Recreation Specialist - Events

About the role

Performs professional work supporting the planning, coordination, and delivery of recreation programs, events, and facility operations. Assists with implementing a wide range of services designed to enhance community engagement and provide high-quality recreational experiences.

Work includes program development, customer service, administrative support, and oversight of part-time staff involved in daily operations and program activities. Performs related duties as required.

Shift Hours and/or Days worked: Tuesday-Saturday, Hours Required for this position: 40

Responsibilities

• Assists with the development and implementation of recreation programs by identifying community needs, aligning offerings with industry standards, and supporting cost-effective programs that meet departmental and organizational goals.
• Supports the coordination and delivery of public and private special events by assisting with scheduling, setup/takedown, on-site operations, and customer service to ensure successful and well-managed events.
• Assists with daily facility operations by ensuring frontline staff have the training, resources, and equipment needed to process registrations, reservations, payments, and refunds, and by helping resolve customer service issues.
• Assists with the daily operations of Tree Top Quest by ensuring staff understand and follow established guidelines and protocols in order to ensure a safe experience by guests.
• Supports the safe operation of recreation amenities or attractions by ensuring staff follow established guidelines, safety protocols, and operational procedures to provide a positive guest experience.
• Provides instruction, guidance, and supervision to participants during programs and activities, ensuring a safe, engaging, and enjoyable experience for all ages and abilities.
• Assists with evaluating program effectiveness and participant satisfaction, recommending improvements, and contributing to the development of marketing and promotional materials to support participation.
• Monitors, inventories, and maintains equipment, materials, and supplies needed for recreation programs, events, and facility operations.
• Stays informed about current recreation trends and best practices, incorporating new ideas, innovations, and opportunities into program offerings.
• In the absence of senior staff, supervises part-time and seasonal employees, assisting with recruitment, training, scheduling, and performance support to ensure safe and effective program and facility operations.
• Conducts routine facility, trail, or site inspections and performs light maintenance or reporting to ensure recreation areas remain safe, accessible, and well-maintained.
• Provides administrative support by completing required documentation such as financial records, attendance logs, incident/accident reports, maintenance requests, and payroll-related information.
• Collaborates with other recreation and parks staff to support department-wide programs, services, and initiatives.

Requirements

• Education: Required: High School Degree or equivalent. Preferred: Bachelors Degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in recreation or related field, or equivalent experience and education.
• Experience: Required: One (1) year experience in recreation programming and supervision. Preferred: Three (3) or more years of recreation experience.
• Certifications/Licenses: Required: Valid Virginia driver’s license with good driving record. Preferred: Current CPR, First Aid and AED certification or ability to obtain.

Skills

• General knowledge of the principles, practices and methods of community recreation program delivery.
• General knowledge of community recreational needs.
• General knowledge of marketing methods as applied to recreation services.
• Some knowledge of basic accounting practices.
• Ability to plan, schedule and coordinate recreation programs.
• Ability to plan and supervise the work of others.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with employees, customers and the general public.
• Effective communication skills both verbally and in writing to a wide variety of staff and customer.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to develop and implement recreation programs for all ages.
• Skilled in the use of standard computer software.
• Ability to learn and effectively use new software programs.
• Awareness of risk management issues as related to the delivery of recreation services.
• Ability to analyze programs and evaluate performance against established objectives.
• Ability to work outdoors in a wide range of environments including rain, snow, wind, cold, and heat.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Assists with the supervision of part time staff and volunteers.

Additional Requirements

• Subject to a complete criminal history and Child Protective Services background search with acceptable results.
• Must be able to perform the job as described in the Physical and Environmental Demands section of this job description.
• May be subject to DMV driving record review as required by amount of work related driving, specified by support responsibilities.
• Must be willing to work a flexible schedule including nights, weekends and some holidays.