WHO WE ARE
Montgomery County Department of Recreation is a nationally recognized and award-winning agency with a mission to provide high quality, diverse, and accessible community-based programs, activities, and services that serve the recreation and leisure needs of the Montgomery County community. The department manages 39 facilities including recreation centers, senior centers, and indoor and outdoor aquatic facilities and provides thousands of programs such as out-of-school activities, aquatics, classes, youth and adult sports programs and leagues, senior programs, and therapeutic recreation.

Recreation is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals and values diverse perspectives, lived experiences, and cultures. Recreation encourages BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and people of color). Immigrants, women, LGBTQIA+, individuals with disabilities and veterans to apply. 

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR
The Department seeks a dynamic, experienced, and energetic Recreation Specialist to perform full-time work in support of Senior(55+) programming to help older residents thrive and age in place. Work in this position includes ensuring our senior centers and/or facilities are full of innovative, state-of-the art and diverse culturally responsive trend setting programs for adults 55andbetter. Successful candidates will have knowledge skills and abilities for organizing, developing, planning, scheduling, promoting, contract oversight, budget tracking and evaluating a full range of instructional and volunteer led classes, sports, fitness and wellness programs, lifetime leisure activities, as well as special events in diverse community settings. Successful candidates will also demonstrate broad individual responsibility executing general facility oversight, cleanliness, care, and ground cleaning.  

The Recreation Specialist will play a crucial role in creating a welcoming environment to all that promotes active participation and enhances the quality of life for our diverse senior community. 

As the Recreation Specialist (Senior Center), you will have experience and demonstrate the ability to:

1. Lead Programs & Events– Plan, manage, and evaluate recreational programs and large-scale events for a diverse older adult community.

2. Community Engagement & Inclusion– Build positive relationships (internally & externally) and ensure programs are culturally inclusive, equitable, responsive and welcoming to all older adults wishing to attend.
3. Program Development & Evaluation– Set center and team goals, manage budgets, evaluate outcome success, and use viable data for strategic program planning and continue improvement.
4. Staff, Volunteer & Contractor Oversight– Recruit, train, coach, schedule, lead, and evaluate seasonal staff, volunteers and contractors.
5. Administrative & Software Management– Oversee program scheduling, promoting, registering, and operations using recreation approved software (e.g.VSI, Outlook, etc.)
6. Financial & Compliance Management–Handle revenue collection, cash management, purchasing inventory and supplies, safeguarding personal information, and enforcing county policies and procedures.
7. Marketing & Communication– Promote programs through newsletters, calendars, flyers, and digital media boards; collaborate with colleagues within the department and ensure public outreach guidelines are followed.
8. Community Partnership & Nutrition Program–Maintain a positive relationship with community organizations and partners and ensuring all collaborations have a formalized agreement. Oversee a lunch time congregate meal program in partnership with DHHS. Ensure all food safety regulations and procedures are met.

To be a successful Recreation Specialist (Senior Center), you must:

• Experience working in cross-cultural environments or a commitment to improving cultural competency.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills with excellent organizational abilities and attention to details.
• Proven experience in recreation program planning and facilities management for older adults.
• Maintaining stability amongst seasonal employees by modelling desired behaviors through consistent and positive work ethic, and by advocating on behalf of the management team. 
• Budgeting and fiscal management expertise.
• Exceptional customer service and interpersonal skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and recreation software systems.

As a leader/organizer of unionized employees, this position has responsibility for:

• Foster a positive and productive labor relations environment by building trust and cooperation with staff.

• Lead by example, setting a strong work ethic and creating a supportive positive environment for seasonal employees and volunteers.
• Provide guidance, motivation, and clear direction to staff, ensuring clarity of goals and projects.

Important things to Know:

• Candidates must successfully complete a background investigation and a medical exam with drug screening prior to appointment.
• This role requires flexibility to work non-traditional hours, including mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays. Occasional outdoor work in varying weather conditions and physical demands may be required.
• The Recreation Specialist may be asked to provide coverage and support across multiple programs during operating hours.

Montgomery County Recreation is committed to providing enriching programs that engage our community. If you are passionate about supporting and enriching the lives of older adults, this is the opportunity for you!

Experience: Two (2) years of progressively responsible recreational specialist work involving planning, organizing, supervising and implementing an area-wide, countywide or special interest recreation program.

Education: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s Degree

Equivalency: An equivalent combination of education, experience and training may be substituted.