Recreation Specialist Sports

JOB LOCATION

Aurora, Colorado 80016-5700

City of Aurora, Colorado

It is an exciting time to work for the City of Aurora, we're growing and looking for dedicated and collaborative individuals to join our team of talented and valued employees. Excellent organizations have a set of principles, or core values, that are used to implement their mission and vision. Those values represent the touchstone for the organization, guiding the decisions of the individuals and the organization. At the City of Aurora, we demonstrate our excellence by modeling the CORE 4 Values of: Integrity, Respect, Professionalism, and Customer Service, and we welcome all who share these values to apply.
 
Why Work for Aurora?

• Make a difference in the lives of real people every day
• Diverse community
• Competitive total compensation package
• Well-Funded General Employees Retirement Plan
• Light rail station minutes away
• On-site fitness center and overall employee well-being programs Internal educational programs to assist with career advancement
• Access to innovation workspaces

PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

We are scouting for a true leader to step in as our Recreation Specialist - Sports. If you view recreation management as an art form, this introduction is for you.

This role isn't just a job title; it's about being the conductor of a high-energy sports orchestra. You are the field general, ensuring every program, every camp, and every league hits the right notes for maximum enjoyment.

Think of yourself as the ultimate sports program chef. You plan the menu (our awesome youth soccer and adult basketball leagues), source the ingredients (managing key vendor agreements and making sure the money is straight), and ensure the final dish (our customer service) is always five-star delicious.

We need someone who can spin multiple plates without dropping the budget guidelines. You’ll oversee the day-to-day operations of our sports division, manage and coach staff and volunteers, and help us promote all the fun activities we offer. You get to make recommendations that directly improve programs for all participants.

If the idea of turning logistics into smooth sailing excites you, and you can handle a little payroll magic while also dealing with complex situations with tact, then let's talk. We need someone who can lead short- and long-range plans and bring structure to dynamic operations.

Ready to build something great with us? This is where your ability to coordinate varied community recreation activities shines.

The deadline to submit applications is May 4, 2026. Please note that the City of Aurora will conduct ongoing screenings of applications on a first-come, first-served basis; as soon as we determine that we have a qualified pool of applicants, this position may close quickly and without notice. 

The Recreation Specialist manages the day-to-day operations of multiple sports programs and vendor agreements within the division while ensuring quality customer service.   

PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Plans and manages sports programs and camps including youth soccer, adult basketball, school break youth sports camps and other sports programs as assigned.
• Manages and evaluates sports camp service agreements with external vendors.  Will handle all procedures regarding invoicing and auditing of vendor.
• Assists with Southeast Recreation Center Fieldhouse supervision and sports programs.
• Recruits and supervises employees and volunteers.
• Evaluates and makes recommendations on the improvements to programs that will provide maximum enjoyment for all the participants.
• Prepares program marketing plans, publications of a variety of brochures, promotional materials, calendars, letters, posters, news/press releases, social media posts, fliers, and related communications regarding recreation programs.      
• Prepares program budgets and ensures that programs are operating within budget guidelines.
• Ensure that policies and procedures relating to staff providing great customer service are in place and executed.
• Sets overall goals and objectives for areas supervised and assists in the development of departmental budget, goals, policies, and procedures.
• Responsible for ensuring that program surveys are distributed on a regular basis and follow up is provided regarding any issues relating to overall service.
• Maintain work records, accomplish special projects, manage payroll for assigned staff. Manages and supervises assigned operations to achieve goals within available resources; plans and organizes workloads and staff assignments; trains, motivates and evaluates assigned staff; reviews progress and directs changes as needed.
• Provides leadership and direction in the development of short- and long-range plans; gathers, interprets and prepares data for studies, reports and recommendations; coordinates section activities with other sections, departments and agencies as needed.
• Determines work procedures, prepares work schedules and expedites workflow; studies and standardizes procedures to improve efficiency and effectiveness of operations.
• Communicates park and facility use requirements for programs and activities.
• Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS & WORKING CONDITIONS

An equivalent combination of education, training and experience that demonstrates required knowledge, skills and abilities may be considered.

Education:

• Bachelor's Degree in Recreation or a related field.

Experience:

• 2 years experience in Recreation Management or a related field. 

Licenses and Certifications:

• Valid Driver’s License 
• Current CPR and First Aid certification required or the ability to obtain certification within 6 months.

Knowledge:

• Considerable knowledge of recreation planning and administration.

Skills: 

• Strong organizational and interpersonal skills. 
• Strong computer skills to include, keyboarding, Microsoft Office suites to include Word, Xcel, Power Point and internet.

Abilities: 

• The ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, citizens and private organizations.
• The ability to respond to customer inquiries and complaints in a timely manner. 
• The ability to motivate staff, create a positive work environment and hold staff accountable for achieving measurable goals and developing their skills.
• The ability to handle sensitive and stressful situations with tact and diplomacy.  Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to recognize, analyze and implement needed organizational systems.
• Ability to develop, coordinate, and direct varied activities involved in a community recreation program.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, supervisors, other agencies, participants, instructors, community leaders and the general public.
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
• Ability to plan for and supervise staff and volunteers.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Essential Personnel:

When a local announcement of emergency or disaster is declared by the City, all City of Aurora employees may be required to work as essential personnel.

Physical Demands:

• Sedentary to moderate physical work
• Ability to lift a maximum of 75 pounds
• Regular standing and walking, bending, stooping, pushing, pulling and climbing
• Hand/eye coordination for operation of computer keyboard
• Vision to read reports and other written material
• Frequent speech communication and hearing to maintain communication with employees and citizens.

Equipment Used:

• Uses standard office equipment including a computer system
• This position may require the incumbent to occasionally use personal equipment (e.g. vehicle, cell phone, tools, etc.) in the course of their employment. 

The city of Aurora will implement furlough days (unpaid days off) for most employees in 2026. The scheduled furlough dates are January 16, April 10, July 2, and December 24.

For Veterans preference:  Please show all of your employment history, including military service and related documentation (DD214) on the application.
           
The City of Aurora is an equal opportunity employer.  We are required by state and federal agencies to keep certain statistical records on applicants.  It will not be used in any way to discriminate against you because of your sex, race, age, sexual orientation, creed, national origin, disability or military status, gender identity, unless related to a bona fide occupational qualification as defined by the Colorado Civil Rights Commission and the Equal Opportunity Commission.
                                         
Despite the changes in Colorado law, the City of Aurora maintains a drug-free workplace.  A positive test of marijuana is grounds for disqualification and ineligibility for employment with the city for one year or termination once hired.
 

Drug Testing, Thorough Criminal Background Check, and Employment References:
As a condition of employment, all applicants selected for employment with the City of Aurora must undergo a thorough criminal background check. 

Applicants selected for safety-sensitive positions are required to complete and pass a drug screening as a condition of employment. Safety sensitive positions include Civil Service positions within Police and Fire Departments and positions where their job responsibilities have direct and substantial responsibility that would impact the health and safety of others.  

Employment references will be conducted on finalists for City of Aurora vacancies.