Recreation Specialist - Special Events

Gilbert, Arizona; Gilbert (AZ); Hybrid; USD 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work option

Job summary

Town of Gilbert is seeking a Recreation Specialist - Special Events to plan and run community events, manage staff, and handle registrations and marketing. The role requires an associate degree in recreation or related field and 2+ years in customer service and supervision.

Hybrid or remote work is eligible. A pre-employment physical and drug screen are required, and duties may include evenings, weekends, or holidays to meet event demand.

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 or program oversight in a recreation setting.
• One year of marketing, cash handling, or clerical experience.

Responsibilities

• 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.
• Schedule may include working nights, weekends, and holidays as needed based on operational demand.

Skills

Customer service

Supervisory experience

Marketing

Cash handling

Clerical experience

Education

Associate's degree in recreation or related field

Job description

We Are Seeking
Team Gilbert has an exciting opportunity for a highly motivated professional to fill the position of Recreation Specialist - Special Events. With every job we fill, our focus is on providing best-in-class service to our citizens while offering opportunities for professional growth in a rewarding, innovative work environment.
The Recreation Specialist - Special Events 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.
• Schedule may include working nights, weekends, and holidays as needed based on operational demand.
• View the full job description here.

Anticipated Recruiting Timeline

Posting Closes: November 8, 2026
Virtual Interview Submission Deadline: November 22, 2026
In-Person Interviews: December 14-15, 2026
Anticipated New Hire Start Date: January 4, 2027

• Subject to change and for planning purposes only

About You

• 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 or program oversight in a recreation setting.
• One year of marketing, cash handling, or clerical experience.

Licensing/Certifications

• Valid Arizona Driver's License.

This position requires a pre-employment physical and drug screen.

This position is an At-Will position and is FLSA Non-Exempt - eligible for overtime compensation.

This position has been identified as an eligible position for a Hybrid or Remote work agreement.

Modified work privileges are approved at the sole discretion of the department director; as such, the department reserves the right to modify or discontinue modified work arrangements at any point.

Regardless of work location (Remote, On-Site, or Hybrid) Town of Gilbert employees are required to reside in the state of Arizona.

Physical Demands And Working Conditions For This Position Include

This position has been designated as a Medium work position. Click here to learn more about the different physical exertion levels as defined by the Social Security Administration.

The physical demands and working conditions information above is meant to provide a general idea of the conditions for this role. Gilbert is committed to being an inclusive employer of candidates with a wide range of abilities, and looks for opportunities to accommodate different abilities within reason.

Why Team Gilbert?

To view the slide show presentation above, click here.

We Are Here to Help!

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 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.

Gilbert offers a comprehensive benefits package for qualifying positions that includes medical and dental insurance, life insurance, disability, pension, tuition reimbursement, parental leave, babies at work, and more! Click Here to see a list of our benefit offerings at-a-glance, or visit our website to see our full employee benefits guide.

01

In the questions that follow, you will be asked for information about your work history, to include things such as dates of employment, names of employers and specific details of the work you did. In answer to questions asking you to describe your work experience, if you do not have that type of experience, enter "N/A". Answers provided in this supplemental questionnaire must be substantiated and verifiable in the employment history section of your application. Be aware that submitting a resume in lieu of completing the employment history section of the application and failing to provide all of the information requested in these supplemental questions will disqualify you from further consideration, so be thorough in answering the questions. Please indicate whether or not you accept these terms by checking the appropriate response below.

• Yes
• No

02

Do you have an associate's degree or two year full time experience working in the field of recreation or event management?

• Yes
• No

03

Do you have experience in planning athletic tournaments, concerts, festivals or similar events?

• Yes
• No

04

If you answered yes to the previous question, please describe in detail your experience and how many years experience you have in planning or working on community events. If not, enter N/A.

05

Do you have experience in Audio Visual, sound systems, and lighting?

• Yes
• No

06

If you answered yes to the previous question, please describe in detail your experience. If not, enter N/A.

07

How many years of experience do you have in working with vendors, sponsors and/or entertainment groups; communication, recruitment, contract management?

• No experience in this area
• Less than 1 year
• 1 - 2 years
• 2+ years

08

If you answered yes to the previous question, please describe in detail your experience. If not, enter N/A.

09

Please indicate your level of competence with MS Office Suite to include Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Publisher by selecting from the options below.

• No Experience in this area
• Beginner
• Intermediate
• Advanced

10

If you indicated in the previous question that you do have this type of experience, please give examples of how you have used this software in a work setting. If not, enter N/A.

11

The Following Question Is Strictly Confidential And Will Not Be Made Part Of Your Application For Employment. Preference Status Per Arizona Revised Statute 38-492 (select All That Apply)

• Veteran
• Disabled Veteran
• Veteran's Spouse / Surviving Spouse
• Disabled Person
• Required Question