Recreation Specialist I - Part Time - Event Specialist

Job Posting End Date:

September 9, 2026

Department:

PARKS AND RECREATION

Compensation Grade:

G20

Compensation Range & Starting Salary:

Hourly Rate: 21.59Average scheduled a minimum of 27 hours per week.

Job Exempt (If No, Position is eligible for overtime):

No

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

20

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

• Assist in creatively planning, leading, coordinating and evaluating outdoor special events and ceremonies for a diverse audience in Virginia Beach Parks.
• Provide manual labor for events and ceremonies to include setup and breakdown.
• Maintain and upkeep event equipment to include routine checks, inventory, and cleaning.
• Must be comfortable operating transit vans, box trucks, trailers, and golf carts.
• Assist in coordinating delivery and pick up of contractual equipment to event sites.
• Assist in coordinating deliveries of park system equipment and contractual equipment to park sites for various events and ceremonies within department and other city agencies.
• Assist in completing event permits, creating event layouts and other event related documents.
• Assist in managing and maintaining equipment and supply inventory.
• Assist in the recruitment and coordination of vendors for each event to include the selection process, create accounts, processing payments, maintain confidentiality, and managing supporting documents required by the City of Virginia Beach.
• Operate a multi-line telephone, as the main form of communication, to provide information and answer questions to vendors, patrons, and contractors. Follow up with email communication as needed.
• Utilize microcomputers (Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams, and ACTIVE Net) in daily functions and tasks.
• Develop and maintain ongoing internal communications and working relationships among department staff and City agencies and departments, citizens, and customers.
• Enforce City policies, procedures, regulations, and safety practices; assist with the investigation of accidents and incidents occurring within the facility and event/program, and ensure corrective action is initiated as needed; coordinate with other City agencies and staff as needed.
• Assist with a variety of operational and programmatic needs, including supporting the Stewardship and Operations team with their events, providing load in and set up assistance for private rentals with the Permitting Office, and helping the Outdoor Programming team with programs such as kayaking, nature-based programs, and camps.
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment.
• Will be required to move/lift 50 pounds of equipment or resources.
• Will work in outdoor elements to include heat, rain, and snow.
• Will stand/walk for prolonged periods of time.

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

Preferences

In addition to the minimum requirements, the ideal candidate for this position will have experience listed in the preferences below. Candidates with the preferred experience should ensure the information is provided in the application.

Background in event management or park and recreation management

Experience setting up and breaking down events

Experience working with Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and Teams.

Experience with managing, planning, and coordinating logistics for outdoor special events

Familiar with food vendors, exhibitors, and contractors.

Schedule

Part TimeHours- Average scheduled a minimum of 27 hours per week.

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.

The Perks

Competitive wages

Training/Mentoring for career advancement

Varied Paid Holidays

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.

Application Deadline Notice: Applications must be submitted no later than 11:59 p.m. on the day before the advertised end date. The system automatically closes the requisition at 12:01 a.m. on the listed end date, and no applications can be submitted after that time.

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:

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. 

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.