Recreation Coordinator

Recreation Coordinator

Full Time Position



The City of Alexandria is in Northern Virginia bordered by the District of Columbia (Potomac River), Arlington, and Fairfax counties. Once within the original boundary stones that demarked the area of the Nation’s Capital, Alexandria is a part of the greater Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. With a population of approximately 157,600 Alexandria is the sixth largest city in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Unique and historic, Alexandria is a place that is experiencing substantial redevelopment appeal and business growth opportunities because of a high market demand for urban living in a quality environment. About one-quarter of the City’s 15.47 square miles has been designated as a national or local historic district.

The City of Alexandria is an independent city with no county affiliation and derives its governing authority from a Charter granted by the Virginia General Assembly. Virginia is a Dillon Rule state, allowing local governments only the authority expressly granted to them by the Virginia Constitution or by the Virginia General Assembly in the City Charter or in general law. City Council is the governing body, which formulates policies for the administration of the City. The mayor is chosen on a separate ballot and presides over sessions of the Council. Alexandria is a Council/Manager form of government.

If you are interested in working for the vibrant City of Alexandria, we invite qualified candidates to apply for our Recreation Coordinator for Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities (RPCA).

• The mission of Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities is to enrich the City of Alexandria by creating meaningful experiences through public spaces, cultural activities, and programming.
• The Department’s vision is to improve the well-being of every person in our community by connecting them to each other and their environment.

Overview
RPCA supports the well-being of Alexandria’s residents by ensuring access to a variety of quality recreation, park, and cultural experiences. There are over 900 acres of publicly accessible open space (this includes both public and private land that is open for public use), 51 programmed recreation and park facilities, hundreds of classes, an arts center, and a City Marina. The Department is comprised of four operating Divisions: Recreation Services; Leadership & Management; Cultural Activities; and Park Services. These four Divisions work to offer the full range of programs, services, facilities, and parks.
Under the supervision of the Regional Program Director, the Recreation Coordinator will oversee programming coordination at the thriving Charles Houston Recreation Center. Primary responsibilities entail planning, implementing, coordinating, and supervising recreation programs, events, classes, and activities. The incumbent will provide professional administrative, supervisory, and programmatic duties. The Recreation Coordinator is responsible for increasing center attendance and participation through engaging programs and activities. This position also includes recruiting, coordinating, and supervising full-time, part-time, and volunteer staff. Through effective leadership, human resources, budget management, and exceptional customer service the Recreation Coordinator will perform related work as required. The successful candidate will be passionate about working with youth and possess effective communication and excellent customer service skills.
Major areas of responsibility include:

1. Program Supervision and Execution (30% of position/12 hours per week)

Provide oversight and management of the daily operation for the year-round Out of School Time Program (OSTP) for elementary aged participants. Plan, implement, coordinate, and supervise recreation programs, events, and activities, including developing, scheduling and implementing recreational activities. With the support of the Teen Coordinator, develop, and oversee the teen programs. Develop, schedule, and implement recreational activities. Develops measures for each program/activity to evaluate success and adjusts as necessary. Purchases supplies and equipment following department and City procedures. Coordinate programming opportunities with city approved vendors.

1. Facility Operations (25% of position/10 hours per week)

Monitor the facility to ensure a safe, clean, and welcoming environment. Administers the rental, scheduling, use, and maintenance of the recreation center. The Recreation Coordinator is also responsible for assisting in the management and daily operations of the Center. Proactively performs center safety and maintenance checks and responds to building concerns ensuring the safety and cleanliness for quality programs and experiences. Reports accidents, injuries, incidences and property loss/damage. Provides customers with RecTrac membership, program registration, and room rental reservations. Coordinates set up and take down of equipment and monitors the proper use of the equipment.

1. Outreach, Direct Service and Community Engagement (15% of position/6 hours per week)

Create partnerships to expand the academic and enrichment components. Assist with increasing public awareness of recreational programs and opportunities through neighborhood canvassing and events. Communicates clearly and courteously with internal and external customers. Responds to patron inquires and complaints in a timely manner. Create and maintain relationships with community groups, schools, parents, and others to assist in advancing the department’s mission, publicizing events, and expanding general programming support and resources. Create a welcoming, inclusive, and safe space for patrons. Schedules and supervises programs. Attend back to school night events. Organize community pop-up events with vendors. Represents the Department at public meetings and maintains working relationships with members of the community, including with interest groups/stakeholders

1. Administrative/ Supervision (15% of position/6 hours per week)

Recruits, coordinates, and supervises the activities of regular, temporary, and volunteer staff. Assist with the hiring, training, supervising, and evaluating of seasonal and part-time staff. Prepares program budgets and monitors expenditures. Conduct weekly OSTP and Teen staff meetings to foster engagement, teamwork, and skill development. Create consistent and effective communication methods with parents. Facilitate weekly team meetings with staff under your program areas. Actively participate in two different Division, Department, or City committees and/or work groups.

1. Other (15% of position/6 hours per week)

Other duties include being accessible for after-hours needs such as staff support, response to facility alarms, emergency situations, and inclement weather responsibilities. Provide front desk and facility coverage when needed. Ability to respond for any afterhours emergencies required for the facility. Management of patrons and staff during emergency situations. Participate in department meetings and training as required. Perform and complete other duties as assigned by supervisor. Works various hours which include days, evenings, weekends, and some holidays.

Key Work Aspects of RPCA and the City of Alexandria:
Based on your reporting relationship, you are tasked with creating an environment of success in the department such that staff are highly engaged to focus on results that support organizational attainment of our mission and strategic plan. Our purpose is to build an organizational cultural “that supports each of us and inspires excellence.”

RPCA Strategic Plan - Each leader is expected to implement the mission, vision, values, and the three strategic themes (grow our facilities, grow our services, grow our operations) as determined through the department strategic plan, business plan and the budget process. It is expected that all decisions will be made considering the values and theme areas.

Statement of Workplace Excellence - We believe every RPCA staff member has the right to a safe, healthy, efficient, and pleasant working environment where all organization members adhere to the highest standards of behavior, personal integrity, and truthfulness. Each staff member demonstrates full support and acts on deploying workplace excellence.

Shared Leadership Approach - We continually strive to gain the maximum amount of discretionary effort on the part of our staff members. All staff members are collectively responsible for our organizational community and have leadership roles. Everyone is a decision maker within his or her job. We invite participation in solving organizational issues and constantly improving our operations. We share a leader-to-leader model.

Customer Service Guarantee - We are committed to delivering a consistently superior customer experience to all who participate in our programs or visit our parks and facilities. Service will be:

• Responsive - respond in a timely manner to all residents and customers both external and internal. We own the request we receive and do not shift the responsibility.
• Professional - represent the department in appropriate appearance, decorum, and communication.
• Courteous - Treat everyone with respect. Treat everyone fairly. Treat everyone with dignity.
• Accountable - Demonstrate a bias toward action. Ensure follow-up and follow-through with appropriate results.

Our most valued assets are engaged staff members and customers.

High Performance Organization - RPCA commits to building and sustaining a high-performance organization. This ensures a clear and consistent strategic direction. We continually focus on improving all aspects of internal and external operation. We also strive through workplace excellence and shared leadership to inspire staff to outstanding outcomes. Every job in the organization has elements of team leadership, management, and task accomplishment. HPO is team based.

What You Should Bring
Each member of the team is accountable for the outstanding delivery of services to the community. The ideal candidate should possess knowledge of programming and special event planning; knowledge of child development; ability to plan and direct program activities; ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, stakeholders, and the public; ability to generate interest and participation in center activities with various age groups; ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing. The ability to work independently and use judgment within established procedures; experience preparing reports; ability to organize, ability to work with a variety of staff at all levels and to handle assignments across sections of the Recreation Services Division will ensure success in this role.

Recreation Coordinator key performance objectives:

• Plan, develop, and implement a successful OSTP program for elementary school students during the school year and summer
• Plan, develop and implement robust and successful summer camp programming
• Plan, develop, and implement an active and popular Teen Program that attracts new weekly participants.
• Create quarterly classes and special events that attract the community
• Recruit, coach, evaluate, and retain seasonal, part-time and contracted programming staff
• Ensures the safety of all programs, activity and event participants and providers by implementing monthly safety drills, monitoring participants' activity, and following City policies and procedures
• Assists with the timely and accurate preparation and submission of the departmental brochures, flyers, and reports
• Assist with management of a recreational facility and private rentals

Minimum & Additional Requirements

Four-Year College Degree; completion of college-level courses in recreation, physical education, business management or related fields. Experience in community recreation at a level equivalent to a Recreation Supervisor I, or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.

Preferred Qualifications

Five or more years of recreation programming experience, including proven experience producing and managing a variety of diverse recreational programs, to include summer camp programs. Previous experience leading or directing the work of others. Possession of a valid driver’s license.

Notes

This position requires successful completion of a criminal records background check and drug screening prior to employment.