This is a promotional recruitment open to City of Rancho Palos Verdes employees only.
Are you passionate about the outdoors, recreation programs and serving your community?
The City of Rancho Palos Verdes is seeking an enthusiastic and organized
Recreation Specialist to join our Recreation & Parks Department! If you enjoy coordinating events, overseeing recreational programs, and working with the public in a dynamic environment, this is the perfect opportunity for you.
Our current Recreation Specialist vacancy is at EASTVIEW PARK
Located at 1700 Westmont Drive, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275
Eastview Park offers something for everyone, expansive walking paths and trails, a dedicated dog park with its own water fountain, playgrounds, picnic areas, and plenty of seating to relax and enjoy the scenery. Visitors also enjoy convenient amenities including restrooms, parking, and drinking fountains. It’s a vibrant community space where residents, families, and pets come together to play, explore, and connect.
About The Department
The
Recreation and Parks Department is responsible for managing and operating a comprehensive park system, administering services in the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve and coordinating numerous community activities and events. The department oversees administration, recreational facilities, programs and classes, special events, the REACH program serving the needs of the developmentally disabled community, support services, and open space management.
THE POSITION
This position is a lead role within the Recreation Services series, responsible for coordinating and overseeing assigned recreation programs, volunteer initiatives, and/or educational activities. Incumbents ensure that City facilities, programs, and services operate safely, efficiently, and in alignment with community needs. Responsibilities include planning, scheduling, and directing daily operations while providing high-quality customer service.
Recreation Specialists may be assigned to work at any of the following job sites/programs:
- Point Vicente Interpretive Center park grounds, museum, gift shop, and event space
- Fred Hesse Community Park grounds and community centers
- Robert E Ryan Community Park grounds and community centers
- Ladera Linda Community Park grounds and community centers
- Eastview grounds and dog park
- REACH therapeutic recreation program for young adults, teens, and adults with developmental disabilities
For information about the park sites, visit: https://www.rpvca.gov/138/Parks-Facilities
This is a part-time, at-will position. Part-time Recreation Specialists are typically scheduled to work approximately 20 - 28 hours per week and will not exceed 1,560 hours in a one-year period as defined by the City.
The position is required to work a variable schedule that may include days, evenings, weekends and holidays.
IDEAL CANDIDATE
The ideal candidate is a motivated self-starter who thrives in a team environment and is passionate about serving the community. Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and excellent communication abilities are essential. Candidates should be comfortable leading programs, engaging with the public, and adapting to the needs of a diverse community.
The following duties represent a range of responsibilities associated with this role. Other similar or related duties may be assigned as necessary. Not all essential job functions pertain to each City location.
- Program Development & Implementation: Plans, organizes, and conducts recreation, educational, and interpretive programs at one or multiple sites, including selecting activities, scheduling field trips, and coordinating excursions.
- Facility & Equipment Management: Opens, closes, inspects, and monitors recreational facilities to ensure proper and safe use; orders and maintains program supplies, materials, and equipment.
- Staff & Volunteer Coordination: Assists in recruiting, selecting, training, and supervising staff and volunteers; provides orientation, guidance, and performance input.
- Community Engagement & Customer Service: Serves as a City representative by providing information on programs, facilities, rules, fees, and schedules in person, over the phone, and in writing; responds to inquiries, concerns, and complaints.
- Event & Program Support: Assists with planning and executing community events, facility rentals, and general programs, including setup and takedown of tables, chairs, and equipment.
- Safety & Incident Reporting: Conducts safety inspections, monitors program activities, and ensures a secure environment; documents incidents such as injuries, behavioral issues, vandalism, and property damage.
- Marketing & Outreach: Develops and distributes promotional materials, including brochures, flyers, newsletters, and website updates; maintains informational displays and department web pages.
- Financial & Administrative Support: Assists with budget monitoring, petty cash distribution, purchase orders, and financial reporting; schedules part-time staff and ensures timely updates to the City’s website, ActiveNet, and quarterly newsletters.
- Emergency Response: Administers basic first aid and adult/child CPR as needed.
Knowledge Of
- Principles and best practices for supervising and training employees and volunteers.
- Recreation program planning, implementation, and maintenance, including age-specific and community-driven activities.
- Safety procedures and emergency response, including first aid and CPR for adults and children.
- Federal, State, and local regulations governing recreation programs and facility operations.
- Recreation site management, including facility oversight and maintenance.
- Public relations techniques and customer service best practices for engaging diverse community groups.
- Record-keeping, financial procedures, and cash-handling protocols.
- Basic business arithmetic and statistical tracking methods.
- Office administration, including modern computer systems, software, and communication tools.
- Effective communication and interpersonal skills for working with people of all ages, backgrounds, and communities while representing the City professionally.
- Leadership and problem-solving techniques, and the ability to model and promote positive interactions with colleagues, volunteers, contractors, and patrons.
Ability To
- Plan, coordinate, and oversee recreation program operations, activities, staff, contractors, and volunteers.
- Develop, organize, and prepare recreation activities, reports, and related program materials.
- Understand and manage recreation program operations and facility functions effectively.
- Interpret, apply, and communicate applicable Federal, State, and local policies, procedures, laws, and regulations.
- Work independently while supervising facilities, programs, and user groups.
- Enforce and explain facility use policies and procedures professionally.
- Provide exceptional customer service and assistance to facility patrons.
- Set up and arrange facilities for meetings, community events and activities, including lifting and moving tables, chairs and equipment.
- Respond effectively to medical emergencies, including performing first aid and CPR for adults and children.
- Ensure the safety, cleanliness, and security of facilities and equipment.
- Maintain and update the department’s website with accurate and timely information.
- Operate modern office equipment, including computers and relevant software programs.
- Accurately maintain logs, records, and reports related to program operations and facility management.
- Communicate clearly and professionally, both verbally and in writing.
- Exercise sound judgment, initiative, and discretion within established policies and procedures.
- Build and maintain positive and professional working relationships with colleagues, volunteers, and the public.
Education & Experience
Any combination of experience and education that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain knowledge and abilities would be:
- Must be 18 years of age or older.
- High school diploma or equivalent (GED).
- Two years of part time (28 hours a week) recreation experience related to the program to which assigned or related field
LICENSES AND CERTIFICATES
- Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California Driver’s License by time of appointment.
- Must obtain American Red Cross First Aid Certificate and CPR Certificate for infant, child, and adult within 30 days of employment.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS & ENVIRONMENTAL ELEMENTS
This position requires occasional bending, stooping, kneeling, reaching, climbing, and walking on uneven surfaces while participating in recreational activities; the ability to perform regular office duties, including using a computer, and must be able to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects weighing up to 50 pounds as needed.
Work may be performed both indoors and outdoors, with occasional exposure to loud noise levels, as well as windy, cold, or hot temperatures.
Review the class specification here.
SPECIAL NOTE
Applicants with disabilities who require special testing arrangements must contact Human Resources. If you have a disability for which you require accommodation, please contact us at (310) 544-5332.
APPLY TODAY, JOIN OUR TEAM!
This is a
continuous recruitment that can close at any time. Our first review of applications is scheduled for
September 8, 2025. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply immediately.
If you are looking for a rewarding opportunity to make a difference in your community while working in a supportive and engaging environment, we encourage you to apply!
