About this role
Job Posting End Date: October 25, 2026 Department: PARKS AND RECREATION Compensation Grade: G20 Compensation Range & Starting Salary: Starting Salary – Minimum of the pay range Hourly Rate: $21.59 Between 32-39 hours per week Job Exempt (If No, Position is eligible for overtime): No Scheduled Weekly Hours: 34 About Us: At Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation, our success is because of our dedicated employees. We are intentional about creating an employee experience where you are empowered to reach your full potential, are supported through strength-based initiatives, and are confident in your abilities. We champion a workplace culture built on our cultural foundations: Professionalism, Respect, Accountability, Integrity, and Citizenship. These guiding principles of behavior cultivate a positive and high performing work environment. Success is recognized and celebrated, and legendary experiences are the core of who we are.
Job Duties and Preferred Qualifications: Our Commitment Work with the best – work for Virginia Beach Parks and Recreation! Join our team and contribute to our 60+ year track record of providing legendary experiences! We are dedicated to promoting healthy lifestyles and protecting our environment. We ensure all residents – regardless of their physical, social, and economic circumstances – can access our programs. By providing enriching and memorable lifelong experiences, we strive to enhance the quality of life for our community by improving the physical and mental well-being of our residents. Day to Day Job Duties · Creatively develop, organize and lead Nature-based Outdoor Recreation Programs/Classes/Events for individuals and groups of all ages and abilities. · Design and implement a variety of outdoor programs to include kayaking, archery, nature camps and environmental education programs. · Develop age-appropriate nature-based and/or themed-based activities for programs, camps, and events · Ensure all activities are inclusive, safe and engaging. · Effectively communicate environmental/nature concepts to participants of various ages and diverse backgrounds. · Conduct site inspections and maintain safety protocols; provide first aid and emergency response when necessary. · Maintain records of attendance, incidents and evaluations · Prepare reports and recommendations on program success, challenges and opportunities. · Manage and maintain equipment and inventory for programs & events. · Provide manual labor for programs and events; assist with set-up, break-down and logistics. · Work with team and independently to develop new environmental & recreational programs based on trends and community needs. · Provide day-to-day strong communication, leadership and supervision for part-time, volunteers, contract staff, and interns to include: hiring, training, scheduling, professional development, mentoring, evaluating, and disciplining · Provide excellent customer service while promoting outdoor programs and classes. · Assist with answering high volumes of calls and emails from citizens and participants · Utilize Microsoft office (Word, Outlook, Excel, Teams) and departmental registration software in daily functions and tasks. · Work outdoors in varied weather conditions. Travel between facilities and park locations. · Must be able to work varied hours evenings, nights, holidays, and weekends for extended periods of time greater than 8 hours · Must be comfortable operating trucks, transit vans, passenger vans and trailers to transport participants and equipment. Perform other job duties requiring skills, knowledge and physical requirements as demanded by those duties described or less. Individual assignments will be determined by the supervisor based on the current workloads and department needs.
Requires a current and valid Driver’s license
Ideal Candidate In addition to the minimum requirements, the ideal candidate for this position will have experience listed below. Candidates should ensure the information is provided in the application. • Degree in recreation, outdoor education, environmental studies or related field. • Experience in outdoor or nature-based programming with youth and adult participants . • Knowledge of outdoor education techniques, environmental stewardship and recreation trends. • Knowledge of local flora, fauna and ecosystems • Exp with customer service over phone, email and/or in person • Related certifications (kayak, archery, wilderness first aid, etc.) Schedule
This position is a mixture of an office setting and field setting. Must be available to work varied hours (mornings, nights, weekends, and holidays) to meet operational and event needs. Schedules will be adjusted seasonally and will vary weekly based on events, facility coverage, and weather. Will work extended shifts greater than 8 hours but not more than 16 hours in one shift. Will work event hours as early as 6 AM and late as midnight or into the following day.
Location 2154 Landstown Road Virginia Beach, Virginia 23456 The individual selected for this position will be housed at a primary site but may be scheduled between other park sites/facilities. Schedules will be adjusted seasonally and will vary weekly based on events, facility coverage, and weather. All employees may be expected to work hours in excess of their normally scheduled hours, overtime, splits shifts or maybe be relocated to another location or job assignment in response to short- term department needs and/or City-wide emergencies including weekends, evenings and holidays. Training As a condition of employment, all employees must attend P&R Connection (Department Orientation). If selected for the position, you will be provided an approximate training date at the time of hire. Training is held from 8:30am-5:00pm, every other Friday, at the Parks & Recreation Administration Building. When an exemption is permittable, a hybrid version of the training is available, but will require training attendance on a weekend. (Part Time Benefit Eligible 30 plus hours ) The Perks Competitive wages Training/Mentoring for career advancement Varied Paid Holidays Access to Health Plans Programs Personnel Leave Beach Municipal Federal Credit Union Deferred Compensation Plans Employee Assistance Program Maternity/Paternity/Parental Care Leave
Additional requirements: • DMV Transcript: Yes • CDL: No • Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse: No • CPS Check: No • Physical: No • Respirator: No • Psychological Screening: No • Polygraph: No • At Will: No
This position is being advertised as a pool, and applications could be used to fill current vacancies and any other similar Recreation Specialist I – Part Time that become available within six months from the closing date of this posting.
Minimum Requirements: Minimum Qualifications: Requires a Bachelor’s degree in recreation management, therapeutic recreation, exercise science, or a related field; OR any combination of education (above the high school level) and/or experience equivalent to four (4) years in fields utilizing the required knowledge, skills, and abilities and associated with such positions as recreation leader or recreation program supervisor. May be required to have a current and valid driver’s license. May require a Commercial driver’s license.
Special Requirements: All employees may be expected to work hours in excess of their normally scheduled hours in response to short-term department needs and/or City-wide emergencies. Must be available to work varied hours, evenings, nights, weekends, holidays and overtime when required to meet operational needs. This position may require incumbents to wear and maintain appropriate personal protective equipment such as, but not limited to, steel-toed shoes, hard hats, safety glasses, gloves, or other safety attire and equipment in designated areas of risk. Specific requirements will be determined and communicated by the employee’s supervisor based on position assigned. Alpha I Status: Positions within this class have been designated as Alpha I positions requiring employees to work during inclement weather, regardless of the City’s operational status.
Special Requirements: for Aquatics Only: Must possess valid certifications in American Red Cross Lifeguarding/First Aid/CPR/AED (Automated External Defibrillator) and American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor. Occasionally to frequently required to lifeguard during times of staff shortage. Lifeguarding duties include providing a safe swimming environment, enforcing rules, rescuing anyone in danger of drowning, administering first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, oxygen and use of AED.
Special Requirements: for Early Childhood Programs Only: Must be at least 21 years of age and meet the current minimum program director staff qualifications as listed in the Standards for Licensed Child Day Centers document published by the Department of Education, Commonwealth of Virginia.
Special Requirements: for Therapeutic Recreation Only: Must possess a national certification as a Therapeutic Recreation Specialist - Professional level.
Special Requirements: for Group Fitness Only: Must possess a current national level Group Fitness certification from ACE, NASM, or comparable. Certification must be recognized by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA).
Special Requirements: for Personal Training Only: Must possess a current national level Personal Training certification from ACSM, ACE, NASM, or comparable. Certification must be recognized by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA). Skills: Archery, Communication, Environmental Education, Environmental Stewardship, Environmental Studies, Kayaking, Leadership, Outdoor Education, Outdoor Recreation, Parks Recreation, Program Operations, Recreational Activities, Teamwork Working Conditions: Per HR Policy 6.19, Americans with Disabilities, the City follows the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in all hiring and employment decisions. The City shall not discriminate on the basis of disability in its hiring and employment practices. The City shall make reasonable accommodations for the known physical or mental limitations of a qualified applicant or employee with a disability upon request unless the accommodation would cause an undue hardship on the operation of the City’s business.
The Working Conditions Summary is intended to provide a general overview of the environmental conditions inherent in the job setting, as well as the physical, mental, and sensory requirements necessary to perform the essential functions of the position in the noted job profile. Please copy and paste the URL below into your web browser to view the Working Conditions Summary for this position.
https://workingcondition-summary-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/P10625.pdf Official Job Descriptions: To browse official job descriptions, please access this link - https://virginiabeach.gov/careers/job-descriptions-pay-plans?search=&group=E
VRS Contribution: All full-time employees are required to contribute 5% of annual salary toward their retirement account; in accordance with VRS retirement provisions. This will be handled through a pre-tax payroll deduction.
Drug Free Workplace: The City of Virginia Beach maintains a drug free workplace.
Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Statement: The City of Virginia Beach is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing a diverse and inclusive work environment. We do not discriminate against any applicant or employee on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected status as defined by applicable law.