Recreation Center Coordinator

City-of-Seattle; Washington; On-site; USD 66,000 - 79,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits package

Paid holidays

Insurance coverage

Job summary

City of Seattle seeks a full-time Recreation Center Coordinator to manage community centers and programs, supervise staff, and engage with diverse community partners. The role emphasizes customer service, adherence to policies, and delivering high-quality recreational experiences.

You will lead programming, coordinate advisory councils, and oversee budgets and resources to meet city and state standards while exploring cooperative rental opportunities and community engagement opportunities.

Qualifications

• Requires two years' experience in a multipurpose recreation facility or program and a Bachelor's degree in Recreation, Physical Education or Recreation Administration.
• Experience supervising and/or managing a busy recreation facility.
• Experience planning, organizing, and implementing community programming.
• Experience with budget preparation and oversight.
• Bilingual skills are desirable.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate the daily operations of the community center and its associated programs and facilities.
• Develop and implement a broad range of recreational and cultural programs in partnership with internal SPR work units and partner organizations.
• Supervise regular staff and volunteers, including performance development and corrective action.
• Provide leadership, promote teamwork and ensure policy compliance.
• Recruit and organize an advisory council and strengthen community representation.
• Prioritize partnerships and manage contracts to maximize resources.
• Oversee programs to achieve specified outcomes and monitor financials.
• Coordinate facility rentals and cooperative ventures.

Skills

Staff supervision

Community engagement

Program development

Customer service

Leadership

Bilingual

Education

Bachelor's degree in Recreation, Physical Education or Recreation Administration

Tools

Registration software

Windows-based systems

Job description

Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) is a national leader and innovator in the services and programs we provide to our residents who enjoy our public spaces such as parks, community centers, specialty gardens and swimming pools. Our mission is to equip employees and the public for well-being as we support healthy people, a thriving environment and vibrant community. We provide safe and accessible spaces for residents and visitors to work, recreate, rejuvenate and enhance quality of life and wellness for children, teenagers, adults and seniors. Delivering excellent customer service to all is a core value.

Equity & Inclusion

Seattle Parks and Recreation commits to advancing equity and social justice in our department and in every neighborhood by growing a dynamic and diverse workforce, developing strong investments, growth opportunities and beneficial partner strategies as we acknowledge and pledge to close disparities created by historical practices which often hindered workforce development, environmental justice, access to quality open spaces, programs and facilities.

The Recreation Division inspires all people to reach their full potential through recreation programs and activities. We operate over 50 recreation facilities (community centers, teen centers, pools, school-based learning centers, environmental learning centers, and boating and sailing centers) and provide opportunities for people to play, learn, and lead healthy, active lives. Our programs and events include fitness and athletics, licensed childcare and preschool, swimming and boating, youth development and job preparation, academic enrichment, and more -- including programs designed for older adults and people with disabilities, as well as grant and partnership programs designed and implemented with immigrant and refugee communities. With nearly 300 regular employees and a budget of nearly $40 million annually, Recreation is a major operation with significant impact on the communities we serve. In addition to our current operations, we also strive to constantly improve the ways we serve Seattle’s residents, specifically through implementation of the SPR Strategic Plan, innovation in our facility staffing and programming approaches, and learning from national best practices and quality standards.

Seattle Parks and Recreation is seeking to fill 1 full-time, benefitted Recreation Center Coordinator position. Our Community Centers are the connecting agents for our neighborhoods and residents, offering programming for all ages. This position will manage building operations, facility supervision, staff performance, community engagement, and scheduling solutions to maintain our guaranteed operating hours to the public. This is a public-facing job with high levels of customer service and engagement.

This position requires a knowledge of recreation programming, multipurpose facility supervision, budgetary practices and the use of recreation equipment. Work in this position also requires skill in analyzing community and group recreational needs, in selecting and adapting programs to meet those needs, in procuring the materials and resources necessary for implementing recreation programs, and in making the most effective use of the facilities and staff. This work is performed within established departmental and Citywide ordinances, guidelines, policies and procedures; but requires considerable judgment in applying and interpreting them in order to resolve unusual problems. This position performs daily activities without immediate access to a supervisor/manager and is responsible for developing, recommending and implementing new policies and procedures to meet program needs. This work requires maintaining personal contacts with the subordinate staff, community groups, personnel in other departments and the general public for the purpose of coordinating program activities, resolving conflicts and disseminating information. This position will report to the Recreation Operations Manager.

• Coordinate the daily operations of the community center and its associated programs and facilities.
• Develop and implement a broad range of recreational and cultural programs in partnership with internal SPR work units, Associated Recreation Council (ARC), partner organizations, and service providers which meet the needs of the diverse communities.
• Supervise all regular, temporary staff and volunteers assigned to the community center and its associated facilities. This includes staff development, implementation of work plans, and engaging in corrective action.
• Provide leadership, model excellent workplace values and behaviors, build teamwork and ensure compliance with all policies and procedures.
• Supervise and develop personnel and volunteers and build a successful team reflective of the diversity of the community.
• Assure a high standard of customer service with the public, local businesses, school-districts, and internal work teams.
• Promote and market Seattle Parks and Recreation programs, facilities, and services in cooperation with the Associated Recreation Council.
• Recruit, develop and organize a functional advisory council, providing leadership in meeting baseline standards and community representation.
• Prioritize developing community partnerships and implementing partnership contracts, maximizing limited resources, and strengthening the neighborhood.
• Manage and oversee programs ensuring achievement of all specified outcomes and measurements.
• Supervise and maintain advisory council finances and budgets by regularly forecasting, monitoring, and managing resources while meeting City and State Auditor requirements.
• Implement policies and procedures and establish administrative systems for paperwork, communication, and assignments to meet applicable deadlines, auditor/legal requirements, and Department/Association Recreation Council standards.
• Coordinate the use of the facility through rentals and cooperative ventures.
• Performs related duties as required.

Required Qualifications

In addition to the skills and experience mentioned below, a successful applicant will have experience that reflects a commitment to creating fair and equitable outcomes and has:

• Requires two years' experience in a multipurpose recreation facility or program and a Bachelor's degree in Recreation, Physical Education or Recreation Administration (or combination of education and/or training and/or experience which provides an equivalent background required to perform the work of the class).

Desired Qualifications

• Experience supervising and/or managing a busy recreation facility.
• Experience planning, organizing, and implementing community programming.
• Experience with budget preparation and oversight.
• Experience creating partnerships with community-based organizations, contract management, including tracking data-driven outcomes.
• Experience supervising and developing personnel (PARKS, ARC, and Volunteer) and building a successful team reflective of the diversity of the community.
• Experience working in an urban environment with diverse people from a broad range of backgrounds.
• Sensitivity and great communication skills to work with people who may have complex needs.
• Experience safely resolving crisis situations and respond nonjudgmentally to problematic behavior.
• Demonstrated experience with conducting stakeholder analyses and engaging in effective community outreach and demonstrating measurable outcomes for both.
• Demonstrated experience with managing seamless customer service systems in a large organization.
• Experience working in a Windows based environment and with registration and facility booking software systems.
• Bilingual skills, in languages such as Spanish, Chinese, Somali, Vietnamese, Oromo, Russian, etc.

License, Certification and Other Requirements

• May be required to work evenings or weekends.
• Current Washington State driver's license.
• First Aid Certificate and CPR Certificate required within six months of hire.

The full salary range for this position is $48.88 to $57.00 per hour.

Application Process

Who May Apply

This position is open to all candidates that meet the qualifications. Seattle Parks and Recreation values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Seattle Parks and Recreation encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQIA+, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experiences.

Job offers are contingent on the verification of credentials and other information required by the employment process, including the completion of a background check. The background check will involve a criminal history check, which includes conviction and arrest records in compliance with the Seattle’s Fair Chance Employment Ordinance, SMC 14.17 and the City of Seattle Personnel Rule 10.3. A driving history review may be conducted in compliance with SMC 4.79.020. Applicants will be provided an opportunity to explain or correct background information.

• The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation time, 12 paid holidays, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents.
• More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at: https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits

SPR’s Core Competencies

• Accountability & Action: Holding yourself accountable for achieving goals, completing tasks, and delivering quality work. Demonstrating thoughtful initiative in actions and decision-making and promoting high-quality standards.
• Equity and Inclusion: Supporting the goals of the Race and Social Justice Initiative and the City's commitment to workforce equity.
• Communication: Sharing and exchanging information and ideas with people in a variety of ways to help them understand and remember the information.
• Service: An ongoing commitment to base decisions and actions on the needs and priorities of the City.
• Teamwork: Participating as an engaged member of a team to achieve group goals. Effectively working with internal and external people to complete tasks and achieve work group goals.

We recognize that artificial intelligence (AI) tools, such as chatbots, automated response generators, or language models, can be helpful during the job search process. If you choose to use them, please carefully review all materials before submission to ensure accuracy, as you will be required to affirm that your responses are true and correct during the application process. Submitting inaccurate or misleading information may result in disqualification. Please also note that relying on AI to complete text-based supplemental questions or during interviews may not accurately represent your skills and experiences, which are critical to applicant success. In some cases, you may be instructed not to use AI tools during the selection process. Learn more about the City of Seattle AI Policy here.