Director of Recreation

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS

The Director of Recreation is responsible for developing and coordinating inter-community recreational activities in cooperation with other governmental recreation programs, community–based organizations and public and private human service agencies. The 

Incumbent is responsible for maximizing and bolstering recreational opportunities for youth, young adults and senior citizens. By pursuing public and private funding, the incumbent will endeavor to achieve the goals and objectives of developing collaborative and effective recreational programming. General supervision is received from the Commissioner, with considerable leeway allowed for the exercise of independent judgment for planning and carrying out activities. Supervision id exercised over personnel assigned.

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES

Plans, organizes, coordinates and implements city-sponsored recreational community programs, especially to provide youth, young adults and senior citizens with recreational, educational, cultural, environmental and preventive activities in structured, supervised and organized settings;

Plans, organizes, coordinates and implements city sponsored recreational events; 

Coordinates the flow of information between city departments, outside agencies and businesses;

Fulfills the recreational mission of the City of Buffalo by coordinating all pertinent activities across relevant city departments;

Working with the Communications department, formulates and coordinates public relations program to promote publicity for activities and programs through various media sources;

Oversees the organization, planning, conducting and scheduling of all recreational programs/events, incorporating the fundamentals of recreational activities and safety procedures;

Recruits, interviews and assigns professional personnel and volunteers to run the programs/events;

Advises all personnel and volunteers of policies, procedures and standards of service with the City;

Works with youth, young adults and senior citizens, especially in providing leadership and direction to participants;

Reviews and assesses attendance and progress reports of participants in the programs;

Prepares annual division budget and submits to Commissioner for approval;

May be required to research grants;

Performs related duties as required;

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS  

Thorough knowledge of the theory and practices governing the administration of recreational programs;

Thorough knowledge of the fundamentals of programs, organizations, laws and ordinances governing the City’s operation;

Good knowledge of community resources; 

Good knowledge of publicity and public relations principles, methods and techniques;

Ability to plan, schedule coordinate and facilitate recreational programs;

Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing;

Ability to prepare written marketing and promotional copy;

Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with public and private agencies, community organizations, etc.;

Ability to establish and maintain friendly relations with various news and communications media;

Self-motivation; tact; courtesy; willingness to work unusual hours;

Physical condition commensurate with the demands of the position;

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

1. Bachelor’s or Associate’s Degree from a college or university recognized by a regional, national, or specialized agency as an accrediting agency by the U.S. Department of Education/U.S. Secretary of Education (any major), and two years full-time experience in a supervisory capacity dealing with the developing and implementing of recreational programs or special event programs;

OR

1. Graduation from High School, GED or Equivalency Diploma and five years of full-time experience in a supervisory capacity dealing with the developing and implementing of recreational programs or special event programs;

OR

1. An equivalent combination of the foregoing within the limits of A and B.

NOTE: Verifiable part-time/volunteer experience will be pro-rated to meet full-time experience requirements. (Proof of education must be presented at time of appointment.)

Salary

$76,142