Recreation Program Specialist

Recreation Program Specialist

The Recreation Program Specialist is a key member of the Citrus County Parks and Recreation team, responsible for the development, coordination, and management of high-quality recreation programs, including youth and adult sports, outdoor programming, community events, camps, and facility rentals. This role involves supervising seasonal staff and volunteers, maintaining equipment and facilities, managing budgets, and promoting programming through digital and community channels. This position requires strong planning, communication, and analytical skills, along with a proactive and resourceful approach to improving program offerings and ensuring excellent customer service.

Essential Functions:

• Full-time, in-person position based in Lecanto, FL, scheduled hours are Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM; however, schedules may vary, including occasional weekends.
• Design, plan, and lead recreational programs including nature and conservation, sports, arts and crafts, fitness, camps, and special events.
• Assist in developing program schedules, activity guides, and promotional materials.
• Monitor and evaluate program effectiveness; recommend improvements based on participant feedback and performance data.
• Maintain a safe and welcoming environment for all participants.
• Assist with program registration, facility bookings, and equipment inventory.
• Maintain equipment and facilities.
• Coordinate and supervise volunteers, part-time staff, and program assistants as needed.
• Enforce rules and policies to ensure safety and program integrity.
• Collaborate with community organizations, schools, and vendors to enhance programming.
• Maintain accurate records and prepare reports on attendance, incidents, and supplies.
• Assists with reservations, contracts and permits for facility use.
• Assists in budget planning process.
• Assists with marketing for all programs and events, and camps utilizing social media platforms and Content Management Systems (CMS).
• Administers first-aid for accidents or injuries, reports to supervisors and timely documents all accidents and injuries.
• Attend all necessary training and meetings.
• Drives and/or operates a county vehicle and equipment complying with safety policies, rules and laws.
• Performs related duties as required.

Minimum Requirements:

Education, Training, and Experience:

• Associate's or bachelor's degree in Recreation, Leisure Studies, Education, or a related field, (education may be substituted with and an equivalent amount of experience).
• At least one (1) year experience in recreational programming or a similar role preferred.
• At least six (6) months experience in event programming or coordinating preferred.

Certificates and Licenses:

• Valid Florida Driver License (or must obtain within 30 days of establishing residency in Florida).
• Successful completion of Level II Background screening is required. This screening is through The Florida Care Provider Background Screening Clearinghouse:
• Current Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)/First Aid certification or willingness to obtain upon hire.
• Must have or be able to obtain within 90 days certification in FEMA National Incident Management System (NIMS) courses:
• IS-100.c: Introduction to the Incident Command System (ICS); and
• IS-700.b: An Introduction to the National Incident Management System

Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends as needed.
• Excellent customer service skills, strong interpersonal and communication skills and strong attention to detail required.
• Requires ability to maintain courteous and effective relations with County staff, elected officials, community interest groups and the public.
• Proficiency in recreation software systems (e.g., RecTrac, ActiveNet), preferred.
• Must have strong working knowledge of computers and be proficient in the use of Microsoft Office Suite of Products (i.e., Outlook, Word, Excel, etc.).

Physical Requirements/Work Environment:

• The job involves frequent lifting and carrying up to 20 pounds.
• The job requires frequent bending, squatting, kneeling, balancing, and occasional jumping, throwing, twisting and reaching above shoulders.
• The job requires the completion of tasks that involve frequent simple grasping, pushing, pulling, and occasional typing, operate foot controls/levers, driving automotive equipment, and fine manual manipulation.
• The job requires normal visual acuity and field of vision, depth perception and color vision, hearing, and speaking.
• Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Emergency Response/Recovery Activities:

• All employees will be required to work before, during, or after an emergency. During an emergency, employees may temporarily be assigned to work and perform duties outside the normal scope of their position, location, and work schedule to fit the needs of the County and its citizens. Emergency response duties may also include driving and/or operating a county vehicle or equipment and employees must obey all safety policies, and roadway rules and law.

Supplemental Information:

PLEASE REVIEW THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS ON POSTING AND COMMUNICATE HOW YOU MEET THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS IN YOUR APPLICATION/RESUME. MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS MUST BE MET TO BE CONSIDERED. Applications will be carefully reviewed to assess qualifications. Selected applicants will be interviewed to determine who will be hired for the job. The kind and length of related work experience, training and education shown on the application/resume will be an important consideration in the screening process. Relevant experience that is not gained through work experience should be explained in the additional information section of the application.

Must successfully pass a criminal background check, pre-employment physical examination, and drug screen. Drug screens will be in accordance with the Drug Free Workplace Act and/or the Omnibus Transportation Employee Testing Act of 1991.

Citrus County, Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.

Citrus County, Florida Board of County Commissioners (BOCC), is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation, and pregnancy), national origin, age (40 or older), marital status, citizenship, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other protected trait.

Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the Citrus County, Florida Board of County Commissioners in advance to allow sufficient time to provide an accommodation.

Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, candidates eligible for Veterans' Preference will receive preference in employment for vacancies and are encouraged to apply. Candidates claiming Veterans' Preference must attach supporting documentation with each submission that includes character of service (for example, DD Form 214) along with any other documentation as required by Rule 55A-7, Florida Administrative Code.

Pursuant to Chapter 119, Florida Statutes or the "Public Records Law," applications, resumes and personnel records are subject to public inspections. Details regarding the "Public Records Law"/ "The Sunshine Law" / Florida Statutes and the statutory exemptions are available on websites such as the Florida Office of the Attorney General, Florida Senate and Florida Legislature. Additionally, Citrus County Board of County Commissioners Public Information section is located on our website.