PARKS AND RECREATION PROGRAM MANAGER

General Definition

This is second level supervisory work planning, implementing, managing, coordinating, and evaluating parks and recreation programs for an assigned district containing a number of parks and recreation facilities. Employees in this class direct, through subordinate supervisors, the programming for all parks and recreation facilities within an assigned district providing standard recreation programs including athletic, cultural, educational, before and after school time environmental and special events. Of major significance to the work is the responsibility for interpreting the objectives of and creating enthusiasm for parks and programs among subordinates, community groups, and volunteer organizations. Employees in this class are responsible for ensuring all facilities are safe, clean and ready to use. Work is performed under the direction of an administrative superior.

Allocating Factors:

(The following conditions must be met for a position to be allocated to this class.)

The position must have responsibility for managing, through subordinate supervisors, adult and youth park and recreation programs in an assigned district for the Department of Parks and Recreation.
The work must be performed in the Department of Parks and Recreation.

Typical Examples Of Work (Illustrative Only)

Directs, through subordinate supervisors, recreation and park programs for an assigned section of the City; confers with subordinate supervisors to plan and develop program schedules; evaluates schedules in light of community needs and adjusts schedules accordingly.
Tours recreational facilities to observe staff effectiveness promoting such activities as athletics, after school, visual arts, drama, and environmental; directs, through subordinate supervisors, the custodial maintenance and grounds keeping of facilities; takes necessary corrective action to insure that program goals and maintenance standards are met and stays abreast of current local, state and federal regulations regarding cleanliness, accessibility, and safety of recreation facilities; coordinates with recreation staff to utilize the Facilities Maintenance Work Order System; gathers and analyzes data regarding parks and recreation facility usage and program participation and recommends, initiates and implements any needed program changes based upon the data.
Collaborates with Parks and Recreation Operations Managers in planning for district maintenance, special events and programming needs.
Coordinates and manages various programs administered in parks and recreation facilities such as Teen Center programs and Youth Access Centers designed for teens, food programs such as the Snack and Summer Food Program, and the After School program, which provides recreational and educational activities for children after school hours.
Monitors staff levels, ensures adequate supplies, site supervision and provides assistance with interviewing/hiring of staff for parks and recreation programs.
Attends civic, community and social agency meetings to explain the purposes, facility usage, and objectives of recreational facilities and to elicit the participation of the agencies in the programs; confers with representatives from schools, faith based institutions, and non-profit agencies to discuss use of their facilities for recreational purposes; participates in various citywide and interdepartmental activities/programs; entertains a variety of demands from various constituencies; attempts to accommodate diverse requests from groups and individuals; mediates and resolves any conflicts that may occur between community groups and staff.
Assists in the preparation of annual district budgets, involving program, maintenance, equipment, materials, staffing and supplies spending; evaluates population figures to determine program needs for all age, gender, racial, ethnic, and economic groups; develops, manages, reports and audits resources available for programs; acts as the department’s representative to community groups within the district; develops short and long term goals for the district.
Conducts district staff meetings; promotes programs and informs subordinates about departmental policies and plans; recommends programs for individual centers and playgrounds and participates in the development of overall city wide programming; provides assistance in the design of rehabilitated, expanded, or new centers; chairs or serves as a member of district and city wide activity committees; attends staff meetings with other departmental personnel; represents the department at hearings, inquiries, and meetings of various kinds; interfaces with various city agencies regarding programs/activities.
Stays abreast of Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulations and responds to requests for reasonable accommodation within parks and recreation facilities; trains staff with regard to Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and Sexual Harassment laws and regulations.
Manages activities associated with the Reinventing Government Initiative (RGI).
Identifies various sources of revenue for an assigned district, such as grants and fundraising events/programs; monitors and controls these fundraising efforts.
Interacts with the School District of Philadelphia to coordinate the use of school facilities, such as fields or gyms; inspect these sites to ensure they are safe.
Acts as liaison with Human Resources to ensure compliance with civil service regulations; investigates to ensure all fee-based teachers, dance instructors and staff are properly insured, when necessary, to protect against liability.
Provides assistance with the delivery and setup of polling equipment at parks and recreation facilities during elections.
Investigates complaints concerning programs and personnel and recommends appropriate action; participates in the recruitment, training, placement, and evaluation of seasonal employees used in both program and housekeeping functions.
Performs related work as required.

Required Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

Knowledge Of:

the philosophy, objectives, methods, and equipment of organized parks and recreation on a large and varied scale
group dynamics and group leadership as applicable to a large and varied parks and recreation program involving all constituencies
laws, regulations and rules pertaining to the provision of parks and recreation programs, such as ADA and playground safety regulations
athletic, cultural, educational, environmental, and before and after school time programming
the organization, program planning and scheduling, and techniques of volunteer and community group relations involved in directing activities at parks and recreational facilities
parks and recreation program administration, management and coordination principles and techniques
supervisory methods and techniques

Ability To:

organize, oversee, integrate, and evaluate large and varied parks and recreation programs on a community wide basis
supervise, orient, and train a large group of professional employees leading activities at parks and recreation facilities
recruit, orient, evaluate, and retain volunteers on a district wide basis
identify and monitor sources of revenue for an assigned district and/or the department such as grants and fundraising events
evaluate program quality and effectiveness as they relate to an individual’s or a group’s needs, recommending modifications when appropriate
review grant proposals and budgets and make sound recommendations
learn the use of personal computer applications in the field of parks and recreation management
establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, community groups and the general public
present ideas effectively both orally and in writing

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 4/02.)

Education

Completion of a bachelor's degree program at an accredited college or university including or supplemented by course work in the field of special group recreation and recreation administration. AND

General Experience

Four years of recreation experience. AND

Specific Experience

Two years of recreation experience involving responsibility for the direction and supervision of a large and diversified program of athletic and cultural activities, special events and clubs or responsibility for a recreational field on a comprehensive basis in a staff capacity.

OR

Any combination of education and experience determined to be acceptable by the Office of Human Resources that has included a Bachelor’s Degree and the Specific Experience described above.

NOTE:

A master's degree in recreation management, sports management, or a related field may be substituted for two years of the general experience.

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 issued by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania prior to appointment and during tenure of employment as a Parks and Recreation Program Manager.

PAY RANGE:

EP23

Class Established:
- 1/53
Spec. Revision:
- 8/88
Latest Spec. Revision:
- CSC: 2/02, Ad Board: 4/02
Consolidated, along with 7N75, to 9D40:
- CSC: 9/10, Ad Board: 10/10
Re-established as 9D15:
- CSC: 2/11, Ad Board: 3/11

PF/JL

City Of Philadelphia Office Of Human Resources

9D15