Recreation Program Specialist (Yeargan Park, Youth, Athletics) in Garner, North Carolina at Town of Garner

The Town of Garner is seeking several dynamic, creative, and service-oriented Parks and Recreation Program Specialists to support and elevate athletic and youth programming within the department, including the new multi-field complex Yeargan Park, the Garner Recreation Center, Avery Recreation Center, and other recreational facilities in the Town’s growing park system. These positions play a key role in delivering high-quality recreational experiences and advancing the Town’s mission to serve residents and visitors through innovative programming for people of all ages.

Examples of Duties:

• Plans and delivers a variety of programs including adult and youth athletic leagues, regional tournaments, skills-based clinics and instructional programs, and special events hosted at Town athletic facilities.
• Serves as the primary liaison between event organizers, Town departments, and the facilities team; identifies operational needs and manages complex event logistics from initial conception through execution and final recap.
• Acts as the commissioner for indoor and outdoor recreational leagues; manages facility scheduling, league logistics, and on-site facility supervision during league practice and play.
• Manages seasonal program offerings from registration trends to final execution, ensuring alignment with departmental protocols.
• Coordinates site readiness (fields, courts, classrooms, etc.), equipment setup (goals, nets, etc.), and lighting systems. Monitors field / play surface conditions and communicates status updates to organizers and participants to manage expectations and safety.
• Researches emerging sports trends and innovative competitions and implements new or enhanced athletic activities to modernize existing programs and meet evolving community needs.
• Monitors registration trends and participant statistics to evaluate program success, optimize resource allocation, and ensure Town recreational and athletic programs facilities remain best-in-class in the region.
• Maintains detailed records and documentation for events, leagues and activities, tracking key metrics including enrollment, participation, cost recovery, and financial benefits of tournaments .
• Supports the Program Manager in the recruitment, training, supervision, evaluation, and scheduling of part-time staff, officials, and volunteers for leagues, programs, and tournament operations.
• The Recreation Program Specialist schedule will be flexible and reflect the nights and weekends framework typical of athletic leagues, tournaments, and special events. A typical work schedule would include three to four weekdays on a 12:00 PM – 9:00 PM schedule and weekends 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM on Saturdays / Sundays.

General Professional Responsibilities

In addition to specific duties, all Specialists perform the following core functions:

Minimum Qualifications & Physical Requirements

Applicants must have:

Additional Information:

The salary posted is the hiring salary range for this position and will be determined based on qualifications.

Initial interviews may be conducted before the application deadline.

This posting may be closed at anytime.

Equal Opportunity Employer