Recreation Specialist (Childcare) - City of Suffolk, VA : Job Details

Salary: $47,110.00 Annually Location : Suffolk, VA Job Type: Full Time Job Number: 04067 Department: PARKS&REC-RECREATION Opening Date: 08/12/2025 Closing Date: 8/17/2025 11:59 PM Eastern Description Under general direction, performs supervisory work involving planning and coordinating of child care and recreational programs at the Recreation Centers. Work involves planning and implementing recreation programs, scheduling and coordinating activities, supervising children in before and after school child care and summer camps, processing program registrations, recording and depositing revenues, administering budget, preparing statistical reports, and supervising division personnel. Reports to the Joint Use Recreation Supervisor. This position works three split shifts (6:30a-9:30a/1p-6p), one opening shift (6:15a-2:15p), and one mid-shift (9a-5p) per week. Job location is at Mack Benn Recreation Center. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions herein described. Since every duty associated with this position may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in the job description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties just as though they were actually written out in this job description. **This is a drug-free workplace** Essential Job Functions

• Supervises, directs, and evaluates assigned staff, processing employee concerns and problems, directing work, counseling, disciplining and completing employee performance appraisals, interviews candidates for employment, conducts new employee orientation, recruits and supervises contracted instructors and volunteers.
• Coordinates daily work activities, organizes, prioritizes, and assigns work, monitors status of work in progress and inspects completed work, consults with assigned staff, assists with complex problem situations, and provides technical expertise.
• Monitors participation and attendance in various programs.
• Ensures division compliance with all applicable codes, laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies and procedures, ensures adherence to established safety procedures, monitors work environment and use of safety equipment to ensure safety of employees, program participants, and other individuals, initiates any actions necessary to correct deviations or violations.
• Plans and implements new and existing recreational programs at Recreation Centers, developing schedules for classes or other activities, scheduling use of facilities, and moving equipment as needed. Coordinating or performing cleaning of facility, scheduling and supervising daily activities for summer recreation and after school programs. Monitors and supervises USDA Summer Food Lunch Program.
• Performs administrative functions, prepares and administers annual budget, monitors and controls expenditures, develops long and short term plans, goals and objectives for assigned area, prepares weekly, monthly and annual statistical reports, records/reports accidents and incidents, prepares press releases and program flyers, prepares weekly work schedules and payroll reports, reviews, approves and forwards invoices for payment.
• Provides information and assistance related to division programs, services, events, activities, fees, procedures, forms, or other issues, responds to routine questions and complaints or requests for service, initiates problem resolution.
• Receives and processes registration forms for program activities and recreation memberships, receives monies in payment of program registration fees or other fees/services, records and deposits program revenues.
• Prepares and completes various forms, reports, correspondence, registration forms, payments, invoices, brochures/flyers, posters, signs or other documents.
• Receives various forms, reports, correspondence, registration forms, payments, invoices, brochures/flyers, handbooks, policies, manuals, reference materials, or other documentation, reviews, completes, processes, forwards or retains as appropriate.
• Operates a computer to enter, retrieve, review or modify data, verifies accuracy of entered data and makes corrections, utilizes word processing, spreadsheet, desktop publishing, or other software programs.
• Monitors inventory of division equipment and supplies, ensures availability of adequate materials to conduct work activities, initiates request for new/ replacement materials, inspects equipment for proper operations, performs minor repairs as needed.
• Communicates with supervisor, employees, other division/departments, City officials, volunteers, instructors, program participants, parents, school personnel, community organizations, the public, outside agencies, and other individuals as needed to coordinate work activities, review status of work, exchange information, resolve problems, or give/receive advice and direction.
• Attends department, division and Center staff meetings, attends other meetings as needed.
• Maintains a comprehensive, current knowledge of applicable laws/regulations; maintains an a awareness of new trends and advances in the profession, reads professional literature, maintains professional affiliations, attends workshops and training sessions as appropriate.
• Responds to routine questions or complaints from the public.
• Assists with planning/implementation of special events/activities for the City and or other divisions of the department.
• Participates in marketing and advertising for all types of programs; attends community meetings; prepares presentations; develops outreach projects and programs.
• Maintains on-call status as required.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Required Qualifications Bachelor's degree in, Recreation, Physical Education, Sports Management, or a closely related field; supplemented by (1) year previous experience and/or training involving recreation/athletic program development and management, child care program administration, budget development, supervision, and personal computer operations. Must possess and maintain CPR & First Aid Certifications within six months of employment. Requires a valid driver's license. Supplemental Information

• Ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable, functional, structural technical, or compositional characteristics (whether similar or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people or things.
• Ability to speak and/or signal people to convey or exchange information. Includes giving/receiving instructions, assignments or directions from superiors, and giving instructions, assignments or directions to others.
• Ability to read a variety of reports, letters and memos, literature, etc.
• Ability to prepare correspondence, news releases, advertising copy, speeches or scripts, etc., using prescribed formats and conforming to all rules of punctuation, grammar, diction, and style.
• Ability to speak before groups of people with poise, voice control and confidence.
• Ability to learn and understand relatively complex principles and techniques, to make independent judgments in absence of supervision, and to acquire knowledge of topics related to primary occupation.
• Ability to record and deliver information, to explain procedures and policies, and to follow oral and written instructions, guidelines and objectives.
• Ability to utilize mathematical formulas; to add and subtract; multiply and divide; determine decimals and percentages, determine time and weight, make statistical calculations, and interpret graphs.
• Ability to inspect items for proper length, width and shape, visually with office equipment and sports/athletic equipment.
• Ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions. Must be adaptable to performing under minimal amounts of stress when confronted with and emergency.
• Knowledge of the policies, procedures, and activities of the City and of Recreation Department practices as they pertain to the performance of duties relating to the position of Recreation Specialist.
• Knowledge of the principles, methods and techniques of planning and administering recreation/athletics programs and promoting the programs.
• Knowledge of the policies, practices, methods, objectives and goals of the Parks and Recreation Department.
• Knowledge of the requirements, policies and procedures of various media outlets necessary for promotional activities.
• Knowledge of photography.
• Knowledge of the current literature, trends and developments in the public relations and parks and recreation fields.
• Skill in written composition and graphic design.
• Ability to use popular computer driven graphics, word processing, spreadsheet and file maintenance programs.
• Ability to develop and maintain high visibility and good relations with department personnel, City officials, employees, media representatives and community groups.
• Ability to conceive, organize and implement programs to promote the department and its programs and activities.
• Ability to exercise initiative and independent judgment in a variety of work situations.
• Ability to research various topics and compile facts and data accurately.
• Ability to establish and maintain working relationships as necessitated by work assignments.

Seasonal Employees- No Benefits Part-time Employees - Sick Leave (See below) Full Time Employees are eligible for the following benefits; Retirement (Virginia Retirement System employer) for employees hired on or after 1/1/14 - Hybrid Members Hybrid plan members contribute 4 percent of creditable compensation to the defined benefit plan and 1 percent to the defined contribution plan each month. Members may voluntarily contribute up to an additional 4 percent in 0.5 percent increments to the defined contribution plan each month. Members can increase or decrease their voluntary contributions on a quarterly basis. With the mandatory and voluntary contributions to the defined contribution component of the plan, members can contribute a maximum of 5 percent with a 3.5 percent match from the employer. Members invest in various investment options that best fit their needs. Vested after 5 years in the defined benefit part of the plan. Vested in phases based on years in the Defined Contribution part of the Plan. The retirement eligibility for a full or reduced retirement pension in the Hybrid Plan is very detailed. Please contact the Virginia Retirement System or the Human Resources Department for details. Paid Time Off (PTO)Yearly earnings 120 Hours (1-59 months), 144 Hours (60-119 months), 168 Hours (120- 179 months), 192 Hours (180 and over) Sick Leave Part Time employees earn 4 hours per month Sick leave accrues at the end of the month and may be accrued with no ceiling. Personal Leave All regular full time employees are granted 24 hours of personal leave each calendar year. Personal leave must be preapproved and is not cumulative. Health Insurance Coverage available for you and your eligible dependents using pre-tax payroll deductions if elected. Supplemental Insurances Employees may purchase the following supplemental insurance policies: short term and long term disability, cancer, accident, supplemental hospitalization, and group universal life insurance. Employer Sponsored Short Term and Long Term Disability Provides disability coverage for employees work and non-work related disabilities. Work related disabilities are covered starting on day one (1). Non work related disabilities are covered starting on day eight (8), after you have been employed for one year. Flexible Spending Accounts Employees may participate in the Health Reimbursement, Dependent Care Reimbursement and Premium Reimbursement Accounts. All deductions are made on a pre-tax basis and will reduce your taxable income. Life Insurance The city pays the entire premium for life insurance coverage in the amount of 2 times annual salary for natural death and 4 times annual salary for accidental death. Optional Life Insurance Employees have the option of electing additional life insurance coverage in the amount of 1, 2, 3 or 4 times their annual salary. Employees may only purchase optional life insurance on spouses and children if they are enrolled in optional life insurance for themselves. Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) 12 weeks of job protected leave for leaves approved in accordance with the Family Medical Leave Act. Employees receive continuation of health insurance, job protection and consideration for a comparable job when available, or an equivalent job, upon return to work. Funeral Leave 24 hours of paid leave of absence in case of death in immediate family. Holidays Suffolk follows the Virginia State holiday calendar as set by the Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Jury Duty Time off with pay with difference between jury pay and regular pay or use annual leave and keep check. 457 Deferred Compensation, ROTH IRA, Traditional IRA Offered through ICMA Retirement Corporation as a way to shelter a portion of your salary from income taxes and save for retirement. Employee Assistance Program Offers employees and immediate family members (3) free, confidential counseling sessions related to a broad range of issues such as marital or family conflict, job or personal stress, alcohol or drug abuse, financial or legal worries, etc. Worker's Compensation Should an employee have an on the job injury, he/she could be eligible for Workmen's Compensation Benefits, except in cases of willful neglect. Pay Days Employees will be paid on the 15th and last working day of each month. Credit Union A Suffolk Credit Union is available to employees. Legal Services Employees may prepay for access to legal assistance. Notary Public Services Services available in the Human Resources Department. Alternative Work ScheduleFor some positions -Offers 4 Alternative Work Schedule options to provide employees with greater control over their personal and professional time, as well as reducing absences. 01 Do you have a valid driver's license?

• Yes
• No

02 Do you have a Bachelor's or higher degree in Recreation, Physical Education, Sports Management, or a closely related field?

• Yes
• No

03 Which of the following best represents your experience and/or training involving prevention/outreach program development and management, child care program administration, budget development, supervision, and personal computer operations?

• Less than 1 year
• 1-2 years
• 2-3 years
• 3-4 years
• 4-5 years
• More than 5 years

04 Do you have at least 1 to 2 years of experience in a customer service role working directly with adults and/or children?

• Yes
• No

05 Indicate your current CPR/First Aid/AED certification:

• CPR
• First Aid
• Automated External Defibrillator (AED)
• All of the Above
• None of the Above

06 Are you available to work mornings and evenings?

• Yes
• No

07 Are you available to work some holidays?

• Yes
• No

08 Are you available to work some weekends?

• Yes
• No

Required Question