RECREATION PROGRAM SPECIALIST (#GT4 )

$25.99-$32.86 hourly / $4,505.00-$5,696.00 monthly / $54,059.20-$68,348.80 yearly

Under general supervision, coordinate and supervise recreation programs at an assigned facility in one of the following program areas: Recreation, Park Facilities, Cultural Services, Sports, or Aquatics. Perform other duties as required.

This class works with considerable independence as a program specialist or site supervisor and differs from the Parks, Recreation & Cultural Worker series in that the latter is assigned to various recreation, cultural, and facility functions on a non-permanent, part-time basis.

The Recreation Program Specialist differs from the higher class of Recreation Services Supervisor, in that the former serves as a specialist or coordinator for a recreation or facilities program, while the Recreation Services Supervisor coordinates multiple programs at multiple facilities, and supervises assigned staff including Recreation Program Specialists.

Recreation: At an assigned location, plan, schedule, implement and supervise a recreation program or activities including: arts and crafts projects, sports and games, drama, music, cooking, science projects, outdoor activities, field trips, and therapeutic recreation; maintain order; ensures the safety and well being of program participants; enforce and follow policies and procedures; communicate with parents of program participants; set up and clean up program activities; write and maintain program records; collect and account for fees; transport supplies; notify supervisor of unusual problems disturbances and emergencies; attend meetings; may administer first aid; supervise volunteers and seasonal staff; train and evaluate performance; operate computer registration system; and may make oral presentations to commissions and public organizations.

Park Facilities: Schedule and provide routine information concerning park usage and operations in person and over the phone; operate the computerized reservation system; collect and account for fees received; resolve scheduling problems; inform staff of maintenance problems; coordinate seasonal staff assigned to park facilities; notifies supervisor of unusual problems disturbances and emergencies; attends meetings; maintains records; may assist in the implementation, organization and development of promotional, cultural and historical interpretive programs; may supervise volunteers and seasonal staff including training and evaluating performance.

Cultural Services: Assist with a variety of projects and programs related to cultural services; prepare graphics and basic design materials for fliers or posters; prepare routine publicity materials; assist in the production of special events; maintain the information base regarding local arts organizations, and event schedules; organize data in the Artists Slide Bank; hang art shows in County government facilities; rotate the County Art Collection; insure the safety and condition of the collection; organize and attends meetings; may supervise volunteers and seasonal staff including training and evaluating performance; and may make oral presentations to commissions and public organizations.

Sports: Coordinate and supervise sports programs; plan and conduct program activities such as men's, woman's and coed leagues and tournaments; officiate sports programs; prepare program and activity descriptions; assist in the preparation of brochures, flyers and other publicity materials to pro mote program participation; supervise program participants to maintain discipline and order; inspect facilities and equipment to ensure a safe environment for participants; maintain and periodically distribute team standings; supervise and schedule sports officials; document games worked by contracted officials and submit invoices for compensation; attend monthly softball organization meetings; maintain inventory records; and order sports supplies.

Aquatics: Supervise, organize, motivate, assist with hiring and training of the aquatics staff, schedule and evaluate the staff assigned to a swimming facility, insure that safety standards, sanitary requirements and regulations are enforced; prepare and maintain routine reports on staff and operations; prepare staff schedules; supervise the care and maintenance of swim lesson, exercise, first aid, and lifesaving equipment; inventory equipment and supplies; enforce water safety rules and regulations; perform rescues; perform first aid and resuscitation; act as a liaison between the public, staff and office personnel; evaluate programs and suggest improvements; supervise routine maintenance; plan and facilitate staff meetings and in- service training; teach the aquatics staff the lifeguard, first aid, CPR, and water safety courses required to perform their job; teach the community courses which qualify the public to apply for lifeguard positions at Simpkins Family Swim Center; handle general daily functions of an aquatics facility; notify supervisors of disturbances, emergencies and staff performance and facility problems; open and close swimming facilities; assist in the planning, organization, set up and teardown of accommodations for special events and facility rentals; perform cashier, office, and clerical duties, assist supervisor as requested.

Knowledge of:

Working knowledge of:

• The program area to which assigned.

Some knowledge of: Supervision and training.

Ability to: Communicate effectively and tactfully with those contacted in the course of business including participants, staff, parents, and the public. Write clearly and concisely. Maintain a professional demeanor. Accept constructive criticism and direction from supervisors. Understand and follow oral and written instructions. Maintain a clean and orderly work site. Supervise, evaluate, and train lower level staff and volunteers.

For some assignments:

• Administer first aid.
• See program participants in need of assistance from near and far distances
• Provide leadership and motivate staff
• Independently make decisions;
• Read, understand and explain County policies and procedures;
• Maintain records and periodic reports;
• Perform simple arithmetic calculations to make change;
• Motivate program participants;
• Effectively deal with stressful and emergency situations;
• Successfully complete all training provided by the department.

Some positions may require ability to:

• Perform tasks requiring physical strengths and/or stamina to effectively rescue victims, administer first aid, and CPR;
• Hear and distinguish a variety of sounds in a noisy environment such as participants in need of assistance, fire alarms, whistle, and approaching vehicles or equipment which might pose a danger;
• Speak loudly in order to warn program participants of impending danger.

Education and Experience:

Any combination of education and experience which would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying, unless otherwise specified. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

• The full-time equivalent of nine months experience which demonstrates the required knowledge and abilities for the particular assignment/ program. Prior supervisory experience may be required for certain positions.
• Aquatics: Aquatics positions require 520 hours of lifeguard experience and 260 hours of swim instructor experience.

• License/Certificate: Some positions may require possession of a valid California class C driver license. Some positions may require possession of the equivalent to a valid First Aid Certificate, and Infant and two person CPR certificates to be obtained within the first six months of employment. Some positions may require certification as an Amateur Softball Association umpire.
• Aquatics: Aquatics positions require the possession of valid certificates in: American Red Cross Lifeguard Training; CPR for the Professional Rescuer or American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) for the Health Care Profession (Provider C); One of the following: First Aid for Public Safety Personnel (Title 22), American Red Cross Emergency Responder, First Responder, or Emergency Medical Technician (EMT).
• Aquatics: Required post employment certifications: American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor, American Red Cross Lifeguard Training Instructor.
• Background Investigation: Fingerprinting is required for some positions.
• Special Working Conditions: Some positions may involve exposure to variable temperatures and weather conditions; strong and unpleasant odors and fumes; noise from children; allergens such as poison oak, pollen, and bee stings; pool chemical fluctuations which might cause irritation to eyes and skin; and the possibility of administering first aid which may involve exposure to infections which might cause chronic disease or death.
• Other Special Requirements: Availability to work variable schedules including early mornings, evenings, weekends and holidays.