Director of Recreation

Director of Recreation

The City of Groveport, Ohio is central Ohio's small town. Groveport is a growing City in southeastern Franklin County. The community has a state-of-the-art recreation and aquatic center, a world class golf course, an excellent arts and education program, several parks and a quaint Main Street historic area. We are looking for a Director of Recreation to join our team and lead the Recreation Department. This is a great opportunity with a very competitive starting salary and great benefits including vacation, sick leave, parental leave, health, health, dental, vision and life insurance.

PURPOSE: Administers, directs, oversees, and evaluates overall operation of Municipality's recreation department which encompasses programs, special events, athletics, fitness, aquatics, and leisure services within the Groveport Recreation Center, Groveport Aquatic Center, park system and leisure trails; provides managerial direction to professional staff.

QUALIFICATIONS: An example of acceptable qualifications: 

Completion of secondary education or equivalent; bachelor's degree in parks and recreation mgmt, sports mgmt, or closely related discipline; five (5) years of supervisory experience; five (5) or more years of relevant work experience, plus prior experience working igovernment or business office; or equivalent combination of education, experience, and training which provides required knowledge, skills and abilities. 

LICENSURE OR CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: 

Must possess a valid Ohio driver's license and maintain insurability under Municipality's vehicle insurance policy; must maintain CPR/First Aid/BBP and required certifications; prefer Certified Parks & Recreation Professional (NRPA). 

EQUIPMENT OPERATED: The following are examples only and not intended to be all inclusive: 

Two-way radio, automobiles, camera, personal computer, computer software, cellular phone, printer, copy machine, fax machine, and other standard office equipment. 

INHERENTLY HAZARDOUS OR PHYSICALLY DEMANDING WORKING CONDITIONS: 

Ascends and descends ladders, stairs, or scaffolds; exposed to environmental conditions which may result in injury from fumes, odors, dusts, mists, gases, and/or poorly ventilated work areas; exposed to possible injury from hazardous gases, chemicals, flammables, air contaminants; works in or around crowds; has contact with potentially violent or emotionally distraught persons; has exposure to fire, hot, cold, wet, humid, or windy weather conditions; occasionally lifts objects 50 lbs. or less; occasionally carries objects 50 lbs. or less; occasionally pushes objects 100 lbs. or less; occasionally pulls objects 100 lbs. or less.

Note:  In accordance with the U.S. Department of Labor physical demands strength ratings, this is considered light work.

JOB DESCRIPTION AND WORKERS CHARACTERISTICS:
JOB Duties in order of importance

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE POSITION: For purposes of 42 USC 12101:

45%(1)  Supervises assigned professional staff and provides guidance; schedules and assigns tasks; interviews job applicants; recommends hiring of job applicants; recommends discipline; recommends and adjusts pay assignments; evaluates performance; receives grievances or employee complaints; approves timesheets and recommends approval of leave requests; has access to employees' personnel files; attends meetings in which policy questions are reviewed or discussed; develops policies/procedures and facility rules; recommends policy changes; reviews and analyzes effectiveness of department services and makes necessary improvements; directs daily operations of the department.

20%(2)  Plans, develops, and administers the Municipality's recreation programs and facilities (e.g., analyzes new and existing programs, conducts feasibility studies for new and existing facilities, promotes existing facilities; recommends facility improvements, etc.); reviews reports, budgets, programs and policies proposed by staff; regularly inspects facilities to ensure proper operation & safety (risk management); reports maintenance issues (including, but not limited to, HVAC, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, janitorial, groundskeeping, etc.) to proper department.

10%(3)  Prepares annual operating and capital budget requests for recreation department; monitors expenditures to ensure expenses do not exceed appropriations; approves or denies request to purchase equipment/supplies; evaluates equipment for purchase; develops bid packets, RFPs, RFQs; recommends fees and collections; estimates costs for new programs or facilities; prepares records, reports, and other documents (e.g., operational, financial, programmatic, etc.); formulates, develops, implements, and reviews short and long-range department goals and objectives; conducts assessments of Department needs; applies for grants.

10%(4) Meets with community organizations, citizen groups, schools, universities, vendors, and local media to discuss department-related issues or disseminate information related to essential position functions; responds to questions, requests and attempts to resolve problems; serves as liaison to area user groups; performs public relations duties; responds to complaints and recommends corrective action; handles patron suspensions & rule enforcement; prepares ads, commercials, news releases, community newsletters, posters, brochures, calendars, written material for website, etc.

10%(5) Plans, schedules, and organizes various recreational and cultural events for Municipality and acts as spokesperson for department at events; develop joint program opportunities with schools, neighboring communities, businesses, non-profit agencies and other City departments.

5%(6) Works Manager-On-Duty shifts; attends meetings as required; plans, organizes and conducts staff meetings; mentors’ employees; fosters creativity; composes, negotiates and enforces contracts; conducts surveys and compiles data.

(7) Research and reports on best practices from other cities/organizations to promote on-going benchmarking.

(8) Maintains contact with vendors, contractors, service providers, general public and various government agencies/officials to obtain or disseminate information related to essential position functions; solicits sponsors for programs.

(9) Performs wide variety of miscellaneous duties, such as answering phones, providing facility tours & equipment orientations, cleaning, making minor repairs, posting and delivering promotional literature, taking photos for promotional purposes, managing content on digital marquee, setting up & tearing down rooms, picking up supplies and equipment, designing merchandise, reviewing website content, practicing continuous learning through individual study, classroom training, seminars & conferences.

(10) Maintains required licensure and certification. 

(11) Meets all job safety requirements and all applicable OSHA safety standards that pertain to essential functions. 

(12) Demonstrates regular and predictable attendance.

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
(13) Performs other related duties as assigned or needed on a day-to-day basis.

MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE CHARACTERISTICS:(*indicates developed after employment)

Knowledge of: budgeting; inventory control; interviewing; government structure and process; work place safety practices and procedures; recreation facility certification/licensure requirements; government grant programs; *municipal goals and objectives; *municipal policies and procedures; *personnel rules; *emergency medical care procedures; first aid practices; cardiopulmonary resuscitation; public relations; media relations; community resources and services; marketing; *office practices and procedures; English grammar and spelling; workplace safety; supervisory principles and practices; manpower planning; office management; records management; business administration; project management; *local geographical area.

Skill in: management, leadership & performance evaluation; conflict resolution; customer service; risk management; communication; data entry; computer operation; use of modern office equipment; motor vehicle operation; hand tools; fitness equipment operation.

Ability to:  interpret variety of instructions in written, oral, picture, or schedule form; deal with variables and determine specific action; apply management principles to solve agency problems; define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions; understand most difficult classes of concepts; exercise independent judgment and discretion; understand, interpret, and apply laws, rules, or regulations to specific situations; select most qualified applicant according to specifications for referral; determine material and equipment needs; add, subtract, multiply, and divide whole numbers; complete routine forms; prepare routine correspondence; prepare maps, charts, graphs, or plans; compile and prepare reports; write and edit documents for publication; respond to routine inquiries from public and officials; prepare and deliver speeches and presentations; conduct effective interviews; communicate effectively; train or instruct others; understand a variety of written and/or verbal communications; maintain records according to established procedures; work alone on most tasks; cooperate with coworkers on group projects; answer routine telephone inquiries; handle sensitive inquiries from and contacts with officials and general public; develop and maintain effective working relationships; resolve complaints; work all types of hours.

POSITIONS DIRECTLY SUPERVISED:

Customer Service Manager, Fitness Manager, Aquatics Manager, Recreation Manager, Clerk and other part-time/seasonal staff when working as Manager on-Duty.

BENEFITS:

Excellent benefit package includes:

• Health insurance (low premium and deductible for employee)
• Vision insurance (premium fully paid by City)
• Dental insurance (premium fully paid by City)
• Life insurance (fully paid for by City)
• 11 paid holidays 
• 2 weeks of vacation or more depending on service credits
• 1 personal day
• 18 days of sick leave a year (rolls over annually)

• Parental leave 
• OPERS retirement plan
• Deferred Compensation optional
• Free recreation center membership
• Free access to Motts Military Museum 

Salary Range: $88,138.16 ($42.37) - $113,429.22 ($54.53)

To be considered for this position, you must apply by 11:59PM on Friday, October 9, 2026, at the link below:

https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/groveport