Recreation Specialist - Institutional (Recreation Specialist)

US Bureau of Prisons/Federal Prison System; Grand Marsh (WI); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

US Bureau of Prisons seeks qualified recreation professionals to foster humane, secure environments and support reentry efforts for inmates and the community. Basic requirements emphasize either specialized education in recreation or relevant experience, with graduate education options at GL-07 or GL-09 levels.

The role expects leadership in planning, organizing, and evaluating recreation programs, and collaboration with facility staff to ensure safe, engaging activities.

Qualifications

• Undergraduate and Graduate Education: Major study in recreation or related fields.
• Specialized Experience demonstrating ability to apply principles of recreation (for positions above GS-5).
• GL-07 requires 1 full year of graduate level education or superior academic achievement.
• GL-09 requires a Master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree.

Responsibilities

• Experience supervising team sports and activities or tournaments.
• Experience developing and overseeing a recreation program's daily operation and directing participants.
• Experience tracking participation in programs using a computer program.

Skills

Program planning

Team supervision

Recreation administration

Education

Undergraduate and Graduate Education in recreation or related fields

Master's degree or 2 years of graduate study (GL-09)

Job description

Corrections professionals who foster a humane and secure environment and ensure public safety by preparing individuals for successful reentry into our communities.

To be considered for the position, you must meet the following qualification requirements.

Basic Requirements:

Education:

Undergraduate and Graduate Education: Major study -- general recreation, or one of the appropriate fields of recreation such as outdoor recreation; recreation and parks leadership; wild land recreation management; natural resources recreation; youth recreation; public, urban, or community recreation; special populations recreation (e.g., senior citizens, institutional, etc.); or physical education.

OR

Experience:

Specialized Experience (for positions above GS-5): Experience that demonstrated the ability to apply the principles of one or more specialty areas of recreation. Examples of qualifying specialized experience include:

• Planning, organizing, coordinating, supervising, or evaluating community, industrial, outdoor, institutional, or other recreational programs.
• Planning, establishing, or evaluating a recreational curriculum for junior college or higher academic levels.
• Instructing in the principles and techniques of recreational program planning and management.
• Serving in a leadership role in the programs and activities of local, regional, and/or national recreational organizations.

AND

In addition to meeting the Basic Requirements above, applicants must have:

Education:

GL-07: 1 full year of graduate level education or superior academic achievement.

GL-09: A Master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B or J.D., if related.

OR

Experience:

GL-07 and GL-09: You must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and complexity to the next lower grade level. To be creditable, this experience must have equipped the applicant with the particular qualifications to successfully perform the duties of the position, and must typically be in or related to the position to be filled.

Some examples of this qualifying experience are:

GL-07:

• Experience in supervising team sports and activities or tournaments.
• Experience that demonstrates skill in a wide range of participant interest, experience in developing and overseeing a recreation program's daily operation and primarily organize and direct participants.
• Experience tracking participation in programs using a computer program.

GL-09:

• Experience in developing and implementing recreational activities and arrange for community resources, experience in developing indoor and outdoor activities to meet the needs of an inmate population.
• Experience preparing financial requests for new recreational equipment within established guidelines.
• Experience speaking in front of large groups or participants to explain recreation and leisure opportunities at a facility.

OR

Combination of Education and Experience:

GL-07 and GL-09: You may have a combination of successfully completed higher education and experience. This experience must have equipped you with the particular qualifications to perform the major duties of this position as described above.

If applicable, credit will be given for paid and unpaid experience. To receive proper credit, you must show the actual time (such as the number of hours worked per week) spent in activities.

**Your eligibility for consideration will be based on your responses to the questions in the application.**