PROGRAM SPECIALIST

THE JOB: Under general supervision, coordinate and supervise programs at an assigned facility in one of the following program areas: Recreation, Park Facilities, Cultural Services. The current vacancy is in Park Facilities. The list established from this recruitment will be used to fill current and future full-time, part-time and extra-help (temporary) vacancies. NOTE: The official job title for this position is Recreation Program Specialist.

Recreation: At an assigned location, plan, schedule, implement and supervise a recreation program or activities including: arts and crafts projects, sports and games, drama, music, cooking, science projects, outdoor activities, field trips, and therapeutic recreation; maintain order; ensures the safety and well being of program participants; enforces and follows policies and procedures; communicates with parents of program participants; set up and clean up program activities; write and maintain program records; collect and account for fees; transport supplies; notify supervisor of unusual problems disturbances and emergencies; attend meetings; may administer first aid; supervise volunteers and seasonal staff; train and evaluate performance; operate computer registration system; and may make oral presentations to commissions and public organizations.

Park Facilities: Schedule and provide routine information concerning park usage and operations in person and over the phone; operate the computerized reservation system; collect and account for fees received; resolve scheduling problems; inform staff of maintenance problems; coordinate seasonal staff assigned to park facilities; notify supervisor of unusual problems, disturbances and emergencies; attend meetings; maintain records; may assist in the implementation, organization and development of promotional, cultural and historical interpretive programs; may supervise volunteers and seasonal staff, including training and evaluating performance.

Cultural Services: Assist with a variety of projects and programs related to cultural services; prepare graphics and basic design materials for fliers or posters; prepare routine publicity materials; assist in the production of special events; maintain the information base regarding local arts organizations and event schedules; organize data in the Artists Slide Bank; hang art shows in County government facilities; rotate the County Art Collection; insure the safety and condition of the collection; organize and attend meetings; may supervise volunteers and seasonal staff, including training and evaluating performance; and may make oral presentations to commissions and public organizations.

THE REQUIREMENTS: Any combination of education and experience that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying, unless otherwise specified. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

The full-time equivalent of nine months experience that demonstrates the required knowledge and abilities for the particular assignment/ program. Prior supervisory experience may be required for certain positions.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS/CONDITIONS: License/Certificate: Some positions may require possession of a valid California Class C Driver License. Some positions may require possession of the equivalent to a valid First Aid Certificate and Infant and two person CPR certificates, to be obtained within the first six months of employment. Some positions may require certification as an Amateur Softball Association umpire. Background Investigation: Fingerprinting is required for some positions. Special Working Conditions: Some positions may involve exposure to variable temperatures and weather conditions; strong and unpleasant odors and fumes; noise from children; allergens such as poison oak, pollen, and bee stings; and the possibility of administering first aid, which may involve exposure to infections that might cause chronic disease or death. Other Special Requirements: Availability to work variable schedules including early mornings, evenings, weekends and holidays.

Knowledge: Working knowledge of the assigned program area. Some knowledge of supervision and training.

Ability to: Communicate effectively and tactfully with those contacted in the course of business including participants, staff, parents, and the public; write clearly and concisely; maintain a professional demeanor; accept constructive criticism and direction from supervisors; understand and follow oral and written instructions; maintain a clean and orderly work site; supervise, evaluate, and train lower level staff and volunteers. For some assignments: Administer first aid; see program participants in need of assistance from near and far distances; provide leadership and motivate staff; independently make decisions; read, understand and explain County policies and procedures; maintain records and periodic reports; perform simple arithmetic calculations to make change; motivate program participants; effectively deal with stressful and emergency situations; successfully complete all training provided by the department. Some positions may require ability to: Perform tasks requiring physical strengths and/or stamina to effectively rescue victims, administer first aid, and CPR; hear and distinguish a variety of sounds in a noisy environment such as participants in need of assistance, fire alarms, whistles, and approaching vehicles or equipment which might pose a danger; speak loudly in order to warn program participants of impending danger.

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS:
ANNUAL LEAVE – 22 days first year, increasing to 37 days after 15 years. Available after six months for vacation and/or sick leave.
HOLIDAYS – 12.5 paid holidays per year.
BEREAVEMENT LEAVE – 3 days paid in California, 5 days paid out-of-state.
MEDICAL PLAN – The County contracts with CalPERS for a variety of medical plans. For most plans, County contributions pay a majority of the premiums for employees and eligible dependents.
DENTAL PLAN – County pays for employee and eligible dependent coverage.
VISION PLAN – County pays for employee coverage. Employee may purchase eligible dependent coverage.
RETIREMENT – Pension formula 2% at age 60 or 2% at age 62 as determined based on provisions of the CA Public Employees’ Pension Reform Act of 2013(PEPRA). Pension benefit determined by final average compensation of three years. County pays a portion of retirement contribution and participates in Social Security.
LIFE INSURANCE – County paid $20,000 term policy. Employee may purchase additional life insurance.
SDI – Employees in the General Representation Unit participate in the State Disability Insurance (SDI) program. This program is funded 100% by employee payroll deductions.
DEPENDENT-CARE PLAN – Employees who make contributions for child or dependent care may elect to have their contributions made utilizing “pre-tax dollars.”
H-CARE PLAN – Employees who pay a County medical premium share of cost may elect this pre-tax program.
HEALTH CARE FLEXIBLE SPENDING ALLOWANCE (HCFSA) – Employees may elect this pre-tax program to cover qualifying health care expenses.
DEFERRED COMPENSATION – A deferred compensation plan is available to employees.
OTHER – Other pay and benefit items apply to certain positions or assignments, such as Bilingual Pay and Night Shift Differential.

THE EXAMINATION: Your application and supplemental application will be reviewed to determine if you have met the education, experience, training and/or licensing requirements as stated on the job announcement. If you meet these criteria and are one of the best qualified, you may be required to compete in any combination of written, oral and/or performance examinations or a competitive evaluation of training and experience as described on your application and supplemental application. You must pass all components of the examination to be placed on the eligible list. The examination may be eliminated if there are ten or fewer qualified applicants. If the eligible list is established without the administration of the announced examination, the life of the eligible list will be six months and your overall score will be based upon an evaluation of your application and supplemental application. If during those six months it is necessary to administer another examination for this job class, you will be invited to take the examination to remain on the eligible list.

HOW TO APPLY: Apply Online Now!  Click on the link below; or print out an application and supplemental questionnaire and mail/bring them to: Santa Cruz County Personnel Department, 701 Ocean Street, Room 310, Santa Cruz, CA, 95060.  For information, call (831) 454-2600.  Hearing Impaired TDD/TTY: 711.  Applications will meet the final filing date if received in one of the following ways:  1) In the Personnel Department by 5:00 p.m. on the final filing date, 2) submitted online before midnight of the final filing date.  Following a review for minimum qualifications, applicants who are selected to move forward in the recruitment process will be notified that they must submit a completed conviction history questionnaire in order to continue to the examination phase of the process.

Women, minorities and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.  If you have a disability that requires test accommodation, please call (831) 454-2600.  

To comply with the 1986 Immigration Reform and Control Act, Santa Cruz County verifies that all new employees are either U.S. citizens or persons authorized to work in the U.S.

NOTE: The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract.

An Equal Opportunity Employer