Recreation Coordinator - Specialized Recreation and Special Events
Apply NowCompany: Pierce County
Location: Lakewood, WA 98499
Description:
Salary: $34.27 - $43.15 Hourly
Location : Environmental Services Building- Chambers Creek Regional Park, WA
Job Type: Career Service - Full Time
Job Number: 25-00377
Department: Parks and Recreation Services
Division: Parks-Recreation Services
Opening Date: 04/21/2025
Closing Date: 5/11/2025 11:00 PM Pacific
Description
This position is on-site and splits time between Chambers Creek Regional Park (CCRP) and Lakewood Community Center (LCC)
Position Summary
Why It's a Great Department:
Pierce County Parks and Recreation manages over 5,200 acres of open space, trails, developed and undeveloped parks. We provide recreation programs and infrastructure in active and passive parks and trails. The department consists of three divisions: Parks and Recreation, Administration, and Resource Stewardship. Our mission is to be a leader in creating livable communities by providing opportunities for people to connect with nature, learn about sustainable practices, live healthy lifestyles, and enjoy vibrant community spaces.
Learn more about the Pierce County Parks and Recreation Department
Why It's a Great Opportunity:
Are you someone passionate about community building through recreation opportunities that are tailored to specific needs? Do you thrive working on multiple projects and programs simultaneously? Are you skilled in large scale event planning and coordination? If so, this exciting Recreation Coordinator role, may be the perfect position for you! This position is unique because it splits time between two of our campuses and is therefore working with two different recreation teams. This Recreation Coordinator position is complex in that it has two main focuses. The first is planning, coordinating and overseeing large scale (thousands of attendees) special events at our CCRP. These projects have a longer timeframe and a slower pace to completion. The second focus is supporting our Specialized Recreation Program by creating and facilitating programming for individuals with special needs. This work is fast paced and ever changing to meet the needs of the participants. This position is an incredible opportunity for someone who is people centered and loves serving the community through parks and recreation programs and events.
How to be Successful in the Role:
You will need to be extremely people centered and customer service focused to succeed in this role. Due to the split nature of this position, being highly adaptive and skilled at working collaboratively across teams is a must. The ability to shift work styles and pace, and to stay organized among competing priorities will be critical to your success. Your passion for supporting those in our community with special needs, and dreaming up programs, recreation activities, and special events will guide your success.
Your Future in this Role:
You will have exciting opportunities to work across teams and with community partners and stakeholders. Your creativity, leadership skills and problem-solving abilities will sharpen and grow as you lead a small team of seasonal staff (3-4 employees) in our Specialized Recreation program. The County also offers many professional development opportunities, a Leadership Certification Program, and Employee Resource Groups.
Core Daily Responsibilities:
A classification description with a more detailed list of essential functions can be found
Qualifications
Qualifications:
Preferred Relevant Experience:
Special Requirements and/or Qualifications:
As a condition of employment, the applicant will need to authorize and complete a background check. Information received from the background check is reviewed case-by-case and will not necessarily remove an applicant from consideration.
Supplemental Information
APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS
To be considered for this opportunity please:
This is a competitive selection process. Your application will be reviewed and evaluated for the quality and quantity of education/experience in the areas listed. Applicants whose qualifications most closely correspond to the County's needs will be eligible for further consideration. Notification of application status normally occurs 2 to 3 weeks after the closing date. Short notice may be given to applicants to participate in further selection processes which may include assessments, phone screen, and interviews.
At Pierce County, diversity, equity, and inclusion means commitment, not a single step. We strive to foster an inclusive environment that supports equitable access to opportunities throughout your career. We want to recruit, develop, and maintain a talented workforce from various backgrounds, cultures, lifestyles, and perspectives, committed to our vision. Employees of the County have local, direct, and visible impact in our diverse community. Will you join us in keeping Pierce County a place people are proud to call home?
We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time.
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Pierce County offers a competitive benefits package that offers flexibility and peace of mind. We are proud to offer Employee Resource Groups, a focus on professional development in our , and a County Book Club.
We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career and that your priority is making sure that you and your family maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of and , , staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.
Our benefits:
Vacation (Annual Leave)
After approximately six months, employees receive six days of vacation leave.
Since we value your experience, the amount of vacation you can accrue increases the longer you work with us. Vacation accrues on a bi-weekly basis for full-time employees as follows:
Vacation Accruals:
During years 1-3, 12 Days
During years 4-7, 16 Days
During years 8-13, 20 Days
During years 14-18, 23 Days
During years 19, 24 Days
During years 20, 25 Days
During years 21, 26 Days
During years 22, 27 Days
During years 23, 28 Days
During years 24, 29 Days
During years 25 & thereafter, 30 Days
A maximum of 45 days may be carried from one year into the next.
Pro-Rated for Part-Time based on % of 1.0 FTE.
Military Leave:
Pierce County has a proud history of supporting the armed forces and provides members of the armed forces with up to 21 days paid military leave per state fiscal year.
Holidays:
Some full-time employees are entitled to eleven paid holidays as follows:
New Year's Day - January 1
Martin Luther King, Jr's birthday - Third Monday in January
President's Day - Third Monday in February
Memorial Day - Last Monday in May
Juneteenth - June 19
Independence Day - July 4
Labor Day - First Monday in September
Veteran's Day - November 11
Thanksgiving Day - Fourth Thursday in November & Friday after
Christmas Day - December 25
Personal Holidays:
Regular full-time and regular part-time employees, and employees occupying limited duration positions, shall also receive two additional paid personal holidays. Paid personal holidays shall only accrue for those employees on County payroll as of January 1 of each year or the first work day following January 1 and must be taken during the calendar year in which it was accrued.
Furlough:
Some Pierce County employees may be designated to receive 10 "furlough" days per year in lieu of holidays. Furlough days are available for use on January 1 and must be scheduled and taken within the calendar year. Employees who leave employment with Pierce County must reimburse the employer for used furlough days based upon the number of remaining holidays.
Sick Leave:
Sick leave accrues on a bi-weekly basis, at the rate of one day per month.
Insurance Benefits:
Employees and families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with very affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout Pierce County. Employees are eligible to enroll each year in a flexible spending plan, which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care and dependent care expenses. Employees also have the opportunity to participate in supplemental life and long term disability insurance plans. To view premium rates, summary of benefit coverage, and other information, please visit the website.
Retirement and Deferred Compensation:
Pierce County employees are members of the State of Washington's Department of Retirement System (DRS) and depending on the position or previous DRS enrollment will be able to enroll in one of many programs DRS offers. For additional information, check out the web site.
Employees also have the ability to participate in the Nationwide Deferred Compensation Plan. This is a supplemental retirement savings program that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.
Social Security:
All Pierce County employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The county and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.
Miscellaneous Benefits:
Please visit website for more information.
Telework/Remote Options:
Some departments allow for telework or work-from-home options dependent on the body of work. Learn more about our telework policy
**All employees are required to be WA State residents after 30 days of employment.
01
Please describe your experience in creating and facilitating programming for individuals with special needs.
02
Please describe in detail your experience planning, coordinating and overseeing large scale (1,000 plus attendees) special events.
03
Did you attach a resume with your application?
Required Question
Location : Environmental Services Building- Chambers Creek Regional Park, WA
Job Type: Career Service - Full Time
Job Number: 25-00377
Department: Parks and Recreation Services
Division: Parks-Recreation Services
Opening Date: 04/21/2025
Closing Date: 5/11/2025 11:00 PM Pacific
Description
This position is on-site and splits time between Chambers Creek Regional Park (CCRP) and Lakewood Community Center (LCC)
Position Summary
Why It's a Great Department:
Pierce County Parks and Recreation manages over 5,200 acres of open space, trails, developed and undeveloped parks. We provide recreation programs and infrastructure in active and passive parks and trails. The department consists of three divisions: Parks and Recreation, Administration, and Resource Stewardship. Our mission is to be a leader in creating livable communities by providing opportunities for people to connect with nature, learn about sustainable practices, live healthy lifestyles, and enjoy vibrant community spaces.
Learn more about the Pierce County Parks and Recreation Department
Why It's a Great Opportunity:
Are you someone passionate about community building through recreation opportunities that are tailored to specific needs? Do you thrive working on multiple projects and programs simultaneously? Are you skilled in large scale event planning and coordination? If so, this exciting Recreation Coordinator role, may be the perfect position for you! This position is unique because it splits time between two of our campuses and is therefore working with two different recreation teams. This Recreation Coordinator position is complex in that it has two main focuses. The first is planning, coordinating and overseeing large scale (thousands of attendees) special events at our CCRP. These projects have a longer timeframe and a slower pace to completion. The second focus is supporting our Specialized Recreation Program by creating and facilitating programming for individuals with special needs. This work is fast paced and ever changing to meet the needs of the participants. This position is an incredible opportunity for someone who is people centered and loves serving the community through parks and recreation programs and events.
How to be Successful in the Role:
You will need to be extremely people centered and customer service focused to succeed in this role. Due to the split nature of this position, being highly adaptive and skilled at working collaboratively across teams is a must. The ability to shift work styles and pace, and to stay organized among competing priorities will be critical to your success. Your passion for supporting those in our community with special needs, and dreaming up programs, recreation activities, and special events will guide your success.
Your Future in this Role:
You will have exciting opportunities to work across teams and with community partners and stakeholders. Your creativity, leadership skills and problem-solving abilities will sharpen and grow as you lead a small team of seasonal staff (3-4 employees) in our Specialized Recreation program. The County also offers many professional development opportunities, a Leadership Certification Program, and Employee Resource Groups.
Core Daily Responsibilities:
- Coordinate recreational activities and specials events with maintenance, recreation, and administrative support staff.
- Assist with the development of programs including conducting customer surveys and market trend analysis.
- Create and adhere to program budgets, recruit sponsorship, and foster community partnerships.
- Conduct evaluations of program effectiveness; initiate investigations into problem areas; implement corrective measures
- Advertise the program through a variety of media sources.
- Supervise, train and schedule extra hire employees and volunteers.
- Assists in the coordination of facility set up for events and activities.
A classification description with a more detailed list of essential functions can be found
Qualifications
Qualifications:
- Additional education or experience may substitute for the recruiting requirement.
- Bachelor's degree in Parks and Recreation or related field (Education, Social Work, Recreation, Therapeutic Rec, Tourism, Sport Management)
- One year of experience with a recreation organization, including some supervisory/lead experience.
- A resume is required for this position. If you do not submit a resume with your application, you will not be considered for this role.
Preferred Relevant Experience:
- Experience with program and large-scale event planning
- Experience with a recreation organization
- Experience working with people with disabilities
Special Requirements and/or Qualifications:
- Work a flexible schedule, which may include evenings, weekends, holidays, and overtime.
- A valid Washington State driver's license is required at the time of hire.
- Possession of a current basic first aid card is required within thirty days of employment.
As a condition of employment, the applicant will need to authorize and complete a background check. Information received from the background check is reviewed case-by-case and will not necessarily remove an applicant from consideration.
Supplemental Information
APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS
To be considered for this opportunity please:
- Complete and submit an online Pierce County Employment Application by selecting "APPLY" above or go to: www.piercecountywa.org/jobs.
- If you have a question about this opportunity, please email the Recruitment Team at PCHRRecruit@piercecountywa.gov and specify the Job Number and Title.
- If you do not have internet access, you may visit your local public library or any WorkSource location and use their computers.
- Individuals needing accommodation in the application, testing process, or need this job announcement in an alternative format may call Human Resources at (253) 798-7480, at least two days prior to the need.
This is a competitive selection process. Your application will be reviewed and evaluated for the quality and quantity of education/experience in the areas listed. Applicants whose qualifications most closely correspond to the County's needs will be eligible for further consideration. Notification of application status normally occurs 2 to 3 weeks after the closing date. Short notice may be given to applicants to participate in further selection processes which may include assessments, phone screen, and interviews.
At Pierce County, diversity, equity, and inclusion means commitment, not a single step. We strive to foster an inclusive environment that supports equitable access to opportunities throughout your career. We want to recruit, develop, and maintain a talented workforce from various backgrounds, cultures, lifestyles, and perspectives, committed to our vision. Employees of the County have local, direct, and visible impact in our diverse community. Will you join us in keeping Pierce County a place people are proud to call home?
We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time.
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Pierce County offers a competitive benefits package that offers flexibility and peace of mind. We are proud to offer Employee Resource Groups, a focus on professional development in our , and a County Book Club.
We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career and that your priority is making sure that you and your family maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of and , , staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.
Our benefits:
Vacation (Annual Leave)
After approximately six months, employees receive six days of vacation leave.
Since we value your experience, the amount of vacation you can accrue increases the longer you work with us. Vacation accrues on a bi-weekly basis for full-time employees as follows:
Vacation Accruals:
During years 1-3, 12 Days
During years 4-7, 16 Days
During years 8-13, 20 Days
During years 14-18, 23 Days
During years 19, 24 Days
During years 20, 25 Days
During years 21, 26 Days
During years 22, 27 Days
During years 23, 28 Days
During years 24, 29 Days
During years 25 & thereafter, 30 Days
A maximum of 45 days may be carried from one year into the next.
Pro-Rated for Part-Time based on % of 1.0 FTE.
Military Leave:
Pierce County has a proud history of supporting the armed forces and provides members of the armed forces with up to 21 days paid military leave per state fiscal year.
Holidays:
Some full-time employees are entitled to eleven paid holidays as follows:
New Year's Day - January 1
Martin Luther King, Jr's birthday - Third Monday in January
President's Day - Third Monday in February
Memorial Day - Last Monday in May
Juneteenth - June 19
Independence Day - July 4
Labor Day - First Monday in September
Veteran's Day - November 11
Thanksgiving Day - Fourth Thursday in November & Friday after
Christmas Day - December 25
Personal Holidays:
Regular full-time and regular part-time employees, and employees occupying limited duration positions, shall also receive two additional paid personal holidays. Paid personal holidays shall only accrue for those employees on County payroll as of January 1 of each year or the first work day following January 1 and must be taken during the calendar year in which it was accrued.
Furlough:
Some Pierce County employees may be designated to receive 10 "furlough" days per year in lieu of holidays. Furlough days are available for use on January 1 and must be scheduled and taken within the calendar year. Employees who leave employment with Pierce County must reimburse the employer for used furlough days based upon the number of remaining holidays.
Sick Leave:
Sick leave accrues on a bi-weekly basis, at the rate of one day per month.
Insurance Benefits:
Employees and families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with very affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout Pierce County. Employees are eligible to enroll each year in a flexible spending plan, which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care and dependent care expenses. Employees also have the opportunity to participate in supplemental life and long term disability insurance plans. To view premium rates, summary of benefit coverage, and other information, please visit the website.
Retirement and Deferred Compensation:
Pierce County employees are members of the State of Washington's Department of Retirement System (DRS) and depending on the position or previous DRS enrollment will be able to enroll in one of many programs DRS offers. For additional information, check out the web site.
Employees also have the ability to participate in the Nationwide Deferred Compensation Plan. This is a supplemental retirement savings program that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.
Social Security:
All Pierce County employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The county and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.
Miscellaneous Benefits:
Please visit website for more information.
Telework/Remote Options:
Some departments allow for telework or work-from-home options dependent on the body of work. Learn more about our telework policy
**All employees are required to be WA State residents after 30 days of employment.
01
Please describe your experience in creating and facilitating programming for individuals with special needs.
02
Please describe in detail your experience planning, coordinating and overseeing large scale (1,000 plus attendees) special events.
03
Did you attach a resume with your application?
- Yes
- No
Required Question