Recreation Specialist I – Aquatics

FHLB Des Moines; Virginia Beach (VA); On-site; USD 45,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual Leave

Health Insurance

Virginia Retirement System

Hybrid Retirement Plan

Job summary

Virginia Beach Parks and Recreation is seeking a full-time Recreation Specialist I focused on Aquatic Facility Management and Lifeguarding. The role includes enforcing safety standards, supervising part-time staff, and teaching swim lessons to maintain a safe, enjoyable aquatic environment.

The position requires a Bachelor’s degree in recreation management or related field (or 4 years of equivalent experience), valid driver’s license, and willingness to work varied hours including weekends and

Qualifications

• Requires a Bachelor’s degree in recreation management, therapeutic recreation, exercise science, or related field; OR any combination of education above high school and four years’ related experience.
• May be required to have a current valid driver’s license.
• All employees may be required to work varied hours including evenings, nights, weekends, holidays and overtime.

Responsibilities

• Perform routine maintenance and safety checks of aquatic facilities per OSHA and local health codes.
• Supervise part-time staff and volunteers, including orientation, scheduling, discipline and training.
• Teach swim lessons and lifeguard when needed and ensure a safe swimming environment.
• Assist with budgeting, reporting, and program evaluations.
• Provide excellent customer service and respond to program inquiries.

Skills

Customer service

Supervision

Communication

Safety awareness

Education

Bachelor’s degree in recreation management or related field

4 years relevant experience or combination of education/experience

Job description

Job Posting End Date:October 16, 2026Department:PARKS AND RECREATIONCompensation Grade:G20Compensation Range & Starting Salary:Pay Range: $44,907.20 - $69,971.20Starting salary – Minimum of the Pay Range.Job Exempt (If No, Position is eligible for overtime):NoScheduled Weekly Hours:40About Us:At Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation, our success is because of our dedicated employees. We are intentional about creating an employee experience where you are empowered to reach your full potential, are supported through strength-based initiatives, and are confident in your abilities. We champion a workplace culture built on our cultural foundations: Professionalism, Respect, Accountability, Integrity, and Citizenship. These guiding principles of behavior cultivate a positive and high performing work environment. Success is recognized and celebrated, and legendary experiences are the core of who we are.Job Duties and Preferred Qualifications:Our CommitmentWork with the best – work for Virginia Beach Parks and Recreation! Join our team and contribute to our 60+ year track record of providing legendary experiences! We are dedicated to promoting healthy lifestyles and protecting our environment. We ensure all residents – regardless of their physical, social, and economic circumstances – can access our programs. By providing enriching and memorable lifelong experiences, we strive to enhance the quality of life for our community by improving the physical and mental well-being of our residents.Day to Day Job DutiesAquatic Facility Management and MaintenanceProvide routine maintenance duties of an aquatic facility per OSHA, state and local health codesAssist with the investigation of accidents and incidentsEnforce safety standards for programs and participants to maintain a safe environmentLifeguard and teach swim lessons during times of staff shortage that include the following duties: provide a safe swimming environment; enforce rules; rescue anyone in danger of drowning; and administer first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, oxygen and use of AED as neededSupervisionSupervise part-time staff and volunteers inclusive of the areas of orientation, scheduling, discipline, training, and evaluation in order to provide quality programs and customer satisfactionTrain staff and volunteers in program adaptationsUnderstand basic accounting, budgetary, assessment, and evaluation proceduresUnderstand and apply safety principlesUnderstand appropriate city, state and federal safety practices, procedures, and regulationsCreate lifeguard and instructional work schedules to provide a safe swimming environmentHandle difficult interpersonal working relationships with employees and the publicProvide occasional lifeguard and instructional responsibilitiesReportsCollect, complete, and assimilate reports, revenue forms, program documentation, incident and accident reportsExperience using computer programs (Word, Excel, Outlook)Aquatic ProgrammingAssist in teaching, planning, coordinating, implementing and evaluating aquatic facility-based recreation programs for youth and adultsCustomer ServiceProvide excellent customer service to internal and external customers in both written and oral formsSupervise and provide feedback to part-time aquatic staff in the delivery of excellent customer serviceRespond to public inquiries regarding programs/proceduresPerform other job duties requiring skills, knowledge and physical requirements as demanded by those duties described or less. Individual assignments will be determined by the supervisor based on the current workloads and department needs.Requires a current and valid Driver’s licenseIdeal CandidateIn addition to the minimum requirements, the ideal candidate must have the following for this position.Valid nationally recognized lifeguarding certification that meets or exceeds the standards set by the American Red Cross. Acceptable certifications include: American Red Cross Lifeguarding/First Aid/CPR/AED, YMCA Lifeguard Training Certification, National Lifeguard, or other nationally recognized certifications that meet equivalent standards.Valid nationally recognized swim instructor certification that meets or exceeds the standards set by the American Red Cross. Acceptable certifications include: American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor, YMCA Swim Instructor Certification, National Safety Council Instructor Certification, Starfish Aquatic Institute Certification, or other nationally recognized certifications that meet equivalent standards.NOTE: Candidates holding certifications other than American Red Cross certifications must successfully complete the required crossover certifications withing 90 days of hire.Additional Desired PreferencesBS Degree in related fieldExperience hiring, training and supervising aquatic personnelOperations and maintenance experience in an aquatic facilityLifeguard Instructor CertificationCPO or AFO CertificationSwim teaching or coaching experienceScheduleWork schedules could include early morning, evening, mid-day, weekends, holidays, or split shifts. Work location may change based on operational and programming needs.Depending on program needs, typical weekday shifts include:--Morning shifts of 5:30 am - 2:00 pm-Mid-shifts of 8:30 am - 5:00 pm, 10:00 am - 6:30 pm or 11:00 am - 7:30 pm-Evening shifts of 1:00 pm 9: 30 pm--Weekend shifts of: Saturday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm and Sunday 8:00 am - 5:00 pmThe individual selected for this position will be housed at a primary site but may be scheduled between other park sites/facilities. Schedules will be adjusted seasonally and will vary weekly based on events, facility coverage, and weather. All employees may be expected to work hours in excess of their normally scheduled hours, overtime, splits shifts or maybe be relocated to another location or job assignment in response to short- term department needs and/or City-wide emergencies including weekends, evenings and holidays.As a condition of employment, all employees must attend P&R Connection (Department Orientation). If selected for the position, you will be provided an approximate training date at the time of hire. Training is held from 8:30am-5:00pm, every other Friday, at the Parks & Recreation Administration Building. When an exemption is permittable, a hybrid version of the training is available, but will require training attendance on a weekend.Alpha IThe position you are applying for is designated as Alpha I, requiring the selected candidate to work, regardless of the City’s operational status. All employees may be expected to work hours in excess of their normally scheduled hours in response to short-term department needs and/or City-wide emergencies.The PerksEmployees who are new to the Virginia Retirement System are eligible for:Annual Leave and Sick LeaveMedical, Dental, Vision, and Prescription CoverageLegal and Identity Theft ProtectionVirginia Retirement System (VRS) Hybrid Retirement Plan & Basic Life InsuranceCommonwealth of Virginia 457 Deferred Compensation Plan (COV457)Basic Life InsuranceOptional Life InsuranceWellness ProgramsEmployee Assistance Program / Work-Life ServicesPaid Maternity/Paternity/Parental Care LeaveAdditional requirements:• DMV Transcript: Yes• CDL: No• Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse: No• CPS Check: No• Physical: No• Respirator: No• Psychological Screening: No• Polygraph: No• At Will: NoThis position is being advertised as a pool, and applications could be used to fill current vacancies and any other similar Recreation Specialist I position that become available within six months from the closing date of this posting.Minimum Requirements:Minimum Qualifications: Requires a Bachelor’s degree in recreation management, therapeutic recreation, exercise science, or a related field; OR any combination of education (above the high school level) and/or experience equivalent to four (4) years in fields utilizing the required knowledge, skills, and abilities and associated with such positions as recreation leader or recreation program supervisor. May be required to have a current and valid driver’s license. May require a Commercial driver’s license. Special Requirements: All employees may be expected to work hours in excess of their normally scheduled hours in response to short-term department needs and/or City-wide emergencies. Must be available to work varied hours, evenings, nights, weekends, holidays and overtime when required to meet operational needs. This position may require incumbents to wear and maintain appropriate personal protective equipment such as, but not limited to, steel-toed shoes, hard hats, safety glasses, gloves, or other safety attire and equipment in designated areas of risk. Specific requirements will be determined and communicated by the employee’s supervisor based on position assigned. Alpha I Status: Positions within this class have been designated as Alpha I positions requiring employees to work during inclement weather, regardless of the City’s operational status. Special Requirements: for Aquatics Only: Must possess valid certifications in American Red Cross Lifeguarding/First Aid/CPR/AED (Automated External Defibrillator) and American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor. Occasionally to frequently required to lifeguard during times of staff shortage. Lifeguarding duties include providing a safe swimming environment, enforcing rules, rescuing anyone in danger of drowning, administering first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, oxygen and use of AED. Special Requirements: for Early Childhood Programs Only: Must be at least 21 years of age and meet the current minimum program director staff qualifications as listed in the Standards for Licensed Child Day Centers document published by the Department of Education, Commonwealth of Virginia. Special Requirements: for Therapeutic Recreation Only: Must possess a national certification as a Therapeutic Recreation Specialist - Professional level. Special Requirements: for Group Fitness Only: Must possess a current national level Group Fitness certification from ACE, NASM, or comparable. Certification must be recognized by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA). Special Requirements: for Personal Training Only: Must possess a current national level Personal Training certification from ACSM, ACE, NASM, or comparable. Certification must be recognized by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA).Skills:Working Conditions:Per HR Policy 6.19, Americans with Disabilities, the City follows the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in all hiring and employment decisions. The City shall not discriminate on the basis of disability in its hiring and employment practices. The City shall make reasonable accommodations for the known physical or mental limitations of a qualified applicant or employee with a disability upon request unless the accommodation would cause an undue hardship on the operation of the City’s business.The Working Conditions Summary is intended to provide a general overview of the environmental conditions inherent in the job setting, as well as the physical, mental, and sensory requirements necessary to perform the essential functions of the position in the noted job profile. Please copy and paste the URL below into your web browser to view the Working Conditions Summary for this position.https://workingcondition-summary-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/P3819.pdfOfficial Job Descriptions:To browse official job descriptions, please access this link - https://virginiabeach.gov/careers/job-descriptions-pay-plans?search=&group=EVRS Contribution: All full-time employees are required to contribute 5% of annual salary toward their retirement account; in accordance with VRS retirement provisions. This will be handled through a pre-tax payroll deduction.Drug Free Workplace: The City of Virginia Beach maintains a drug free workplace.Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Statement: The City of Virginia Beach is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing a diverse and inclusive work environment. We do not discriminate against any applicant or employee on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected status as defined by applicable law.