Recreation Specialist

PURPOSE OF CLASSIFICATION

The purpose of this classification, under direction, is to serve as a supervisor, advisor, coach, instructor and/or official for recreational activities within a recreation center or facility. Employees in this class are given primary responsibility for the planning, organizing, conducting, officiating, and supervising of programs for persons of all ages and abilities. Position is distinguished from that of the Recreation Leader by greater experience and responsibility for controlling and overseeing the recreation functions of the assigned area or specialty. Performs related work as required.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.

Receives and records fees for programs/activities, records revenues accepted and maintains responsibility and accountability for petty cash where assigned.

Supervises, advises, coaches, assists, instructs and/or officiates special interest and major recreational centers, gymnastic facility, playgrounds, programs, and/or activities.

Plans, organizes, conducts, officiates and supervises programs or activities for persons of all ages and abilities including the visually, physically, emotionally, mentally or hearing impaired.

Orders recreational equipment and supplies for assigned facility/program, contingent upon supervisor approval.

Maintains routine records related to activities and functions as assigned (i.e., accident reports, safety reports, purchase requisitions, time sheets, event logs, daily activities, and ledgers).

May function as a certified therapeutic specialist.

Functions in a supervisory capacity in performing and/or delegating routine general maintenance work in caring for assigned facility and/or recreation areas.

May serve as advisor, coach, instructor and/or supervisor of facilities, including gymnastic and/or sports facilities.

Establishes communication with the community and participants for the purpose of stimulating interest in programs, events, and activities.

Oversees safe conditions for participants, spectators, and the general public.

Administers basic first aid when indicated.

MARGINAL FUNCTIONS

Performs related duties as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (Education, Training, and Experience)

Associate’s degree with course work emphasis in recreation programs, leisure services, or closely related; supplemented by two (2) years previous experience that demonstrates ability to work effectively with a targeted age group and/or recreational activity, preferably at the level of Recreation Leader; or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

May require additional training and/or certification contingent upon the targeted age group and/or recreational activity as assigned, i.e., water safety training, first aid certification.

May be required to obtain a therapeutic recreation specialist certification, professional gymnastic status, or gymnastic safety certification, depending on area of assignment.

PERFORMANCE APTITUDES

Data Utilization: Requires the ability to calculate, compute, summate, and/or tabulate data and/or information. Includes the ability to perform subsequent actions in relation to these computational operations.

Human Interaction: Requires the ability to provide guidance, assistance, and/or interpretation to others on how to apply procedures and standards to specific situations.

Equipment, Machinery, Tools, and Materials Utilization: Requires the ability to operate, maneuver and/or control the actions of equipment, machinery, tools, and/or materials used in performing essential functions.

Verbal Aptitude: Requires the ability to utilize a wide variety of descriptive data and information, such as department records, reports, policy and procedure, instructional materials.

Mathematical Aptitude: Requires the ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division; calculate decimals and percentages.

Functional Reasoning: Requires ability to apply principles of rational systems. Ability to interpret instructions furnished in written, oral, diagrammatic, or schedule form. Ability to exercise independent judgment to adopt or modify methods and standards to meet variations in assigned objectives.

Situational Reasoning: Requires the ability to exercise the judgment, decisiveness and creativity required in situations involving evaluation of information against measurable or verifiable criteria.

ADA COMPLIANCE

Physical Ability: Tasks involve the ability to exert very moderate to highly physical effort typically involving some combination of stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling and, running, which may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of moderate weight (12-20 pounds).

Sensory Requirements: Some tasks require the ability to perceive and discriminate sounds. Some tasks require visual perception and discrimination. Some tasks require oral communications ability.

Environmental Factors: Tasks may risk exposure to dirt, dust, pollen, odors, wetness, humidity, rain, fumes, temperature and noise extremes, toxic agents, violence, and/or disease.

PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

The work performance of non-supervisory personnel of the City of Daytona Beach is routinely evaluated according to the performance criteria outlined herein:

Knowledge of Job: Has considerable knowledge of the methods, policies and procedures of the City of Daytona Beach as such pertain to the performance of the essential duties of a Recreation Specialist. Has thorough knowledge of principles and practices of supervising, planning, organizing, conducting, instructing, advising, coaching, and/or assisting with one or more major recreational activities/programs with persons of all ages and abilities within the community. Has thorough knowledge of the laws, ordinances, standards, and regulations pertaining to the essential duties and responsibilities of the position. Has thorough knowledge of the organization of the department, and of related departments and agencies. Clearly understands the occupational hazards and safety precautions required to perform the essential functions of the work. Has thorough knowledge of terminology and related professional languages used within the department as such pertain to work responsibilities. Knows how to maintain cooperative and effective relationships with intra- and interdepartmental personnel, as well as any external entities with which position interacts.

Quality of Work: Maintains high standards of accuracy in exercising duties and responsibilities. Exercises immediate remedial action to correct any quality deficiencies that occur in areas of responsibility. Maintains high quality communication and interaction with internal and external entities with which the position interacts.

Quantity of Work: Performs described essential functions and related assignments efficiently and effectively to produce quantity of work which consistently meets established standards and expectations.

Dependability: Assumes responsibility for completing assigned work. Completes assigned work within deadlines in accordance with directives, policies, standards, and prescribed procedures. Maintains accountability for assigned responsibilities in the technical, human, and conceptual areas.

Attendance: Attends and remains at work regularly and adheres to policies and procedures regarding absenteeism and tardiness. Provides sufficient notice to upper management with respect to vacation time and leave requests.

Initiative and Enthusiasm: Exhibits an enthusiastic, self-reliant and self-starting approach to meet job responsibilities and accountabilities. Strives to anticipate work to be accomplished and initiates proper and acceptable action for the completion of work with a minimum of supervision and instruction.

Judgment: Exercises analytical judgment in areas of responsibility. Identifies issues or situations as they occur and specifies decision objectives. Identifies or assists in identifying alternative solutions to issues or situations. Implements decisions in accordance with prescribed and effective policies and procedures and with a minimum of errors. Seeks expert or experienced advisement where appropriate and researches issues, situations and alternatives before exercising judgment.

Cooperation: Accepts supervisory and managerial instruction and direction and strives to meet the goals and objectives of same. Questions such instruction and direction when clarification of results or consequences is justified (i.e., poor communications, variance with established policies or procedures, etc.). Offers suggestions and recommendations to encourage and improve cooperation intra- and inter-departmentally.

Relationships with Others: Shares knowledge with managers, supervisors and coworkers for mutual benefit. Contributes to maintaining high morale among all employees. Develops and maintains cooperative and courteous relationships intra- and inter-departmentally, and with external entities with which the position interacts. Tactfully and effectively handles requests, suggestions, and complaints to establish and maintain goodwill. Emphasizes the importance of maintaining a positive image.

Coordination of Work: Plans and organizes daily work routine. Establishes priorities for the completion of work in accordance with sound time-management methodology. Avoids duplication of effort. Estimates expected time of completion of work elements and establishes a personal schedule accordingly. Attends required meetings, planning sessions, and discussions on time. Implements work activity in accordance with priorities and estimated schedules.

Safety and Housekeeping: Adheres to all established safety and housekeeping standards. Ensures such standards are not violated.

The City of Daytona Beach is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City of Daytona Beach will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.