Recreation Facilities Manager- Adult Recreation Center

SUMMARY: Works with the Recreation Services Manager to successfully maintain, plan, and implement professional recreation facilities, services, and programs in accordance with the mission and stated goals of the department. Primarily functions as the Bentonville Adult Recreation Center manager of day-to-day operations and programming. This supervisory role requires strong leadership qualities, good communication skills, excellent customer service skills, and strong organizational skills.

The Facility Manager is responsible for the operation, programming, and administration of the Bentonville Adult Recreation Center. This role ensures the facility provides a welcoming, safe, and engaging environment for adults aged 50 and over. The manager oversees staff, coordinates programs, and fosters community engagement to enhance the quality of life for members.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: The following duties and responsibilities are not intended to serve as a comprehensive list of all duties performed by the employee in this classification, but only as a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. Reporting relationships, work assignments, and work schedules may change to meet City needs or operational requirements. 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, Program, and Staff Management:

• Manage a budget of approximately one million dollars in expenses and one million dollars in revenue.


• Develop and monitor all recreation program budgets; track expenses and revenues generated by the programs.


• 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.


• Operate, program, and administer the Bentonville Adult Recreation Center.


• Directly supervise the Wellness Desk and Welcome Desk staff and operations.


• Indirectly supervise the aquatics team responsible for the pool's operation and programming.


• 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.

Program and Event Coordination:

• Develop and introduce new recreation programs, activities, equipment, and materials.


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


• Conduct market research and develop short and long-range community recreational goals and objectives.


• Develop and monitor Center budgets, track expenses and revenues, and implement corrective measures as needed.


• Report on program status regularly and make recommendations for capital improvements and equipment.

Community Engagement and Promotion:

• Create and manage a citizen’s resource center connecting active adults to opportunities in the community including volunteerism, socialization, continued education, and more.


• Promote the Adult Recreation 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.


• Ensure the facility and surrounding grounds are safe, clean, and suitable for recreational activities.


• Distribute department marketing materials to the public.

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 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 4-6 full-time staff members and 20-30 part-time 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.

QUALIFICATIONS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE: Bachelor’s degree in recreation management, therapeutic recreation, geriatrics, or a similar related field of study, five (5) years of direct experience in recreation programs management, and two (2) years of direct experience in recreation center management in a supervisory role; or an 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: Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS: Must have and maintain a valid driver’s license.  Must become a certified First Responder by the American Red Cross.  Certified Parks and Recreation Professional (preferred).

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.