Recreation Services Specialist

City of Alameda; Alameda (CA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

CalPERS Retirement

Medical & Dental coverage

Vacation & Holidays

Sick Leave

Deferred Compensation

Job summary

The City of Alameda is seeking a community minded Recreation Services Specialist to coordinate and promote comprehensive sports and recreation programs. You will help grow youth and adult sports opportunities and supervise staff and volunteers.

The ideal candidate will have significant experience in sports operations, program development, and coordination of leagues and tournaments. A four-year degree in recreation or related field is required, with willingness to work irregular hours.

Qualifications

• Two years of professional recreation experience including supervision of part-time staff and program oversight.
• Experience developing, coordinating and managing leagues, tournaments and other sports programs.
• Knowledge of trends in recreation services and the ability to mentor staff.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate, create, implement and promote assigned recreation services and programs including sports, aquatics, youth, seniors and parks.
• Oversee daily operations, schedule events, trips, tournaments and special events; provide transportation as needed.
• Develop marketing plans and promote programs to increase participation and revenue; prepare promotional materials.

Skills

Youth sports

Program development

Sports operations

Staff supervision

Education

Bachelor's degree in recreation/physical education

Job description

The City of Alameda is seeking a community focused, organized, and proactive individual to fill one (1) current full‑time Recreation Services Specialist in the Recreation and Parks Department focusing on sports and recreational operations.

The Position

Under direction, the Recreation Services Specialist coordinates, creates, implements, and promotes a variety of community recreation services and programs; and performs other related work as required.

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in youth and/or adult sports, recreation programming, or sports operations, with demonstrated experience developing, coordinating, and managing leagues, tournaments, and other sports programs. The successful candidate will be an organized, proactive, and community‑focused professional who can provide leadership in the development and growth of youth and adult sports opportunities.

The ideal candidate will also have the ability to mentor and develop staff members who have familiarity with creating and coordinating leagues and tournaments, helping them build their knowledge and skills in sports programming, operations, and program development. They will be expected to evaluate existing programs, identify opportunities for growth and increased participation, develop new sports offerings, and establish effective systems and processes for the successful operation of leagues, tournaments, and recreational activities. Experience working with community organizations, schools, sports organizations, volunteers, contractors, and other partners is highly desirable.

1. Coordinates, creates, implements, and promotes a variety of assigned recreation services and programs, including sports and athletics, aquatics, youth and teens, senior citizens, parks and playgrounds, cultural arts (dance, drama, music, and art), leisure activities, facilities utilization, and special events.
2. Oversees daily operations of assigned services and programs; organizes and supervises trips, tournaments, socials, dances, exhibits and other special events; provides program participant transportation, i.e. athletic teams, special field trips and multi‑site/program shuttle.
3. Participates in assessing community recreation, leisure and arts related needs; evaluates services and programs; recommends improvements and modifications; develops new or revises existing services, programs, events and activities utilizing cost covering models.
4. Prepares and develops marketing plans to increase participation and revenue production levels; makes presentations and prepares and distributes promotional materials and information utilizing current communication technology and trends.
5. Works with community groups, non‑profit organizations, business groups and associations, and private providers and contractors to provide recreations services and programs in an efficient and cost effective manner.
6. Solicits and secures sponsorship or donations for a variety of activities or seasonal special events.
7. Negotiates and executes agreements for the provision of recreation services.
8. Coordinates activities and confers with other departments and divisions, agencies, school officials and community representatives.
9. Answers questions and provides information; investigates and resolves complaints.
10. Prepares various reports and summaries; establishes and maintains accurate records and recordkeeping systems.
11. Prepares and monitors assigned program budgets.
12. Recruits, trains, and evaluates assigned staff.

About ARPD

The Alameda Recreation and Parks Department (ARPD) serves a community of nearly 80,000 and are proud to be California’s third oldest recreation program with deep community roots and significant project development opportunities. They strive to be resourceful, responsive and collaborative as an integral part of the city.

• 26 parks spanning 200 acres
• 17 additional recreational facilities
• Diverse array of programming and events for all ages with 120,000 enrolled participants annually.

Benefits of Employment

For a comprehensive listing of benefits, see the Benefit Matrix here.

• CalPERS Retirement: Classic Members: 2% at 55 formula, 8.868% contribution; New Members 2% @ 62 formula, 8.75% contribution.
• Medical: The City contracts with CalPERS to provide comprehensive health coverage to employees. Multiple HMO and PPO plans available
• Dental: Comprehensive dental coverage provided to employees and their eligible dependents.
• Vacation: Starting with 80 hours annually and increasing with years of service.
• Holidays: 11 City Holidays
• Floating Holidays: 6 floating days
• Sick Leave: 96 hours annually; unused sick leave is converted to service credit at retirement
• Deferred Compensation: Up to 1% 457(b) matching City contribution after 1 year of continuous service.

Education

Graduation from an accredited four‑year college or university with major course work in recreation, physical education or related field.

Experience

Two years of professional recreation experience including supervision of part‑time staff and services and program oversight responsibility.

Knowledge

Knowledge of modern practices for recreation and park service provision; modern recreation and park facilities and equipment operation and maintenance; federal, state and local laws, regulations related to recreation services.

Ability

Ability to effectively coordinate, create, implement, and promote assigned recreation services and programs; promote assigned services and programs and meet cost covering goals; interpret and apply applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations; interpret, apply and explain established policies and procedures; prepare reports and summaries; establish and maintain accurate records; plan, administer and evaluate work programs and schedules; interpret and analyze information; clearly define problems and develop solutions; draw valid conclusions and project consequences of decisions and recommendations; set priorities, meet deadlines and make sound decisions; maintain level of knowledge required for satisfactory job performance; communicate effectively; establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, volunteers, school officials, community groups, and the general public; participate in assigned program budget preparation and administration; coordinate and oversee the work of contractors; hire, supervise, train, schedule and evaluate assigned staff.

Special Requirements

Willingness and/or ability to work irregular shifts, including nights and weekends.

Other Requirements

• Membership in the California Park and Recreation Society is desirable.
• First Aid, Red Cross, Water Safety or other specialized certifications may be required, depending on assignment.
• Possession of a valid California Driver's License and satisfactory driving record at the time of appointment is required as a condition of initial and continued employment only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than the employee’s ability to get to/from various work locations in a timely manner, is necessary to perform the essential functions of the position.

Selection Process

The examination process may include an application and supplemental questionnaire evaluation, a written exam, a performance exam, and/or an oral interview. The examination process may test for, but is not limited to, the essential knowledge and abilities listed in the job specification and announcement and will be designed to provide a comprehensive review of each candidate's technical knowledge and overall suitability for the position. Qualified applicants will be notified of the exact date, time, and location of examinations approximately two weeks in advance. Candidates passing all components of the examination process will be placed on an Eligible List. A list of names is certified to the department(s) having vacancies based on the type of examination conducted pursuant to the provision of the City's Civil Service Rules. Final selection will be made from the Eligible List by the Department Head subject to approval by the City Manager. The Department Head may utilize additional selection procedures to make a final hiring decision. Placement on an Eligible List does not guarantee employment. Prior to appointment, a thorough reference check will be conducted which may include a credit check and background. The selection process may be evaluated and revised based on the number of qualified applicants. Federal law requires that prior to employment, you must furnish proof of your identity and eligibility for employment in the United States, as required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

E-Verify

The City of Alameda utilizes the Federal government's E-Verify program and new employees must provide documentation to establish both identity and work authorization, which includes showing a valid United States Social Security card at the time of hire (photocopies not accepted). Veteran's Preference Credit: A job applicant qualifies as a veteran if honorably discharged from active military, reservist, or National Guard duty of at least 18 consecutive months within the past five (5) years of the date of application. In case of discharge attributable to service‑connected injuries or illnesses, the 18 months active‑duties requirement need not be fulfilled. An applicant claiming veteran's preference credit must attach to their application, a legible copy of their DD‑214 verifying the type of discharge and date(s) of active service. NO OTHER DOCUMENTATION WILL BE ACCEPTED.

An Equal Opportunity Employer

The City of Alameda encourages minorities, women and the disabled to apply. It is the City's policy that all aspects of employment and promotion shall be without regard to sex, marital status or disability (except where dictated by requirements of the position), race, sexual orientation, political affiliation, religious creed, color, national origin or age. Qualified disabled persons must be able to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodations. No individual may pose a direct threat to the health or safety of himself/herself or other individuals in the workplace. Barring undue hardship, reasonable accommodations can be made in the application and examination process for disabled individuals or for religious reasons. Requests for reasonable accommodation should be made in advance to the Human Resources Department. Hearing Impaired TDD [phone].