What are the responsibilities and job description for the Lead Recreation Associate position at Springfield Park District?
Springfield Park District
Weekday Lead Recreation Associate
(Visitor Services & Memberships) – Botanical Garden
Department: Washington Park Botanical Garden
Position Title: Part-Time Weekday Lead Recreation Associate - Visitor Services & Memberships - Botanical
Reporting Authority: Botanical Garden General Manager or designee
Classification: Non-Exempt/Non-Union/ Part-Time/Hourly Position
Salary: $16/hour
What is the Springfield Park District?
The Springfield Park District offers a variety of educational and recreational programs, classes and events for people ranging in age from 6 months to seniors. The Park District partners with several local organizations and clubs to provide athletic programming such as youth baseball/softball, men’s soccer, disk golf leagues, cricket, rugby, pickleball, youth football, bicycling clubs and related clubs/groups. Additionally, the Springfield Park District also maintains intergovernmental/cooperative agreement with various Police Departments, School District and local colleges. We manage 4 Golf Courses, 2 Indoor Ice Rinks, 2 Outdoor Pools, Indoor Pool, 3 Dog Runs, 3 Disc Golf Courses, 2 Baseball Stadiums, 2 Early Childhood Program Facilities; Preschool & Funshop, 2 Historic Pavilions, Special Needs Facility, a Carillon, Botanical Garden, Tennis Complex, Skate Park, Erin’s Pavilion Rental Facility and the Henson Robinson Zoo.
Our Mission: to provide accessible and memorable recreational opportunities that enrich the community and improve the quality of life for generations as well as conserve our natural resources.
Position Summary:
The Lead Recreation Associate is a mid-level position. Candidates must demonstrate the skill and competence necessary to perform front-line/guest services, possible management of other part-time Recreation Associates, responsible for customer service initiatives, point of sale systems, and could be a keyholder, but for this position advertisement is specific to and reports at the Washington Park Botanical Garden (WPBG).
The Lead Recreation Associate, under the supervision of the Botanical Garden General Manager, is accountable to all the citizens of Springfield and beyond to see that they have a pleasant and enjoyable time while visiting the Botanical Center facility M-F 12-4 pm, flex schedule on occasion. The Lead Recreation Associate is required to accept payments from visitors and be knowledgeable about the park, gardens, programs, rental pricing, and policies and provide potential renters with informational brochures. This position is also responsible for office duties such as greeting the public, answering phones, answering questions of the visiting patrons, and processing membership payments.
Specific Responsibilities:
Facility and Office Work:
- Responsible for learning and understanding the use and programming of the Washington Park Botanical Garden and grounds, other district park services, district contracts and related information of the organization and services it provides.
- Successful Completion of Park District Orientation, Rectrac Learning Lab & Customer Service Training.
- Operate Point of Sale Systems to include cash handling, cash registers, cash close-out responsibilities, learning RecTrac and online portal Webtrac (Park District Online Registration Software) to assist patrons with admissions, membership passes, activity sign up, etc.
- Responsible for greeting the public in a courteous manner as they enter the facility, provide information per requests or directing to other staff/departments.
- Responsible for answering phones/message taking in courteous and prompt manner, provide information per requests, transfer to appropriate personnel/voicemail.
- Responsible for keeping front lobby and workstation clean.
- Responsible for maintaining an exceptional rapport with customers both on the phone and in person by displaying outstanding customer service in a friendly, outgoing, professional and respectful manner at all times.
- Responsible for processing of Garden memberships.
- Represents the Botanical Garden department in the absence of the General Manager, Facility Program Supervisor, or Horticulture Curator.
- Must be able to perform opening and closing duties of the facility and ensure it is secure when required to open and close for events and weekday business hours.
- Managing other part-time Recreation Associate staff
- Minor janitorial duties – assistance of maintenance in sweeping lobby or restrooms, cleaning front counter, replenishing paper towels and toilet paper, emptying trash, especially with large events/crowds.
- Assistance with membership mailings and newsletter distributions.
- Horticulture Work: Greenhouse-Identify plants, water seedlings and plant collections, fertilize, sterilize pots. Conservatory – Clean/maintain plant displays and educational exhibits, weed, water, fertilize, install and maintain signage.
- Perform all other tasks assigned by General Manager or designee.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Must be 18 years of age or older.
- Must possess a High School diploma.
- Preference will be given to candidates who have previous managerial experience
- Willingness to learn educational information and details about the Park District and specific to the Washington Park Botanical Garden.
- Must possess outstanding customer service skills when dealing with the public
- Must be able to demonstrate leadership, be trustworthy and capable of working alone.
- Must be a team player and be willing to work in groups.
- Must possess emotional maturity and show respect when working with children and adults.
- Sensitivity to patron and/or participants socioeconomic, cultural, ethnic and religious backgrounds and individual needs and capabilities.
- Prior work experience in area of office management, record keeping, filing
- Proficiency in use of typing, use of computer software, note-taking and related areas
- Effective communication in a professional and courteous manner
- Flexible work schedule availability is required to fill this position.
- Light lifting required to successfully fill this position
General Requirements:
- Must be able to read and write and have good command of the English language.
- Good oral and written communication.
- Physical capabilities – lifts 50 pounds, squat, bend and move as necessary for the job.
- Must be able to perform basic mathematics.
- Must have basic proficiency of Microsoft Excel and Word.
- Must possess valid Illinois Driver’s License.
- Must possess professional phone skills and work well with the public.
- Must present a neat and professional appearance.
- Responsible to follow policies and procedures outlined in Springfield Park District employee manual.
- Must live in Sangamon County, in the State of Illinois or must be willing to move to Sangamon County in the State of Illinois within the first 6 months of acceptance of a position with the Springfield Park District.
The Springfield Park District is committed to the provisions of Equal Employment Opportunities and Affirmative Action to its applicants regardless of race, color, religion, ancestry, age sex, marital or veterans’ status, national origin, disability or any other legally protected status.
Revised April 2026
Salary : $16