OUTDOOR RECREATION PROGRAMS COORDINATOR

Description

The Town of Cary’s Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Resources department is seeking a passionate, organized and adaptable outdoor recreation professional to join our team as an Outdoor Recreation Programs Coordinator!

This position will drive the creation and implementation of Town wide outdoor recreation engagement via programs, camps, and experiences. Additionally, the Program Coordinator oversees operational and programmatic elements of Bond Park Challenge Course. The position is based at Fred G. Bond Metro Park, a 310-acre oasis in the middle of Cary which offers opportunities for many types of recreation including boating, archery and a challenge course. The Program Coordinator is part of a team responsible for overseeing operations of outdoor recreation facilities (currently the challenge course, boat house and action sports facility), ensuring safety, managing staff, and coordinating programs for individuals, teams, and groups.

This position offers a dynamic work schedule, requiring flexibility to accommodate evenings and weekends as needed. We are looking for someone who is adaptable and open to working outside of traditional business hours to meet the needs of the role.

Work is performed under the general supervision of the Outdoor Recreation Supervisor. Supervision is exercised over temporary and seasonal staff.

Typical Tasks

• Supervises the development, planning, implementation and evaluation of diverse Outdoor Recreation and Challenge Education, special events, camps and programs for all ages, ensuring goals and initiatives are realized.
• Maintains challenge course to ACCT standards and best practices, including operations, staff, and equipment.
• Recruits, hires, coordinates, supervises, trains and evaluates temporary and seasonal staff, program instructors, contract staff and/or volunteers.
• Establishes rules and procedures for efficient and effective operations of program area.
• Ensures the implementation and adherence to the standards for challenge courses as set forth in ANSI/ACCT standards.
• Helps promote Outdoor Recreation and PRCR offerings, opportunities and experiences in the community and may prepare communication plans, social media, manage website content, and other promotional material.
• Assists with Outdoor Recreation facilities and operations.
• Oversees program creation, data entry and information pertaining to class participation, registration, program schedules and registration procedures.
• Maintains knowledge of organizations, trends and issues in recreation programming pertinent to program area.
• Collaborates with other programmers across the PRCR department.
• May assist with implementation of other recreation programs and special events.
• Creates agreements for contracted staff/instructors, and special event vendors and food trucks and validates that contracts are being followed throughout the year.
• Budgets for outdoor recreation program contract instructors, staff, vendors and supplies.
• Performs other job-related tasks as required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Considerable knowledge of outdoor recreation and challenge course programs, including the development and implementation of them
• Ability to deliver programming and training on a wide range of outdoor topics including boating, survival, fire building, nature, orienteering, archery, routine skateboarding, scooter and bike safety practices; etc.
• General knowledge of the workings of a challenge course, including high ropes elements
• General knowledge of modern principles of programming and administration
• Ability to plan and supervise the work of staff
• Ability to interact tactfully and professionally with the public, coworkers and employees
• Ability to prepare technical and financial reports
• Ability to prepare and maintain records.
• Ability to work weekends/nights to implement programs, trainings special events or facility operations
• Comprehensive knowledge of outdoor recreation trends and programming best practices

Minimum and Preferred Qualifications

Education and Experience

Requires a combination of education and experience equivalent to graduation from an accredited college or university with major course work in Recreation, Parks and Recreation, Physical Education or related field.

Requires at least two years of experience working in public programs and at least two years of supervisory experience with full-time or part-time staff.

Requires a CPR and First Aid certification (or ability to obtain one within 6 months with provided training)

Preference will be given to candidates who possess any of the following:

• Knowledge of outdoor recreation and challenge course operations.
• Some supervisory experience over a challenge course facility
• ACCT Challenge Course Manager Certification (or Level 2)

Physical Requirements:

Work requires the employee to lift moderately heavy to heavy items and be able to demonstrate exercises that will be performed on the ropes course, including working at height. An employee must be able to hear and talk in order to communicate with the public and with groups under instruction. An employee must be able to climb, walk unassisted and move about freely. Visual acuity is needed to read typewritten and handwritten materials and to view a computer terminal.

Conditions of Employment:

Requires possession of a valid driver’s license with an acceptable driving record.

Requires drug testing and background check (which may include criminal check, education verification and credit history review) prior to employment.

Must be available to work weekends/nights to implement programs, trainings, special events or facility operations.

Cary ensures equal employment opportunities (EEO) are provided to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, political affiliation, marital status, veteran status, or genetic information.

Regular Full-Time Employees

Cary is pleased to provide excellent, competitive, and comprehensive benefits to serve the needs of our employees and their families.