Recreation Specialist

City of Bartow • Bartow, FL

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

Performs intermediate paraprofessional work assisting customers with their fitness program. Work is performed under regular supervision. This role involves a variety of tasks including staff supervision, compliance, marketing coordination, reporting, procurement, budget assistance, revenue monitoring, program evaluation, volunteer coordination, environmental management, and customer service. The specialist will also be involved in park improvement designs, permit negotiations, and responding to public inquiries. Additionally, the role includes managing reservations, registrations, payments, and assisting with program planning and implementation, including seasonal and summer camp programs. Building customer relationships, serving on committees, organizing and instructing recreation programs, and ensuring the safety and cleanliness of facilities are key aspects of this position. The role also involves managing contracts, responding to complaints, coordinating with other departments, and maintaining records related to maintenance and projects. The position requires adherence to ethical standards and public records laws.

Requirements

• General knowledge of the principles, rules, materials, and equipment required for a fitness program.
• Knowledge of first aid practices and techniques.
• Ability to understand written and verbal instructions
• Ability to communicate effectively
• Ability to establish and maintain successful working relationships
• Knowledge of all publications in related subject areas
• Knowledge of related reference materials
• Ability to work independently.
• Ability to instruct participants and adhere to program standards and objectives.
• Ability to meet and deal tactfully with the public.
• Ability to follow written and oral directions.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates and the general public.
• Knowledge or recreation facility and park amenity operations
• Knowledge or rules, regulations and ordinances
• Demonstrates excellent customer service skills such as courtesy, sensitivity, tact, rapport, discretion
• Recommends improvements and looks for efficiencies
• Ability to contribute effectively to the accomplishment of team or work unit goals
• Ability to assign, review, evaluate work or others
• Knowledge of Florida's flora, fauna and habitats
• Possesses excellent time management skills
• A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Recreation, Leisure Services, biological/natural sciences, education or related field
• Two years of related experience
• Possession of an appropriate driver’s license valid in the State of Florida.
• Possession of Fitness Instructor certificate.
• Ability to obtain certification in CPR and First Aid within the first (6) months of employment

Nice To Haves

• A Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in above fields can substitute for one year of professional experience
• Possession of CPR and First Aid certificates
• May require certification as a Master Naturalist, NPA Professional, Pool Operator, Water Safety or Natural Area Training

Responsibilities

• Hires, trains, develops, supervises, schedules and evaluates staff
• Ensures compliance to all policies, guidelines, procedures, Federal/ State regulations and standards
• Coordinates marketing efforts
• Prepares/disseminates reports and correspondence
• Procures good, services and supplies
• Assists with budget development
• Monitors revenue collections
• Evaluates effectiveness or programs and recommends improvements
• Coordinates volunteer efforts
• Provides nuisance invasive exotic vegetation control, animal control and habitat protection.
• Provides expertise in archaeological and cultural resource protection
• Manages grant application, implementation and reporting requirements
• Researches and implements best practices/ procedures and prepares technical reports
• Develops land management plans and procedures
• Participates in development or park improvement designs; negotiates environmental permit conditions
• Respond to phone calls, emails, and assists walk-ins with department information
• Provides information/details for park and facility use
• Reserves facilities, processes facility use permits, and activity registrations
• Processes reservations, enrollments and payments
• Follows standards in the collection, processing and depositing of payments
• Assists in planning, developing, and/or implementing programs, activities or special events
• Assists in providing direction and oversight to volunteers and daily operations of the parks
• Performs routine inspections and refers issues for follow up
• Assists with seasonal and summer camp programs. Provides set up and general clean up
• Builds relationships with customers
• Serves on committees and teams
• Organizes, implements, instructs, and supervises recreation programs, activities at recreational facilities.
• Provides general supervision of the recreation center; enforce rules and regulations; prepare class schedules.
• Plans and implements daily recreational activities for program participants of various ages.
• Handles member problems and questions.
• Prepares promotional material for advertising recreation activities or programs; contact community to create public awareness.
• Registers participants and collect fees for class registration and facility rentals.
• Cleans up all equipment and fitness center.
• Maintains and promotes a clean, uplifting environment for member to enjoy; ensure safety of facilities.
• Reports any maintenance problems.
• Promotes and ensures safe, clean and accessible parks
• Maintains quality standards within parks
• Monitors, inspects and ensures safely of play-ground equipment and facilities
• Recommends/oversees park and playground improvements
• Manages contracts
• Reviews and responds to customer complaints
• Coordinates work activities with other departments
• Maintains time and material records
• Plans, schedules and coordinates maintenance work and small improvement projects
• Inspects parks for safety hazards and deficiencies
• Recommends improvements and initiates corrective measures
• Investigates problems, recommends fixes, and schedules and logs work
• Performs related tasks as required
• Supervise subordinates as needed.

Benefits

• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.
• Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• All City of Bartow employees are considered EOC essential in times of emergency.
• An e-role will be provided to each employee when an emergency is declared.
• As a City of Bartow employee, you are a public servant of a local entity and are responsible to adhere to the Florida State Statute governing the Code of Ethics for Public Officers and Employees Florida State Statute Chapter 112.
• Additionally, all Bartow employees are subject to Chapter 119 of the Florida State Statutes which governs public records.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level