Recreation Activities Director

YMCA
Salary
$66,000.00
$71,000.00
How to Apply
Apply Online
Bring play to life! Join the Eugene Family YMCA as Recreation & Activities Director and inspire youth through movement, fun and belonging!
Job Description

Our Culture  

Our mission and core values are brought to life by our culture. In the Y, we strive to live our cause of strengthening communities with purpose and intentionality every day.  We are welcoming: we are open to all. We are a place where you can belong and become. We are genuine: we value you and embrace your individuality. We are hopeful: we believe in you and your potential to become a catalyst in the world. We are nurturing: we support you in your journey to develop your full potential. We are determined: above all else, we are on a relentless quest to make our community stronger beginning with you. 

The Recreation & Activities Director leads programs that help youth, teens and move, play, build skills, develop confidence and experience belonging through recreation and physical activity. Rather than focusing solely on competitive leagues, this position creates accessible, developmentally appropriate opportunities for participants to try new activities, build foundational athletic skills, have fun and connect with others.  

The Director builds strong relationships with schools, parks, sports organizations and other community partners to understand community needs, identify gaps and expand access to facilities, expertise and opportunities for recreation and physical activity. Programs may include skill development, clinics, camps, open recreation, game days, outdoor experiences, family activities, competitive leagues, developmental  and functional sports offerings based on community needs. The Director may also identify and explore opportunities for adult and family recreation based on community needs, organizational capacity and alignment with existing YMCA programs. 

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications 

  • At least 2 years of relevant education, coursework, training, or professional development beyond high school
  • At least 4-½ years of experience developing or leading engaging, developmentally appropriate recreation, physical activity, camp, sports, out-of-school-time or other active programs for youth with varying interests, abilities and levels of experience.
  • At least 1-½ years of experience leading, supervising, training and supporting staff and/or volunteers who work with children and teens.
  • Previous experience coordinating multiple aspects of program operations, including staffing, scheduling, facilities, registration and/or budgets.

Preferred Qualifications 

  • Bachelor’s degree in recreation, youth development, education, physical education, sports management or a related field, or equivalent relevant experience
  • Experience developing or expanding youth recreation, physical activity or community-based programs and partnerships
  • Knowledge or experience across multiple areas of recreation, sports, outdoor activity, physical education or youth development
  • Experience developing recreation or physical activity opportunities for adults and/or families.
  • Previous experience leading sports or recreational activities at a YMCA 
    Conversational fluency in Spanish 
     

Professional Competencies  

  • Strong communication, organization, problem-solving and relationship-building skills.
  • Ability to build relationships and collaborate effectively with families, schools, community organizations and other partners.
  • Change Leadership: Facilitates, co-creates, and implements equitable change for the good of the organization and/or community
  • Communication & Influence: Listens and expresses self effectively and in a way that engages, inspires and builds commitment to the Y’s cause
  • Inclusion: Values all people for their unique talents and takes an active role in promoting practices that support diversity, inclusion, and global work, as well as cultural competence
  • Critical Thinking & Decision Making: Makes informed decisions based on logic, data and sound judgment
  • Fiscal Management: Manages the Y’s resources responsibly and sustains the Y’s nonprofit business model
  • Functional Expertise: Executes superior technical skills for the role
  • Innovation: Creates and implements new and relevant approaches and activities that improve and expand the Y’s work and impact in the community
  • Program/Project Management: Ensures program or project goals are met and intended impact occurs
  • Developing Self & Others: Develops self and supports others (e.g., staff, volunteers, members, program participants), both formally and informally, to achieve their highest potential
  • Emotional Maturity: Demonstrates ability to understand and manage emotions effectively in all situations 

Essential Functions

Recreation, Movement & Skill Development 

  • Create welcoming, developmentally appropriate opportunities for youth of all abilities and experience levels to try new activities, discover interests and build foundational athletic skills through sports, games, relays, obstacle courses, team challenges and creative movement.  
  • Develop clinics, camps, Game Days, skill-development sessions, open recreation, developmental sports and other active-play experiences based on community needs, participant interests and organizational capacity.  
  • Design a range of experiences that allow youth to build skills and grow in confidence, from low-barrier introductory opportunities to ongoing and seasonal programs that encourage continued participation.  
  • Develop seasonal opportunities that introduce youth to new activities or help them prepare for upcoming community or school recreation seasons.  
  • Develop and operate recreational and competitive leagues or other team-based experiences based on community needs and organizational capacity, with an emphasis on skill development, participation, confidence, sportsmanship, belonging and fun.  
  • Regularly assess and adapt the program portfolio based on participation, family feedback, community needs and organizational capacity.
  • Identify and explore opportunities for adult and family recreation and physical activity based on community needs, participant interests, organizational capacity and alignment with existing YMCA programs. 

Community Partnerships & Access 

  • Build relationships with schools, parks and recreation agencies, sports organizations and other community partners to identify community needs, gaps and partnership opportunities.  
  • Create pathways that connect youth to continued recreation and sports opportunities in the community and identify opportunities to use community facilities and spaces to expand access to YMCA recreation programs. 

Safety, Risk Management & Program Quality 

  • Ensure all programs, staff, volunteers and partners comply with YMCA child protection practices, organizational policies, applicable regulations, mandatory reporting requirements and established safety standards.  
  • Assess and manage risk for programs, activities, locations and partnerships, including appropriate supervision, check-in/check-out, emergency procedures and parent/caregiver communication.  
  • Ensure facilities, fields, equipment and program spaces are appropriate and safely maintained, including systems for inspection, inventory, storage, maintenance and replacement of equipment.  
  • Respond appropriately to injuries, incidents and safety concerns, ensuring required documentation, communication, follow-up and corrective action are completed. 

Administration & Financial Management 

  • Develop and manage program budgets, pricing, financial assistance strategies, purchasing and expenses to support both financial sustainability and access.  
  • Manage program administration including registration, rosters, schedules, waivers, participant records and required documentation.  
  • Develop program calendars and coordinate facilities, staffing, equipment and other resources to support effective program delivery.  
  • Track and regularly report key measures including enrollment, capacity, attendance, repeat participation, financial performance and participant/family experience to inform program decisions.  
  • Maintain centralized program standards, curricula/activity plans, procedures and resources that support consistent program quality, staff development and continuity.
  • Collaborate across YMCA departments to share resources and expertise, coordinate programming and communication, and identify opportunities to expand recreation experiences for participants and families.
  • Must maintain a current, valid Oregon driver’s license, a DMV driving record that meets YMCA standards, and evidence of insurability throughout entire term of employment 
    Perform other duties as assigned. 

Staff & Volunteer Leadership 

  • Recruit, onboard, train, supervise, evaluate and develop staff and volunteers to deliver safe, engaging and consistent recreation experiences.  
  • Ensure staff and volunteers complete required screening, child protection training, certifications and role-specific preparation before working with participants.  
  • Provide staff and volunteers with clear program expectations, activity plans, safety procedures and ongoing coaching and support.
  • Lead or support programs and activities as needed to model program quality, support staff and respond to operational needs.