Recreation Programmer

Job Summary:

Plans and coordinates specific recreation program or events within the parks and recreation department based on assigned function.

Community and Special Events Assignment: Responsible for providing professional year round recreation, summer and special event programming and staffing of facility reservations through planning, organizing, marketing, scheduling, directing, coordinating, and supervising a variety of recreation programs and events. Develops monthly program themes and special events. Incumbents in this class may be rotated or transferred to other facilities and/or assignments based on department or seasonal needs. Work is subject to irregular hours and weekend work to accommodate event scheduling.

Sports Assignment: Responsible for coordinating and supervising the implementation of sports leagues, special events, clinics; organizing youth sports programs; training and scheduling sports officials in a variety of sports programs, recruiting and training volunteer coaches. Additional responsibilities also include: developing, marketing, and establishing partnerships for the programs; approving coaches manuals and rules of the programs. Responsible for coordinating and supervising the implementation of sports leagues marketing. Coordinates sports field preparation with maintenance staff; coordinating program schedules and off -site facility reservations; approving league rules and enforcing compliance which includes preparing and justifying a budget. May be required to work evenings, weekends, and holidays to accommodate recreation program activities.

Wellness and Fitness Assignment: Responsible for the development, implementation, and supervision of comprehensive wellness and fitness programming to include: Aquatics., exercise/specialty classes, special events guidance in proper exercise technique and variations of exercises to meet member goals; assists members in establishing effective fitness/wellness goals and develops the most effective training plan to achieve those goals; offers accurate and up-to-date information and advice on fitness; motivates members and serves as a training partner; maintains a safe and clean exercise environment, follows all safety, quality assurance and other policies and procedures of the Fitness Center; Prepares and justifies a budget for programming needs, represents department on City Wellness Committee.

Incumbent oversees pool scheduling, swim lessons, developing and administrating staff training, organizing lifeguard trainings, monitoring/overseeing and reporting daily cash receipts and cash handling procedures, organizing summer seasonal hiring process, and working with customers.

Essential Functions:

• Plans, evaluates, coordinates, and implements activities for a specific recreation program or event; evaluates outcomes;
• Participates in establishing goals and objectives for specific Recreation Division programs;
• Participates in planning the program budget; provides estimates; monitors the budget for program area of responsibility;
• Develops rules for games, sports, events; prepares accident and statistical reports;
• Meets with citizen groups to discuss needs; initiate and coordinate new program development;
• Performs program inspections and evaluations to ensure compliance with program and safety policies and procedures;
• Calculates and recommends fees for programs; maintains financial records for program area;
• Investigates and resolves citizen complaints or problems;
• Prepares reports on recreation activities and other statistics in area of responsibility;
• Interprets and enforces department policies, procedures, and regulations;
• Monitors use, care, and maintenance of equipment and supplies;
• Coordinates registration procedures for programs; collects and records registration forms and fees;
• Trains and monitors work of part time and temporary staff;
• Acts as liaison on City committees as assigned;
• Keeps up to date records of inventory (equipment and supplies, etc.);
• Develops and creates public service announcements and other marketing materials , after approval distributes in advance to community and in assigned recreation program area;
• Assists department with planning and implementing departmental programming and events;
• Responsible for ensuring facility and program/event area(s) are cleaned and trash picked up;
• Builds positive professional relationships with members, participants, volunteer within the community;
• Display courteous, civil, and respectful behavior to all persons and shall make every effort to meet the needs of citizens requesting assistance;
• Refrain from the use of abusive, indecent or profane language or gestures in the workplace, in the performance of duties or in the presence of a member of the public;
• Perform duties in a manner that is fair, impartial, and without prejudice toward any person or group;
• Refrain from arguing unnecessarily with any person or otherwise showing a lack of self-control, ridicule, or defame any employee, elected official or any other person or any agency of the City of Columbia;
• Display responsibility for attendance and promptness and report to the work area on time.

Secondary Functions:

Performs other related duties as required.

Supervisory Functions:

May supervise part time or temporary employees.

Please note: the minimum qualifications stated below are a guide for determining the education, training, experience, special skills, and/or license which may be required for employment in the class. These are re-evaluated each time the position is opened for recruitment. Please refer to the most recent Job Announcement for updated minimum qualifications.

Minimum Qualifications:

Knowledge, Skills:

• Principles, methods, and practices of planning and providing community based recreational services;
• Developing and implementing pre-school to senior adult related activities and programs;
• Basic supervisory principles and practices;
• Budget monitoring; program administration;
• City and departmental policies and procedures, community demographics, and recreational issues;
• Methods and procedures of operations, recreation, cultural, and social needs of the community;
• The methods and techniques of program planning and objectives of public recreation;
• First aid methods and necessary safety precautions used in recreation work;
• Principles of running sports leagues including specific rules to the individual sport, registrations, tournament bracketing and instructing.
• Implementing and supervising recreational activity assignments, and stimulation of interest in recreational programs and activities;
• The use and care of parks and recreation equipment, materials, and facilities.

Ability:

• Effectively plan and organize the activities or program areas;
• Effectively train coordinate and monitor the work of staff and develop employees;
• Evaluate programs; prepare reports
• Conduct research, analyze findings, and make recommendations;
• Design, implement and administer programs; prepare reports
• Effectively communicate verbally and in writing;
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with department and other city staff and the public;
• Interpret and apply city laws, regulations, policies, and procedures related to recreation indoor and outdoor events and programs;
• Multi task between multiple job assignments.

Certifications, Licenses, Registrations:

• Valid Tennessee driver's license;
• Cardiopulmonary resuscitation certification and First Aid Course certification must be obtained within six months of employment;
• Concussion training;
• Fitness certification.

Preferred Education:

• Associate’s degree in recreation administration, leisure services, or a related field, and two years experience in professional level recreation work, event planning, working with diverse populations from preschool to senior adults or other relevant equivalent experience. Experience will be considered in lieu of education.

Physical Conditions:

Conducts various recreation programs and activities involving walking, climbing stairs, running, bending, stooping, jumping, reaching, and hand or arm and eye movement, hearing and talking.

Working Conditions:

Work is performed in office and indoor environment with frequent field visits and inspections. May be exposed to variations in temperature and humidity; continuous contact with other staff and the public. May transport and set up recreational equipment.

May be required to work early mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays.