Implements, organizes, schedules, and conducts group and/or individual recreational activities which are part of a larger recreational/sports program system; or participates/assists in recreational therapy for clients such as patients, students, offenders, or other residents of a state institution/facility. Plans, monitors expenses to help ensure that program budget is maintained; assists with management of a facility.

Professional level of the series. Positions in this class are distinguished from the Recreation and Athletics Specialist 1 class by responsibility for organization, direction and implementation of complete recreational revenue/nonrevenue-producing sports programs; assists with the budget for programs in a recreational revenue/nonrevenue-producing sports program system.

Plans, organizes, and directs complete on- and/or off-campus intramural and extramural recreational revenue/nonrevenue-producing sports activities in coordination with student committees, sports clubs and social agencies; prepares schedules and facilities to support intramural or extramural competition;

Develops schedule of recreation activities to meet needs, interests, and abilities of individual clients or groups of clients such as patients, students, inmates, or other residents of State institution;

Leads, trains, and coordinates employees in recreation program;

Plans, organizes, and directs part of recreation program for designated number of clients in institutions;

Works in one or more skill areas, directing, conducting or instructing in program of sports, social activities, drama, music, outings, literature, and arts and crafts;

Recommends and initiates programs or changes to existing programs;

Assists, or contacts, community resources in planning for special events;

Publicizes and promotes recreational revenue/nonrevenue-producing sports activities;

Assists in planning and administering operating budgets for programs;

Confers with clinical or other staff members to determine recreation program for individual clients or groups; participates in coordinating meetings and conferences with institutional supervisory personnel;

May perform therapeutic-type activities with individuals; for example, stack wood building blocks.

Prepares oral and written progress and adjustment reports; maintains records; prepares written reports to assess facilities and evaluate programs; participate in special studies related to the impact of the recreational/sports program on the institution;

Initiates requisitions and distributes recreation materials and equipment for part of recreation program;

Administers procedures for equipment purchase and inventories; arranges for equipment repairs and maintenance;

Supervises and coordinates services of volunteers assigned to recreation programs;

Trains student staff, officials, program coordinators, building attendants, building supervisors, and volunteers for implementation of a program;

Assigns, instructs, and checks the work of assigned employees;

Performs other work as required.

Knowledge of: several fields of recreational activities, including specialized knowledge in at least two broad areas, such as sports, dramatics, music, social activities, arts and crafts; principles of supervision; principles and techniques of group and individual therapeutic recreation; techniques of observing clients and making oral and written reports; training techniques; humanities and behavioral sciences.

Ability to: plan, organize, and lead institution recreation programs or direct part of recreation program; adapt recreation policies, methods and techniques to specific operational situations; supervise and train others; establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees; establish and maintain effective records and reporting system.

There may be instances where individual positions must have additional licenses, certification, or registration. It is the employer’s responsibility to ensure the appropriate licenses/certifications/registrations are obtained for each position.

For positions which include swimming instruction, a valid Water Safety Instructor's Certificate or equivalent issued by American Red Cross or YMCA is required. For positions which include lifeguard duties but not swimming instruction, a valid Lifeguard Certificate or equivalent issued by American Red Cross or YMCA is required.

Persons legally authorized to work in the U.S. under federal law, including Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipients, are eligible for employment unless prohibited by other state or federal law.

A Bachelor's degree involving major study in either (a) recreation or therapeutic recreation, (b) music, drama, or physical education or (c) psychology, sociology, or education with a minor in recreation, physical education, music or drama and one year of paid, professional recreation experience.

OR

One year of experience as a Recreation and Athletics Specialist 1.

OR

Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all desirable qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration.

Note:  Recreational therapy includes providing individualized assessments and treatment which are goal oriented and directed towards rehabilitation and modification of specific physical, emotional, mental or social behaviors.

New class, consolidates 4168 Recreation Coordinator II, 36810 Recreation Coordinator 2; adopted May 10, 2007, effective July 1, 2007.

Revised Legal Requirements; effective June 6, 2024, due to adopted legislative action.