Lead Recreation Associate

Springfield Park District•Springfield, IL

9d•Onsite

About The Position

The Lead Recreation Associate is a mid-level position responsible for front-line guest services, potential management of other part-time Recreation Associates, customer service initiatives, and point of sale systems. This role may also involve keyholding duties. Specifically for this advertisement, the position reports to the Washington Park Botanical Garden (WPBG) and operates under the supervision of the Botanical Garden General Manager. The Lead Recreation Associate is accountable for ensuring visitors have a pleasant experience at the Botanical Center facility during weekday hours (M-F 12-4 pm, with occasional schedule flexibility). Responsibilities include accepting payments, providing information about the park, gardens, programs, rental pricing, and policies, and distributing informational brochures. The role also involves office duties such as greeting the public, answering phones, responding to patron inquiries, and processing membership payments.

Requirements

Must be 18+ years of age or older.
Must possess a High School diploma.
Willingness to learn educational information and details about the Park District and specific to the Washington Park Botanical Garden.
Must possess outstanding customer service skills when dealing with the public
Must be able to demonstrate leadership, be trustworthy and capable of working alone.
Must be a team player and be willing to work in groups.
Must possess emotional maturity and show respect when working with children and adults.
Sensitivity to patron and/or participants socioeconomic, cultural, ethnic and religious backgrounds and individual needs and capabilities.
Prior work experience in area of office management, record keeping, filing
Proficiency in use of typing, use of computer software, note-taking and related areas
Effective communication in a professional and courteous manner
Flexible work schedule availability is required to fill this position.
Light lifting required to successfully fill this position.
Must be able to read and write and have good command of the English language.
Good oral and written communication.
Physical capabilities – lifts 50 pounds, squat, bend and move as necessary for the job.
Must be able to perform basic mathematics.
Must have basic proficiency of Microsoft Excel and Word.
Must possess valid Illinois Driver’s License.
Must possess professional phone skills and work well with the public.
Must present a neat and professional appearance.
Responsible to follow policies and procedures outlined in Springfield Park District employee manual.
Must live in Sangamon County, in the State of Illinois or must be willing to move to Sangamon County in the State of Illinois within the first 6 months of acceptance of a position with the Springfield Park District.

Nice To Haves

Preference will be given to candidates who have previous managerial experience

Responsibilities

Responsible for learning and understanding the use and programming of the Washington Park Botanical Garden and grounds, other district park services, district contracts and related information of the organization and services it provides.
Successful Completion of Park District Orientation, Rectrac Learning Lab & Customer Service Training.
Operate Point of Sale Systems to include cash handling, cash registers, cash close-out responsibilities, learning RecTrac and online portal Webtrac (Park District Online Registration Software) to assist patrons with admissions, membership passes, activity sign up, etc.
Responsible for greeting the public in a courteous manner as they enter the facility, provide information per requests or directing to other staff/departments.
Responsible for answering phones/message taking in courteous and prompt manner, provide information per requests, transfer to appropriate personnel/voicemail.
Responsible for keeping front lobby and workstation clean.
Responsible for maintaining an exceptional rapport with customers both on the phone and in person by displaying outstanding customer service in a friendly, outgoing, professional and respectful manner at all times.
Responsible for processing of Garden memberships.
Represents the Botanical Garden department in the absence of the General Manager, Facility Program Supervisor, or Horticulture Curator.
Must be able to perform opening and closing duties of the facility and ensure it is secure when required to open and close for events and weekday business hours.
Managing other part-time Recreation Associate staff
Minor janitorial duties – assistance of maintenance in sweeping lobby or restrooms, cleaning front counter, replenishing paper towels and toilet paper, emptying trash, especially with large events/crowds.
Assistance with membership mailings and newsletter distributions.
Horticulture Work: Greenhouse-Identify plants, water seedlings and plant collections, fertilize, sterilize pots. Conservatory – Clean/maintain plant displays and educational exhibits, weed, water, fertilize, install and maintain signage.
Perform all other tasks assigned by General Manager or designee.