Conservation Manager- Outdoor Adventure/Extreme Sports

BREC is one of the few parks and recreation agencies in the country to win the prestigious Gold Medal Award twice. BREC won this award, given for excellence in parks and recreation administration, in 1975 and 1991. BREC has also been a national finalist for this award more than 13 other times. BREC is also one of a handful of agencies across the country that have been accredited. Here at BREC, we believe all Park and Recreation facilities, programs and services should be accessible to people of all backgrounds, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic position or physical/cognitive ability. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for us means working to respect differences, remove barriers, and create opportunities. BREC recognizes and values the diversity of its workforce. We are committed to creating an environment where race, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religion and gender identity of all workers and service users are respected, and where all are afforded dignity and equal rights. We embrace our employees’ differences in life experiences, personal history, gender identity self-expression, sexual orientation, educational background, beliefs, political views, religion, physical and mental ability, race, culture, and all other characteristics that make each of us unique. We recognize that false assumptions, prejudices, discrimination and stereotyping are widespread in society and that to achieve our aim, we must take steps to actively promote equality and combat prejudice, discrimination and harassment. We will not discriminate either directly or indirectly against employees. We will take seriously and investigate any complaints of discrimination or harassment, and we will strive to celebrate each person, to treat all people with dignity and to find strength and value in each person’s uniqueness.

Job Overview

This Special Facility Manager position involves the daily management of Outdoor Adventure and Extreme Sports operations (program and facility components) throughout the parish as well as the implementation of portions of the Natural Resource Management Plan as it relates to conservation education and interpretation along parish blue ways. This includes the development and management of opportunities for the public to experience activities related but not limited to cycling, BMX, skating, rock climbing, mountain biking, camping, paddling, fishing, archery, disc golf, and other related activities. This individual has administrative, management, budgeting, staffing, and program responsibilities. Individual has frequent interaction with staff, volunteers, partners, and the public.

Essential Functions and Duties:

• Oversees the operations, maintenance, improvements, programs, and services related to Outdoor Adventure and Extreme Sports throughout the parish.
• Ability to assess the recreational needs of the community as it pertains to Outdoor Adventure and Extreme Sports
• Hires, supervises, trains, schedules, and evaluates staff/volunteers throughout year, 30 to 40 staff members at peak time, including but not limited to Recreation Managers, Educators, Instructors, Program Aides, and seasonal staff working the boathouse and camp operations
• Prepares unit budget; manages unit revenues and expenditures and prepares financial reports; develops and monitors performance measures, statistics, program service evaluations, marketing efforts and other daily administrative functions
• Effectively communicates BREC policy and procedures to staff as changes occur
• Plans, develops, organizes, coordinates, promotes, and directs well-balanced Outdoor Adventure and Extreme Sports programs, including large events
• Ensures routine maintenance of supplies, equipment, and facilities required for safe operation of all Outdoor Adventure and Extreme Sports functions
• Communicates regularly with community partners, civic groups and business organizations surrounding relative BREC facilities; serves as primary contact
• Trains staff in related programming, interpretive techniques, supervisory skills, safety and security, and customer service
• Ensures routine collaboration within CORE Division, Recreation Department, and with other BREC departments
• Handles staff/participant complaints following standardized procedures
• Monitors conditions of Outdoor Adventure and Extreme Sports program locations, including blue way launches, mountain bike trails, target ranges, skate parks, etc. and reports issues accordingly (ecological concerns to NRM Division, maintenance issues to Park Ops, major situations to CORE Asst. Director)

 Secondary Job Duties:

• Assists other BREC departments in clarification and dissemination of information to staff and public
• Works with other CORE and Recreation Dept. team members to identify program enhancement opportunities

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by this employee. He or she will be required to follow any other instructions and to perform any other duties as requested by his or her supervisor.

Minimum Requirements

Requirements and Job Specifications:

Education Required: Graduation from an accredited 4-year college or university.

Area of Study (major) Required: Recreation Management and Programming, Natural Sciences, or related field

Certification(s) Required: Professional membership with NRPA and AORE,) or comparable certification within 1 year of hire. First Aid & CPR/AED certification within 30 days of hire.

License(s) Required: Valid LA driver’s license.

Years Relevant Work Experience: 3 years of experience in managerial/supervisory experience in a recreational setting.

Other Job Specifications: 

• Knowledge of municipal recreation management principles and procedures
• Ability to assess, plan, develop, implement, and evaluate Outdoor Adventure and Extreme Sports related programs such as instructional clinics, skill-based classes, challenge courses, races, day & overnight trips, large events, birthday party programs day camps
• Recreation facility management skills and experience
• Good problem-solving skills: ability to work independently; demonstrate sound judgment
• Ability to effectively prioritize work and manage multiple tasks simultaneously
• Ability to develop and maintain a budget, complete reports such as financial, payroll, and activity reports according to established BREC financial procedures
• Knowledge of and skill in the use of various software applications such as Outlook, Microsoft Office Suite, RecTrac, MainTrac, etc.
• Strong leadership, interpersonal and organizational skills
• Ability to communicate effectively with staff, volunteers and the public, as well as to relate to others in a positive manner
• Ability to supervise and work in a team environment
• Public relations and social media skills; public speaking and presentation abilities
• Basic knowledge of Extreme Sports (skating, cycling, climbing, BMX, disc golf, etc.)
• Working knowledge of Outdoor Adventure activities (camping, backpacking, mountain biking, paddling, archery, fishing)
• Working knowledge of risk management, trip-planning, and wilderness guiding, and event management