Recreation Specialist Sports bei Auroragov

JOB LOCATION

City of Aurora, Colorado

It is an exciting time to work for the City of Aurora, we're growing and looking for dedicated and collaborative individuals to join our team of talented and valued employees. Excellent organizations have a set of principles, or core values, that are used to implement their mission and vision. Those values represent the touchstone for the organization, guiding the decisions of the individuals and the organization. At the City of Aurora, we demonstrate our excellence by modeling the CORE 4 Values of: Integrity, Respect, Professionalism, and Customer Service, and we welcome all who share these values to apply.
 
Why Work for Aurora?

• Make a difference in the lives of real people every day
• Diverse community
• Competitive total compensation package
• Well-Funded General Employees Retirement Plan
• Light rail station minutes away
• On-site fitness center and overall employee well-being programs Internal educational programs to assist with career advancement
• Access to innovation workspaces

PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Hey there, future Program Pro!

We are seeking highly motivated and talented individuals to join our Recreation Division team at the City of Aurora. If you see managing complex youth programs and summer activities not just as work, but as being the chief architect for fun—designing a summer blockbuster movie year after year, this is the spot for you.

This Recreation Specialist role means you manage the day-to-day operations of multiple programs. Think of yourself as the air traffic controller for all our youth activities; you guide everything to make sure everyone gets quality customer service.

We need a genuine leader who is ready to set overall goals and objectives for the programs they supervise. You will review and make recommendations on program changes that will provide maximum enjoyment for all participants.

What does being the program captain involve? You will be the budget wizard, preparing program budgets and ensuring that all programs are operating within budget guidelines. You also recruit and supervise employees and volunteers. You must motivate staff and create a positive work environment. Plus, you get to prepare program marketing plans—creating fun brochures, social media posts, and fliers to get people excited. You must be able to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, community leaders, and the general public. We need an organized specialist ready to make great things happen!

The deadline to submit applications is November 23, 2025. Please note, the City of Aurora will conduct ongoing screenings of applications on a first-come, first-served basis; as soon as we determine to have a qualified pool of applicants, this position may close quickly and without notice. 

The City of Aurora is seeking highly motivated and talented individuals for a career in the Recreation Division. The Recreation Specialist manages the day-to-day operations of multiple sports programs and vendor agreements within the division while ensuring quality customer service.   

PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Main responsibilities include: Adult/Active Adult sports (softball, volleyball, etc.), Youth Volleyball, new youth sports, and managing our partnerships with tennis and concessions vendors.
• Recruits and supervises employees and volunteers.
• Manages and actively evaluate contracts for vendors who manage areas of sports including tennis and concessions.  Will need to handle all procedures regarding invoicing and auditing of vendors.
• Evaluates and makes recommendations on the improvements to programs that will provide maximum enjoyment for all the participants. 
• Prepares program marketing plans, publications of a variety of brochures, promotional materials, calendars, letters, posters, news/press releases, social media posts, fliers, and related communications regarding recreation programs.       
• Prepares program budgets and ensures that programs are operating within budget guidelines.
• Complies with city and department rules and regulations, policies and procedures. 
• Ensure that policies and procedures relating to staff providing great customer service are in place and executed.
• Sets overall goals and objectives for areas supervised and assists in the development of departmental budget, goals, policies, and procedures.
• Responsible for ensuring that program surveys are distributed on a regular basis and follow up is provided regarding any issues relating to overall service.
• Maintain work records, accomplish special projects, manage payroll for assigned staff. Manages and supervises assigned operations to achieve goals within available resources; plans and organizes workloads and staff assignments; trains, motivates and evaluates assigned staff; reviews progress and directs changes as needed.
• Provides leadership and direction in the development of short- and long-range plans; gathers, interprets and prepares data for studies, reports and recommendations; coordinates section activities with other sections, departments and agencies as needed.
• Determines work procedures, prepares work schedules and expedites workflow; studies and standardizes procedures to improve efficiency and effectiveness of operations.
• Communicates park and facility use requirements for programs and activities.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS & WORKING CONDITIONS

An equivalent combination of education, training and experience that demonstrates required knowledge, skills and abilities may be considered.

Education:

• Bachelor's Degree in Recreation or a related field .

Experience:

• 2 years progressively responsible experience in Recreation Management or a related field. 

Preferred Qualifications:

• In order to be successful in this position, applicants must have the ability to obtain a Colorado Driver's License with a good driving record. You will have the opportunity to occasionally use your own personal equipment (i.e. Vehicle, cell phone, laptop, tools, etc.) during your employment.

Knowledge:

• Considerable knowledge of recreation philosophy, planning and administration.
• Skill in operation of listed tools and equipment.
• Ability to develop, coordinate, and direct varied activities involved in a community recreation program.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, supervisors, other agencies, participants, instructors, community leaders and the general public.
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
• Ability to plan for and supervise staff and volunteers.

Skills: 

• Strong organizational and interpersonal skills.  Must have strong computer skills to include, keyboarding, Microsoft Office suites to include Word, Xcel, Power Point and internet.

Abilities: 

• The ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, citizens and private organizations. The ability to respond to customer inquiries and complaints in a timely manner.  The ability to motivate staff, create a positive work environment and hold staff accountable for achieving measurable goals and developing their skills. The ability to handle sensitive and stressful situations with tact and diplomacy.  Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing. Ability to recognize, analyze and implement needed organizational systems.

Licenses and Certifications Required: 

• In order to be successful in this position, applicants must have the ability to obtain a Colorado Driver's License with a good driving record. Sports Officiating certifications desired.  You will have the opportunity to occasionally use your own personal equipment (i.e. Vehicle, cell phone, laptop, tools, etc.) during the course of your employment. Valid state driver’s license or ability to obtain one. Current CPR and First Aid certification required or the ability to obtain certification within 6 months.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  While performing the duties of this job, the employee occasionally works in outside weather conditions. The employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, toxic or caustic chemicals.  The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet while in the office or moderately loud when in the field.

Essential Personnel:

When a local announcement of emergency or disaster is declared by the City, all City of Aurora employees may be required to work as essential personnel.

Physical Demands:

• Sedentary to moderate physical work depending upon assignment; May require ability to lift up to a maximum of 75 pounds; May require lifting and carrying objects weighing up to 75 pounds; May require regular standing and walking; May require bending, stooping, pushing, pulling and climbing; Hand/eye coordination for operation of computer keyboard; May require foot/eye coordination for operation of motor vehicle; Vision to read reports and other written material; Frequent speech communication and hearing to maintain communication with employees and citizens. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to walk, sit and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to use hands to finger, handle, feel, or operate objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hand and arms. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.

Equipment Used:

Uses standard office equipment including a computer system; Requires operation of own motor vehicle. Personal computer, including word processing software; calculator; copy and fax machine; phone; cell phone; mobile or portable radio; automobile; various sports equipment used in recreation programs.

For Veterans preference:  Please show all of your employment history, including military service and related documentation (DD214) on the application.
           
The City of Aurora is an equal opportunity employer.  We are required by state and federal agencies to keep certain statistical records on applicants.  It will not be used in any way to discriminate against you because of your sex, race, age, sexual orientation, creed, national origin, disability or military status, gender identity, unless related to a bona fide occupational qualification as defined by the Colorado Civil Rights Commission and the Equal Opportunity Commission.
                                         
Despite the changes in Colorado law, the City of Aurora maintains a drug-free workplace.  A positive test of marijuana is grounds for disqualification and ineligibility for employment with the city for one year or termination once hired.
 

Drug Testing, Thorough Criminal Background Check, and Employment References:
As a condition of employment, all applicants selected for employment with the City of Aurora must undergo a thorough criminal background check. 

Applicants selected for safety-sensitive positions are required to complete and pass a drug screening as a condition of employment. Safety sensitive positions include Civil Service positions within Police and Fire Departments and positions where their job responsibilities have direct and substantial responsibility that would impact the health and safety of others.  

Employment references will be conducted on finalists for City of Aurora vacancies.