Recreation Specialist

About the role

The City of Billings is seeking a Recreation Specialist to develop, coordinate, schedule, and implement specialized recreation programs and facilities for youth/teens, adults, seniors and families in various areas such as sports, fitness, wellness, camps, aquatics, outdoor adventure, education, special events, facility rentals, and other specialized interest areas.

Responsibilities

• Develop, coordinate, schedule and implement recreation programs and special events for assigned areas.
• Research and recommend new programs and facility ideas, opportunities, concepts and designs.
• Develop proposed program and facility operation budgets and fee schedules.
• Responsible for program revenues tracking and the consistent monitoring program expenses.
• Compile and maintain program reports including verification of employee work hours and all direct costs associated with each program.
• Evaluate program success and recommend improvements or changes for the future.
• Advertise, interview, select, train, supervise, motivate and evaluate seasonal employees.
• Develop and conduct staff orientation, on-going training, on-site observances of programs in progress, and updating of program manuals and job descriptions for all seasonal staff.
• Supervise, train, schedule, instruct, assign, plan, maintain standards, coordinate activities, act on employee problems, and recommend disciplinary action for seasonal employees.
• Implement necessary precautions to assure general safety for all program participants and staff.
• Coordinate a safety training program for recreation program and facility staff.
• Inspect recreation facilities, equipment, and vehicles to ensure safe and proper working conditions.
• Demonstrate and operate safe and proper use of equipment and/or vehicles used for recreation programs and facilities.
• Participate and assist with Recreation Division annual budget preparation.
• Participate in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies, and priorities for programs and facilities in the Recreation Division.
• Assist and participate in a variety of organizational studies, investigations, operational studies and special projects including manpower, material and equipment utilization studies.
• Recommend modifications to programs, policies, and procedures as appropriate to improve efficiency and cost effectiveness of programs, facilities and operations.
• Participate or serve on a variety of community organizations boards.
• Attend and participate in professional association meetings both nationally and in the state of Montana.
• Stay abreast of new trends, innovations, and regulations in the field.
• Work with the school district and other community organizations to ensure proper activity space and use of facilities.
• Assist in the preparation, start-up, winterization and operation of City aquatic facilities.
• Assist in the preparation, start-up, winterization and operation of Batting Cage facility.
• Design and create flyers, brochures, signs, and other promotional materials.
• Produce and develop marketing strategies and materials for recreation programs and facilities.
• Aid in the management of the department's website (BillingsParks.org).
• Contribute to the department's social media site(s).
• Provide customer service assistance by answering department's main reception telephone, assisting walk-in customers, and registering participants.
• Utilize and fully implement the department's online program registration system (RecTrac).

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in parks and recreation, physical education, leisure services, or a related field; AND two (2) years of recreation program experience; OR any equivalent combination of education, training, experience, knowledge, skills, and/or abilities which allow an individual to perform the duties of the position.
• A valid Montana driver's license or one must be obtained within thirty (30) days of employment.

Preferred Qualifications

• The ability and interest to attain Certified Parks and Recreation Professional (CPRP).
• A Certified Aquatic Facility Operator (AFO) and/or a Certified Pool/Spa Operator (CPO).
• A State of Montana Commercial Driver's License (CDL) with passenger endorsement.