Recreation and Athletics Programs Manager

Job Description

Job Description

Recreation and Athletics Programs Manager

Job Description

Organizational Description 

DSAL’s mission is to implement the Community Capitals Policing model, which builds on existing community capitals (natural, human, social, economic, built, political, and cultural) to create safer, healthier, more vibrant communities with authentic opportunities for all. DSAL, a standalone 501(c)(3) nonprofit, works within the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office Behavioral Health Unit, alongside sworn Sheriff’s Office personnel and behavioral health clinicians to accomplish this mission. 

DSAL recreation programs offer no- and low-cost soccer, boxing, fitness, and other recreational activities for low-income community members and provide opportunities for sheriff's deputies to interact positively with members of the community. 

DSAL community development programs endeavor to provide support for community groups, empower community members to engage in the political process, engage in creative placemaking, and make their community a more vibrant, healthy place to live, work, and play. 

DSAL General Competencies 

These are the qualities that all DSAL employees are expected to exhibit. 

• Efficiency: Able to produce significant output with minimal wasted effort. 

• Organization: Plans, organizes and budgets in an efficient, productive manner, and focuses on key priorities. Does not let important details fall through the cracks or derail a project. 

• Proactivity: Acts without being told what to do, and brings new ideas to the organization. Moves quickly and takes the initiative on matters of importance. 

• Tenacity: Asks questions until the way forward is clear. Demonstrates a willingness to go the distance to get something done. Follow-through on commitments.

• Intellectual curiosity: Learns quickly, and demonstrates a desire to absorb new information and put it into practice. 

• Flexibility: Adapts quickly to changing priorities and conditions. Copes well with complexity and ambiguity. 

• Innovation: Creates new approaches to intractable problems. Isn’t tied to old ways of doing business or solving problems. 

• Respect: Maintains courteous and professional relationships with staff, faculty, and the public; Is responsive and fair toward all co-workers. Follow through on all requests. 

• Communication: Keeps coworkers and other parties informed of relevant meetings and work progress. Communicates expectations clearly, gives timely feedback; Delegates responsibility where appropriate based on co-workers’ and subordinates’ ability and potential. 

• Have an Asset Based Youth Development approach: understand that young people need encouragement as well as standards and expectations to meet. Hold young people to those high standards and encourage them to keep pushing for more through hard work and effort. 

• Keep Community Development in mind: recognize that your relationships with individuals can lead to the opportunity to connect them to other parts of the community, including ACSO Deputies, Therapists, other DSAL programs, parents, and other community-based resources. 

Job Summary 

This is a hands-on management role that balances departmental leadership with direct program delivery. The manager develops, coordinates, teaches, and evaluates recreation and fitness programming; leads staff and program operations; maintains safe and inclusive environments; and ensures that participation data and required documentation are accurate and timely. The role is based primarily at the ACDSAL Fitness Arena, with regular and substantial teaching, program development, and meeting responsibilities at REACH Ashland Youth Center. Travel to other ACDSAL and partner sites throughout Alameda County is required as needed.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Department Leadership and Staff Supervision

  • Lead the day-to-day operation, quality, safety, staffing, and participant experience of ACDSAL's Recreation and Athletics Department.

  • Directly supervise assigned program leads and staff; provide indirect leadership to the broader recreation team through designated leads and supervisors.

  • Set clear expectations, delegate responsibilities, monitor performance, and provide timely coaching, feedback, training, accountability, and professional-development support.

  • Lead or support recruitment, interviewing, hiring, onboarding, training, and succession development for recreation and athletics positions.

  • Maintain current staff rosters, certifications, assignments, and schedules; adjust staffing for seasonal programs, special events, absences, and changing operational needs.

  • Address routine staff and operational issues and coordinate significant performance or personnel matters with the Operations Manager and Executive Director.

• Program Leadership, Instruction, and Youth Development

  • Serve as ACDSAL's primary instructor and program lead for recreation and fitness programming at REACH Ashland Youth Center, including regular direct teaching and facilitation.

  • Develop and maintain a seasonal menu of standards-based programs aligned with REACH's schedule, priorities, participant interests, and available resources.

  • Design, adapt, and deliver indoor and outdoor activities for youth, families, and special populations that are age-appropriate, inclusive, engaging, and physically active.

  • Promote teamwork, confidence, self-reflection, social skills, sportsmanship, healthy choices, and positive youth development.