What are the responsibilities and job description for the Program Specialist position at City of Santa Maria, CA?
OPPORTUNITY
This recruitment may be used to hire in any of our recreation programs.
This is a 32-hour per week, ongoing, year-round position that is benefit-eligible and part of the SEIU Local 620 represented bargaining unit.
Under general direction of assigned supervisor, coordinates and implements programs, activities, and special events for all age groups within a specific program area, including marketing, youth center, youth program, special events, community events, Special Olympics, youth and adult sports, community events, afterschool program, and aquatic program. Working hours vary and may include weekends, nights, and holidays.
Program Specialist: The Recreation and Parks Department seeks a creative and enthusiastic individual to develop, organize, and implement a diverse range of engaging recreational programs and events for City residents of all ages and interests. This role involves designing innovative activities, coordinating logistics including scheduling, budgeting, and securing resources, and actively promoting participation to foster a vibrant and inclusive community through enriching recreational experiences. The successful candidate will possess strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills, along with a passion for creating fun and memorable opportunities for the public.
WHAT WE DO:
The Department of Recreation and Parks' mission is to enrich the lives of the residents of Santa Maria through quality recreation programs and services; and to provide safe and well-maintained facilities and parks, while anticipating the changing needs of the community. The department operates 234 acres of developed parkland in 28 neighborhood and community parks, part of the 1,774-acre Los Flores Ranch Park property, the Abel Maldonado Community Youth Center, and other community centers. The department provides programs in aquatics, youth and adult sports. It also manages the City's Urban Forest Program.
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR:
- Dedicated to providing excellent customer service
- Motivated
- Positive/Can Do Attitude
- Team leader
- Excellent communicator
- Detail & solution oriented
- Spanish speaking skills highly desirable
The ideal candidate will be reliable, courteous, energetic, and friendly; possess effective communications skills; the ability to take direction and work independently; plan and lead recreation activities for all ages and abilities; demonstrate an ability to provide exemplary customer service and perform other duties as assigned in a professional manner while presenting a positive public image. This position may be assigned to work varying shifts including nights, and weekends. Shift will be determined once an assignment is offered upon selection.
DESIRED CORE COMPETENCIES
Individual Contributor:
Incumbents should have a solid foundation of the following core competencies identified by the organization to be essential and listed in order of importance:
- Team Player - Effective performers are team oriented, share resources, respond to requests, and support a spirit of cooperative effort.
- Customer Orientation - Effective performers are in touch with community needs and review the organization through the eyes of Santa Maria residents. They go out of their way to anticipate needs.
- Integrity - Effective performers think and act ethically and honestly, take responsibility for their actions and foster a work environment where integrity is rewarded.
- Communicativeness - Effective performers recognize the essential value of continuous information exchange and the competitive advantage it brings. They actively seek information from a variety of sources and disseminate it in a variety of ways. They use modern technologies to access and circulate information, even across great distances. They take responsibility for ensuring that their people have the current and accurate information needed for success.
- Initiative - Effective performers are proactive and take action without being prompted. They do not wait to be told what to do or when to do it. They see a need, take responsibility, and act on it. They make things happen.
- Composure - Effective performers maintain emotional control, even under ambiguous or stressful circumstances, and demonstrate emotions appropriate to the situation.
- Functional/Technical Expertise - Effective performers are knowledgeable and skilled in a functional specialty (e.g., finance, public works, planning, information technology, human resources, etc.), and remain current in their area of expertise.
- Problem Solving & Decision Making - Effective performers identify problems, solve them, act decisively, and show good judgment.
- Learning Agility - Effective performers continuously seek new knowledge, are curious, learn quickly, and use new information effectively.
- Drive/Energy - Effective performers have a high level of energy and are ambitious and passionate about their role. They have stamina and endurance to maintain a fast pace.
REQUIRED SUBMITTAL:
- Application
- Cover letter highlighting interest in the position
- Supplemental Questions
DUTIES
DETAILED JOB DESCRIPTION
Program Specialist (Facility Specialist II classification)
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Ideally, one year of experience in the Recreation and/or Human Services field; and
- Graduation from high school.
- An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above.
- College coursework with an emphasis in Recreation or related field is desired.
-
Current technical/professional knowledge of complex principles, methods, standards and techniques associated with the scope of work of a recognized profession, such as:
- Recreational or educational program development.
- Effective verbal and interpersonal communication skills.
- Microsoft Office Suite (or equivalent).
- Use computer and other office equipment effectively.
-
Desired licenses and/or certifications associated with the assignment, such as:
- American Red Cross First Aid and Cardiovascular Pulmonary Resuscitation certification.
- American Red Cross Lifeguard Training and Lifeguard Instructor certification (for Aquatics)
- Swim Instructor certification (for Aquatics)
SELECTION PROCESS
The completed electronic application packet will include the online application and supplemental questions, and electronic attachment of a cover letter. If a cover letter is not attached, the application will be considered incomplete.
Application Ranking:
The complete application packet, including cover letter, will be evaluated and scored. Candidates' final score and rank on the eligibility list will be determined by their complete application packet upon meeting the employment standards of the position. The Hiring Department will interview selected candidates from the eligibility list who best meet its needs.
Prior to an offer of employment, applicants may undergo a background check to the satisfaction of the City.
If you are experiencing any technical (computer-related) difficulties or need help with attaching documents to your application, call the NEOGOV helpline for assistance at 1-855-524-5627.The following benefits vary by bargaining unit. For full benefit information please refer to the Memorandum of Understanding or compensation resolution available at https://www.cityofsantamaria.org/services/departments/human-resources/salary-group-agreements.
Retirement
The City of Santa Maria is a member of the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS). Your benefit factor is determined by the retirement formula, age, service credit and final compensation. Based upon your bargaining unit and hire date the benefit factor will vary.
Medical Insurance is provided to employees and eligible dependents through the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS). There are four Preferred Provider Organizations (PPO's) and three Health Maintenance Organizations (HMO's) to choose from. The benefit amount varies per bargaining unit.
The City has a medical insurance benefit program which provides either payment towards the premium for the employee and eligible dependents, or cash payment if you and your dependent(s) already have health benefits. Evidence of major medical health insurance coverage is required for those employees who receive the cash payment. See Memorandum of Understanding for eligibility requirements.
Dental Insurance
Dental Insurance is provided to employees and eligible dependents through The Standard covering 100% of Preventive; 90% of Basic; and 60% of Major with a minimal deductible. The plan includes a Max Builder option rewarding insured employees and their dependents who use only a portion of their annual dental benefit maximum. The benefit amount varies per bargaining unit.
Vision Insurance
Vision Insurance is available to employees and eligible dependents. Coverage is through VSP and covers an annual Well Vision exam and an allowance towards prescription glasses. The benefit amount varies per bargaining unit.
All employees working a minimum of thirty two (32) hours per week are eligible for Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) coverage. Supplemental life, spousal and dependent child options are also available. The benefit amount varies per bargaining unit.
All employees working a minimum of thirty two (32) hours per week, excluding Sworn Police and Fire shall participate in the short-term and long-term disability plan with coverage up to 66 2/3% of salary. Sworn Police and Fire are covered through their respective bargaining unit.
The City offers a flexible spending account option for Dependent Care and Health Care Expenses. With these plans, employees can choose to place a portion of their earnings into a personal reimbursement account on a pre-tax basis. Doing so lowers employees' taxable income for the year and allows them to pay for their qualified dependent care and eligible health care expenses with pre-tax dollars.
Employee Assistance Program
Offered to help employees gain knowledge, skills and motivation to improve the quality of their lives and well-being. The City's Wellness Program includes ergonomic evaluations, flu shots, and Wellness Workshops during lunch and after work. Access to the Paul Nelson Aquatics Center for employee and immediate family members. Access to the Weight room at the Abel Maldonado Community Youth Center for employee and immediate family members. Access to employee discounts and special offers on travel, entertainment, shopping, dining and services.
Mentorship Program
Succession Planning
The academies are offered to all employees including those that are not yet in a supervisory role, but are interested in becoming leaders within the organization as well as our executive management team who have an interest in honing their skills and helping to prepare our future leaders. In addition to multiple leadership academies, the City offers quarterly Speaker Series, a corporate Toastmasters club available for City employees, site tours of various departments, and more.
Deferred Compensation
Employees may participate in the City's 457 Deferred Compensation Plan sponsored by either Empower or CalPERS Supplemental Income. The plan enables employees to save salary and earn interest on a tax-deferred basis. A City match is available based upon representation.
The City also provides an IRS approved 401(a) plan sponsored by Empower for managers represented by Non-Represented Full-Time Management & Confidential (NMAC).
Post Employment Health Plan (PEHP)
Based upon your bargaining unit the City may participate in a PEHP plan that will provide reimbursement for out-of-pocket cost of qualified medical expenses such as prescription drugs, doctor co-pays, eyeglasses and cover the reimbursement of medical insurance premiums upon separation or retirement.
Holidays
The City offers seven (7) paid holidays per year. In addition, based upon your bargaining unit a bank of floating holiday hours is available to be used at the employee's discretion.
Vacation
The City initially offers two weeks of paid vacation per calendar year for all full time employees. Accrual rates increase thereafter based upon your bargaining unit.
Sick Leave
Sick leave shall accrue a rate of eight hours for each month of continuous service, or approximately two weeks per year for all full time employees. Employees may use up to half of their annually accrued sick leave for family illness and up to five days (40 hours) per calendar year for bereavement leave.
Management level employees may receive a prorated amount of management leave time each new calendar year.
Educational Incentive Program
In addition to regular pay when education is in addition to the regular requirements of the job specifications and is work related.
Tuition Reimbursement
Based on your bargaining unit, you may be reimbursed for tuition and book costs of approved job related courses. The maximum amount of tuition reimbursement in any calendar year will vary based upon your bargaining unit.
Auto Allowance
Management level employees may receive auto allowance based upon the need of the position.
Telephone/PDA Stipend
Management level employees may receive a telephone and/or PDA stipend based upon the need of the position.
Bilingual Pay
Bilingual pay is provided to employees who are required by their department head to use both English and Spanish in communicating with the public while performing the duties of his/her position and who demonstrate appropriate skills in both speaking and understanding the Spanish language shall receive compensation. The benefit amount varies per bargaining unit.
