Essex Junction Recreation & Parks (EJRP) is seeking an enthusiastic, hard-working, innovative, self-starter to be our Program Coordinator. This position will plan, staff, and oversee a variety of recreation programs and events, both supporting existing initiatives and developing anew – for people in all age groups, and range in interest from sports to art, music, cultural, and social activities. Experience with aquatics is preferred as this role oversees our busy outdoor pool and swim lessons over the summer and should be able to train staff and certify lifeguards. This individual will manage our busy recreation department’s communications, including our website and social media. This is an opportunity to gain valuable exposure and experience for a parks and rec enthusiast, with varied work from day to day, and a mixture of program/event oversight and support.

Pay/Wages: Annual starting salary is $47,640 - $52,640.

Benefits:

• Vacation time is accrued at the following rates:
  • New Hire to 5 Years: 3 weeks per year
  • 5 Years to 10 Years: 4 weeks per year
  • After 10 Years: 5 weeks
• 14 paid holidays
• 18 sick days per year
• Retirement benefits include a pension plan (VMERS C) or a deferred compensation plan (VMERS DC), and the ability to contribute to a 457, Traditional IRA or ROTH
• Generous health insurance benefit in which the City pays 95% of the premium for medical and the first 80% of the deductible. After that, you are only responsible for the next 20%, which is not more than $600 for single plans and no more than $1200 for all other plans for covered medical expenses.
• 100% employer paid for dental and vision
• 100% employer paid short-term disability and life insurance
• Qualified Employer for Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Program

Essential Functions and Responsibilities
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.
Program/Event Management, Supervision, and Support

• Oversee the operation and implementation of assigned recreation and parks programs, events, and activities, including budget monitoring and control, program evaluation, and scheduling and coordinating programs/activities.
• Plan, coordinate, implement, and supervise assigned recreation and park programs, activities, and special events, including daytime, evening, and weekend programs.
• Provide assistance, supervision, and support to non-directly assigned programs as needed, working with the Program Directors.
• Assist Program Directors with larger programs and events.
• Serve as a backup in the absence of Program Directors to fill in for their assigned programs as needed.
• Review and evaluate assigned programs, activities, and special events. Make recommendations for future events, program improvements, and program continuation.
• Serve as liaison and coordinate activities with other community organizations.
• Develop, design, and recommend new programs, activities, and special events- keeping with department goals/objectives and community wants and needs. Plan, organize, and implement new programs/activities/events.
• Stay current with new rec trends, programs, and opportunities to continue to meet the community’s needs.
• Organize, coordinate, and facilitate the logistical needs of the assigned programs/functions, including, but not limited to, arranging for necessary facilities, staffing, scheduling, and advertising/promotion.
• Develop and maintain inventory of program supplies and equipment for assigned programs: allocate appropriate supplies and equipment to respective programs and facilities; ensure all equipment is safe and operational.
• Respond to questions and complaints related to assigned programs and/or functions. Bring unusual matters to the attention of the Assistant Director for guidance and direction.
• Attend various meetings as required for the administration of a recreational program or as requested by the Assistant Director.
• Develop a system to recruit, utilize, retain, and recognize community volunteers to support programs and events.
• Create and maintain annual sponsorship opportunities plan for individuals, organizations, and businesses to provide human, financial, or material support for programs and events. Develop relationships with potential donors, business owners, and community representatives.
• Identify, attend, and participate in various community events as a representative of EJRP to establish a relationship with the community.
• Research the needs and desires of the community for effective program implementation, design, and development.
• Actively promote the importance of recreation and parks within the community. Serve as an advocate for getting the community involved in the EJRP programs.
• Provide on-site supervision and oversight of assigned programs.

Maple Street Pool

• Provide oversight of the Maple Street Pool, including swim lessons, open pool hours, private rentals, and preseason school use.
• Advertise for, interview, hire, schedule, assign, direct, supervise, train, and evaluate approximately 30 seasonal lifeguards and swim instructors.
• Ensure swim instructors are appropriately trained to provide safe, educational, high-quality swim lesson experiences.
• Ensure lifeguards are appropriately trained to provide a safe, well-supervised pool, with the goal of proactively addressing unsafe behaviors, while being prepared to respond in the event of an emergency.
• Maintain American Red Cross certifications in First Aid & CPR and as a Lifeguard, as well as an instructor for both.
• Teach and certify staff in First Aid & CPR.
• Teach and certify staff as Lifeguards.
• Plan, organize, schedule, and lead pool staff trainings.

Communications and Marketing

• Design and create effective tools designed for marketing recreation and park programs/activities/special events through a variety of media, which may include, but is not limited to, public service announcements, print/radio/television advertising, news releases, photography, social media, fliers through the schools and school visits.
• Maintain a professional, eye-catching, user-friendly website.
• Utilize social media & other online communication tools to stay current with trends for effective communication (may include Facebook, Instagram, e-newsletters, email marketing, Front Porch Forum, etc.)
• Take, and/or coordinate the collection of, photographs from programs.
• Develop new/improved creative marketing programs designed to increase program participation and community involvement.
• Contribute to creating the brochures for fall, winter/spring, summer, and special events.

Finance and Administration

• Monitor expenses and revenues of assigned programs in accordance with the approved/modified budget.
• Coordinate, initiate, prepare, process, and/or monitor a variety of forms, records, schedules, reports, and other documents related to assigned programs involving background research, compiling, and analysis of data from various sources.
• Use recreation software on a daily basis. Upload, change, cancel, add, and delete classes and programs to ensure the information in the system is accurate. Assist customers in navigating online registrations.
• Recruit, coordinate, and oversee the supervision of volunteers within assigned programs.

Grounds, Maintenance, and Facilities

• Works with the Grounds & Facilities Director to ensure the parks, pools, or facilities are properly and timely prepared for use for assigned programs.
• Work with other staff to ensure facility set-up is completed or arranged for programs, which may require setting up or tearing down yourself.
• Bring to the attention of the Assistant Director any capital/building improvement purchase needed to ensure the safety of our program participants and the effectiveness/success of the programs.

Other Professional Duties

• Confer and communicate regularly with Assistant Director, department personnel, and relevant internal and external organizations and individuals to plan, coordinate and evaluate programs, activities, projects, special events, and policies. Exchange information and resolve conflicts.
• Attend Recreation and Park state and local association meetings and volunteer for committee assignments with approval from the Director.
• Travel to conferences and workshops where the subject matter will enhance recreation and park services that are offered through Essex Junction Recreation and Parks.
• Seek out and actively participate in opportunities for professional development (i.e. classes and certifications) to enhance recreation knowledge and abilities, to support Recreation Department goals and strategic plans, and/or as may be directed by the Director.
• Design procedures or make recommendations to the Director that will enhance or improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the department within the available resources.
• Fill in for and/or assist the office staff in performing registration procedures and other office duties as necessary.

Qualifications
Language Skills: Proficient ability to read, analyze and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.

Mathematical Skills: Proficient ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.

Computer Skills and Experience: Advanced level computer knowledge and skills essential with proficiency in Microsoft Office (including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint). Proficiency with RecTrac or a similar recreation database program is also required.

Reasoning Ability/Mental Requirements: Proficient ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret various instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

Communication & Interpersonal Skills: Ability to relate and work with various people, age groups, and interests while maintaining effective communication and relationships with the public, staff, and participants.

Work Schedule: Flexibility in the work schedule to include evenings, weekends, and some holidays.

Supervisory Responsibilities: Manages 10+ contractors within various programs throughout year and occasional part-time employees and volunteers. During the summer, advertise for, interview, hire, schedule, assign, direct, supervise, train, and evaluate approximately 30 seasonal lifeguards and swim instructors for Maple Street Pool. Carry out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws.

Work Environment: The employee occasionally encounters fumes/odors, hazardous materials/infectious diseases, hazardous equipment, and high working places. The employee is regularly dealing with dirt and dust and must drive on a regular basis. There is also constant contact with outside weather conditions. The noise level is moderate.

Physical Demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is constantly required to stand; walk; see, talk, and hear. The employee is occasionally required to climb/balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift, carry and/or move up to 75 pounds; drive; push or pull; and reach with hands and arms. On a regular basis, the employee is using hands and fingers for dexterity and using the computer. The employee is also frequently handling stressful situations and resolving conflicts. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Travel Required: Occasional travel to local, state and regional meetings. Travel to state, regional and national conferences for professional development.

Required Education and Experience: BA or BS in Recreation or other appropriate discipline plus a minimum of two years’ experience working in recreation or a combination of education and experience from which comparable knowledge and skills are acquired. Have an extensive background with a variety of recreational programs and activities. Background in aquatics (lifeguard, swim instructor, swim team, etc.) strongly preferred. Also, one must possess a working knowledge of community recreation programs' philosophy, principles, and objectives.

Additional Eligibility Requirements: Must have or be eligible for, and obtain, the following certifications within one year of employment:

• American Red Cross First Aid and CPR
• American Red Cross First Aid and CPR instructor
• American Red Cross Lifeguard American Red Cross Lifeguard Instructor
• Certified Parks and Recreation Professional (CPRP) desirable; or must be eligible for, and obtain, within one year of employment.

Affirmative Action/EEO Statement
The City of Essex Junction embraces and is committed to diversity and equal opportunity. We are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. The more inclusive we are as a team, the better we can serve the community of Essex Junction.