PART TIME RECREATION SPECIALIST I/II

This position will primarily be assigned to front desk reception and facility assistance for the Recreation Center.

Applicants must be able to work up to 20 hours a week including evenings and weekends.

There are multiple vacancies open for this position.

 

DEFINITION 

Under general supervision, coordinates a segment or segments of recreation programs; provides lead direction, work coordination, and training to lower level staff; may be provided more complex functions related to recreation programs; and performs related duties as required.

 

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

Recreation Specialist is distinguished from the Recreation Leader series in that Recreation Specialists provide lead direction to lower-level staff and may be assigned more complex functions related to recreation programs.

 

SUPERVISION EXERCISED AND RECEIVED

Receives general supervision from supervisory or management staff in the Recreation Department. 

 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The duties listed below are illustrative only and are not meant to be a full and exhaustive listing of all of the duties and responsibilities of the position.

• Plans, promotes, develops, and oversees a portion of assigned recreation program(s); participates in planning and leading activities; promotes assigned program(s) through a variety of mediums; may schedule, train, and guidance to part-time staff;
• Provides a variety of administrative support to assigned program(s); maintains inventory of equipment, supplies, and related items; maintains accurate records related to participation, attendance, behavior, progress, and related statistics;
• Participates in marketing Recreation Department programs and activities; use social media to promote programs and activities; creates and/or distributes promotional material; coordinates marketing materials for distribution; posts information about programs, activities, and events to the City website;
• Provides support for and participates in a variety of City events, such as staff luncheons, senior luncheons, Brown Bag program, Youth in Government program, Youth Advisory Committee events, and other City functions; may be assigned responsibility for transportation of participants, equipment, and/or delivery of goods; may be assigned to decorate, setup, or run portions of events;
• Serves as a liaison for special events; receives and manages special event applications from the public; provides information to Director for staff reports to City Council; coordinates necessary interdepartmental tasks as needed for events;  distributes applications and tasks to required individuals; acts as point person for the City;
• Provides effective customer service both in-person and on the phone; interacts with community members; conducts registrations; attends tabling events; may assist with front-office coverage;
• Attends meetings, workshops, and other related duties as required; and
• Performs related duties as assigned.

 

JOB-RELATED QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of: Principals, techniques, and practices involved in the delivery of recreation services; recreation program development, organization, and planning; techniques in promoting recreation programs; safety standards and practices; basic principles of lead direction; common recreation activities and sports; department rules and regulations; first aid and CPR.

 

Ability to: Work with Microsoft Office programs; exercise independent judgment in performing job responsibilities; direct volunteer and paid staff using positive communication skills; organize and/or direct groups and individuals participating in pre-school age, youth, adult, and/or senior recreation programs and special events; think and act quickly in emergencies; work to maintain and help create an action-oriented atmosphere with both the public and staff; understand and carry out written and oral directions. establish and maintain cooperative relationships with subordinates, peers, and supervisors; practice basic recreation skills in a variety of areas.

 

EDUCATION AND TRAINING GUIDELINES

Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities. A typical way would be:

 

Education: Equivalent to graduation from an accredited college or university with an Associate’s degree in recreation, gerontology, therapeutics, or a related field.   

 

Experience: Two (2) years of full-time equivalent experience in the recreation, transportation, education, or a related field. 

 

Licenses: Must possess and maintain a valid Class “C” California Driver’s License with a satisfactory driving record.  Possession of and ability to maintain a valid first aid certificate. Possession of and ability to maintain a valid CPR certificate. 

 

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Vision adequate to read and supervise program participants; ability to bend, stoop, or crouch, and have enough physical stamina to lift and carry up to 30 pounds; mobility to move tables and chairs for room setup and to assist in the mobility of a variety of clients. Speak clearly and understandably. 

 

 

The Park Assistant III (Class: 180) will perform a variety of skilled park maintenance work. Specific tasks vary with location and include regular maintenance of picnic grounds, restrooms, and developed areas, trash removal, trail maintenance, plant care including mowing and brush removal, irrigation repair, fence repairs, assembly and installation of site furnishings and signs, and delivery of materials and equipment to job sites.

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This is skills-based physical labor work, in all weather conditions, for a person at an entry level or intermediate level. The work performed will support MRCA’s operation of nature parks within greater Los Angeles and other MRCA efforts related to public access, open space conservation, habitat restoration, and urban park development.

Park Assistant III positions exist in the Routes, Construction and Developed Resources Divisions and specific duties may include but are not limited to:

Duties for the Developed Resources division also include repairs to utility infrastructure, building repairs, and skilled gardening, and assistance during special events.

Duties for the Construction division also include building renovation (carpentry, electrical, plumbing), utility infrastructure repairs, and new construction of park amenities and irrigation systems.

Supervision

Depending on the division, the position may report to an Operations Manager, Deputy Division Chief or Division Chief. The position does not supervise other staff but may occasionally direct the work of volunteers, court crews, seasonal workers, volunteers, and youth crews. The employee may work independently or as part of a crew.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.

• Maintain picnic grounds and parking areas, including regular trash removal and pickup and graffiti removal. Regular inspection of park sites to determine maintenance needs.
• Clean and restock restrooms. 
• Inspect irrigation systems and perform repairs and adjustments as needed.
• Maintain landscape and natural areas to reduce fire hazards and perform weed control activities.
• Follow verbal and written directions.
• Apply pesticides and herbicides in accordance with applicable laws and regulations under the supervision of the pesticide manager.
• Make repair to hiking trails, stream crossings, and equestrian trails.
• Operate light equipment such as mowers, edgers, brush cutters and power tools, and perform minor mechanical repairs.
• Install various park amenities including benches, signs, fencing, landscaping, irrigation, and trails.
• Inspect drinking fountains and perform repairs as needed.
• Participate in agency emergency response.
• Assist in preparing and cleaning up for events as needed.
• Maintain good habits of answering and responding to incoming telephone calls and emails, and when communicating and providing customer service to citizens who seek assistance.
• Maintain positive relationships with coworkers and the public at large.
• Perform related duties as required.

JOB SPECIFICATIONS

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to lift and carry items weighing up to 60 pounds for a distance up to 50 feet both indoors and outdoors;  frequently operate heavy equipment, hand tools, light equipment and power tools; constantly work in outdoor weather conditions; frequently move about work sites; communicate and exchange information; observe and document site conditions; transport equipment and tools between vehicles and work sites on a daily basis; and occasionally ascend/descend a ladder to access areas of work.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

The following generally describes the knowledge and ability required to enter the job and/or be learned within a short period of time in order to successfully perform the essential functions. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

Education and Experience

• High School Diploma or G.E.D.
• Two (2) years of experience in grounds maintenance, plant care, facility/building maintenance or related field.

Training and Certification

• Must have a valid California driver’s license in good standing with a satisfactory driving record at the time of hire.
• Pesticide Handler certification (or ability to complete within 6 months).
• Basic First Aid and CPR certification (or ability to complete within 6 months).
• Forklift Operator / heavy equipment certification (or ability to complete within 6 months).

Knowledge of:

• Safe working practices, Cal-OSHA requirements.
• Automatic Irrigation systems.
• Pesticide and herbicide application.
• Proper tool care and storage.
• Basic proficiency in email and Office 365, or ability to learn.
• Regulatory requirements, or ability to learn.
• Bilingual skills in English and another locally common language, such as Spanish, Korean, Farsi, Chinese, Armenian, Yiddish, or Tagalog is highly desired.

Ability to:

• Maintain a safe and clean working environment.
• Consistently follow procedures.
• Prioritize varying tasks and projects.
• Work in all weather conditions. Perform demanding labor on multiple consecutive days outdoors in hot weather.
• Revise work approach to address changed conditions.
• Complete projects and follow oral and written directions.
• Learn technical material.
• Work independently and with others.
• Complete the MRCA Wildland Fire Academy, if desired by the employee.
• Read maps and navigate through greater Los Angeles in both urban developed and undeveloped open space areas.

Competencies:

• Effective oral English language skills. Not required to be a native English speaker, but fluency in English will be required.
• Follow safety procedures and utilize/wear protective equipment as needed.
• Establish and maintain cooperative relations with those contacted in the course of work including the general public.

This job announcement is not intended to, and does not, create an employment contract of any kind and does not create any express or implied contractual obligations. Employment at MRCA is at-will without exception. The employee and MRCA may terminate employment at any time with or without advance notice and with or without cause.

Any provision contained in this job announcement may be modified or revoked at any time without notice.