3.5 Recreation Position (moved to 6.2)
Request for
City Council Action
DEPARTMENT INFORMATION
ORIGINATING DEPARTMENT REQUESTOR: MEETING DATE:
Administration Parks and Recreation Director Jacobs January 22, 2024
PRESENTER(s) REVIEWED BY: ITEM #:
Consent City Administrator/Finance Director Flaherty
Assistant City Administrator/Human Resources Hille
3.5 – Recreation Position
STRATEGIC VISION
MEETS: THE CITY OF OTSEGO:
Is a strong organization that is committed to leading the community through innovative communication.
Has proactively expanded infrastructure to responsibly provide core services.
Is committed to delivery of quality emergency service responsive to community needs and expectations in a
cost-effective manner.
X Is a social community with diverse housing, service options, and employment opportunities.
Is a distinctive, connected community known for its beauty and natural surroundings.
AGENDA ITEM DETAILS
RECOMMENDATION:
City staff recommends the City Council approve a job description and authorize recruitment.
ARE YOU SEEKING APPROVAL OF A CONTRACT? IS A PUBLIC HEARING REQUIRED?
No No
BACKGROUND/JUSTIFICATION:
The 2024 Recreation budget includes the addition of a full-time Recreation programmer. Since the departments
inception in 2012, the Recreation Department has consisted of one regular staff dedicated to recreational responsibilities
with duties including Prairie Center rentals, administrative duties, recreation planning, marketing, implementing
programs/events, and managing recreation part-time staff. With the increase in the number of programs, the
department continually hires part-time recreation leads/instructors who run the morning and evening programs. Part-
time staff availability is limited, and turnover is high, which makes it hard to retain part-time staff.
From 2012 to 2022, the recreation programs and events have increased exponentially. Starting in 2012, the department
offered 11 recreation programs and served 550 participants. In 2022 the department offered 185 programs, 5 community
events, and served approximately 25,438 participants.
The addition of a Recreation Programmer allows the Parks and Recreation Department to continue to develop a more
inclusive and sustainable department. With additional recreation staff support, recreation programs and community
events will be further evaluated, developed, and implemented to better serve all residents (birth to seniors). The
Recreation Programmer would increase efficiency by providing dedicated staff teaching programs while also providing
consistent support of recreation operations. Other duties would include assisting in facility rentals, registrations, RecDesk
software operations, providing quality customer service, assisting in creating social media management, taking Parks and
Recreation Commission minutes, and other Parks and Recreation administrative duties as needed.
The proposed recruitment schedule:
• 1/22/2024 – City Council Authorization
• 2/20/2024 – Role Posted
• 3/7/2024 – Application Deadline
• 3/19/2024 – Interviews
• 3/25/2024 – Council Approval
• April 2024 – Start Date
The Administrative Subcommittee was presented with this information at their January 10, 2024, meeting, with a
recommendation for consideration by the City Council.
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
• Job Description (DRAFT)
POSSIBLE MOTION
PLEASE WORD MOTION AS YOU WOULD LIKE IT TO APPEAR IN THE MINUTES:
Motion to approve the Recreation Programmer job description and authorize staff to initiate recruitment.
BUDGET INFORMATION
FUNDING: BUDGETED:
General Fund – Recreation (45250)
Yes
Position Description
Position: Recreation Programmer
Department: Parks & Recreation
Position Status: Full-time
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Pay Grade: TBD
Approved: DRAFT
DESCRIPTION OF WORK
General Statement of Duties: Provides exemplary customer service to all program participants and
residents. Assists the Recreation Coordinator in the implementation of parks and recreation programs,
activities, and special events.
Immediate Supervisor: Parks and Recreation Director
Supervises: None
Provides Work Direction to: Recreation Lead Staff
MAJOR JOB FUNCTIONS
1. Administrative
a. Greet and assist public at Prairie Center
b. Answer phone calls and email questions relating to Parks and Recreation
c. Assists with maintenance of Parks and Recreation website and registration software
d. Assist with Parks and Recreation Commission by assembling packet materials, taking
minutes, and attending meetings as needed
e. Perform other administrative duties as requested
2. Facility Management:
a. Coordinate and schedule Prairie Center and park rentals
b. Collect and prepare rental invoices and payments in assistance with the Finance
Department
c. Coordinate the schedule of temporary, part-time rental staff and security
d. Verify and maintain a clean building before and after rental use
3. Recreation Programming:
a. Lead and instruct recreation programs and assist as needed
b. Assist in the development and implementation of recreation programs
c. Participate in the creation of new programs
d. Train and provide work direction to seasonal lead staff
e. Monitor and maintain inventory and recommend additions or replacements of program
equipment
f. Assist in the promotion of the department through use of Social Media
4. Special Events/Farmers Market
a. Plan, organize, and implement Special Events
b. Assist with recruitment of vendors for farmers market
c. Maintain and follow all policies procedures relating to Farmers Market
d. Monitor department events and programs to promote inclusive and creative offerings
e. Assist with all Community Events involving the Parks & Recreation Department
5. General
a. Treat fellow employees with respect and integrity
b. Promote a positive and motivating environment
c. Provide exceptional customer service
d. Confer with supervisor, peers, and employees to discuss and resolve issues
e. Make decisions that are always in the best interest of the City
f. Perform other duties and projects as assigned
g. Follow all safety policies and procedures
h. Follow all City policies and procedures
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
• Knowledge of the practices and methods of recreational programming.
• Knowledge on policies and procedures with special events
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing, and possess positive customer
service skills.
• Ability to work independently and prioritize work.
• Ability to work collaboratively, cooperatively, and positively in a team environment.
• Ability to work varying hours and days to accommodate activity schedules.
• Ability to handle a variety of assignments under moderate supervision within standard
operating procedures.
• Ability to apply a variety of procedures, policies and precedents using moderate analytical
ability in adapting methods to fit facts and conditions.
• Ability to communicate with frequent contacts to supply information on specialized matters
requiring detailed or technical responses.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
1. Associate/Technical Degree in Parks and Recreation, Event Manager, Education, Communication
or a closely related field or equivalent combination of education/training/experience.
2. Two years of experience in recreation programming or related field
3. Experience with Microsoft Office Suite.
4. Excellent planning, organizing, implementation, and communication skills
5. Valid Minnesota Driver’s License.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
1. Three years’ experience with programming for all ages and abilities
2. One year experience with social media platforms
3. One year experience with recreation software
PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to
perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable
individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Most work is in a recreation center environment, that is similar to normal office environment work; with
seasonal changes, during the summer majority of work will be outside. (Famers market, kid programs,
etc.) work outside in atmospheric conditions. Work includes performing administrative tasks sitting, and
frequently walking throughout the recreation center and park. This includes light and light effort
physical strength work occasionally. Attendance at city parks and recreation events in the evening and
on the weekends is required. Attendance at Parks and Recreation Commission meetings as requested.
Activities that occur constantly (5–8 hours/shift): sitting, feeling, talking, hearing, repetitive motions,
eye/and/foot coordination
Activities that occur frequently (2–5 hours/shift): standing, walking
Activities that occur occasionally (up to 2 hours/shift): lifting, carrying
Activities that occur rarely (do not exist as regular part of job): pushing, pulling, climbing, balancing,
stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, handling, grasping
Note: This job description does not constitute a contract or employment agreement.
City of Otsego is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act,
reasonable accommodations are offered to qualified individuals with disabilities. Prospective and
current employees are encouraged to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.
Employee signature below constitutes employee’s understanding of the requirements, essential
functions, and duties of the position.
_______________________________________________
Employee Name
_______________________________________________ ______________________
Employee Signature Date