Management

• Overall supervision of the Recreation Administration teams, including overseeing all work processes, schedules and payroll with expected results.
• Liaising with the Communications Department and participate in the planning and promotion of special events as well as implementing communications projects as they relate to the recreational facilities.
• Overseeing and directing all tasks related to social media channels for Recreation with guidance and guidelines from the Communications Department.
• Liaising with the Health, Safety and Disability Management Advisor ensuring the health and safety program is understood and followed by administrative staff.
• Working in collaboration with departmental supervisors and/or manager(s) to ensure effective operations, delivery of service excellence and identification of areas for improvement.
• Leading recruitment for all Recreation Administration positions with support from the Human Resources Department.
• Managing all day-to-day administrative tasks, including responding to and addressing escalated client concerns.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with a variety of external and internal contacts to develop community interest and involvement in programs offered.
• Communicating effectively and diplomatically both verbally and in writing.
• Participating in drafting budgets, monitoring expenditures and conducting programs within budget allocations preparing and maintaining reports, records and correspondence

Source: Municipality of North Cowichan Job Posting

Hourly Salary:  $33.30/hour (2018 rate)

Education and Experience

• a degree in either Business Administration or Public Administration or a related field, supplemented by post-secondary education in applied communications, marketing or similar courses
• Training in word processing and spreadsheet computer software.
• Three years of supervisory experience, including 2 years in an office environment. 

Skills

• Advanced Microsoft Excel and accounting skills required to be successful.
• A valid Class 5 B.C. Driver’s License

• Prepares annual work plan for the facility; develops programs, events and arranges for the provision of aquatic services; researches options for enhancement of programs as is reflective of the community demographics.
• Researches ways to offer leading edge and innovative programs, events and services for the public; monitors and evaluates programs and service delivery to ensure customer needs are being met and to ensure that accessibility issues are addressed.
• Assists with the development of broad recreation programs and special events.
• Responsible for the hiring and scheduling of employees under his/her direction; provides mentoring and coaching to staff and authorizes training and guidance to assist employees in improving their performance or upgrading their skills as required; establishes standards of performance in consultation with senior management and communicates those standards to employees under his direction and control.
• Provides input into labour relations as required, provides input into the formulation and review of bargaining proposals and advising senior management in labour relations matters affecting his/her area of responsibility.
• Responsible for the compilation of data and the provision of reports regarding the operation of the pool and programs.
• Researches information to assist in the development of policy, including trend analysis and demographic analysis. Prepares policy for submission for approval by governing body.
• Oversees the computerized registration program.
• Ensures conformity to required specifications, applicable legislated requirements and City processes and
• procedures; ensures that staff is provided information as appropriate to maintain compliance with
• approved departmental and City policies are maintained.
• Develops division budget for approval; monitors budget to ensure that expenditures and revenues are in line with budget projections
• Liaises with user groups, assisting them with the delivery of their programs and services to their
• customers.
• Provides guidance to staff to ensure that a consistent level of excellent customer service is provided to the public; liaises with the public to assist with aquatic and recreation program inquiries and requests.
• Attends and reports on activities at Pool Commission meetings.
• Conducts safety inspections and accident investigations to determine compliance with regulations or

Source: City of Fort St. John Job Posting

Annual Salary: $111,530 – $122,977

Note: this is the annual salary range for a municipal worker in Metro Vancouver. This does not reflect the salary range in the private or non-profit sectors.

Education and Experience

• A diploma or degree in Recreation, Business, Public Administration or related field
• A minimum of three years’ managerial experience in a similar environment or five years in a supervisory capacity, demonstrating the application and mastering of increasing levels of responsibility; preference will be given to candidates with previous municipal experience.

Certifications

• Red Cross Instructor,
• Royal Life Saving Society Instructor/Trainer,
• First Aid, CPR, AED, WHMIS
• Valid Class 5 BC Driver’s License

• Planning, provision or facilitation of services and facilities that include arenas, aquatics, fitness centres, community recreation and culture centres and public outdoor space.
• Liaise with other levels of government, external agencies, and non-profit societies
• Maintain a working relationship with City Council, Administration and all departments within the corporate structure as well as with local community groups and businesses
• Policy development and ability to look for various organizations to link to council meetings and reports

Annual Salary Range: $170,000 – $220,000

Note: this is the annual salary range for a municipal worker in Metro Vancouver. This does not reflect the salary range in the private or non-profit sectors.

Director of Parks, Recreation and Culture

Q: Tell me a little bit about how you came to this profession

A: I grew up in a family that was very active in the community. My mom volunteered with the local lacrosse league and she also worked at the community centre. My dad coached hockey. I grew up with a lot of siblings and we all played sports and just got involved in the community. Mostly it was because my mom was involved, and to keep us out of trouble she said “hey you’re going to volunteer for the Special Olympics and volunteering for this and that.” So, we ended up doing so much volunteer work that it was natural for me that once I graduated, I’d just go back to doing that until I figured out what I wanted to do with my career.

At the time I went to school, there really wasn’t much of a reputable program. I got my degree in communications [at SFU]. But I was there on an athletic scholarship and was always involved. I worked with the athletics department. So I always found myself gravitating towards that. Communications helped me look at a broader view of advocacy, public relationship building.

Q: What would a day in your life look like?

A: A big focus for me is coaching and mentoring my team. Supporting them and inspiring them to achieve greatness. A really big part is being visionary towards policy that will help us move forward. Whether its access and inclusion policy, a master plan for park land development or community centres, [and] the arts and culture. I look at the influence of the arts and culture community in our everyday. How are we making sure that people in our community are getting the most out of parks, recreation and culture.

Q: What do you think is one of the most important qualities to possess as the Director of Parks, Recreation, and Culture?

A: I think it’s really important to be a passionate and visionary leader. You cannot do this job in a vacuum. You must be a relationship maker. We’re delivering a service to the community and if I don’t know my community, if I’m not in touch with my community, and I don’t have a relationship with the key [stakeholders] in the community, then I would just be sitting in City Hall trying to figure out what to do. But I’m not truly understanding what it is we’re supposed to be delivering.

Q: What is your favorite part about work?

A: I’ve been a coach for so long, so I love coaching, mentoring and developing [my staff]. But I also love watching arts and culture, recreation and parks when they all come together. It’s creating that synergy between all of these things that the community love. I guess creating synergies and relationships are my most exciting.

Q: What advice would you give to someone who is planning to enter a role similar to yours in the future?

A: I think in any career that you want to go into, go into it with a curiosity. Go in and ask questions and learn, and make sure it’s about why we’re doing what we’re doing.  Try to tie that curiosity to the visionary. Where are we going to be in 10 or 20 years? How can I lay the groundwork now so that in 10 or 20 years we’ll be there. Whether it’s park planning or programming. We can’t just deliver our services for today. We need to be thinking ahead. I think about a visioning session I did, they said “what would be a crazy and wild idea?” and I said it would be cool to have hologram aerobics classes; and not wanting to lose that personal touch but think like that. [Think] where will we be in 10 or 20 years. How are we leveraging technology versus fighting it.

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• A university degree in recreology, physical education, sports administration or a related field or A college diploma in recreation management or sports administration is usually required.
• Several years of experience in an occupation related to recreation and sports administration, consulting or programming are usually required.
• Some directors of recreation may be required to have a Municipal Recreation Director’s Certificate.
• Executive directors of sports governing agencies may be required to have coaching certification in a particular sport.

• Balanced provisions of recreation programs and services
• Managing human resources which includes effective hiring, performance management, and staff development
• Providing advisory services and leadership both directly and indirectly to community association Boards involved in the delivery of recreation services
• Financial management including operating and capital budget planning and monitoring
• Analysis of operations and projects to ensure effective and efficient use of resources and thus financial sustainability
• Ensuring that facilities are safe, clean, well maintained, and provide for healthy environments for workers and patrons alike and ensuring patrons have high quality experiences
• Developing and managing a wide range of relationships from formal partnerships to informal working relationships with other organizations working to provide quality of life services
• Developing formal and informal agreements and attending regular meetings with community partners regarding the delivery of services
• Leading, participating in and supporting a range of departmental (Community Services) and corporate initiatives which utilize collaborative approaches with internal and external stakeholders and involving work with strategic teams, committees and task forces

Manager annual salary range: $90,000 – $120,000

Senior Manager annual salary range: $120,000 – $150,000

Note: this is the annual salary range for a municipal worker in Metro Vancouver. This does not reflect the salary range in the private or non-profit sectors.

Education

• Bachelor’s Degree in Recreation Management or Leisure Studies
• Courses in recreation education, community development, business management

Experience

• 5-10 years of experience in public recreation sector, demonstrating progressive levels of responsibility
• A few years of experience in senior management level

Skills

• Ability to effectively communicate at all levels within an organization
• Prepare reports, recommendations and correspondence
• Ability to think clearly and respond effectively in a fast paced environment
• Time management and effective work plan development
• Ability to lead staff to make decisions based on corporate objectives
• Ability to work with community associations to align priorities with corporate objectives and strategies

• Supporting the non-profit boards in financial management, budget development and oversigh
• Human resource management and administration of collective agreements
• Program supervision and maintenance of licensing regulations, and program quality, as directed by the Boards

Annual salary range: $61,361 – $72,246

Note: this is the annual salary range for a municipal worker in Metro Vancouver. This does not reflect the salary range in the private or non-profit sectors.

Education

• Diploma or degree in Human Resources or Labour Management
• University degree in recreation or related discipline supplemented by courses in recreation, education and business administration

Experience

• Experience at the supervisory level or an equivalent combination of training and experience

Skills

• Financial management – budget development and review of expenditure against budget, utilization and staffing levels
• Innovative and forward thinking processes
• Problem solving
• Ability to work in a team collaboratively with respect to families, program staff, volunteers and others