Recreation Specialist

Location: 478 1/2 Old Hwy 66 • Pay Range: $18.60 - $26.50 • Close Date: August 7, 2026

About the role

The Recreation Specialist organizes, leads, and promotes interest in recreational activities such as arts, crafts, sports, games, and hobbies. This role leads Recreation Assistants in all phases of recreational activities at assigned sites and ensures participants with disabilities have equal access to programs in accordance with the County’s established policies and procedures. Requires participation in basic first aid, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) skills training.

Responsibilities

• Organizes and supervises recreational sports/activities at assigned locations.
• Assists in developing, scheduling, and implementing recreational programs that meet the needs and interests of various age groups and participants with variable physical capabilities.
• Observes clients' physical, social, and behavioral status and participation in activities; relays progress reports to manager and other staff members.
• Provides support to participants with disabilities based on assigned accommodation plans and sound inclusion practices.
• Assists inclusion participants with activities and identified accommodations; utilizes appropriate techniques to motivate and encourage client participation.
• Works in conjunction with other program staff; supervises inclusion participants ensuring their safety, social inclusion, and accommodation.
• Provides recommendations to supervisor for program changes and innovation.
• Enforces rules of a community facility and/or program.
• Schedules activities and arranges for use of a recreational facility in cooperation with assigned supervisor.
• Assists with maintenance duties as necessary.
• Prepares statistical and participant progress reports as needed.
• Assists in budget preparation, planning, purchasing, and administrative duties, including record keeping and tracking attendance of program participants.
• Performs clerical duties as required.
• Transports program participants in multi-passenger vehicles as needed.
• Handles sensitive and/or confidential records, plans, documents, or decisions requiring confidentiality.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or GED.
• Two (2) years of experience in the recreation field working with various age groups and individuals with variable physical and mental abilities.
• Any equivalent combination of related education and/or experience may be considered.
• Successful completion of a post-offer employment medical examination and background investigation.
• Adherence to all County safety guidelines.
• Completion of all FEMA training(s) assigned to this position.
• Possession of a valid New Mexico driver’s license by the date of hire and maintenance of a valid license while employed in this position.
• Completion of required supervisor training, if applicable.
• Skills training in basic first aid and CPR.

Working Conditions

• Works with general direction and with select groups.
• Work performed both indoors (60%) and outdoors (40%).
• Exposure to natural weather conditions when working outdoors.
• Duties performed on sand, gravel, asphalt, grass, wood floors, and tile, which may be wet or dry.
• Required to drive multi-passenger vehicles as needed.
• Variable working hours.
• Work hazards are those normally encountered in the instruction or participation in sports activities.

Equipment, Tools, and Materials

• Sports equipment such as baseball, basketball, football, soccer, tennis, etc.
• Various arts and crafts supplies.
• Clerical equipment including telephone, copier, and basic office supplies.
• Maintenance equipment including mops, brooms, buffers, and window cleaning supplies.

Benefits

Employees of Bernalillo County enjoy:

• Generous leave accruals.
• Career development opportunities.
• Remote and flex-work options as appropriate.
• Longevity pay.
• Education assistance program.
• Health benefits.
• Lucrative retirement options.