Overview
Recreation Coordinator -Special Events Jobs in Chesapeake, VA at City of Chesapeake
Position Information
Working Title of Vacant Position
Recreation Coordinator -Special Events
Job Type
Full Time
Posting Type
Public
Number of Vacancies
1
Department
PARKS, REC, & TOURISM
Division
PR&T SPECIAL PROGS
Requisition Number
2026319
Number of hours worked per week
40 +
Work Schedule
Generally: Monday – Friday 8 am-5 pm
Will include evenings, weekends and holidays.
Operational demands will require a flexible scheduling
Will include evenings, weekends and holidays.
Operational demands will require a flexible scheduling
Work Site Location
Chesapeake, VA
Position Driving Requirement
R – Routine
Pay Grade
GE13
Pay Basis
Semi-Monthly
Advertised Salary
$61,647/ annually
Starting salary based on qualifications and experience
Starting salary based on qualifications and experience
Job Description
Parks, Recreation and Tourism is seeking a creative, energetic, and highly organized leader who is passionate about special event planning and community engagement. If you enjoy designing meaningful events, bringing people together, and creating memorable experiences, this role is for you.
This position is responsible for planning, coordinating, implementing, and evaluating a wide range of large- and small-scale citywide and community special events and programs, both indoor and outdoor.
Key Responsibilities
- Plan, develop, coordinate, and evaluate citywide special events, programs, and recreational activities
- Supervise assigned staff, including hiring, training, scheduling, evaluating performance, and providing coaching and discipline
- Collaborate with city departments, community groups, vendors, and stakeholders to plan and execute events
- Develop event concepts, activities, sponsorships, entertainment, and programming for diverse audiences
- Design and coordinate promotional and marketing materials using various media platforms
- Oversee event safety, permitting, compliance, and incident reporting, ensuring adherence to city policies and regulations
- Manage contracts, vendors, entertainment, concessions, and service providers, including negotiation and selection
- Monitor budgets, approve expenditures, review invoices and payroll, and support annual budget development
- Collect, analyze, and maintain data, records, and reports related to programs and events
- Coordinate logistics for citywide events, ceremonial programs, and special initiatives
- Maintain equipment, supplies, and inventory; place orders as needed
- Provide excellent customer service and respond to public inquiries and concerns
- Attend meetings, trainings, and professional development opportunities; represent the department at public presentations
- Support special event permitting, compliance, and work order processes
- Perform other duties as assigned
The City of Chesapeake offers an exceptional range of benefits.
Required Qualifications
VOCATIONAL/EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENT:
Requires any combination of education and experience equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in physical education, sports/recreation administration, outdoor recreation or a related field.
Requires any combination of education and experience equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in physical education, sports/recreation administration, outdoor recreation or a related field.
EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENT:
This class requires a minimum of two years of directly related full-time equivalent experience in the field, to include at least one year of supervisor level responsibilities.
SPECIAL CERTIFICATIONS AND LICENSES:
Requires a valid driver’s license and a driving record that is in compliance with the City Driving Standards.
CPR and First Aid certification are preferred, must be obtained within 6 months of employment and renewed every 2 years. Requirements determined by area assigned.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
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. Emergency operations support work and work locations may be outside of normal job duties.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience in planning, marketing, and conducting indoor and outdoor special events; working with vendors, exhibitors, sponsors, media outlets and citizen groups.
Experience coordinating ceremonial events and general knowledge of ceremony protocol.
Work hours vary and include significant evenings, weekends and periodically holidays
Will be required to work some events, programs, and activities within other areas of the City and Department
Over one year of full-time experience including some professional experience in managing organized special events and programs.
Must possess knowledge of recreational games, sports, arts and crafts, fitness programs, cultural awareness programs and special events.
Posting Detail Information
Job Open Date
07/02/2026
Job Close Date
07/19/2026
Open Continuous
No
Special Instructions to Applicants
Works special events and rentals that will require working many evenings, weekends and some holidays beyond normal business hours. Events may be held at various facilities located within the City, as well as, other neighboring locations. May be required to assist in city operations during emergencies and weather related events.
Drug Screening: MARIJUANA
In accordance with City policy, this position is deemed safety-sensitive. As such, applicants for this position are subject to pre-employment drug/alcohol testing after receiving a conditional offer of employment and may also be subject to random testing. This drug test includes testing for marijuana. Possession of a medical marijuana card will not excuse an applicant from the testing process; however, a test will not be considered positive for marijuana if a valid medical marijuana certification is presented unless the position requires a commercial driver’s license (CDL) or is a sworn law-enforcement officer/deputy.
ADA Checklist
Overall Physical Strength Demands
Overall Physical Strength Demands
M=Medium – Exerting 20-50 lbs. occasionally, 10-25 lbs. frequently, or up to 10 lbs. constantly
Physical Demands
C = Continuously- 2/3 or more of the time. F = Frequently- From 1/3 to 2/3 of the time. O = Occasionally- Up to 1/3 of the time. R = Rarely- Less than 1 hour per week. N = Never- Never occurs.
Standing
Frequently- From 1/3 to 2/3 of the time.
Sitting
Frequently- From 1/3 to 2/3 of the time.
Walking
Occasionally- Up to 1/3 of the time.
Lifting
Occasionally- Up to 1/3 of the time.
Lifting Amount
Exerting up to 20 to 50 lbs
Carrying
Occasionally- Up to 1/3 of the time.
Carrying Weight
Exerting up to 20 to 50 lbs
Pushing/Pulling
Occasionally- Up to 1/3 of the time.
Pushing/Pulling Weight
Exerting up to 20 to 50 lbs
Reaching
Occasionally- Up to 1/3 of the time.
Handling
Frequently- From 1/3 to 2/3 of the time.
Fine Dexterity
Occasionally- Up to 1/3 of the time.
Kneeling
Occasionally- Up to 1/3 of the time.
Crouching
Occasionally- Up to 1/3 of the time.
Crawling
Rarely- Less than 1 hour per week.
Bending
Occasionally- Up to 1/3 of the time.
Twisting
Occasionally- Up to 1/3 of the time.
Climbing
Occasionally- Up to 1/3 of the time.
Balancing
Frequently- From 1/3 to 2/3 of the time.
Vision
Continuously- 2/3 or more of the time.
Hearing
Continuously- 2/3 or more of the time.
Talking
Frequently- From 1/3 to 2/3 of the time.
Foot Controls
Occasionally- Up to 1/3 of the time.
Machines, Tools, Equipment and Work Aids Used
Telephone, computer, popup tents and other various types of indoor and outdoor recreational equipment and games.
Protective Equipment Required
Any PPE required by the standard guidelines of the equipment in use.
Seat Belt
Seat Belt
Health and Safety
D = Daily W = Several Times Per Week M = Several Times Per Month S = Seasonally N = Never
Mechanical Hazards
M = Several Times Per Month
Chemical Hazards
M = Several Times Per Month
Electrical Hazards
S = Seasonally
Fire Hazards
S = Seasonally
Explosives
S = Seasonally
Communicable Diseases
S = Seasonally
Physical Danger or Abuse
S = Seasonally
Other
If Other, Description
Environmental Factors
D = Daily W = Several Times Per Week M = Several Times Per Month S = Seasonally N = Never
Dirt and Dust
W = Several Times Per Week
Extreme Temperatures
W = Several Times Per Week
Noise and Vibration
W = Several Times Per Week
Fumes and Odors
W = Several Times Per Week
Wetness/Humidity
S = Seasonally
Darkness or Poor Lighting
S = Seasonally
Primary Work Location
Office Environment, Vehicle, Outdoors, Other
Non-Physical Demands
C = Continuously- 2/3 or more of the time. F = Frequently- From 1/3 to 2/3 of the time. O = Occasionally- Up to 1/3 of the time. R = Rarely- Less than 1 hour per week. N = Never- Never occurs.
Time Pressures
Occasionally- Up to 1/3 of the time.
Emergency Situations
Occasionally- Up to 1/3 of the time.
Frequent Change of Tasks
Frequently- From 1/3 to 2/3 of the time.
Irregular Work Schedule/Overtime
Frequently- From 1/3 to 2/3 of the time.
Performing Multiple Tasks Simultaneously
Occasionally- Up to 1/3 of the time.
Working Closely with Others as Part of a Team
Continuously- 2/3 or more of the time.
Tedious or Exacting Work
Frequently- From 1/3 to 2/3 of the time.
Noisy/Distracting Environment
Frequently- From 1/3 to 2/3 of the time.
Other
Occasionally- Up to 1/3 of the time.
If Other, Description
Will be directly working with large crowds and groups.
Can anyone assist the employee in performing the primary tasks assigned to this position? If yes, identify the eligible task(s)
Incumbent must be able to work independently most of the time
Professional References
Professional References
Please provide contact information for professional references.
Minimum Requests
0
Maximum Requests
4
Title: Recreation Coordinator -Special Events
Company: City of Chesapeake
Location: Chesapeake, VA
