RECREATION PROGRAMMING DIRECTOR

9D16

PAY RANGE: N25

GENERAL DEFINITION

This class is responsible for planning, developing, organizing, and directing, through program coordinators, the City's overall recreation programming portfolio. Employees in this class develop and support program sites and community service areas, evaluate, and modify the implementation of a wide variety of athletic, sports, and cultural recreation programs to meet the needs of the community and the resources available to deliver these programs. Work includes fostering an environment to allow for the development of new and innovative programs and programmatic practices. Assessing programming needs in the community, establishing goals and objectives, monitoring the budget for the division, and researching and preparing grant proposals are components of the work. Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with recreation leaders and staff and other departmental managers and supporting and promoting recreational programs with community groups and the public are of major significance to the work. The direction of technical, clerical, and administrative employees, through program coordinators, program managers and other department employees, is another significant aspect of the work. Work is performed under the direction of the Deputy Commissioner.

ALLOCATING FACTORS:(The following conditions must be met for a position to be approved for this class.)

• The employee in this class supervises the City's overall recreation program sites and community service areas. .

• Employees in this class must work in the Parks and Recreation Department.

TYPICAL EXAMPLES OF WORK (ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY)

Plans, supports, assigns, and directs the work of program coordinators and program managers engaged in the development, coordination, and evaluation of a wide variety of diverse recreation programs at program sites, across community service areas, and city-wide; reviews and analyzes current and proposed recreation program plans and activities, schedules, program goals and objectives, and coordinates recreational activities through community agencies and groups.

Supports city-wide youth and special recreation program portfolio based on researching and community engagement to help determine the specific needs of the community; this program plan would include program descriptions, documented performance criteria, target audience, resources required to deliver the program, and the locations most likely to benefit from the program as well as specific program quality standards.

Develops and supervises programmatic community service areas which utilize staff and facilities to their fullest potential through creating seasonally adjusted and diverse programs at recreation facilities and playgrounds that are physically close to one another. The community service area approach includes being responsible for creating action-oriented agendas in the community that can engage both adults and young people to improve the community while building skills and assets among the youth.

Coordinates and organizes, through program coordinators and program managers, the work of both full-time staff including Recreation Leaders and Parks and Recreation Outreach Workers, as well as seasonal and part-time staff who will provide enhanced specialized programming, and other resources as part of each community service area.

Develops and manages a variety of external partnerships to support the work of each individual site within each community service area, including volunteer offerings, financial support, and material support.

Develops a portfolio of specific recreation programs designed to meet the needs of the community in areas such as out of school time programming, ice rinks, aquatics, programs inclusive of all abilities, community gardening, technology access, e-sports, and outdoor experiences.

Directs, organizes, and coordinates a variety of special projects such as special holiday programs across the system, grants, and meets with politicians and community and civic groups.

Prepares grant proposals for funding, including the research and development of grant proposals submitted for the special fund; contacts school district officials to discuss usage of school facilities; reviews playstreet requests and permits for conformance to standards and completeness.

Creates program aids and trains recreation center leaders to support the effective implementation of the programs and development of new programs; supports revenue collection processes, policies, and accountability.

Audits the use of programs to ensure they adhere to defined program standards.

Publishes regular reports that define trends from the field regarding program progress, implementation results and reception by the community; calls and conducts meetings with leadership and discusses problems and progress, as appropriate; schedules, structures and arranges in-service training programs for recreation leaders, lifeguards, and all grant related personnel.

Represents the department at city‑wide and community meetings with other City agencies and organized service and civic groups to explain and promote aspects of the recreation program; serves as general chairperson of and consultant to recreation committees concerned with special group activities.

Performs related work as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• program development including expertise in creating effective programs and an understanding of best practices, emerging practices and innovate delivery options for recreational programs for both existing and new users.

• departmental philosophy, objectives, managerial practices, policies, and procedures as applied to the implementation, operation, and coordination of program activities within a large recreational agency.

• organization, program planning and scheduling, and techniques of volunteer and community group engagement involved in directing recreation activities at conventional and functionally‑developed recreational facilities.

• principles and practices of administrative organization and management and their application in solving a variety of operational and administrative problems.

• the principles and practices of administrative analysis.

• the methods and techniques for print and digital media available for disseminating informational and promotional material to the public.

• supervisory methods and techniques.

• the principles, practices, methods, and techniques used in the preparation of grant proposals.

• the principles and practices of the preparation, administration, and control of operating budgets.

SKILL IN:

• evaluating program quality and effectiveness and to prepare recommendations based on evaluations.

ABILITY TO:

• organize and integrate large and varied recreation programs and special events on a city‑wide scale.

• interpret and analyze statistical and other written reports to determine effectiveness of recreation programs and for use in planning future programs.

• supervise and support employees engaged in program development and implementation support work.

• develop, organize, and deliver a comprehensive in‑service training program for recreation personnel and to evaluate their capabilities and development.

• present ideas effectively, both orally and in writing.

• establish and maintain effective working relationships with and to interpret the objectives of the recreation program to associates, other City department heads, City officials and a wide variety of civic, service, and other public agencies.

• perform various administrative and policy research/writing tasks.

MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE (The following statement represents the minimum training and experience standards which will be used to admit or reject applicants for tests. Applications submitted by candidates for this class will be reviewed based on training and experience requirements as approved on 5/22).

EDUCATION:

Completion of a bachelor's degree at an accredited college or university.

AND

GENERAL EXPERIENCE:

Five years of recreation experience, two years of which has been as a Recreation Leader 3 or Recreation Programming Coordinator.

AND

SPECIFIC EXPERIENCE:

Three years of managerial recreation experience as a Parks and Recreation Program Manager.

Or any equivalent combination of education and experience determined to be acceptable by the Office of Human Resources that has included the specific experience described above.

PHYSICAL AND MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS

Ability to physically perform the duties and to work in the environmental conditions required of a position in this class.

LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS AND/OR CERTIFICATES

Possession of a valid proper class motor vehicle operator's license as issued by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania prior to appointment and during tenure of appointment as a Recreation Program Director.

Class Established - 12/52

Spec. Revision

CSC ‑ 12/92

Ad Board ‑ 1/93

CSC – 3/14

Ad Board – 3/14

Latest Spec. Revision

CSC – 5/22

Ad. Board – 6/22