Recreation managers oversee the operations of recreation facilities and organizations, coordinating a variety of activities for people of all ages and backgrounds. They typically work full-time, both indoors and outdoors, and may be required to attend community meetings and events. A bachelor’s degree in recreation administration is usually required.
A recreation manager oversees the operations of a recreation facility or organization. Most people in this job work primarily in community centers, parks, and other organized outdoor areas. They often develop recreational programs and manage facilities. The organizations they oversee can be small or large, depending on the local population and geographic area served. They often coordinate a large number of activities, for example, running a parks and recreation department.
Recreation managers often work with people of all ages and backgrounds. They typically coordinate a variety of activities for adults, youth and seniors. In general, some sporting or athletic knowledge is helpful, as many recreational programs focus on promoting physical activity. Programs can take place both indoors and outdoors. Some examples include physical fitness programs and sports, including water sports. Recreational programs can also consist of arts and crafts, other types of hobbies, and camping.
Hours can vary, but in many places, the recreation manager is usually full-time. He or she usually works in an office, as well as outdoors if he or she is conducting outside programs. The recreation manager usually reports to a recreation director and usually supervises at least one other employee. In addition to overseeing the day-to-day operations of a recreational facility, a manager’s duties may also involve broadly assessing the needs of the community and developing ideas for meeting those needs with the help of its employees.
A recreation manager job description may also call for acting as a contact person for community members and outside groups who may want to use the facilities. Therefore, the manager should generally have some community relations skills. Budgeting experience is also often important, so he can document spending and track income if necessary. He or she may also be required to attend board meetings or other community meetings and events as a representative of the department. An additional job duty may be to encourage community participation through presentations and public events.
These positions usually require a bachelor’s degree in a discipline such as recreation administration. Sometimes professional experience in physical education is also useful. Typically, having a combination of recreational skills and an administrative background, along with good record keeping skills, is important in many recreation manager jobs. Many recreation programs require a combination of formal education, culminating in a degree, plus a certain amount of experience in the field. Elsewhere, a recreation manager may be certified in the field without necessarily holding a degree.
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