Recreation Area Manager - Aquatics

The Community: The City of Carlsbad is ideally situated in north San Diego County where a great climate, beautiful beaches and lagoons, and abundant natural open space combine with world-class resorts, family attractions, well-planned neighborhoods, excellent schools, and a charming village atmosphere create the ideal California experience. Covering nearly 40 square miles, the City of Carlsbad is currently home to about 115,000 residents. Thanks to an award-winning growth management plan, the city's infrastructure and services keep pace with development and promote an excellent quality of life. 

A full-service city, Carlsbad has its own police and fire services, a water district, parks and recreation, and library and cultural arts departments, in addition to standard administrative and public works functions. Known for its financial stability, the city maintains an AAA credit rating and has a general fund reserve balance exceeding $136 million. The City of Carlsbad has always been known as one of the best-run local governments around, with a highly engaged workforce that provides exceptional service. 

The City of Carlsbad embraces diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace and recognizes the vital relationship of a culturally diverse, engaged work environment and innovative excellence. A diverse, equitable and inclusive work climate comprises personal experiences, values, and views shaped from differences of culture and circumstance. Our organization appreciates belonging, creativity, recognition and retention of its employees and is committed to hiring and developing motivated, productive and talented employees who provide services and enhance our quality of life. We work to embrace open and equitable access to opportunities for learning and development as our responsibility and goal.  

The Department: The Parks & Recreation Department of the Community Services Branch provides leadership, planning, and administrative services to help develop and sustain quality parks and recreation programs. The department offers a wide range of programs and services for youth and adult sports, instructional classes, camps, aquatics, preschool, teens, seniors and special events. The department operates and maintains four community centers, a senior center, two aquatic centers, two historic sites, 13 community parks/school fields, two dog parks, two skate parks, 28 special use areas/neighborhood parks, 12 facility landscapes, 10 beach accesses, 43 miles of trails, 715 acres of habitat preserves and natural open space, all city-wide street trees, 71 acres of future parkland, all city street trees, 68 acres of street median planters and 9 acres of street parkways.  The department is a leading provider of world-class projects, programs, events that strengthen and build community connectivity and has a robust Capital Improvement Program, which includes projects for parks' retrofits, infills, and new developments. 

The Position: As the Recreation Area Manager you will be responsible for the operations, maintenance, and personnel at the City of Carlsbad aquatic facilities including the Alga Norte Aquatic Center and Monroe Street Pool. Your role will focus on leading staff, managing day to day operations, and ensuring the successful delivery of diverse aquatic programs for the community. Reporting to the Recreation Services Manager, you will be part of a team dedicated to providing high-quality recreational experiences and exceptional customer service. You will also work closely with other city departments to address various needs and ensure the facilities are well-maintained.

• Manage a variety of citywide recreation programs for an assigned recreation area, including staff, facilities, and the operation of recreation/community center(s), aquatic centers, and/or parks.
• Develop and manage the budget for the assigned program area, staffing needs, and make recommendations for equipment, materials, and supplies.
• Assist in the development of goals, objectives, policies and priorities for the recreation department.
• Implement department operating policies and procedures and monitor their compliance.
• Supervise, train, and evaluate both regular and hourly staff who provide skilled leadership or instruction at recreation facilities.
• Create, implement, and manage service contracts for various needs at community and aquatic centers, including maintenance and operations.
• Manage the maintenance of efficiency and progress records for programs and staff.
• Conduct research and prepare reports and public notices, including assisting with staff reports and presentations for the City Council.
• Respond to citizen complaints and requests for information in a timely manner.
• Serve as a liaison with multiple stakeholder groups and school district officials.
• Coordinate recreation activities with other city departments, divisions, and external agencies.
• Perform additional duties as assigned or requested.

To perform a job in this classification, an individual must be able to perform the essential duties as generally described in the specification.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties in a specific job.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. 

Knowledge of:

• Philosophy, principles, and practices of public recreation/aquatic programs
• Major sports, games, and other recreational activities suitable for children, adolescents, adults, and senior citizens
• City of Carlsbad policies and rules related to recreational programs, facilities, and general administrative practices and procedures
• Operation, scheduling, and facilitation of recreation, community, or aquatic center(s)
• Principles of supervision, training, and evaluation
• First aid methods, safety precautions, and health requirements related to recreation settings, athletic fields, swimming pools, and senior citizen centers

 Ability to:

• Plan, organize, and coordinate the program activities of an aquatic or recreation community center(s)
• Maintain the operation and scheduling of an aquatic or recreation community center(s)
• Communicate clearly and concisely, orally and in writing
• Supervise a variety of recreational programs and instruct individuals and groups in recreational activities
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work
• Supervise, train, and evaluate assigned staff

Any combination equivalent to the experience and education that could likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

• Possession of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major work in recreation or a related field
  • Master's degree in recreation or a closely related field, desired 
• 3 years of professional experience involving the development and supervision of a variety of recreation programs for all age groups
  • 2 years of direct supervision of aquatic programs and facilities, desired

 SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: 

• Possession of or the ability to obtain a valid California driver's license by date of hire
• Availability to work weekends, holidays, and evenings as needed
• Availability to be on call to respond to alarms and other emergencies at various hours as required

Possession of the following certificates (or equivalent) is highly desired:

• Basic and Instructor level American Red Cross CPR for the Professional Rescuer
• Basic and Instructor level American Red Cross Lifeguard Training
• Title 22 First Aid or equivalent
• Water Safety Instructor 
• Instructor Trainer level certification in the above is highly desired
• Aquatic Facility Operator (AFO) OR Certified Pool and Spa Operator (CPO)

Salary : $81,263 - $111,498