Recreation Supervisor - OJ Watson Park

The City of Wichita is NOT an E-Verify Employer.

Distinguishing Features of Work

The Recreation Supervisor at O.J. Watson Park leads one of Wichita’s most vibrant outdoor destinations, where family fun, community connection, and recreation come together. This role blends leadership, creativity, and hands-on operations to ensure safe, high-quality experiences across park attractions such as train rides, pedal boats, ponies, and miniature golf. The Supervisor oversees a dedicated team of staff, guiding them in customer service, safety, and event execution while maintaining the park’s facilities and natural beauty. From managing budgets and programming community events to improving operations and visitor experiences, this position makes a direct impact on how Wichita plays. Ideal candidates bring proven supervisory experience in parks and recreation, a passion for teamwork, and a commitment to delivering exceptional outdoor experiences for residents and visitors alike.

Anticipated starting salary: $59,115 – $82,100 (based on experience and qualifications)

Bargaining Unit: Employees Council

Workdays and Hours -Varied, exact shift will be determined at hire.

• Posting may close at any time ** Examples of Work Performed
• Provides safe and appropriate experiences for the community and staff ensuring compliance with safety, health, and environmental regulations related to animals, watercraft, playgrounds, and public facilities.
• Ability to plan, schedule, and manage multiple projects and programs simultaneously. Plans work schedules and assigns and supervises the work of recreation staff.
• Supervises and participates in maintenance, setup, and inspection of facilities to ensure safety, cleanliness, and operational readiness.
• Monitors daily revenue operations including concessions, ticketing, and rentals; maintains cash-handling integrity and reconciles deposits.
• Hires, trains, schedules, and supervise full-time staff, part-time, and seasonal staff in customer service, safety, and emergency response procedures while promoting teamwork, accountability, and professional conduct.
• Manages daily operations of park attractions including ponies, pedal boats, kayaks, miniature golf, inflatables, train rides, fishing areas, playgrounds, and public shelters, and is not limited to the following.
• Prepares and manages operating budgets, purchase requisitions, payroll, and supply inventories.
• Ensures compliance with safety, health, and environmental regulations related to animals, watercraft, playgrounds, and public facilities Coordinates with maintenance, animal care, and city support departments for repairs and improvements.
• Completion of work assignments may require the operation of a vehicle. If certified in Therapeutic Recreation, assesses individuals with disabilities and creates or modifies programs to provide appropriate recreation experiences.
• These examples are not intended to be all-inclusive. Other related duties may be assigned as needed.
  
  

Requirements of Work

• Considerable knowledge of teaching methods, ideals, rules, equipment, and objectives of public recreation.
• Knowledge of basic first aid, CPR Certification, and the ability to move quickly to respond to operational or safety situations.
• Ability to lead, instruct and supervise groups engaged in recreation activities Ability to effectively plan, organize, and supervise the work of other employees.
• Ability to maintain recreation facilities and grounds.
• Must be physically able to assist with setup, cleaning, maintenance, and operational functions of recreation equipment and park amenities and facilities such as but not limited to park train, pedal boats, Kayaks, watercraft's, mechanical equipment, and various facility animals.
• Ability to work outdoors when unpleasant weather conditions are present including but not exclusive to exposure to heat, cold, humidity, and inclement weather.
• Ability to move quickly and reach, bend, stoop, twist or squat, and/or other motions needed for job duties .
• Ability to move tables, chairs, supplies, and equipment weighing up to 50 pounds, and occasionally assist with lifting up to 75 pounds.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with associates, representatives of other organizations and the public Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing, and/or by whatever creative means necessary to cross communication barriers.
• Ability to work evenings, weekends, holidays, and irregular hours as required for park operations and events, including being physically able to assist with setup, cleaning, tear down, and operation of recreation equipment and park amenities.
• Requires a valid Kansas driver's license.
• An employee shall not pose a direct threat to the health or safety of other individuals in the workplace.
  
  

Experience and Training

Required Experience And Training

• Bachelor’s degree in education and/or recreation plus three (3) years of professional supervisory experience in parks and recreation, OR Five (5) years of professional supervisory experience in parks and recreation.
• Two (2) years of event planning.
• Two (2) years of facility, ground, and equipment maintenance experience.
• Valid Driver's License.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need of a sponsorship.
  
  

Preferred Experience And Training

• Two (2) years of professional animal maintenance experience.
  
  

Starting pay for current City employees will be determined by City of Wichita policy or applicable bargaining unit agreement.

Offers of employment are contingent upon passing a pre-employment physical, which includes drug screening, and upon satisfactory evaluation of the results of a criminal record check.

Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws. Please find more information under the following links:

https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/WHD/legacy/files/fmlaen.pdf

https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/22-088_EEOC_KnowYourRights6.12ScreenRdr.pdf

https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/WHD/legacy/files/eppac.pdf

CITY OF WICHITA

Full-time Employee Benefits

• VACATION - Most employees with less than five years employment earn 10 days of vacation per year. After five years, accrual rates increase at varying rates to varying maximums, depending on work schedule and/or union representation. Employees can accumulate and carry forward up to 240 hours each year.
• HOLIDAYS - There are eleven paid holidays. Employees also receive one Personal Holiday that is granted after the first six months of employment.
• SICK LEAVE - Sick leave accrual begins at one-half day per month. After five years, sick leave accruals are one work day per month. Employees can accumulate and carry forward all unused sick leave each year. Employees who use 24 hours (3 days) or less of sick leave in a calendar year earn a "Well Day." An additional "Well Day" can be earned following a year of perfect attendance.
• HEALTH INSURANCE – UMR / United Healthcare provides two levels of medical and prescription drug plans. Both medical plan are PPOs and do not require selecting a physician or referrals for specialty care. Both medical plans include Teladoc virtual care (primary care/mental health benefits at no charge), Dario healthy living programs, and VSP Vision benefits. Pre-tax premium deductions are offered. The City contributes 80% of the premium cost towards medical, prescription drug and vision insurance.
• DENTAL INSURANCE - Two Delta Dental plans are offered – Preferred and Traditional. The Delta Preferred plan requires using a dentist from a smaller network for a lower premium. The Delta Traditional plan allows use of any dentist, although benefits are higher using a dentist from the large Delta network. Benefits under both plans are the same (with the exception of some Orthodontic benefits) Pre-tax premium deductions are offered.
• LIFE INSURANCE – Low-cost voluntary term life insurance is available. Employees pay one-third of the cost. The amount of Basic Life coverage is two times annual pay up to a determined maximum amount. Dependent coverage is available at $20,000 spouse / $10,000 child(ren) for an additional $0.14 per pay period. Accidental death and dismemberment coverage is included. The plan is through MetLife.
• SUPPLEMENTAL LIFE – Additional voluntary employee-paid term life insurance is available from MetLife at low group rates. Participation in Basic Life is required. The Life Insurance plans are portable.
• LONG-TERM DISABILITY INSURANCE– The voluntary employee-paid group disability plan from MetLife provides 60% of pre-disability income for injury or health related disabilities. Premiums are determined by income and age.
• VOLUNTARY ACCIDENTAL DEATH & DISMEMBERMENT – Voluntary employee-paid AD&D from MetLife offers coverage for accidental death and dismemberment.
• RETIREMENT - The City offers two retirement plans - Wichita Employees (WER) Plan 3, and Commissioned Police & Fire Plan C-79. The WER plan is a defined contribution plan; Police & Fire is a defined benefit plan. Both are contributory - employees and the City share the cost.
• FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNTS – Employees may elect to make FSA pre-tax deductions for dependent care and/or unreimbursed medical expenses, reducing the cost of these expenses by eliminating taxes on the amount deducted.
• LONG-TERM CARE INSURANCE – This plan from UNUM offers facility and home care benefits for employees, spouses, and some other family members. Several options for benefit amount and duration, and specific plan features, are available.
• MORE BENEFITS & SERVICES
  
  

Deferred Compensation Investment Program

Employee Discounts and Wichita Employee Association (WEA)

Bereavement Pay

Employee Emergency Assistance Fund

Voluntary Shared Leave Program

Training Programs

Longevity Pay

Credit Union

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Injury Leave (on-job injury)

Community Volunteer Events

01

I Have a Bachelor's Degree Or Higher In

• Education
• Recreation
• My bachelor's degree or higher is not in any of the above field.
• I do not have a bachelor's degree or higher.
  
  

02

I have the following years of professional supervisory experience in parks and recreation.

• Less than 1 year of experience
• 1 - 2 years of experience
• 3 - 4 years of experience
• 5 - 6 years of experience
• 7 years of experience
• I do not have any professional supervisory experience in parks and recreation.
  
  

03

I have the following years of experience in event planning

• Less than 6 months of experience
• 6 months - 1 year of experience
• 2 to 3 years of experience
• 4 years of experience
• I do not have any experience in event planning.
  
  

04

This position will require you to supervisor part-time/seasonal staff that involves intricate scheduling coordination. Briefly describe your past supervisory experience. Tell us the most employees you have been responsible for and what has worked well for intricate scheduling and motivating individuals or teams

05

I have the following years of experience in facility, ground, and equipment maintenance.

• Less than 6 months experience
• 6 months - 1 year of experience
• 2 - 3 years of experience
• 4 Years of experience
• I do not have experience in facility, grounds and equipment maintenance.
  
  

06

I have the following years of professional animal maintenance experience.

• Less than 1 year
• 1 to 2 years' experience
• 3 - 4 years' experience
• 5 years experience
• I do not have any professional animal maintenance experience.
  
  

07

Do you have a valid driver's license.

• Yes
• No
  
  

08

I am legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship.

• Yes
• No
• Required Question