Recreation Program Manager

City of Carson; Carson (CA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Carson is seeking a Recreation Program Manager to lead seven full-time staff and oversee multiple facilities, youth and adult sports programs, and daily recreation operations.

This on-site, exempt role requires strong leadership, effective supervision, budget management, program development, and collaboration with residents, sports organizations, and other City departments. Internal candidates and externals will be considered.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in recreation, public administration, or related field.
• Five years of full-time lead or supervisory experience in recreation or related field.
• Strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Plans, organizes, manages, evaluates, and staffs a variety of recreational programs and services.
• Establishes, implements, and monitors performance standards, goals and objectives of assigned recreational programs and services.
• Prepares, monitors, and controls budget and financial expenditures of assigned recreational programs and services.
• Develops marketing plans, advertises and promotes assigned recreational programs and services.
• Supervises, trains, evaluates and participates in the hiring and disciplinary process of assigned staff.
• Prepares, reviews, and approves reports and other correspondence, including but not limited to City Council and Parks and Recreation commission agenda items.
• Supervises the scheduling and coordination of facilities and equipment for general public use; maintains inventory control.
• Recommends and assists with the maintenance of facilities and equipment as needed.
• Develops and prepares contracts and other agreements with vendors and other agencies.
• Communicates with outside agencies, such as the Sheriff's and Fire Departments; resolves public inquiries and complaints.
• Prepares and maintains records regarding work activity and assigned personnel.
• Attends meetings, makes oral presentations to city employees, governmental, and/or public groups.
• May provide staff support to a commission or committee.
• May write, apply for and administer grants.
• Performs related duties as required.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Problem-solving

Supervision

Training

Evaluation

Marketing

Budgeting

Public relations

Contracts

Education

Bachelor's degree in recreation, public administration, or related field

Tools

Office software

Job description

The City of Carson is now accepting applications for the position of Recreation Program Manager

RECRUITMENT OPENED INTERNALLY TO ACTIVE FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES

The ideal candidate is an experienced, strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills. They should be capable of effectively supervising seven full-time staff while overseeing multiple facilities, youth and adult sports programs, and daily recreation operations. The successful candidate will be a hands on leader who can manage competing priorities, develop staff, address challenges, improve programs, and build positive relationships with employees, residents, sports organizations, and other City departments in a professional manner.

Vacancy Information

There is one (1) current full-time (FLSA: Exempt) vacancy with a 4/10 schedule, working Monday through Thursday from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (including a 1-hour unpaid lunch break). Work hours and/or the work schedule may be adjusted based on the operational needs of the City. This position is fully on-site. Remote work is not available for this position.

Under the direction of the Recreation Superintendent, plans, organizes, and evaluates a variety of recreational programs and services at various recreational facilities; supervises and evaluates staff assigned to recreational facilities, and/or recreational programs and services.

(These functions are representative and may not be present in all positions in the class. Management reserves the right to add, modify, change or rescind related duties and work assignments.)

1. Plans, organizes, manages, evaluates, and staffs a variety of recreational programs and services.
2. Establishes, implements, and monitors performance standards, goals and objectives of assigned recreational programs and services.
3. Prepares, monitors, and controls budget and financial expenditures of assigned recreational programs and services.
4. Develops marketing plans, advertises and promotes assigned recreational programs and services.
5. Supervises, trains, evaluates and participates in the hiring and disciplinary process of assigned staff.
6. Prepares, reviews, and approves reports and other correspondence, including but not limited to, City Council and Parks and Recreation commission agenda items.
7. Supervises the scheduling and coordination of facilities and equipment for general public use; maintains inventory control.
8. Recommends and assists with the maintenance of facilities and equipment as needed.
9. Develops and prepares contracts and other agreements with vendors and other agencies.
10. Communicates with outside agencies, such as the Sheriff's and Fire Departments; resolves public inquiries and complaints.
11. Prepares and maintains records regarding work activity and assigned personnel.
12. Attends meetings, makes oral presentations to city employees, governmental, and/or public groups.
13. May provide staff support to a commission or committee.
14. May write, apply for and administer grants.
15. Performs related duties as required.

A typical way to obtain the requisite qualifications to perform the duties of this class is as follows:

Education and Experience

Bachelor's degree in recreation, public administration, or related field and five (5) years of full-time, paid lead or supervisory experience in recreation or related field. Experience and/or education may be substituted on a year for year basis.

Knowledge of

• Principles and practices of recreation program development and implementation.
• Adult and children's recreational programs; individual and team sports.
• Community recreational and special programs interests and needs.
• Applicable laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures.
• Principles of supervision, training, and evaluation.
• Marketing, advertising and public relations principles and practices.
• City organization, operations, policies and objectives.
• General record keeping practices.
• Budgeting practices and procedures; grant administration.
• Appropriate safety practices and procedures.
• Personal computer software and hardware.
• Office practices and procedures.
• Effective methods of report presentation.
• Purchasing practices and contract administration.

Skill and Ability to

• Effectively develop and administer recreational programs and services.
• Evaluate recreational programs and facilities.
• Effectively prepare marketing plans.
• Supervise, train and evaluate staff.
• Identify and analyze problems and take effective corrective action.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Effectively communicate orally and in writing.
• Maintain accurate records and prepare clear and concise reports.
• Make effective oral presentations.

License and/or Certificate

Possession of a valid California Class C driver's license. Employees in this classification will be enrolled in the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Government Employer Pull Notice Program which confirms possession of a valid driver's license and reflects driving record.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

• Perform work which is primarily sedentary
• Require ability to talk, hear and see.
• Require mobility of arms to reach and dexterity of hands to grasp and manipulate small objects.
• Is subject to inside and outside environmental conditions.
• May be required to use personal and/or city vehicle in the course of employment.
• May be required to work evenings or weekends.

Recruitment Process

Recruitment is open until September 25, 2026, at 11:59 pm. Applications will be reviewed for depth and breadth of experience, and for level and relatedness of education. The most qualified candidates will be invited to participate in the recruitment process, which will consist of the following sections:

• Supplemental Questionnaire, no weight
• Oral exam, weighted at 100%
• Final Selection Interview

The Human Resources Department reserves the right to adjust, modify, delete and/or change the above exam types and/or weights. Supplemental questionnaires are used to evaluate applicant’s indicated abilities with the ideal candidate profile. The Human Resources Department reserves the right to invite those amongst the highest scoring to the next phase of the recruitment.

Appointment

Any offer of employment, or acceptance of an employment offer, is contingent upon passing pre-employment physical, background check and other required tests. All new employees are required to take a loyalty oath.

Other Information

The City of Carson is an Equal Opportunity Employer, dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. We believe in the strength that comes from different perspectives and experiences, and we are committed to building a workforce that reflects the vibrant diversity of our community. This commitment is embraced at all levels of our organization, from our management staff to our policymakers. We partner with our staff and community organizations to ensure our policies and practices remain transparent and equitable. As part of this commitment, we regularly publish updated demographic information on our workforce, including data on diversity and pay equity by race and gender. In accordance with the California Fair Chance Act, the City of Carson will consider all qualified applicants, including those with a criminal history. Applicants are not required to disclose their criminal history or undergo a background check until receiving a conditional job offer. If any concerns arise from a background check, and the conviction is directly related to the role, applicants will have the opportunity to provide context, present mitigating evidence, or dispute the report's accuracy. For more information about the Fair Chance Act, please visit https://calcivilrights.ca.gov/fair-chance-act. The City of Carson intends to provide reasonable accommodations in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. If you need a special accommodation during the recruitment process or would like this information in an alternative format, please contact Human Resources at [phone].

IMPORTANT NOTICE

This recruitment is Promotional

CURRENT CITY OF CARSON EMPLOYEES: Please do not use your City of Carson email address as part of this application. You must indicate a personal email address in order to receive communication and/or notices from Human Resources throughout the recruitment process.