Recreation Specialist - Sports/Basketball Specialist

The City of American Canyon is seeking a dynamic and enthusiastic Recreation Specialist to join our Parks and Recreation team with a primary focus on youth and adult sports programmingparticularly basketball. This position plays a key role in planning, organizing, and leading seasonal and year-round recreation activities, with an emphasis on delivering high-quality sports programs that foster skill development, teamwork, community engagement, and provides lead direction to lower-level recreation staff and volunteers.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Receives general supervision from a Recreation Supervisor or other higher-level supervisory or management position. Receives lead direction from a Recreation Coordinator. Exercises technical and functional direction over lower-level temporary recreation staff.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
Employment in this temporary, at-will job class is restricted to assignments that are temporary in nature. The Recreation Specialist is distinguished from the Recreation Coordinator in that the latter is typically filled on a permanent, full-time basis and provides lead direction to the former.

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Plan, organize, implement, and lead assigned recreation program activities.
Assist in the development, recommendation, and implementation of goals, objectives, policies, procedures, and work standards for assigned program.
Monitor day-to-day operations of recreation program and events, including making site visits and resolving complaints.
Formulate and organize program plans and schedules for seasonal and year-round activities related to program areas.
Provide lead direction to staff in assigning and scheduling work.
Train lower-level staff and volunteers in program activities and ensure compliance with safety procedures.
Review work area and ensure it is safe and appropriate for all employees and participants.
Coordinate program marketing efforts through news releases, posters, flyers, web pages, mailing lists and other methods.
Monitor supplies and equipment for assigned programs; maintain adequate supply inventory; ensure equipment is operational and safe; advise supervisor of needed repairs or replacement.
Prepare clear and comprehensive written reports as requested.
Respond to citizen concerns and requests.
Attend department meetings as requested.
Answer the telephone and assist and register customers as needed.
Perform related duties as assigned.

Knowledge of:
Methods and techniques of planning, organizing, and implementing assigned recreation programs.
Techniques of effective customer service.
Record keeping practices.
Practices and principles of first aid and CPR lifesaving.
Knowledge of child development processes and principles.
Computer programs and related software.
Practices of training and providing technical and functional direction to staff.

Ability to:
Lead a variety of recreation program activities.
Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
Evaluate success and make improvements that increase customer satisfaction by completing and implementing participant surveys, hosting debriefing sessions with staff, and developing reports.
Lead, organize, and review the work of staff and volunteers.
Lead and instruct individuals and groups in assigned programs.
Elicit community and organizational support for programs overseen.
Respond to requests and inquiries from the general public.
Interpret and enforce policies and procedures.
Maintain files and monitor and track fees and payments.
Work with diverse populations and maintain an inclusive environment.

Typical Qualifications:
Education and Experience:
Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:
High school diploma or equivalent and:
Experience in the field of recreation, leisure services, or a closely related field, preferably equivalent to a Recreation Leader with the City of American Canyon with experience in recreation program development and implementation.

Certificate Requirement:

• For assignment in all program areas, American Red Cross First Aid, CPR/AED must be obtained within the first three (3) months of employment and maintain throughout employment.
• For assignment in aquatics-related program areas, incumbents must possess the following certifications at the time of appointment and maintain throughout employment:
  o American Red Cross Basic First Aid, CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer
  o American Red Cross Lifeguard Training
  o American Red Cross Lifeguard Instructor
  o American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor
  o First Aid for Safety Personnel (Title 22)