Howard County:
Conveniently located in the heart of central Maryland between Baltimore and Washington, Howard County offers the charm of a historic past mixed with the excitement of a cosmopolitan community.

Howard County Government:
Howard County Government is a leader in innovation, best practices and sustainability. It is consistently ranked as one of the best places to live and work in the country. In 2024, Howard County Government received a record-breaking 63 Achievement Awards from the National Association of Counties (NACo) – the most awards in the state of Maryland, and the fifth highest in the nation, as compared to more than 3000 counties. NACo Achievement Awards are the premier national honor to recognize innovative and transformative programs that provide new services for county residents, improve existing programs, upgrade working conditions, and enhance citizen participation and public policy making.

What are we looking for?
We are looking for outstanding individuals to join our team and contribute to excellence in Howard County operations.

What you'll like most about working at Howard County Government:

• We are committed to workplace excellence in every area of County government.  
• We have a highly talented, diverse, and inclusive workplace. Your input will not only be heard, but it will be encouraged!  
• We offer competitive compensation and great benefits including medical, retirement, and wellness programs. 
• As a member of the Howard County Government team, you'll be helping drive our culture and directly impact what makes us an amazing place to work.

POSITION SUMMARY:

This is a recreation and parks position that provides direct assistance to the Adventure & Outdoor Services Manager, and coordinates Adventure, Nature and Outdoor programs as assigned to the unit.  This position assists the Adventure and Outdoor Services Manager with operation of the Boat Rentals/Concessions.  Operates within a self-sustaining and teamwork environment.  May lead activities occasionally as deemed necessary.

Current program focus is on Adventure, Nature and Outdoor Recreation programs.   The nature of operating activities and overhead via fees and charges result in program focus changes with trends and patterns of recreation participation.  

The incumbent is a member of the department van training team.  

Include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.

• Works and cooperates with co-workers and supervisors at all levels.
• Learns and performs all essential job functions accurately.
• Provide administrative support to Adventure, Nature and Outdoor Services Manager.
• Coordinates seasonal adventure, nature, and outdoor programs as assigned by Manager.
• Prepares and distributes letters, emails and memos to instructors, staff, and participants. 
• Actual program responsibilities are subject to seasonal adjustments in demand. 
• Research and develop new programs. 
• Prepare budgets for all new programs, updates budgets periodically, and as selected for zero-based budgeting. 
• Conduct program and instruction observations and merges with participant comments for program reviews. 
• Prepare and monitor the progress of work orders with Park Operations staff.  Works daily with manager and park operations staff to assure optimal communication on Centennial Park, Centennial Lake, Alpha Ridge Archery Range and other adventure sport/outdoor programming-based park venues.  
• Maintain participant list for program eligibility and certificate completion. 
• Provide direct leadership for camps, tournaments and programs/classes as deemed necessary.
• Provide customer service with regard to programming questions, as well as assist contractors/staff with participant information/supplies and materials.  
• Coordinate with the Board of Education and county facilities to reserve program space and cancel when needed.   Reviews all permits for conflicts.
• Monitors the status of contractual arrangements.
• Maintains unit equipment inventory and performs minor maintenance.
• Coordinates annual set up of the Alpha Ridge Archery Range.
• Coordinates adventure, nature and outdoor offerings for submittal in the seasonal activity guides and other program specific marketing tools.  
• Works with department marketing team to promote social media efforts associated with programming and services of this unit. 
• Provides input, reviews and oversees the implementation of selected marketing plans for programs and operations. 
• Handles customer requests, inquires and concerns. 
• Provides customer service with regard to programming questions, as well as assist contractors/staff with participant information/supplies and materials.  
• Input staff payroll, handle inquiries about hours paid, prepare biweekly payroll report.
• Provide customer service in regard to suitable programming, prepare program evaluations, and organize comments/complaints.
• Assists Adventure, Nature and Outdoor Manager with administrative paperwork necessary for contingent staff.   
• Coordinates annual Adventure, Nature and Outdoor paperwork for volunteer leaders and maintains volunteer hours report. 
• Assists supervisor to secure supplies and materials for all payroll programs/camps. 
• Prepares purchase requisitions in accordance with purchasing regulations and order logs.  Review purchase evaluations.  Reconciles monthly PDQ logs for self. 
• Review invoices, purchase requisitions, and other financial documents for proper coding.
• Seeks out green strategies to reduce the carbon footprint and to recycle and / or utilize recycled products. 
• Assists Adventure, Nature and Outdoor Manager to conduct risk assessments and training. 
• Prepares and maintains risk assessments (every five (5) years) for programs and contractors. 
• Assists Adventure, Nature and Outdoor Manager to review accident/incident reports and follow-up with parents/guardians/participants.  
• Assists Adventure, Nature and Outdoor Manager with coordination with Fleet for vehicle maintenance of unit’s equipment. 
• Assists Adventure, Nature and Outdoor Manager with survey management, iPad use and monitoring.  
• Work with other divisional recreation staff as a team to accomplish tasks most efficiently.
• Responsible for identifying and applying good sustainability practices into all aspects of the department operations.   
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• This position may be deemed as essential in an emergency at the discretion of the director.

This employee does assist Manager with the monitoring of contingent worker performance.   Occasionally is involved with recruiting, interviewing, and training of staff.  May on occasion, oversee selected professional service contractors.

Bachelor's Degree and one (1) year related experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

PREFERRED EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Prefer two (2) years of college education in the recreation, sports management, physical education or related fields of study with leadership experience in an outdoors setting.
• Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP) preferred

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear.   The employee frequently is required to sit; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.  The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; use hands to handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; and taste or smell.   The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds.   Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to outside weather conditions.  The employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions; high, precarious places; fumes or airborne particles; extreme cold; and extreme heat.  The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.  Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. 

Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization.

Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume.

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

Possession of a valid driver's license.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

TO APPLY:  You must complete an employment application online to be considered for this recruitment. Resumes cannot be substituted for completion of the job application work history. No paper applications will be accepted. 

Selected candidates may be subject to drug screening, background screening, and reference checks.       

At time of application, please submit a copy of any college degree, coursework, licenses, or certifications that you have referenced on your application. Applicants who have education obtained outside of the U.S. may need to provide proof of the equivalent U.S. education as determined by a foreign credential evaluation service, such as the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (http://www.naces.org) or World Education Services: International Credential Evaluation (https://www.wes.org/).

Howard County Government is not sponsoring employees in application of the H-1B Visa or providing an extension of an existing H-1B Visa. All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States under the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986.

Howard County is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, and we are committed to a workplace that values diversity, equity, and inclusion. The County prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, ancestry, creed, national origin, disability status, genetics, marital status, military service, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. Applicants requiring accommodations during the hiring process should contact the Office of Human Resources directly at  HiringPreference@howardcountymd.gov. Requests for accommodations should not be attached to the application. 

To Apply, Click Here.