program Specialist

The Department of Parks Recreation and Community Facilities is seeking a highly qualified and energetic candidate to fill the position of Recreation Program Specialist in the Recreation Division. 

The Recreation Program Specialist will work under the direction of a fulltime Facility and Program Supervisor (Center Supervisor) and will assist with the day-to-day operations and programming of one or more Community Centers, serve as a community and external partner point of contact, and may help to facilitate programming for specific specialty areas. These tasks may include, but are not limited to, coordinating programming and community and special events, serving as a liaison between community centers and community partners, supervising, hiring, and disciplining staff, email correspondence with staff, customers, and community members, file management, research, training/development, facilitating staff training, inventory of support materials, etc.

• Provide professional recreation programming and services by planning, implementing, supervising, and evaluating recreational programming and events.
• Potential oversight of intra-agency programs such as athletics, senior programming, teen programming, general community recreation, etc.
• Enforcing safety rules, standards, and procedures.
• Work with community groups, neighborhood associations, various commissions and foundation, and other partners to enhance offerings at community centers and in neighborhoods.
• Recruit citizen volunteers; solicit vendors for reduced or free supplies; market programs to and act as liaisons for community and neighborhood groups.
• Represent the department in community meetings.
• Provide fiscal management of assigned programs and prepare reports and various other documents. General office and administrative duties.
• Assist in recruitment, training, and scheduling of temporary staff and volunteers.
• Assisting in buildings and for facility rentals as assigned.
• Other duties as assigned

MINIMUM TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor's degree in a field related to parks and recreation, fitness, physical education, business or another directly related field
• Two years of recreational programs experience
• An equivalent combination of training and experience (as approved by the department) may be used to meet the minimum qualifications of the classification.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• 3-5 years of experience as program or facility supervisor
• Experience working directly with community groups and partners
• Experience supervising staff and/or volunteers
• Evidence of successful community events or programs

Licensing, Certifications, and/or Other Special Requirements

• Some assignments may require a in-depth background check.
• Some assignments may require First Aid/CPR certifications.
• Some assignments may require a valid Driver's License with a satisfactory driving record and a valid Commonwealth of Virginia Driver's License within 30 days of hire.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:TYPICAL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: These are a representative sample; position assignments may vary.

Knowledge (some combination of the following): 

• Basic office equipment such as computers, printers, and fax machines; 
• Principles and practices of parks, recreation, and leisure programming; 
• Understanding of youth-related risk factors and early identification as well as general city demographics and population needs; 
• General knowledge of business principles, basic mathematics, and basic computer programs such as Microsoft Office, Adobe, and RecTrac (or other recreation management software). 

Skills (some combination of the following):

• Demonstrate good customer service skills both internally and externally with individuals from various demographics, backgrounds, and ages; 
• Building relationships with coworkers, staff, community members, participants, customers, and volunteers; 
• Supervising staff and volunteers; 
• Manage projects; 
• Planning, organizing, leading, and evaluating recreational activities and special events; 
• Adequate conflict resolution skills; 
• Utilizing resources efficiently; 
• Analytical skills; 
• Working both independently and as a team; 
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Professional, flexible, and mature attitude
• Proficient in computer skills

Abilities (some combination of the following):

• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing; 
• Ability to prepare accurate documents; 
• Multi-tasking; 
• Working in a fast-paced environment and effectively managing time; 

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job. Prospective and current employees are invited to discuss accommodations.

ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS: Working conditions may include exposure to travel to other locations within the City of Richmond as well as outside of the City of Richmond; exposure to hazardous physical conditions such as mechanical parts, electrical currents, vibrations, etc.; atmospheric conditions such as fumes, odors, dusts, gases, and poor ventilation; inadequate lighting; intense noise; and environmental hazards such as disruptive people, imminent danger, and a threatening environment. 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT: Due to the nature of work assignments, incumbents must be able to perform detailed work on multiple, concurrent tasks, with frequent interruptions and under time constraint. The essential duties of this classification may require the ability to regularly work with one's fingers, talk, see, hear, use repetitive motions, stand, and reach; frequently walk, lift, grasp, balance; and occasionally climb, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, push, pull, and feel. In terms of the physical strength to perform the essential duties, this classification is considered to be light work (exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects), but may differ based on area of focus. The working conditions may contain environmental hazards, depending on area of focus.

Salary : $54,808 - $82,701