Recreation Activities Director

Lansing YMCA; Eugene (OR); On-site; USD 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

The YMCA is seeking a Recreation & Activities Director in Eugene, Oregon, to lead programs that engage youth and teens through recreation and physical activity, fostering belonging and personal growth. The role focuses on accessible, developmentally appropriate activities beyond competitive leagues, promoting fun, skill-building and community connection.

The Director will cultivate strong relationships with schools, parks, and local partners to assess community needs, fill gaps, and expand

Qualifications

• Minimum two years of education or training beyond high school.
• Extensive experience leading or developing recreation and youth programs for varied ages and abilities.
• Experience supervising staff or volunteers working with children and teens.
• Experience coordinating staff, facilities, scheduling, registrations and budgets.

Responsibilities

• Lead programs that help youth and teens develop confidence through recreation and activity.
• Build partnerships with schools, parks, sports organizations to expand access to facilities and opportunities.
• Coordinate program operations, including staffing, scheduling, facilities, and budgets.

Skills

Communication

Organization

Problem solving

Relationship building

Staff supervision

Job description

Our Culture

Our mission and core values are brought to life by our culture. In the Y, we strive to live our cause of strengthening communities with purpose and intentionality every day. We are welcoming: we are open to all. We are a place where you can belong and become. We are genuine: we value you and embrace your individuality. We are hopeful: we believe in you and your potential to become a catalyst in the world. We are nurturing: we support you in your journey to develop your full potential. We are determined: above all else, we are on a relentless quest to make our community stronger beginning with you.

The Recreation & Activities Director leads programs that help youth, teens and move, play, build skills, develop confidence and experience belonging through recreation and physical activity. Rather than focusing solely on competitive leagues, this position creates accessible, developmentally appropriate opportunities for participants to try new activities, build foundational athletic skills, have fun and connect with others.

The Director builds strong relationships with schools, parks, sports organizations and other community partners to understand community needs, identify gaps and expand access to facilities, expertise and opportunities for recreation and physical activity. Programs may include skill development, clinics, camps, open recreation, game days, outdoor experiences, family activities, competitive leagues, developmental and functional sports offerings based on community needs. The Director may also identify and explore opportunities for adult and family recreation based on community needs, organizational capacity and alignment with existing YMCA programs.

Minimum Qualifications

• At least 2 years of relevant education, coursework, training, or professional development beyond high school
• At least 4-½ years of experience developing or leading engaging, developmentally appropriate recreation, physical activity, camp, sports, out-of-school-time or other active programs for youth with varying interests, abilities and levels of experience.
• At least 1-½ years of experience leading, supervising, training and supporting staff and/or volunteers who work with children and teens.
• Previous experience coordinating multiple aspects of program operations, including staffing, scheduling, facilities, registration and/or budgets.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in recreation, youth development, education, physical education, sports management or a related field, or equivalent relevant experience
• Experience developing or expanding youth recreation, physical activity or community-based programs and partnerships
• Knowledge or experience across multiple areas of recreation, sports, outdoor activity, physical education or youth development
• Experience developing recreation or physical activity opportunities for adults and/or families.
• Previous experience leading sports or recreational activities at a YMCA
  Conversational fluency in Spanish
  

Professional Competencies

• Strong communication, organization, problem-solving and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to build relationships and collaborate effectively with families, schools, community organizations and other partners.
• Change Leadership: Facilitates, co-creates, and implements equitable change for the good of the organization and/or community
• Communication & Influence: Listens and expresses self effectively and in a way that engages, inspires and builds commitment to the Y’s cause
• Inclusion: Values all people for their unique talents and takes an active role in promoting practices that support diversity, inclusion, and global work, as well as cultural competence
• Critical Thinking & Decision Making: Makes informed decisions based on logic, data and sound judgment
• Fiscal Management: Manages the Y’s resources responsibly and sustains the Y’s nonprofit business model
• Functional Expertise: Executes superior technical skills for the role
• Innovation: Creates and implements new and relevant approaches and activities that improve and expand the Y’s work and impact in the community
• Program/Project Management: Ensures program or project goals are met and intended impact occurs
• Developing Self & Others: Develops self and supports others (e.g., staff, volunteers, members, program participants), both formally and informally, to achieve their highest potential
• Emotional Maturity: Demonstrates ability to understand and manage emotions effectively in all situations