What are the responsibilities and job description for the Recreation Specialist I position at City of Virginia Beach?
Job Duties:
Work with the best - work for Virginia Beach Parks and Recreation! Join our team and contribute to our 60 year track record of providing legendary experiences! We are dedicated to promoting healthy lifestyles and protecting our environment. We ensure all residents – regardless of their physical, social, and economic circumstances – can access our programs. By providing enriching and memorable lifelong experiences, we strive to enhance the quality of life for our community by improving the physical and mental well-being of our residents.
Are you…
- Able to keep a positive attitude and foster excellence through your actions, words, and appearance? Personable and genuine with your communication- both written and verbal?
- Someone who seeks opportunity to learn and understand the experience of others, creating a collaborative environment for all voices to be heard? Able to embrace differences and individuality to encourage inclusion? Willing to listen with an open mind?
- A problem solver who can work through sticking points and difficult conversations, holding yourself and team members to the highest standards of accountability?
- Able to find opportunity in challenges, no matter how difficult, finding creative solutions?
- Able to model sustainable practices to ensure an environmental conscious and productive culture (Ex: Recycle, reduce waste, optimize resources, and improve processes)?
- Going to take ownership of your time with the department and strive for excellence?
The Education & Experience (E&E) Specialist plays a key role in shaping how employees connect with our department from day one and throughout their careers. As part of the Employee Experience Team, which operates under the Human Resources Bureau, this position supports department-wide onboarding and staff development programs that inspire employees to understand the “why” behind their roles and feel energized about the impact they make. The E&E Specialist helps deliver creative learning opportunities and engaging experiences that strengthen culture, build skills, and spark a sense of belonging. In addition, this role provides essential administrative support, ensuring our programs and services run smoothly and effectively.
- Facilitate department-wide orientations that bring our mission, vision, values, and culture to life while ensuring compliance and alignment across the organization.
- Apply adult learning strategies to create engaging learning experiences, whether through classroom sessions, virtual trainings, on-the-job practice, roleplaying, simulations, workshops, or conferences.
- Design, organize, and maintain high-quality training materials such as workbooks, job aids, and reference guides that support learning and retention.
- Continuously evaluate training delivery to strengthen effectiveness and measure cultural impact, adjusting as needed to keep learning relevant and inspiring.
- Stay current on trends and best practices in training and instructional design, introducing progressive strategies that enhance employee growth and the overall learning experience.
- Provide administrative support to the Employee Experience Team, and to the Human Resource Bureau as needed, by coordinating schedules, preparing reports, drafting and distributing communications, and ensuring smooth day-to-day operations that reflect strong internal customer service.
Schedule
- This position averages about 27 hours per week over the course of the year. Weekly hours may vary based on training schedules and program needs, so flexibility is key. Hours may increase or decrease to align with training sessions and other responsibilities, including 8 hours every other Friday, 5 hours every other Sunday.
- Remaining hours will flexibly be scheduled between 8:00am-5:00pm, and occasional evenings may be required.
The P&R Employee Experience
At Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation, our greatest strength is our people. We are intentional about building an employee experience where you feel empowered to reach your full potential, supported through strengths-based initiatives, and confident in the value you bring. Our workplace culture is anchored in our Cultural Foundations of Professionalism, Respect, Accountability, Integrity, and Citizenship. These principles guide how we show up for each other and for our community, creating a positive, high-performing environment. Here, success is recognized, celebrated, and shared—and delivering legendary experiences is at the heart of everything we do.
The Perks
- Competitive wages
- Training/Mentoring for career advancement
- Varied Paid Holidays
- Paid Time Off
- Beach Municipal Federal Credit Union exclusively for City employees and their dependents
- Deferred Compensation Plans
- Employee Assistance Program
- Maternity/Paternity/Parental Care Leave
Hybrid Remote Work Schedule upon completion of initial training and flexible scheduling options
Official City Job Description:
https://virginia-beach-departments-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/city/job-descriptions-pay-plans/Recreation-Specialist-I-02265.pdf
Working Conditions:
There is no working conditions statement for this position.
Minimum Requirements:
MINIMUMS: Requires a Bachelors degree in recreation management, therapeutic recreation, exercise science, or a related field; OR any combination of education (above the high school level) and/or experience equivalent to four (4) years in fields utilizing the required knowledge, skills, and abilities and associated with such positions as human resource or employment trainer, recreation leader or recreation program supervisor. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Please see job link in the posting description.
Additional Requirements:
DMV Transcript: Required
CDL: Not Required
DOT History: Not Required
CPS Check: Not Required
Physical: Not Required
Respirator: Not Required
Polygraph Review: Not Required
Psychological Screening: Not Required
Attachments Required:
Preferences:
- At least 2 years of proven experience designing and delivering training programs for a diverse workforce
- At least 2 years of experience providing administrative support to a manager with varied responsibilities
- At least 2 years of hands-on experience with Microsoft Office Suite and Adobe Pro
- Experience maintaining accurate records, preparing statistical reports, and analyzing data to inform decisions
- A track record of supporting and advancing staff development initiatives
- Strong customer service skills and success working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to manage and prioritize multiple assignments with accuracy, attention to detail, and the capacity to perform under pressure and deadlines
- Skill in identifying opportunities to streamline procedures and improve efficiency
- Ability to work independently with minimal supervision
Special Instructions:
- This position averages about 27 hours per week over the course of the year. Weekly hours may vary based on training schedules and program needs, so flexibility is key. Hours may increase or decrease to align with training sessions and other responsibilities, including 8 hours every other Friday, 5 hours every other Sunday.
- Remaining hours will flexibly be scheduled between 8:00am-5:00pm, and occasional evenings may be required.
The individual selected for this position will be housed at a primary site but may be scheduled between other park sites/facilities.
All employees may be expected to work hours in excess of their normally scheduled hours or maybe be relocated to another location or job assignment in response to short- term department needs and/or City-wide emergencies including weekends, evenings and holidays. Assignments may require split shifts to cover operational needs.
Requires a current and valid Driver’s license in accordance with Virginia or North Carolina DMV driver’s license eligibility requirements.
As a condition of employment, all employees must attend P&R Connection (Department Orientation). If selected for the position, you will be provided an approximate training date at the time of hire. Training is held from 8:30am-5:00pm, every other Friday, at the Parks & Recreation Administration Building. When an exemption is permittable, a hybrid version of the training is available, but will require training attendance on a weekend.
- Please complete the application in its entirety and include your resume if required by the posting.
- Your responses to any "Supplemental Questions", if attached to this requisition, must be supported by the information you provide on your application and/or resume; or otherwise demonstrated during the hiring process.
- You will not be able to access the details of this job ad once the closing date has passed. If you would like to retain this information, please take a screen shot or print using your browser's printing capability.
VRS Contribution: All full-time employees are required to contribute 5% of annual salary toward their retirement account; in accordance with VRS retirement provisions. This will be handled through a pre-tax payroll deduction.
Drug Free Workplace: The City of Virginia Beach maintains a drug free workplace.
Salary : $21
