Recreation Specialist (Internal Opportunity)

The Position

There are currently three (3) full-time vacancies for Recreation Specialist in the Parks and Recreation Department in the following assignments: one at London Nelson Community Center and two at Civic Auditorium. This recruitment is open to City of Santa Cruz current regular and temporary employees. As an Internal recruitment, the list established from this recruitment is valid only for the current vacancies listed above.

Under general supervision, the Recreation Specialist performs a variety of administrative, clerical, or technical activities related to recreation programs, facilities, and services; identifies and recommends appropriate modifications to meet the goals and objectives of the assigned program(s); prepares, processes, and supports programs, and performs related duties as assigned.

Recruitment #27-005

APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS:

The following process may be changed as deemed necessary by the Human Resources Director. The information contained within this announcement may be modified or revoked without notice and does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.

• On Thursday, 08/06/26 recruitment will close. All application materials must be received by the Human Resources Department by 5:00 pm; postmarks are not accepted. To apply, submit:
• Application- online application only. Resumes are not accepted in lieu of filling out the application form completely. Click the Apply button to begin the online process.
• Response to supplemental questions- will be a primary tool in the evaluation of your qualifications for this position. Any work experience described here must also be included in your employment history on the main application.

• Week of 08/10/26: Applications will be competitively screened based on the minimum qualifications for this position. Candidates will be notified of their status in the recruitment by 08/21/26.
• Week of 08/24 and 08/31/26: I nterviews will be tentatively scheduled for top candidates. The examination process will include an interview and may include a written and/or performance exercise.
  
  

Basic Function

Under general supervision, performs a variety of administrative, clerical, or technical activities related to recreation programs, facilities, and services; identifies and recommends appropriate modifications to meet the goals and objectives of the assigned program(s); prepares, processes, and supports programs, and performs related duties as assigned.

Distinguishing Characteristics

This class is a paraprofessional classification responsible for performing administrative, technical, clerical, and customer service duties in support of varying programs, facilities, and services within the Parks and Recreation department. The Recreation Specialist is distinguished from the Recreation Leader Series (Recreation Leader I, II/III, IV) in that the latter assists in day-to-day activity leadership and participant support within assigned recreation programs, facilities and services. It is further distinguished from the higher level of Recreation Coordinator in that the Recreation Coordinator has responsibility for more complex recreational program needs and overall planning and coordination of a recreation program(s).

Typical Duties

(May include, but not limited to, those duties listed below.)

• Perform technical, clerical, customer service, and administrative duties in support of the Parks and Recreation Department various programs, facilities, and services.
• Assists supervisor or manager in the continued development of assigned programs and makes recommendation to meet the goals and objectives of the programs.
• Staffs designated public counter or production areas; assists the public and clients via phone, email, and in person, by providing information or directing information requests according to established procedures.
• Provides day-to-day technical or functional guidance to assigned temporary staff and volunteers.
• May assign and monitor work of assigned temporary staff and volunteers for completeness and accuracy.
• Supports program and event registrations, ticket sales and concessions, and reservations using the City’s recreation management software(s).
• Accepts registration and other materials from the public or other departments, assesses completeness, prepares and review applicable fees, and enters information into appropriate software systems.
• Process payments and invoices, issue receipts, and maintain accurate financial records related to program registrations and facility rentals.
• Purchase program supplies within guidelines, as provided by the supervisor.
• Perform a variety of administrative duties such as tracking and restocking supply inventory.
• Assists in the planning, coordination, support of individual programs, concessions, and classes.
• Implements individual programs and classes, ensuring that instructors and participants have necessary materials, equipment, and other resources, such as technology.
• May prepare and generate program, facilities or service correspondence and documents.
• Monitor facility use including opening and closing procedures, maintains compliance of policies, and report maintenance or safety concerns as needed.
• Generates reports on program performance measures for internal review.
• Implements and administers computer-based systems and provides support to end users.
• Supports basic cleaning and facilities preparation for programs and classes.
• Assist in the promotion of marketing of recreation programs, including distributing flyers, updating bulletin board, and supporting social media efforts.
• Reviews, sorts, and prioritizes incoming correspondence and documents.
• Support special events and programs by assisting with logistics setup, and customer engagement.
• Ensures activity areas are clean, safe, and free of hazards.
• Performs other related duties that may be reasonable expected as part of this classification.
• If assigned to the Box Office:
• In addition to the above duties, the Box Office assignment administers box office and concession operations including but not limited to:
• Operates and troubleshoots the City’s ticketing and point-of-sale systems; monitors ticket inventory and seating charts.
• Coordinates with promoters and production staff to set up ticketing categories, pricing structures, and promotional codes.
• Prepares and maintains ticket sales reports and attendance data for internal and promoter review.
• Ensures compliance with cash-handling, audit, and concession service standards.
• In addition to the above duties, if assigned to Facility Production:
• Facility Production assignment supports facility, event production, and logistics including but not limited to:
• Serves as on-site liaison during events to coordinate communication between production staff, custodial crews, vendors, and event clients.
• Coordinates facility scheduling, load-in/load-out logistics, and technical support for performances, rentals, and City-sponsored events.
• Assists with event and facility production logistics, including event setup, equipment placement, stage configuration, and teardown.
• Assists with operation, setup, and maintenance of audio-visual (A/V), wireless internet, and stage equipment, including microphones, soundboards, lighting systems, projectors, screens, and related cabling.
• Conducts basic sound and lighting checks and assists production staff, performers, or presenters in meeting technical needs during rehearsals and events.
  

WORKING CONDITIONS

Position requires prolonged sitting, standing, walking, reaching, twisting, turning, kneeling, bending, squatting and stooping in the performance of daily activities. The position also requires grasping, repetitive hand movement and fine coordination in keeping records and preparing reports using standard office equipment. Additionally, the position requires near and far vision in reading written reports and work-related documents and acute hearing is required when providing phone and personal service. Depending on area of assignment, the nature of the work may require the incumbent to work outdoors, lift equipment and materials weighing up to 50 pounds and work evenings, weekends and holidays. May be exposed to biohazards and/or hazardous chemicals.

Some of these requirements may be accommodated for otherwise qualified individuals requiring and requesting such accommodations.

Minimum Qualifications

An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job as listed above. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications is to possess the equivalent of the following:

Education and Experience:

• High school diploma or tested equivalent and,
• Two (2) years of experience in customer service, administrative support, or recreation programming, including one (1) year leading activities in community recreation or enrichment programs or services such as programs and services for diverse age groups, sports or aquatics, and arts and cultural work in either a traditional or non-traditional recreation setting.
  
  

Knowledge:

• Recreation programs, services and facility operations, such as games, sports, arts and crafts, youth program activities, and other age/ability appropriate programs and activities.
• Customer service principles and effective communication techniques.
• Basic office procedures and computer applications, including Microsoft Office Suite.
• Point-of-sale and registration systems.
• Basic marketing and communications (e.g. distributing flyers, updating boards, supporting social media).
• De-escalation techniques and practices.
• Safety and emergency procedures related to recreation facilities.
  
  

Skills:

• Provide accurate, professional, and solutions-oriented customer service to a variety of patrons.
• Organization and multitasking including balancing scheduling, setups, records, and customer interaction.
• Cash handling and basic accounting.
• Logistics and event preparation, planning, and implementation.
• Use of software systems.
  
  

Abilities:

• Resolve issues and make decisions within established guidelines.
• Independently initiate and complete work activities.
• Establish and accurately maintain a variety of filing, record-keeping, and tracking systems.
• Provide high-quality customer service in a busy, public-facing environment.
• Use recreation management software to process registrations and payments.
• Communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Compose written correspondence and reports (i.e. letters, memos, monthly reports, etc.)
• Work effectively with individuals of diverse backgrounds, including patrons, coworkers, and community groups.
• Prepare and facilitate individual programs and classes.
• Respond calmly and effectively to emergency situations.
• Interact effectively & tactfully with a wide variety of individuals.
• Effectively motivate and supervise a large number of program participants.
• De-escalate conflicts among patrons and staff, including youth and families.
  
  

Licenses and Certificates

• Must be 18 years old at time of hire.
• Possession and continued maintenance of a valid California Class C driver’s license may be required depending on job assignment.
• Possession of a current CPR and First Aid certificate required at time of hire or within three months of hire.
  
  

Other Requirements

• Report to work on time, as scheduled.
• Willingness to work flexible hours, including evenings, weekends and holidays.
  
  

Desirable Qualifications

• Ability to speak, read and write Spanish.
• Experience leading recreation programs or events.
• Experience with recreation related software such as event scheduling, registration, and tracking.
  
  

Career Ladder

• Parksand Recreation Director
• Recreation Superintendent
• Recreation Supervisor
• Recreation Coordinator
• Recreation Specialist
• Recreation Leader IV
• Recreation Leader III
• Recreation Leader II
• Recreation Leader I