State of Maryland

A Recreation Specialist I is the full performance level of professional work of a consultative nature in the field of recreation. Employees in this classification advise, assist and cooperate with officials of local communities, public and private agencies, and other interested organizations and groups in the promotion and development of comprehensive recreation programs.    Employees in this classification are responsible for the direction of the State-wide recreation program designed to promote the general welfare of the residents of the State and its communities, through offering advice and guidance in planning, organizing and developing recreational areas and facilities.  Employees in this classification assist in the achievement of this objective through working closely with officials of communities and organizations and providing technical advice and assistance in the promotion of recreational opportunities and leisure-time activities.  Employees in this classification also serve as coordinators between State and local communities for the effective use of available State recreational facilities and services.  Employees in this classification, when advisable, plan, direct and participate in training programs for leaders and workers in all fields of recreation.  Employees in this classification do not supervise other positions.

Employees in this classification receive general supervision from the Director of the department and exercise considerable independence in the performance of the work. Employees receive general instructions and guidance regarding plans and policies.

Positions in this classification are evaluated by using the classification job evaluation methodology.  The use of this method involves comparing the assigned duties and responsibilities of a position to the job criteria found in the Nature of Work and Examples of Work sections of the class specification.

The Recreation Specialist I and the Recreation Specialist II are differentiated in that the Recreation Specialist I performs the full range of duties and responsibilities under general supervision while the Recreation Specialist II may have general supervisory responsibility for lower-level Recreation Specialists.

Directs a State-wide program designed to promote recreational opportunities and leisure-time activities;

Provides advice in the planning and development of recreational facilities;

Plans, organizes, and participates in conferences and workshops related to recreational activities;

Plans and directs an in-service recreational training program on a local, regional, or State level;

Appraises actual and potential recreation needs throughout the State;

Assembles and disseminates information as it pertains to recreation;

Prepares reports and materials for publications;

Performs other related duties.

Knowledge of the principles, practices, methods, and equipment involved in community recreation programs;

Knowledge of the literature in the field of recreation;

Knowledge of recreation services of State agencies, political subdivisions and voluntary organizations;

Knowledge and understanding of some of the current economic and social trends of the State and its communities which affect the development or improvement of recreational programs;

Knowledge of the laws, and regulations pertaining to recreation;

Skill in preparing and editing publicity material dealing with recreational programs;

Skill in conducting surveys of local counties’ recreation needs, programs, and facilities;

Skill in communicating with groups of people;

Skill in gaining and retaining the confidence and cooperation of associates and the general public;

Ability to plan and organize recreational programs, facilities, and events;

Ability to contact and to work with local communities, industrial and other organizations interested in the development of recreational facilities and to provide advice and assistance as required;

Ability to compile data pertaining to recreation for use in summaries and reports.  

Education:   A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, preferably with specialization in recreation, physical education, forestry or the social sciences.

Experience: Three years of full-time experience in planning or directing a diversified recreational program for a public agency or private organization.

Note: Candidates may substitute 30 credit hours of graduate study in community recreational education or social planning or forestry at an accredited college or university for one year of the required experience.

Class specifications are broad descriptions covering groups of positions used by various State departments and agencies. Position descriptions maintained by the using department or agency specifically address the essential job functions of each position.

This is a Skilled Service classification in the State Personnel Management System.  All positions in this classification are Skilled Service positions.  Some positions in Skilled Service classifications may be designated Special Appointment in accordance with the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 6-405, Annotated Code of Maryland.

This classification is assigned to Bargaining Unit C- Regulatory, Inspection and Licensure classes.  As provided by State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 3-102, special appointment, temporary, contractual, supervisory, managerial and confidential employees are excluded from collective bargaining.  Additionally, certain executive branch agencies are exempt from collective bargaining and all positions in those agencies are excluded from collective bargaining.

Employees in this classification are eligible to receive overtime compensation.  An employee who works more than the normal workweek is entitled to be compensated for that overtime as provided by the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 8-305.

This classification is one level in a Non-Competitive Promotion (NCP) series. NCP promotions are promotions by which employees may advance in grade and class level from trainee to full performance level in a classifications series.  In order to be non-competitively promoted to the next level in a NCP series, an employee must: 1) perform the main purpose of the class, as defined by the Nature of Work section of the class specification; 2) receive the type of supervision defined in the class specification and 3) meet the minimum qualifications of the classification.