JD#: CT321

Job Number: J0726-0651

Job Title: Recreation Program Planner

Job Type: Permanent Full Time

Job Category: Recreation

Number Of Positions: 1

Date Posted: July 27, 2026

Closing Date: August 3, 2026

Salary: $3,523.40 - $3,791.03/Bi-Weekly

Hours of work: 35

Schedule: Mon - Fri

Union: CUPE 905 FT Clerical and Technical

Vacancy Type: Existing

Eligible For AWA: Yes

Physical Location: City Hall

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Position Overview

Reporting to the Recreation Supervisor, Program Planning, the Recreation Program Planner is responsible for the development and planning of a variety of recreation programs and services City-wide for all ages, interests and abilities. Coordinates tasks related to program development and planning - from conceptualizing, creative planning, and developing curriculums, to data entry, monitoring, maintaining, and reviewing. Ensures high quality recreation programs and services to maximize the number of participants and meet revenue budget targets through effectively and efficiently using program space and resources. Promotes programs and services throughout the community and responds to public enquiries in a proactive manner. Ensures adherence to the City's policies and procedures, and acceptable industry standards for program quality and safety. Networks and liaises with various stakeholders to coordinate and collaborate in the development of recreation programs, activities and related events.

Responsibilities

Program Development & Planning:
• Researches, develops, monitors, and evaluates a variety of recreation programs and services, city wide, for all ages, interests and abilities.
• Ensures programs and activities are diverse, equitable, and inclusive, and adhere to program quality assurance measures, ratios, and standards.
• Ensures programs and activities adhere to the City's policies, procedures and operating guidelines, as well as acceptable industry standards through legislation including, but not limited to the Child Care and Early Years Act, Employment Standards Act, Occupational Health and Safety Act, Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, Human Rights Code.
• Identifies trends and evaluates program performance to facilitate planning for an effective mix of programming that supports revenue budget targets.
• Reviews program reports, statistics, surveys, trends, and recommends to the Supervisor changes to programs and services, curriculums, operating policies, procedures and guidelines.
• Coordinates the effective use of program space to maximize participation rates and revenues; proactively works with other teams, as required, to resolve facility booking conflicts.
• Adheres to program development timelines and requirements established in the seasonal critical path; organizes, schedules, and prioritizes work/tasks/responsibilities in order to meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Develops program lesson plans/curriculum that identify learning goals, objectives, and standards.
• Provides training and guidance to program staff relating to lesson plans, and when required, works with the program staff on the development of lesson plans.
• Assists in the development of marketing tactics to promote the benefits of recreation programs, including but not limited to manuals, playbooks, workbooks, and other promotional items.
• Provides program curriculum guidance/training to Community Centre Leads, as required.
• Performs on-site inspections to evaluate program content and its delivery. Observes any safety issues and intervenes as necessary, and reviews incidents with the Community Centre Leads. Prepares reports on key findings and recommends changes to the Supervisor, as required.

Interaction with Others:
• Participates in community outreach initiatives and events to identify, develop and implement community engagement with new program opportunities that reflect the community's specific needs.
• Liaises with outside agencies and vendors regarding program development, including but not limited to internal/external initiatives and working groups, as required.
• Responds to enquiries and complaints from the general public regarding programs, provides recommendations regarding suitable program options, and works to resolve disputes or issues prior to escalating to the Supervisor.
• Maintains excellent customer relations with internal/external stakeholders and citizens in adherence with the City's customer service standards.
• Attends and chairs regular team meetings; collaborates with others to ensure a consistent approach to program development and planning.

Business Planning & Financial Management:
• Provides input into the development of departmental budgets and variance reports.
• Provides input into the development of portfolio-specific business plans that maximize participation levels and optimize revenues based on demographic/community needs, program statistics and market trends.
• Identifies, develops and implements alternative revenue opportunities including program partnerships with private organizations, schools, and other government agencies. Acts as a City liaison between vendors and the City regarding programming requirements, schedules visits with vendors and resolves issues.
• Prepares program specific materials, equipment and supply lists; prepares and submits for authorization purchase requisition forms, as required.

Records Management:
• Performs data entry of programs and activities into the registration software system and audits data entry to ensure accuracy.
• Assists in the administration of facility rentals, including liaising with external stakeholders including schools to secure facility space that supports City programming.

Other Duties:
• Provides input to Supervisor for corporate reports, Council items, internal/external communication plans, briefing notes, presentations and speaking notes.
• Performs other related tasks and projects, as assigned, which are in accordance with job responsibilities or necessary departmental or corporate objectives.
• Responsible for ensuring compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act and Regulations and the corporate Occupational Health and Safety Policy and related procedures.

Qualifications and Experience
• Two (2) year College Diploma in Recreation Studies or a related discipline (i.e., Recreation & Leisure, Kinesiology, Physical Education).
• Certified Program Planner designation or successful in obtaining within the first 12 months of start. Required to maintain designation.
• Four (4) years of related experience in the development of recreation programs.
• Preferred four (4) years of progressive experience in recreation programming design and delivery principles, standards and best practices; community development and engagement; with at least 1 year within a municipal recreational setting.
• Thorough working knowledge of recreational programming design and delivery principles, standards and best practices; community development and engagement.
• Demonstrated ability to research and gather information, with an attention to detail and accuracy.
• Effective time management, organizational and interpersonal skills with the ability to set priorities, meet required deadlines and work in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written, including drafting correspondence, reports and presentations.
• Excellent customer service skills including working collaboratively with staff teams, agencies, and external contacts.
• Proficient computer literacy utilizing Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Outlook, and Word). Experience with City Software such as Perfect Mind/Xplor Recreation, JD Edwards, Share Point, Teams, Survey Monkey and social media is an asset.
• Must be available to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends at various locations.
• Valid Ontario class G license and a reliable vehicle to use on company business.

Preferred Qualifications
• Degree in Recreation Studies or a related discipline.
• Standard First Aid is an asset.
• High Five Principals of Healthy Child Development (or willing to obtain within the first 3 months).

Please note that only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted.

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