(1) Recreation Specialist I - Aquatics

Safety Status:             None

SUMMARY: Works with the Recreation Supervisor to successfully maintain, plan, and implement professional recreation services and programs in accordance with the mission and stated goals of the department.  This specialist role requires strong leadership, communication skills, excellent customer service skills, and strong organizational skills.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Reporting relationships, work assignments, and work schedules may be subject to change to meet City needs or operational requirements.  Punctual attendance at work and the ability to get along with the public, supervisors, and co-workers are essential elements of this position.  Other duties may be assigned.

Facility and Staff Management:

• Track daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly participation figures; implement corrective measures as needed, and report status on a regular basis.


• Make recommendations for capital improvements and equipment.

• Perform supervisory functions, including interviewing, selecting, training, evaluating, disciplining, developing, and terminating staff.

• Provide staff with necessary resources, equipment, tools, and knowledge to perform and improve services.


• Recruit, interview, hire, train, and evaluate part-time and seasonal lifeguards and swim instructors.


• Assists in ensuring the Bentonville Community Center, Melvin Ford Aquatic Center and surrounding grounds remain a safe, clean environment for the public to utilize for recreational activities.

Program and Event Coordination:

• Develops and introduces new recreation programs activities, equipment, and materials to recreation management.


• Adapts city-sponsored recreation programs to meet needs of citizens, groups, teams, and individuals.


• Interprets recreation programs to the public, sponsors, and participates in community meetings and organizational planning.


• Assists in the preparation and presentation of reports that detail information such as financial data, facility attendance records and recreation program evaluations.


• Coordinates, promotes, and assists in development of city-sponsored recreation programs to the public, including Bentonville Community Center programs.


• Establishes aquatic programs to meet the needs of individuals, groups, agencies of the community.


• Tracks participation and daily use of aquatic centers and aquatic programs.


• Assists in the creation of detailed reports such as facility attendance records and program evaluations.


• Monitors and regulates aquatic equipment maintenance schedules.


• Applies pool chemical in prescribed amounts to purify water when requested by facility maintenance.


• Determines chlorine content and pH value of water with water testing kit.


• Coordinates group swimming activities, swimming meets, and swimming instructions


• Recommend the purchase of recreation equipment and services from outside vendors.


• Notifies patrons of activity schedules and registration requirements.


• Monitors spectators and participants at sports events to compliance with City Parks & Recreation rules.


• Makes reservations for use of facilities by individuals or groups at Melvin Ford Aquatics Center and Bentonville Community Center.


• Patrols facilities to detect damage and reports damages to appropriate authority.


• Performs a wide variety of other duties as needed.

Community Engagement and Promotion:

• Promote the Community Center, lead membership drives, and ensure the facility remains visible to Bentonville residents and potential participants.


• Foster cooperation and teamwork among city recreation and non-recreation personnel.


• Develop and maintain relations with other recreation providers and service vendors in the community.


• Acquire sponsorships, donations, and other in-kind services for recreation programs.

Customer Service and Communication:

• Provide exceptional customer service and communication to members and the public.


• Distribute department marketing materials to the public.

• Acquires sponsorships, donations and/or other in-kind services as needed for the organization and implementation of recreation programs.

Collaboration and Professional Development:

• Work with professionals in medicine, social work, nursing, psychology, and therapy to ensure well-balanced and integrated recreational services.


• Participate in professional associations, conferences, workshops, and training to stay current with industry trends.

Evaluation and Improvement:

• Evaluate the effectiveness of recreation programs, areas, facilities, and services.


• Study local conditions and develop immediate and long-range plans to meet the recreational needs of all age groups.


• Participate in the development of the recreation budget and monitor the expenditure of department funds and record-keeping.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: This position directly supervises between approximately 35-65 part-time/seasonal staff members.  Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws.  Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE: Minimum of an associate degree or equivalent from two-year college or technical school with an emphasis in recreation management or an associated field; or a minimum 2 years’ experience working in recreation programs and activities; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

LANGUAGE SKILLS: Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations.  Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.  Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS: Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistics and the ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.  Must also have the ability to perform basic budget management.

REASONING ABILITY: Appling common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form.  Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS: Must have and maintain a valid driver’s license, the ability to become a certified in CPR/AED, First Aid, and Lifeguarding, by the American Red Cross and must pass a background security check.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear.  The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, and sit.  The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell.  The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to outside weather conditions.  The employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts; high, precarious places; fumes or airborne particles; toxic or caustic chemicals; risk of electrical shock; and vibration.  The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.

The City of Bentonville is committed to providing equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, marital status, veteran status, political status, disability status, or genetic information, as required by all federal and state laws.  The City’s commitment extends to all employment related decisions, terms and conditions of employment (including job opportunities), promotions, pay and benefits.