Program Specialist

City of Oceanside•Oceanside, CA

9d•Onsite

About The Position

The City of Oceanside is hiring a Program Specialist in its Parks and Recreation Department. The position oversees staff-led and contracted sports, field and facility allocation, volunteer recruitment and management, and part-time staff recruitment. The Program Specialist performs complex technical, administrative, and programmatic duties supporting assigned functions, serving as a liaison with City staff, the public, and outside agencies and organizations. The role researches and interprets regulations and policies, resolves sensitive issues, conducts studies, analyzes information, prepares reports and recommendations, reviews rules and documents, and develops and distributes informational materials. The position also coordinates projects and programs, assists management staff, supports budget preparation and monitoring, maintains procedures and records, and prepares correspondence and administrative documents. It may serve as recording secretary to boards and commissions and coordinate the preparation and distribution of agendas and meeting packets. The position works Tuesday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. There is no hybrid or 9/80 schedule. Some evening meetings are included, and work on weekends and holidays may be required. The work environment includes an office, computer screens, extensive public contact, and outdoor settings such as fields, courts, and gyms. Essential functions may involve prolonged sitting and standing, speaking and hearing, reading and interpreting information, and walking on fields and uneven parkland. Applicants who advance may undergo written, oral, and/or skills assessments. A background and reference check including fingerprinting and a medical examination are required; drug screening may also be required.

Requirements

Four years of increasingly responsible administrative and programmatic support experience, including one year of supervisory or lead responsibility.
Education equivalent to completion of twelfth grade, supplemented by college-level coursework in recreation, leisure studies, or a related field.
Knowledge of program operations and services; program development and administration; fiscal, statistical, and administrative research and report preparation; and budget preparation and administration.
Knowledge of supervision and training, applicable Federal, State, and local laws and regulations, modern office procedures and equipment, office software, English usage, record keeping, business writing, and public relations.
Ability to perform complex programmatic and administrative support duties using independent judgment and initiative.
Ability to research, compile, analyze, and interpret information and make recommendations; interpret and apply policies and procedures; and prepare correspondence and reports.
Ability to supervise and train clerical staff, maintain accurate records and filing systems, perform basic arithmetic, and work independently.
Ability to use modern office equipment and software, communicate clearly orally and in writing, and maintain effective working relationships.
Ability to walk on fields and uneven parkland and to perform essential functions involving prolonged sitting and standing, speaking, hearing, and visual acuity.

Nice To Haves

A bachelor's degree is desirable.

Responsibilities

Oversee staff-led and contracted sports, field and facility allocation, volunteer recruitment and management, and part-time staff recruitment.
Serve as the primary contact and liaison for assigned functions and programs with City staff, the public, and outside agencies and organizations.
Represent assigned functions to public and private groups and assist with interpreting and applying City policies, procedures, codes, and ordinances.
Research regulations and departmental policies; negotiate and resolve sensitive or controversial issues; explain and defend programs, policies, and activities.
Conduct studies and research; collect, compile, and analyze information; prepare reports that interpret data, identify alternatives, and justify recommendations.
Review Federal, State, and City rules and regulations, decisions, reports, applications, and contracts for accuracy.
Design, edit, assemble, print, market, and distribute publications and other informational materials using desktop publishing software and computer applications.
Carry out special projects and programs, including confidential or sensitive programs; assist in developing procedures, obtaining resources, implementing programs, and monitoring activities.
Support management staff with complex and confidential duties; investigate and answer complaints and help resolve operational and administrative problems.
Assist in coordinating and monitoring budgets, compile annual budget requests, prepare revenue projections, recommend designated-account expenditures, and monitor approved accounts.
Prepare and revise procedures, rules, regulations, forms, and report formats; maintain filing systems and records; compose and proofread correspondence and reports.
Serve as recording secretary to assigned boards and commissions and coordinate agendas, agenda items, staff reports, and agenda packet preparation and distribution.
Use computer applications and software to enter data, maintain databases or network systems, generate reports, and create documents.