Recreation Program Specialist – Family Camp – Parks Recreation

Are you ready to join the team that is “Building Community Through Fun?” Are you ready to make a difference? The City of San José’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services (PRNS) is looking for people who want to make San José a better place to live and visit. Our mission is to connect people through parks, recreation, and neighborhood services for an active San José. ActivateSJ, PRNS’s strategic plan, envisions healthy communities that inspire belonging by following the guiding principles of stewardship, nature, equity & access, identity, and public life. The Department creates and activates thriving public places, including over 40 community centers, 10 regional parks, over 200 neighborhood parks, Happy Hollow Park & Zoo, and over 65 miles of trail. We also offer diverse programming for all ages and abilities. We take a fun approach to public service, and value the public’s trust. Our team is collaborative, supportive, and innovative. We are a fast‑paced organization that takes decisive action after thoughtful planning. For more information, please visit sanjoseca.gov/prns. Family Camp at Yosemite located in the Sierras, about 10 miles west of Yosemite National Park. It is a self‑contained summer recreational facility run by the City of San José. The camp serves 250 to 300 campers per day. The program is geared for families by providing lodging, meal service, recreational activities and retail operations. For more information, visit www.familycampatyosemite.com The salary range for this classification is $74,627.28 - $90,679.68 annually. This salary range includes an approximate five percent (5%) ongoing non‑pensionable compensation. Actual salary shall be determined by the final candidates’ qualifications and experience. This is a temporary (Overstrength) position that is anticipated to be funded through June 30, 2026, subject to further extension as appropriate. If this position is not extended through the budget process, the City may seek to place you in other internal job opportunities based on your previous work experience. The Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services Department is currently seeking to fill one (1) full‑time Recreation Program Specialist vacancy in the Parks Division at Family Camp at Yosemite. PRNS is currently recruiting a Recreation Program Specialist (RPS) position for Family Camp at Yosemite (FCY) in Groveland, California. The Recreation Program Specialist is responsible for developing a variety of recreation activities for guests that visit FCY and leads our Outdoor Equity Grant Program. The position requires recreation programming experience and supervision of a team of camp leaders responsible for delivering programs and activities. Other duties will include community programming in San Jose, nature programming at local parks. The successful candidate will excel at customer service, staff leadership/development, cashiering, data collection/analysis, marketing and recruitment. NOTE: This position requires the Recreation Program Specialist to report onsite to the Family Camp Yosemite facility in Groveland, California for six months out of the year (May - October). On‑site living facilities are available during the peak season inclusive of meals at no expense to the incumbent. Specific duties may include, but are not limited to: Planning, coordinating, conducting and evaluating the Family Camp Experience program serving San José’s underserved residents in the Poco Way and Washington neighborhoods. Recruiting, supervising and training part‑time staff support for the Outdoor Equity Grant funded program. Preparing instructional material and securing supplies and vendors for all program related trips and activities. Collaborating with residents, community groups, and internal and external agencies to identify and determine the needs of the participants being served and support with execution of the program, including partners named in the grant application. Planning, monitoring and maintaining records for grant related expenses including tracking staff hours for reimbursement. Providing information and referring the community to the opportunity to connect with nature through this program, including developing and disseminating publicity through all forms of media. Following the grant administration guidelines outlined by the California State Parks Department’s Office of Grants and Local Services. Recruits, supervises, trains and evaluates camp staff. Seeks ways to improve the quality of the guest experience through increasing staff training, emphasizing park cleanliness, and developing programs and experiences that add value to FCY. Closely monitors campground safety to identify hazards and take immediate corrective action. Prepares and reviews various records and reports including schedules, guest comments, and incident/accident reports. Handles the fiscal reconciliation of bank deposits between the City of San Jose and Family Camp business operations. Mediates and resolves guest concerns and/or complaints. Works closely with administrative staff to ensure FCY’s standards and policies are upheld. Education and Experience A Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university in Recreation and Leisure Services or closely related field AND one (1) year (equivalent to 2080 hours) of full‑time recreation leadership or programming experience. Acceptable Substitution Additional years of increasingly responsible recreation leadership or programming experience may be substituted for the education requirement on a year‑for‑year basis for up to two (2) years. There will be no substitute for required one (1) year (equivalent to 2080 hours) of full‑time recreation leadership or programming experience. Required Licensing (such as driver’s license, certifications, etc.) A valid First Aid certificate is required and must be maintained. Must provide proof of a valid certificate or will need to obtain a certificate within one (1) year of hire. A valid CPR certificate is required and must be maintained. Must provide proof of a valid certificate or will need to obtain a certificate within six (6) months of hire. The following is a general statement for the classification. Individual positions may have additional or different physical/environmental elements. Possess ability to: Move between/within work areas, including but not limited to sitting, walking, and standing on various surfaces, turning, bending, grasping, and making repetitive hand movements. Lift, carry, push, and pull tools, equipment, and supplies weighing on average 25 pounds, or heavier weights, in all cases with the use of proper equipment. Communicate in person and over the telephone. Maintain professional demeanor during interactions with staff, customers, and the public. When assigned to an office environment, possess ability to: Operate, access, enter, and retrieve data using standard office equipment, including but not limited to a computer or tablet. Read printed materials and a computer screen. Be exposed to moderate noise levels and controlled temperature conditions. When assigned to program activities, possess ability to: Work in an outdoor environment with unpredictable working conditions including but not limited to exposure to loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, and odors. Competencies The ideal candidate will possess the following competencies, as demonstrated in past and current employment history. Job Expertise - Demonstrates knowledge of and experience with applicable professional/technical principles and practices, Citywide and departmental procedures/policies and federal and state rules and regulations. Communication Skills - Effectively conveys information and expresses thoughts and facts clearly, orally and in writing; demonstrates effective use of listening skills and displays openness to other people's ideas and thoughts. Computer Skills - Experienced with common business computer applications including but not limited to: MS Outlook, MS Word, MS PowerPoint, MS Access, and MS Excel. Teamwork & Interpersonal Skills - Develops effective relationships with co‑workers and supervisors by helping others accomplish tasks and using collaboration and conflict resolution skills. Fiscal Management - Understands the relationship of the budget and resources to the strategic plan; complies with administrative controls over funds, contracts, and procurements. Planning - Acts to align own unit’s goals with the strategic direction of the organization; Defines tasks and milestones to achieve objectives, while ensuring the optimal use of resources to meet those objectives. Reliability - Completes quality work assignments in a timely and efficient manner; fulfills responsibilities and maintains confidentiality as appropriate. Supervision - Sets effective long and short‑term goals based on a good understanding of management practices; establishes realistic priorities within available resources; provides motivational support; empowers others; assigns decision‑making and work functions to others in an appropriate manner to maximize organizational and individual effectiveness. Selection Process: The selection process will consist of an evaluation of the applicant’s training and experience based on the application and responses to all the job specific questions. You must answer all questions to be considered, or your application may be deemed incomplete and withheld from further consideration. Applicants are expected to write their own essays/responses. Please be advised that use of AI content in your responses may result in your removal from the hiring process. Only those candidates whose backgrounds best match the position will be invited to proceed in the selection process. Additional phases of the selection process will consist of one or more interviews, one of which may include a practical/writing exercise. If you have questions about the duties of these positions, the selection or hiring processes, please contact Jaine Davies at jaine.davies@sanjoseca.gov. #J-18808-Ljbffr