Parks and Recreation is seeking a highly creative candidate with a passion for environmental education and outdoor recreation. The successful candidate will use their Environmental/Natural Science knowledge to build our community through innovative programming. The candidate should exhibit exemplary interpersonal skills with the ability to establish and maintain collaborative and healthy working relationships, both internally and externally. Self-motivated, community-oriented, individuals with a vision and passion for the environment, natural resources and recreation are encouraged to apply. Work is performed under the general supervision of the Chief Naturalist. Duties include providing hands-on environmental educational demonstrations, programs and workshops to a variety of audiences and groups, assist with the development of environmental displays, as well as assisting with the daily operations of the Nature Zone and the Naturalist/Outdoor Recreation Program. This position is full time with benefits.
Essential Duties
- Leads, manages, supervises and evaluates staff.Works with the Volunteer Coordinator to recruit and supervise volunteers, community work program staff and tutors.
- Plans, promotes and provides a wide variety of programs for citizens of all age groups and interests, including classes, activities, programs, camps, fitness/athletic and special events in centers, schools and parks. Researches and routinely introduces new program opportunities to meet needs of citizens. Recruits and secures qualified instructors, speakers, entertainers, coaches and volunteers to support programs.
- Conducts program evaluations and participates in program and departmental planning initiatives. Actively seeks participant feedback to determine effectiveness of programs.
- Supervises programs, site and participants ensuring the safety of citizens and staff by maintaining order and enforcing policies. Maintains a welcoming environment by upholding department values and enforcing rules. Administers routine First Aid and CPR as needed.
- Directs registration of participants in classes, specialized camps and programs. Utilizes software to manage the registration process.
- Works with other recreation program staff to plan, provide and evaluate special activities/events that reach a City-wide audience based on Needs Assessment and Citizen Satisfaction Survey results.
- Works collaboratively with other City staff and community partners. Creates, establishes and manages partnerships community groups, schools, churches, colleges and partner organizations to identify and address citizen needs. Acts as department liaison to these groups, speaking before groups as needed. Prepares and writes agreements, memorandums of understanding for partner groups.
- Establishes and maintains positive relationships with program participants and neighborhood residents. Encourages neighborhood and community participation in programs through good will, local marketing and networking. Resolves problems involving participants, volunteers and staff.
- Prepares budget requests for equipment/supplies, personnel and services. Prepares financial reports and program documentation to assist with the preparation of program budgets. Solicits resources and donations to support programs. Receipts, deposits and reports collection of monies. Procures supplies and services to support programs.
- Performs and directs general administrative tasks, including preparing reports, completing time sheets, maintaining files, photocopying, performing data entry, preparing correspondence, answering telephone, and responding to requests for information.
- Oversees the daily operation of a recreational facility, including the efficient use of personnel, fiscal resources and space. Opens, closes and secures facilities. Inventories equipment and ensures proper maintenance and storage.
- Oversees and performs established custodial responsibilities. Inspects facilities and equipment for condition, cleanliness and safety, prevents supply and facility vandalism and reports facility maintenance problems immediately.
- Works with department staff to coordinate program publicity and preparation of marketing materials, including preparing and distributing information to the community, preparing monthly calendars and newsletters, preparing articles and public service announcements, designing flyers, appearing on radio and television shows, speaking to community groups, taking photographs and preparing displays, assisting with the departmental TV show and providing program information for the website.
- Periodically works in conjunction with schools and other partners in developing and supervising programs outside of the center environment.
ADDITIONAL ESSENTIAL DUTIES WHEN ASSIGNED TO THE NATURALIST/ OUTDOOR RECREATION PROGRAM
- Provides hands-on environmental educational demonstrations, programs and workshops to a variety of audiences and groups.
- Assists with daily operations of the Nature Zone and the Naturalist/Outdoor Recreation Program.
- Provide animal care including feeding, cleaning and maintenance of habitats, and general health and well-being.
- Work independently to provide daily operational support at Ivy Creek Park including summer rental program and year-round animal care.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with City Policy and applicable laws.
- Provides leadership and supervises subordinate staff, seasonal workers, instructors, interns, and student workers assigning and directing work; processing payroll; appraising performance including disciplining as appropriate; addressing complaints and resolving problems.
- Recruits and assists with the management of work program employees, volunteers and coaches and class instructors
- Periodically assumes additional supervisory responsibilities in the absence of the Recreation Supervisor.
- Point of contact for all department sponsored special events unless the event falls into another department subdivision such as Athletics.
ADDITIONAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:
- When unusual situations occur and/or the City Manager declares a State of Emergency, all City employees may be required to accept special assignments and perform as needed to ensure appropriate service delivery.
- Assists with the Emergency Management Plan and implements as needed.
- Attends training meetings to include supervisory training and other professional seminars for professional development.
- Coordinates transportation for programs and drives City vehicles including large vans/mini bus as needed.
- Assists with maintenance of facilities, including minor carpentry, custodial services and building and grounds maintenance tasks.
- Supports community gardens associated with center healthy and active living programs.
- meets established deadlines for program submission, class details, instructor contracts and instructor and participant communication.
- Works and supports all department sponsored special events scheduled on weekends.
Minimum Education and Experience Required
Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in parks and recreation, physical education, environmental education (in respect to working in the Naturalist area) or related field preferred or equivalent combination of education and experience. Some experience working in a recreation setting developing programs, supervising and leading staff. Some knowledge and experience in the administration of recreation programming.
Additional Requirements
CERTIFICATIONS, LICENSES AND REGISTRATIONS
- Possession of valid driver's license issued by the Commonwealth of Virginia and acceptable driving record according to City criteria.
- CPR, First Aid (within 6 months of employment)
OTHER REQUIREMENTS:
- Professional and comprehensive knowledge of recreation services and program management.
- Skilled in public relations and public service experience.
- Thorough knowledge of the philosophies and practices of community recreation. Thorough knowledge of operation and daily activities of a community center. Ability to instruct others in group activities. Ability to plan and implement programs and successfully work on multiple programs simultaneously.
- Must have general knowledge of the principles of supervision.
- Must be able to maintain good relations with all staff, participants and other concerned groups.
- Must have the ability to work with and cooperate with participants, associates, and the general public.
- Must be able to manage time effectively, show work initiative and work independently.
- Must be available to work a flexible work schedule, including evenings and weekends.
- Must be able to communicate effectively orally and in writing and have ability to prepare written reports.
- Reliable, consistent attendance is essential to this position.
- Must have the ability to transport themselves to and from various events, meetings, other relevant appointments and to various locations.
- Ability to drive city vehicles including a 15-passenger mini bus or 12-passenger van.
- Must obtain First Aid and CPR certifications within six months of employment.
- Prior to employment satisfactory checks on the following must be obtained: criminal record, Child Protective Services, driving record and employment reference checks.
- Solid computer skills, to include Microsoft and email applications, ability to learn and use data base software for management of recreation programs.
- Must enjoy working outdoors.
- Must successfully complete IS100 and IS700 National Incident Management (NIMS) training within 90 days of employment. May also be required to complete higher levels of NIMS training as determined appropriate for the position.
OTHER QUALIFICATIONS:
LANGUAGE SKILLS
Ability to read and interpret documents such as procedure manuals, safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions. Ability to write routine correspondence, reports, news releases and articles for marketing purposes. Ability to speak effectively over the phone and before groups of customers or employees of an organization.
MATHEMATICAL SKILLS
Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.
REASONING ABILITY
Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed but uninvolved written or oral instructions. Ability to deal with problems involving a few concrete variables in standardized situations.
INTERPERSONAL SKILLS
Ability to provide conflict resolution and solid interpersonal skills involving subordinates, volunteers, participants, citizens, partners, suppliers or other City employees. Ability to coordinate a project/program or lead a medium-size team.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
- While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; stand; walk both indoors and outdoors for extended periods; sedentary tasks minimal; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and talk or hear.
- Must be physically able to demonstrate the proper technique to perform a variety of physical activities and have the ability to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move equipment and supplies customary and reasonable in a recreation environment.
- The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and walk up and down several flights of stairs daily.
- Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. Visual acuity is required for depth perception, peripheral vision, preparing and analyzing written computer data, determining the accuracy and thoroughness of work, and observing general surroundings and activities.
- Vocal communication is required for conveying detailed or important instructions to others accurately, loudly or quickly.
- Hearing is required to receive detailed information through oral communication and/or make fine distinctions in sound.
- The employee must be able to drive a vehicle at all times of the day or night.
- Must be able to work outdoors, sometimes in inclement weather and in hot and cold outside temperatures.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Work is performed indoors in a recreation center environment and in a normal office environment however daily responsibilities will be outdoors which includes contact with dust, dirt, noise and inclement weather and occasional exposure to fumes. Work will require a considerable amount of physical activity including walking, standing, kneeling, bending, crouching, reaching, stooping and climbing both indoors and outdoors for extended periods. Must be physically able to demonstrate the proper technique to perform a variety of physical activities and have the ability to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move equipment and supplies customary and reasonable in a recreation environment. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate, although special events may be loud.
Worker may be exposed to bloodborne pathogens and required to wear specialized protective equipment.
IND1
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $41,496.00 - $76,273.60 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Referral program
- Retirement plan
- Tuition reimbursement
- Vision insurance
Schedule:
- 8 hour shift
- Monday to Friday
- Weekends as needed
License/Certification:
- First Aid Certification (Preferred)
- CPR Certification (Preferred)
Work Location: In person