From young children to adults, development managers devise plans to make their sport appeal to the public and to encourage them to actively participate as fans and athletes. Sports Development Managers  provide strategic leadership and management for recreation and leisure services, at a Council level (including front line library, culture, heritage, sport, physical activity and leisure provision) with particular responsibility for the development of partnerships and contracts with other agencies.

ANZSCO ID: 452321

Alternative names: Sports Community Development Manager,
  
Knowledge, skills and attributes

• You need to have sufficient knowledge to identify government grant funding opportunities and collaborate with key stakeholders for a successful outcome to secure grants for equipment and facilities.

• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal

• An understanding of government grant opportunities and how they translate to funding for community groups

• Experience in developing customer and business relationships

• The ability to build and increase business within this growing division

• Confidence and a background in business management and building income channels

• At least 3 years experience of working either at a senior management level in the active recreation environment.

• Significant experience of working in a customer facing service

• Experience of contract management and development of partnerships

• Significant experience of managing a multi functional team working across a number of sites.

• Experience of delivering a service within tight financial constraints

• Experienced in the use of technology as a communication medium.

• Evidence of successful project management.

• Evidence of working with the public, private and successful partnerships

• Proven ability to lead and manage staff and support their development.

• Good public speaking and presentational skills

• Confidence and diplomacy with negotiation skills.

• Mobile and able to work from various locations

• Ability to be flexible in your working arrangements.
  

Introducing the FTEM framework
https://youtu.be/NOa4308YPRc

 

Duties and Tasks

•  Plan and evaluate the provision of recreation and leisure services to ensure that services are delivered effectively and efficiently

•  Assist in the scoping, planning and development of the culture and leisure infrastructure of the Council, including major capital projects and long term strategies

•  Deliver services to appropriate local and national standards

•  Manage, monitor and promote the provision of leisure & recreation services including the museum, castle, libraries, sport and recreation

• Manage the performance and compliance of external contracts to deliver improved leisure and recreation services on behalf of Council or Sporting code

•  Deliver enhanced school sport and recreation opportunities and competition for young people across the Council's area or Sporting code

•  Maintain and develop the systems necessary to measure achievement of standards and performance

•  Negotiate and implement contracts and service level agreements with third parties to deliver leisure and recreation services where appropriate

•  Manage the day to day delivery of recreation and leisure services in Council or for Sporting code

•  Represent the Authority on appropriate professional boards

•  Maintain effective communications with other relevant authorities, members and officers of the Council, the media, and statutory and community and voluntary organisations in order to promote the value of the service

•  Promote the service through effective communication and partnership working with other agencies

•  Take part in direct service delivery and projects as necessary to provide an effective service

•  Work across Council departments to provide cost effective services

•  Assist with the organisation and running of Forums and Working Groups relating to the main activities with the post holder’s area of responsibility

•  To be responsible for the preparation and administration of budgets for all functions within the post holder’s responsibilities

•  To prepare monitoring reports, (including attendance to present as required) and such other reports as may be necessary for Working Groups and Forums

•  To work with all other services within the Council to ensure a joined up corporate approach to working

•  To participate in internal training and briefing sessions and to undertake Employment Appraisal interviews for any staff managed

•  To carry out such other duties as may be required from time to time which are consistent with the overall level and purpose of the job
  

Working conditions

Usually in an office for most of the time but need to negotiate meetings in various sporting venues.

Education and training/entrance requirements

A degree in Management or Business, Teaching, Sports Development or Sports and Recreation Management is required.

 

 

 

Recreation officers develop, support and coordinate sport and recreation programmes and services for the benefit of the community. Recreation officers may work at one of three levels: professional, technical or operative.
Professional officers work as planners, researchers, consultants, educators and administrators. A technical officer's work may involve managing a leisure centre, community centre or sports complex. Recreation officers work at the operative level as youth leaders and outdoor activity leaders. The three levels are not always clearly defined. The relevant responsibilities will vary considerably between different organisations and may overlap.

Recreation officers organise and lead sport, leisure and outdoor activities for individuals, groups and local communities. They may lead private trips to teach skills in activities such as climbing, kayaking and skiing, or organise recreational and leisure activities in leisure centres, community centres, or facilities such as aged care homes. Privately-employed recreation officers are also known as outdoor activities instructors.

They also develop and/or administer recreation policy. They prepare and/or administer financial estimates and resource allocations and coordinate and arrange meetings and venues for events. They may liaise with parents, schools, church leaders, social workers and community groups about programs and facilities. They may also recruit, train and supervise recreation leaders. They may also initiate and deliver other activities such as hobby classes, school holiday programs, public displays and cultural activities.

Most recreation officers have a high level of contact with the public.

   
ANZSCO ID: 272612

Alternative names: Recreation Development Officer,

 

Knowledge, skills and attributes     

• enjoy outdoor activities

• good communication and negotiation skills

• good administration and organisational skills

• able to lead, motivate and supervise other people

• good sport skills and expertise in a specific area such as swimming or outdoor recreation    

• the ability to give clear instructions and explanations

• a calm and patient disposition

• the ability to inspire confidence and give encouragement

• a responsible attitude and strong health and safety awareness.  

(Source: Your Career)

 

Duties and Tasks

Recreation officers may perform the following tasks:

• identifies issues of local need, concerns and aspirations through community consultation.

• organises local sporting, cultural and recreational events and activities such as community functions, hobby classes, community arts projects and sporting competitions.

• initiate, organise and coordinate local sport and recreation events and services such as community functions, sporting competitions, hobby classes, school holiday programmes and cultural activities

• develop and administer recreation policy

• plan and promote recreation activities and events

• plan, organise and lead activities for individuals or groups

• explain the rules of activities

• demonstrate activities and instruct participants at a variety of skill levels

• explain safety procedures and enforce safety rules to prevent injury

• modify activities to suit the needs of specific groups, such as seniors

• administer basic first aid if needed

• organise and set up equipment

• make sure that all equipment and facilities are safe

• liaise with parents, schools, local sporting organisations, church leaders, and community groups

• plan and promote recreation activities and events

• check weather conditions before starting sessions

• prepare and administer financial estimates, budgets and resource allocations

• coordinate and arrange meetings and venues

• recruit, train and supervise recreation leaders

• liaise with parents, schools, local sporting organisations, church leaders, social workers, community groups and individuals about programmes and facilities

• write proposals, evaluations and correspondence

 

Recreation Officer at work
(Source: University of Western Australia)

 

Working conditions

As a recreation officer you would work long and irregular hours, including evenings, weekends and holidays. Recreation officers normally work 38 hours per week, but may need to work during the week-end and for extra hours when sporting events are being organised and run. Part time work is often available. Depending on what your specialty is, the work may be seasonal. You would mainly work outside and in all types of weather. The work may be very physically challenging. Appropriate safety equipment or clothing must be worn for each activity.

Recreation officers would also need a current provide First Aid Certificate, and a current driver's licence.
  

Tools and technologies

Recreation officers need to be proficient with a wide range of sporting equipment. They may also need to be proficient with specialised equipment for people with special needs. They will also need to have basic computer skills.

 

Education and training/entrance requirements

To become a recreation officer you usually have to complete a VOC qualification in sport and recreation, leisure and health, outdoor recreation or facilities management. As subjects and prerequisites can vary between institutions, you should contact your chosen institution for further information. You may be able to study through distance education. You can also become a recreation officer through a traineeship in Community Recreation, Outdoor Recreation or Sport and Recreation. Entry requirements may vary, but employers generally require Year 10.

The Certificates III and IV in Sport and Recreation, and Certificate IV in Leisure and Health are offered at TAFE colleges and other registered training organisations throughout Australia.

Entry to this occupation may be improved if you complete a degree in exercise and sports science, sport development, sport and recreation management, human movement and health studies, exercise science or physical activity studies. To get into these courses you usually need to gain your HSC/ACT Year 12. Prerequisite subjects, or assumed knowledge, in one or more of English, mathematics, biology, chemistry or physics are usually required.

A number of universities in Australia offer degrees in these areas. Universities have different prerequisites and some have flexible entry requirements or offer external study.

 

Additional Information
  
A Provide First Aid Certificate is usually required.
   

Employment Opportunities

Recreation officers manage and coordinate a variety of organisations, programmes, events, services and facilities. They may be employed by government authorities, community organisations, schools, commercial organisations (such as health and fitness agencies), outdoor recreation organisations and sports associations. Leisure management is a growing area, and people with management or marketing qualifications are sought after.

Employment of recreation workers is projected to grow faster than the average for all occupations. As more emphasis is placed on the importance of exercise and physical activity, more recreation workers will be needed to work in local government recreation departments, fitness centres, and sports centres.

In addition, as the baby-boom generation grows older, there will be more demand for recreation workers to work with older clients in community organisations and in aged care and residential care facilities.

 
Recreation Officer University of Western Australia
(Source: University of Western Australia)

 

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Materials sourced from the 
Jobs & Skills WA [Sports Development Officer; Recreation Officer; ]
Good Universities Guide [Recreation Officer];
CareerHQ [Recreation Officer; ]
Careers Online [Recreation Officer; ]
Active Together [Sports Development Manager; ]
Your Career [Sports Development Officer; Recreation Officer; ]