Parks and Recreation Board members have requested information regarding the Recreation Division’s class and program creation, instructor hiring and compensation, and marketing. The Recreation Division’s philosophy is to provide introductory classes at an affordable cost to all. When creating a new program, staff considers current program offerings, public feedback (surveys, focus groups, comment cards), past successes, trends, facility impacts, costs, community benefits and needs. In accordance with a schedule that allows time for design, proofing, printing, distribution, software entry, and marketing, new program ideas are submitted six months prior to offering and are reviewed by supervisors and superintendents prior to implementation. Staff seeks to hire individuals who express a passion for the subject, a desire to learn and share, possess strong teaching skills, good communication skills, and is positive, prompt, organized, and dependable. Individuals are asked to submit a class proposal that includes a class description, schedule, objectives and desired outcomes, weekly curriculum, and supply and facility needs. Staff reviews each class proposal, interviews the candidate, and checks references. The Recreation Division utilizes two types of non-City employed Instructors, hourly and contract. All instructors and volunteers are required to complete a background investigation during the hiring process. Hourly instructor pay rates are determined by their qualifications and are broken out into four tiers. Below is a brief description of each tier’s qualifications.
Tier 1 – Instructor should have at least one year of volunteer experience or training in field of instruction.
Tier 2 – Instructor must provide current certification and/or bachelor’s degree and proof of two years of professional experience in field of instruction to be paid in this range. The two years of professional experience must have occurred within the last four years.
Tier 3 – Instructors in this tier must have a current certification from a national certifying organization such as ACE, AFAA, NASM, NSCA or the Cooper Institute and a current CPR/AED certification and First Aid. Basic formats include but are not limited to, muscle/strength, cardio-circuit, HIIT, Tabata, steady state, core, stretch classes. Specialty certifications include but are not limited to, Pilates mat, Barre, yoga, indoor cycle, Silver Sneakers, Zumba, TRX and kids’ fitness.
Tier 4 – Trainers are required to be certified personal trainers and have a current CPR/AED and First Aid certification.
Contract Instructors are businesses who have completed and been approved through the Request For Proposal (RFP) process. Contract Instructors are independent contractors and have no employment relationship with the City. The Contract Instructor develops all course content and provides all materials and supplies. These contractors work with City staff to schedule classes, are responsible for taxes, employee background investigations, insurance, and receives a 1099 at the end of the year. At the conclusion of each session they submit an invoice for payment. Class fees are determined by using the appropriate approved fee by the instructor type. For community recreation programs taught by hourly instructors, the hourly class formula utilized is 2.75 x (total hours of instruction including prep time) + 3 = price. The 2.75 factor includes the hourly instructor rate and human resource agency administration fee, with a class minimum of 6. Classes taught by contracted instructors are an additional 28% of contract instructor’s fee. These formulas are used to ensure program affordability, while meeting City financial goals. The Recreation Division uses the quarterly Break Time brochure to promote classes and programs. Surveys and data have supported the need for both print and digitals versions of the brochure. In FY 2018-19, there were 14,502 subscribers who received Break Time in the mail. Subscriptions increased almost 21% to 17,516 subscribers in FY 2021-22. Online brochure views have seen similar growth from an average of 5,842 views per season in FY 2018-19 to 13,814 views per season in FY 2021-22, an increase of almost 136%. Break Time is also available at various locations throughout the City and is utilized as a marketing tool at community events and programs. In addition to Break Time, staff meets monthly with the Community Services Department’s marketing team to review unique facility needs, signature events, and opportunities for the upcoming quarter. For further information or questions, I can be reached 480-782-2905. |