Recreation Specialist - Cactus Yards

Town-of-Gilbert; Gilbert (AZ); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Town of Gilbert seeks a Recreation Specialist – Cactus Yards to lead and coordinate facility programs and events, manage staff, and ensure smooth operation of activities on site. The role involves program development, marketing efforts, and financial handling within a Parks and Recreation setting.

The candidate will supervise staff, maintain equipment, and serve as manager on duty, handling emergencies and enforcing policies; a strong customer-service background is essential.

Qualifications

• Associate's degree in recreation or related field, or equivalent experience in recreation
• Two years of customer service experience
• Two years of supervisory experience, including program oversight, in a recreation setting
• One year of marketing, cash handling, and clerical experience
• Knowledge of planning, implementing, maintaining, and evaluating recreation classes, programs, and events
• Knowledge of contract employee management as well as supervisory principles, practices, and techniques
• Valid Arizona Driver's License
• Skill in Microsoft Office
• Skill in management and conflict resolution, and emergency response
• Skill in customer service, communication and interpersonal skills

Responsibilities

• Plan and implement facility programs and events, including activities and curriculum, purchasing supplies, staffing, contract instructors and vendors, soliciting donations, marketing and evaluating programs and events
• Recommends and/or implements changes to improve and optimize programs; oversees registrations, cancellations, overrides, and proration of fees; monitors programs, responds to and resolves complaints
• Maintain and inspect equipment; identify and communicate facility repair needs
• Develop marketing materials for classes, programs, events and facility information by creating flyers, brochures, social media posts and advertising slides for facility TV's
• Oversee assigned staff to include scheduling and training staff and resolving conflicts
• Cash handling and management including preparing daily cash deposits, processing refunds and recording data in Cash Balance Reports and Monthly Income Revenue Reports; process petty cash, cash reconciliation/reimbursements, distribute invoices, and process refunds
• Manager on duty to include enforcement of policies and procedures, responding to emergency situations and securing facility

Skills

Customer service

Supervisory experience

Marketing

Cash handling

Microsoft Office

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Emergency response

Education

Associate's degree in recreation or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Team Gilbert has an exciting opportunity for a highly motivated professional to fill the position of Recreation Specialist – Cactus Yards.

Address: 4536 Elliot Road. Hours for this position will be Thursday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 7:30 PM, and Saturday through Sunday, 6:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Hours are subject to change.

The Recreation Specialist reports to the Recreation Coordinator. The primary job duties of this position include:

• Plan and implement facility programs and events to include preparing activities and curriculum, purchasing supplies, staffing, contract instructors and vendors, soliciting donations, marketing and evaluating programs and events.
• Recommends and/or implements changes to improve and optimize programs; oversees registrations, cancellations, overrides, and proration of fees; monitors programs, responds to and resolves complaints.
• Maintain and inspect equipment. Identify and communicate facility repair needs.
• Develop marketing materials for classes, programs, events and facility information by creating flyers, brochures, social media posts and advertising slides for facility TV's.
• Oversee assigned staff to include scheduling and training staff and resolving conflicts.
• Cash handling and management to include preparing daily cash deposits, processing refunds and recording data in Cash Balance Report and Monthly Income Revenue Reports. Process petty cash, cash reconciliation/reimbursements, distribute invoices, and process refunds.
• Manager on duty to include enforcement of policies and procedures, responding to emergency situations and securing facility.

Anticipated Recruiting Timeline

Posting Closes: Wednesday, September 23, 2026

Virtual Interview Invites Sent: Wednesday, September 30, 2026

Virtual Interview Submission Deadline: Monday, October 5, 2026

Interview Invites Sent: Thursday, October 8, 2026

In-Person Interviews: Thursday, October 15, 2026

Anticipated New Hire Start Date: Monday, November 9, 2026

*Subject to change and for planning purposes only

At Team Gilbert, we hire innovative, forward-thinking problem-solvers who love what they do! In addition to possessing the ability to live out our core and functional values daily, candidates must possess the following requirements

• Associate's degree in recreation or a related field, or equivalent experience in recreation
• Two years of customer service experience
• Two years of supervisory experience, including program oversight, in a recreation setting
• One year of marketing, cash handling, and clerical experience
• Knowledge of planning, implementing, maintaining, and evaluating recreation classes, programs, and events
• Knowledge of contract employee management as well as supervisory principles, practices, and techniques
• Valid Arizona Driver's License
• Skill in Microsoft Office
• Skill in management and conflict resolution, and emergencyresponse
• Skill in customer service, communication and interpersonal skills

Gilbert is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. If any reasonable accommodation is needed while participating in the application and interviewing process, please contact our People Team (Human Resources) at 480-503-6823. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation.

Gilbert provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.