Recreation Specialist – Desert Recreation District – CA, USA

DEFINITION: Under the direction of the Community Services Supervisor, plans, organizes, supervises, teaches and provides special services for participants in an assigned recreational area or activity.

Inspects and monitors program site facilities. Plans, organizes, schedules and implements activities for a recreation program. Work requires the application of specialized skills and training to meet the needs of the participants being served.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND/OR EXERCISED: Under general supervision of the Community Services Supervisor. Exercises direct and indirect supervision over program participants. Directs the work of subordinate staff and volunteers.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS: Performs a variety of tasks in the creation, implementation and evaluation of specialized recreation programs and services in an assigned recreational area or activity.

Teaches and instructs participants in activities which require specialized skills and training.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBLITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Plans, organizes, implements, directs, evaluates and promotes specific recreation programs in one or more recreation facilities (e.g. Fitness and Wellness; Youth Enrichment; Aquatics) for all ages.
• Instructs, conducts, and participates in daily recreation activities such as exercise, sports and other specialized programs for participants in an assigned recreational area or activity. Coordinates competitions and special events.
• Coordinates program registration, schedules and lesson plans for clinics, workshops and programs.
• Prepares program site or facility for use and sets up recreation areas.
• Engages in strategic thinking to develop program goals, objectives and policies aligned with organizational and departmental goals and objectives. Responsible for establishing and implementing overall program objectives. Identifies and implements appropriate program curriculum, methods and standards. Ensures programming for a diverse general public (i.e. culturally, socio-economically, age, etc.) and accessibility for all community members.
• Develops, implements and monitors program budget and prudently allocates resources to accomplish program goals and objectives.
• Develops and/or coordinates a variety of publications and communication materials to market programs/services and promote benefits of the programs/services to participants and the community.

• Researches trends, demographics and needs of the community through a variety of resources including but not limited to community consultations, surveys and focus groups. Analyzes data to plan strategically for the future.
• Continuously monitors and evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of program and service delivery methods, based on measureable outcomes. Makes recommendations and implements adjustments.
• Initiates and administers service agreements and contracts for area of responsibility; determines scope of work, monitors contracts and evaluates services provided.
• Participates in staff and volunteer selection and training. Assists in counseling and coaching employees to correct deficiencies. Assists in timely and effective evaluations based on performance measures and outcomes.
• Develops community knowledge and builds partnerships that identify District recreation programs and services as a community focal point.
• Collaborates with, provides advisory support for and acts as liaison to other departments, citizen committees, community agencies and organizations and other stakeholders to facilitate recreation program development and enhance recreational services in an assigned recreational area or activity. Serves as a member of various committees, working groups and/or ad hoc task forces providing recreational expertise and contributing to the attainment of successful results.
• Communicates effectively with the general public, employees and other leaders in oral and written form. Develops and conducts various staff training for the purpose of enhancing and developing job skill and competency.
• Conducts routine inspections to ensure program facilities, sites and equipment meet health and safety standards and that District and departmental policies and procedures, including emergency response protocols, are adhered to by all staff and participants involved. Assists in maintaining the quality of equipment and general housekeeping of all instructional areas.
• Completes and maintains accurate documents, records and reports in the successful execution of job duties including but not limited to accident reports, purchase records, materials and supply inventory, maintenance checklists and attendance reports.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS1:

Knowledge of:

• Theories, principles and practices common to the operation of recreation programs in a specialized field, including rules, materials, and equipment.
• Theories, principles and practices common to the administration, development and evaluation of specialized recreation programs, including budget creation and administration.

• Principles and practices of leadership, supervision, employee motivation, team building and performance evaluation.
• Techniques for providing excellence in customer service and effective conflict resolution.

1 The minimum qualifications stated in this document are a guide for determining the education, training, experience, special skills, certification and/or license which may be required for employment in this position.

• And understanding of cultural diversity and its importance in working with the community.
• And familiarity with federal, state and local laws, codes and regulations that are pertinent to public sector recreation.
• Emergency response protocol for the highest level of care.

Ability to:

• Teach, lead and/or instruct specialized recreation programs.
• Demonstrate strong organizational, planning and administrative skills. Must maintain detailed and accurate records.
• Prepare budgets and meet budget targets. Assist in garnering grants, donations, sponsorships and in-kind services.
• Collect, evaluate and interpret varied information and data, either in statistical or narrative form; interpret documents, agreements and contracts; interpret and apply laws, regulations, policies and procedures.
• Monitor and evaluate program and service results and demonstrate outcomes both qualitatively and quantitatively.
• Demonstrate sufficient community relations ability to build partnerships and advocacy for District programs and services.
• Be a team-oriented leader committed to employee empowerment, problem solving and customer service.
• Write promotional materials and participate in the marketing of recreation programs and services.
• Utilize sound judgment, analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions, and implement recommendations in support of goals.
• Administer and oversee contracted services.
• Facilitate employee and community groups to solve problems, resolve conflicts and work effectively and collaboratively.
• Demonstrate strong verbal and written communication skills. Must be able to develop program reports, evaluations and other material as well as conduct effective teaching, instruction and/or training.
• Work odd or long hours at a time to complete projects or to participate in or coordinate evening and off-hour activities.
• Respond quickly and appropriately in emergency situations and deal effectively with injuries and accidents as a result of recreational programs and activities.
• Travel to monitor programs, attend meetings or as needed in the course of work.
• Use a computer/word processor, design and compile data and reports, create presentations, analyze data, and develop budgets. Utilize computer applications (e.g. Microsoft Office) and data management applications for effective service delivery.
• Operate modern office equipment, including fax machines, scanners, multi-line telephone system, printers and copiers.

EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE / TRAINING: Any combination of education, experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge, skills and abilities would be:

Education: Possess an Associate’s Degree from an accredited college or university with major work in sports administration, physical education, recreation or related field. A Bachelor’s degree preferred, and

Experience: At least two (2) years of experience delivering recreation programming in a specialized field of one or more of the following areas: Adaptive and Outdoor Recreation; Sports Leagues, Clinics, Camps and Tournaments; Fitness and Wellness; Youth Enrichment; Aquatic Facility Programming; Community Recreation; Recreation Center Programming. Experience must include teaching/instructing, developing, implementing, organizing, directing and evaluating specialized recreation programs.

Certifications/Licenses:

• Possession and maintenance of a valid California driver’s license with an acceptable driving record is a condition of initial and continued employment in this position.
• Possession and maintenance of a valid certification in first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) for adult, child and infant is a condition of initial and continued employment in this position.
• Additional certification may be required in the area of specialization.

For Aquatics Programs: Possession and maintenance of valid American Red Cross instructor certifications in

• CPR for the Professional Rescuer
• Standard First Aid
• Lifeguard Training
• Water Safety Instructor Trainer

For Fitness Programs:

• Certified as a current American Fitness Professionals & Associates (AFPA) Certified Personal Trainer
• Certified as a current AFPA Certified Fitness Instructor

For Gymnastics Programs:

• Possession and maintenance of a valid USA Gymnastics Risk Management and Safety Certification
• Possession and maintenance of a valid Junior Olympic Coaching Certification, preferred.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS2: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this job:

• The employee is required to work indoors in an office, recreation facility or classroom as well as outdoors. When working outdoors, the employee is regularly required to withstand outside elements including extreme heat, rain, wind, etc.
• The employee is regularly required to walk on slippery or uneven surfaces. Eye-hand-foot coordination is required.
• The employee is regularly required to perform work on a computer and multi-line or cellular telephone as well as perform work on a copy machine, fax machine, scanner and other office equipment.
• The employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel. Repetitive hand movement and fine coordination are needed when using a computer or other recreation equipment in the completion of the essential functions of the job.
• The employee is regularly required to talk or hear since the employee regularly communicates with individuals both in person and over the phone, which requires acute hearing.
• The employee is regularly required to stand for long periods of time as well as sit, twist, reach, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.

• The employee is regularly required to demonstrate physical fitness and recreational activities required of the participants (i.e. jogging, running, jumping, swimming, stretching, etc.).
• The employee must occasionally pull and/or push, lift and/or move equipment and supplies weighing up to 40 pounds. When instructing specialized programs such as gymnastics or aquatics, the employee may regularly spot, lift or drag an individual up to or over 100 pounds with assistance from other staff.
• The employee is occasionally required to operate a motorized vehicle.
• The employee must be able to read handwritten and printed materials and a computer screen.

WORK ENVIRONMENT3: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

The employee works in an office, recreation facility, classroom and/or outdoors in various weather conditions. When working indoors, employee is exposed to moderate to excessive noise levels, controlled temperature conditions and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. When working outdoors, employee experiences exposure to extreme hot or cold temperature, exposure to marked changes in temperature/humidity, exposure to dust, mists, or other irritating particles and exposure to moderate to excessive noise.

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