Recreation Program Specialist

Job TitleThis position plans, implements and supervises recreation programs for assigned facilities. Reports to a Recreation Supervisor or Superintendent.Job DescriptionUnder general supervision, this position plans, manages or assists with the general operations of a recreational facility to include coordinating and scheduling recreational activities in accordance with demands and availability of space; ensures security of the building, prepares general maintenance requests and work orders; and enforces city rules and regulations pertaining to facility use.Responsible for the effective supervision and administration of assigned program or facility including completing required reports, purchasing, staff organization and development, performance evaluations, employee relations, prioritizing and assigning work and related activities.Coordinates special city-wide events as assigned; plans and coordinates field trips and seminars with guest speakers; serves on committees to help plan and implement special events, programs, and other city recreation activities; promotes recreation programs through the development and distributions of flyers, brochures, new releases, and outreach efforts and community organizations.Maintains inventory of equipment and supplies, and requisitions new equipment as needed.Performs other duties as assigned. Individual assignments will be determined by supervisor based on current workload and department needs.Knowledge, Skills & AbilitiesHas general knowledge of instructing participants in the area of creative, cultural and performing arts. Has general knowledge of the principles and methodologies of planning and leading participants in recreational activities, games and events. Has general knowledge of the proper safety precautions for recreational, creative, theatrical and visual arts activities. Is skilled in the use of variety equipment associated with the recreational and performing arts arena. Is able to plan and implement a variety of creative and cultural recreational activities to meet different target populations. Is able to understand and interpret oral and written instructions. Is able to establish and maintain effective working relationships as necessitated by work assignments.Maintains high standards of accuracy in exercising duties and responsibilities. Exercise immediate remedial action to correct any quality deficiencies that occur in areas of responsibility. Maintains high quality communication and interacts with all departments, co-workers and the general public.Maintains effective and efficient output of all duties and responsibilities as described under "Essential Job Functions."Assumes responsibility for doing assigned work and for meeting deadlines. Completes assigned work on or before deadlines in accordance with directives, policies, standards and prescribed procedures. Accepts accountability for meeting assigned responsibilities in the technical, human and conceptual areas.Attends work regularly and adheres to policies and procedures regarding absences and tardiness. Provides adequate notice to higher management with respect to vacation time and time-off requests.Maintains an enthusiastic, self-reliant and self-starting approach to meet job responsibilities and accountabilities. Strives to anticipate work to be done and initiates proper and acceptable direction for the completion of work with a minimum of supervision and instruction.Exercises analytical judgment in areas of responsibility. Identifies problems or situations as they occur and specifies decision objectives. Identifies or assists in identifying alternative solutions to problems or situations. Implements decisions in accordance with prescribed and effective policies and procedures and with a minimum of errors. Seeks expert or experienced advice and researches problems, situations and alternatives before exercising judgment.Accepts supervisory instruction and direction and strives to meet the goals and objectives of same. Questions such instruction and direction when clarification of results or consequences are justified i.e., poor communications, variance with policy or procedures, etc. Offers suggestions and recommendations to encourage and improve cooperation between all staff persons within the department.Shares knowledge with supervisors and staff for mutual and departmental benefits. Contributes to maintaining high morale among all department employees. Develop and maintains cooperative and courteous relationships with department employees and managers in other departments, to project a good departmental image. Tactfully and effectively handles requests, suggestions and complaints from other departments and persons in order to maintain good will within the city. Interacts effectively with fellow employees, supervisors, superintendents, professionals and the general public.Plans and organize daily work routine. Establishes priorities for the completion of work in accordance with sound time-management methodology. Avoids duplications of efforts. Estimates expected time of completion of elements of work and establishes a personal schedule accordingly. Attends meetings, planning sessions and discussions on time. Implements work activity in accordance with priorities and estimated schedules. Maintains a calendar for meetings and deadlines.Adheres to all safety and housekeeping standards established by the city and various regulatory agencies. Sees that the standards are not violated. Maintains a clean and orderly workplace.Education, Experience & Special RequirementsA Bachelor's degree with major course work in Physical Education, Recreation, or a related field, and 3-5 years of related recreational experience, or any equivalent combination of education and experience.A valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record.An acceptable general background check to include a local and state criminal history check and sex offender registry check.Individuals in this position cannot be listed as having a founded child abuse or neglect complaint.Physical DemandsMust be physically able to use and demonstrate the use of a variety of recreational equipment and to demonstrate considerable movement and flexibility in the implementation of program activities. Must be able to exert up to 25 pounds of force occasionally and up to 10 pounds of force frequently and/or negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. Physical demand requirements are in excess of sedentary work. Physical demand requirements are for light work.Requires the ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable, functional, structural, or compositional characteristics (whether similar to or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people or things.Requires the ability of speaking and/or signaling people to convey or exchange information including receiving instructions, assignments and directions from supervisor.Requires the ability to read program activity, attendance and evaluations forms. Requires the ability to complete attendance sheets, times cards, incident reports, program calendars, etc. using prescribed formats. Requires the ability to speak to people with poise, voice control and confidence. Requires the ability to understand the language peculiar to performing/visual arts.Requires the ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral or diagrammatic form; to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in or from standardized situations.Requires the ability to record and deliver information, explain procedures and follow oral and written instructions. Must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently using standard English, creative arts and recreational terminology.Requires the ability to utilize mathematical formulas. Must be able to add, subtract, multiply, and divide.Requires the ability to inspect items for proper length, width and shape.Requires the ability to coordinate hands and eyes rapidly and accurately in using a variety of recreational equipment.Requires the ability to handle a variety of items, such as recreational equipment and carpentry equipment.Requires the ability to differentiate between colors and shades of colors.Requires the ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions. Must be adaptable to performing under minimal levels of stress and when confronted with persons acting under stress (emergency situation).Requires the ability to talk and/or hear: (talking –expressing or exchanging ideas by means of spoken words; hearing-perceiving nature of sounds by ear). Must be able to communicate via telephone.The City of Portsmouth is an Equal Opportunity Employer. ADA requires the City to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Prospective and current employees are invited to discuss accommodations.