Recreation Specialist- Early Childhood​/Preschool Programming

POSITION SUMMARY

Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation is excited to add a Recreation Specialist to the team at Eastway Regional Recreation Center! This position will focus on early childhood specific programming in areas such as arts, crafts, games, special events, and summer camps. Additionally, the incumbent will be the lead for our Childwatch programs. They will also take a lead role in developing after school programs and services for our community.

The preferred candidate will have a background in early childhood development and education. This full‑time position will work a varied schedule, which will include daytime hours, evenings, weekends, and holidays based on business and facility needs.

• Passion for Recreation Programming
• Experience with Preschool Programs
• Early Childhood Education Experience Highly Preferred

• Develop, lead, and evaluate programs and activities in a recreation center or park facility.
• Supervise children involved in after‑school, summer camp, child watch or other recreational programs.
• Provide customer service and handling of funds in a recreation center or park facility through telephone, emails, web site, social media and walk‑in patrons and customers for information, program registration, center daily use and rentals.
• Ensure safety of participants/spectators and administer first aid when necessary.
• Enforce rules and regulations.
• Collect fees and take registrations for recreational programs and facility rentals.
• Assist in light maintenance of facilities and recreational areas.
• Referee at various sports activities.
• May provide services as timekeeper, scorekeeper or lines person at games.
• Handle inquiries and complaints from public.
• Some programs may require driving a county vehicle to transport participants or commute to a different location.
• Assist with department events and field trips.
• May serve as manager on duty if the Sr Rec Specialist is not available.

Experience:

No experience required.

Education:

Bachelor’s degree in Park and Recreation Administration, Health and Physical Education, or a related field.

Combination of relevant experience and relevant education accepted:
Yes.

Proficient in various computer applications including Microsoft Office Suite.

Requires a valid North Carolina or South Carolina Driver’s License and County Driving Privileges; CPR/First Aid.

Knowledge: Recreational programming and instruction;
Instruction in area of specialist;
Principles, practices, and techniques of public recreation for youth and all ages.

Skills: Applying recreation knowledge through hands‑on activities while meeting the needs of diverse populations;
Developing and enforcing general rules and safety procedure;
Managing multiple tasks concurrently;
Ability to work independently;
Organizing and presenting demonstrations in area of specialization.

Abilities: Building Trust;
Applied Learning;
Communication;
Customer Focus;
Initiating Action;
Safety Awareness;
Adaptability.

In addition to a competitive salary, Mecklenburg County offers a generous benefits package which greatly increases your total compensation. Benefits include medical, dental, vision, life, short term disability, long term disability, accident, cancer, critical illness, medical bridge and pet insurance; dependent care, healthcare and commuter flexible spending accounts; health savings account; paid holiday, vacation and sick days; near site clinics for preventive care and illnesses;

an employee discount program which provides discounts for retail, dining, shopping, travel, tickets and more; an employee assistance program including financial and legal counseling; access to Mecklenburg County fitness and aquatic facilities; paid family leave; tuition reimbursement; a 5% employer match on retirement savings plan contributions and a defined benefit plan for retirement.

Moderate noise is typical for the work environment for this job.

To accomplish this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation, each essential function satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to help enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

This is not intended to be an all‑inclusive list of job‑related responsibilities, duties, skills, requirements or working conditions. Other duties may be assigned based on business need and the supervisor’s request. Mecklenburg County reserves the right to revise the job description at any time. Designated positions may be required to assist in emergency and/or disaster situations.