Program Director-Older Adults

Essex Junction, VT
Full Time
Mid Level
Please submit a cover letter and resume when applying.

Essex Junction Recreation & Parks (EJRP) is seeking a Program Director –Older Adults.  The right candidate will have a spark for working with older adults (55+) and a genuine interest and care to support them and meet their recreational needs.  This position will be responsible for supporting the Essex Area Senior Center and other activities and events that take place outside of the Center.  The most important quality is to be able to engage, communicate with, and listen to senior community members.  This position will research, plan, and implement educational, recreational, and affordable programming.  Prior experience working with seniors is a huge plus.  The ability to coordinate logistics, budget, see the big picture, and manage relationships is critical.  Quality candidates should have good written communication, be comfortable engaging with community members, and be resourceful in identifying grant and sponsorship funding sources.  Experience creating newsletters, flyers, and visually appealing marketing materials will be valuable.  While there are currently some staple programs for this age group, there is a lot of opportunity for a new program director to explore and build a wide range of programs to meet the desires of our senior community.  The starting salary is $56,083, and the position has excellent benefits.


PAY/WAGES
The starting salary is $56,083.

POSITION LOCATION

Essex Junction, VT

BENEFITS (THIS IS NOT AN EXHAUSTIVE LIST) 

  • 3 weeks of paid vacation to start
  • 14 paid holidays
  • 18 sick days per year
  • 24 hours of personal time per year
  • Retirement benefits include VMERS C and the ability to contribute to a 457 or ROTH
  • Generous health insurance benefit in which the City pays 97% of the premium for medical and 100% employer paid for dental and vision
  • Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
  • Short-term disability and life insurance
  • $350 Wellness Benefit
Essential Functions and Responsibilities

Program/Event Management and Supervision

● Oversee the operation and implementation of assigned recreation and parks programs, events, and activities, including budget monitoring and control, program evaluation, and scheduling and coordinating programs/activities.
● Plan, coordinate, implement, and supervise assigned recreation and park programs, activities, and special events, including daytime, evening, and weekend programs.
● Provide assistance/supervision/support to non-assigned programs as needed.
● Review and evaluate assigned programs, activities, and special events. Make recommendations for future events, program improvements, and program continuation.
● Serve as liaison and coordinate activities with other community organizations.
● Develop, design, and recommend new programs, activities, and special events, keeping with department goals/objectives and community wants and needs. Plan, organize, and implement new programs/activities/events.
● Stay current with new rec trends, programs, and opportunities to continue to meet the community’s needs.
● Organize, coordinate, and facilitate the logistical needs of the assigned programs/functions, including, but not limited to, arranging for necessary facilities, staffing, scheduling, and advertising/promotion.
● Develop and maintain inventory of program supplies and equipment for assigned programs: allocate appropriate supplies and equipment to respective programs and facilities; ensure all equipment is safe and operational.
● Respond to questions and complaints related to assigned programs and/or functions. Bring unusual matters to the attention of the Director for guidance and direction.
● Attend various meetings as required for the administration of a recreational program or as requested by the Director.
● Develop a system to recruit, utilize, retain, and recognize community volunteers to support programs and events.
● Create and maintain annual sponsorship opportunities plan for individuals, organizations, and businesses to provide human, financial, or material support for programs and events. Develop relationships with potential donors, business owners, and community representatives.
● Identify, attend, and participate in various community events as a representative of EJRP to establish a relationship with the community.
● Research the needs and desires of the community for effective program implementation, design, and development.
● Actively promote the importance of recreation and parks within the community. Serve as an advocate for getting the community involved in the EJRP programs.
● Provide on-site supervision and oversight of assigned programs.

Finance and Administration
● Monitor and approve purchase requisitions related to assigned programs.
● Monitor expenses and revenues of assigned programs in accordance with the approved/modified budget. Run periodic financial reports from RecTrac for the Recreation and Parks department as requested by the Director. Be able to present these financial reports to the Recreation Director and advisory/governing bodies.
● Actively research available grant opportunities related to assigned programs and make applications as deemed appropriate. Manage awarded grant appropriations and reports to satisfy all requirements.
● Maintain detailed and accurate records, using RecTrac and other software, for enrollment, budgets, and evaluations of assigned programs, activities, and special events.
● Coordinate, initiate, prepare, process, and/or monitor a variety of forms, records, schedules, reports, and other documents related to assigned programs involving background research, compiling, and analysis of data from various sources.
● Participate in budget planning for assigned programs.
● Use RecTrac & WebTrac software on a daily basis. Upload, change, cancel, add, and delete classes and programs to ensure the information in the system is accurate. Assist customers in navigating online registrations.

Personnel Management
● Supervise staff within assigned programs to include interviewing, hiring, training and issuing contracts to employees; planning, assigning, and directing their work; evaluating performance; rewarding and disciplining; and addressing complaints and resolving issues. Oversee and assist the coordinator of each assigned program with the supervision of assigned staff.
● Recruit, coordinate, and oversee the supervision of volunteers within assigned programs.
● Work with the Director to identify staff and volunteer needs.

Grounds, Maintenance, and Facilities
● Works with the Grounds & Facilities Director to ensure the parks, pools, or facilities are properly and timely prepared for use for assigned programs.
● Work with other staff to ensure facility set-up is completed or arranged for programs, which may require setting up or tearing down yourself.
● Bring to the attention of the Director any capital/building improvement purchase needed to ensure the safety of our program participants and the effectiveness/success of the programs.

Marketing
● Design and create effective tools designed for marketing recreation and park programs/activities/special events through a variety of media, which may include, but is not limited to, public service announcements, print/radio/television advertising, news releases, photography, social media, fliers through the schools and school visits.
● Maintain a professional, eye-catching, user-friendly website.
● Utilize social media & other online communication tools to stay current with trends for effective communication (may include Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, e-newsletters, Front Porch Forum, etc.)
● Develop new/improved creative marketing programs designed to increase program participation and community involvement.
● Contribute to creating the brochures for fall, winter/spring, summer, and special events.

Other Professional Duties
● Confer and communicate regularly with the Director, department personnel, and relevant internal and external organizations and individuals to plan, coordinate, and evaluate programs, activities, projects, special events, and policies. Exchange information and resolve conflicts.
● Attend Recreation and Park state and local association meetings and volunteer for committee assignments with approval from the Director.
● Travel to conferences and workshops where the subject matter will enhance recreation and park services that are offered through Essex Junction Recreation and Parks.
● Seek out and actively participate in opportunities for professional development (i.e., classes and certifications) to enhance recreation knowledge and abilities, to support Recreation Department goals and strategic plans, and/or as may be directed by the Director.
● Design procedures or make recommendations to the Director that will enhance or improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the department within the available resources.
● Fill in for and/or assist the Office Coordinator in performing registration procedures and other office duties as necessary.

Qualifications

● BA or BS in Recreation, Leisure Services, or other appropriate discipline plus a minimum of two years experience in recreation supervisory capacity or a combination of education and experience from which comparable knowledge and skills are acquired.
● An extensive background with a wide variety of recreational programs and activities with direct experience in planning, organizing, and leading a diversification of recreational activities.
● Possess a working knowledge of community recreation programs' philosophy, principles, and objectives.
● Certified Parks and Recreation Professional (CPRP) is desirable or must be eligible for and obtained within one year of employment.
● Must be certified in First Aid and C.P.R.
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