Program Specialist

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

IDEAL CANDIDATE
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

DETAILED JOB DESCRIPTION
Program Specialist  (Facility Specialist II classification)

• 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)

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.

Salary : $22 - $26