Introduction
Leisure Services Development Officers are part of the management
team that looks after all the leisure services provided by the
council. They are normally based in a particular area of
leisure services, for example, parks and countryside, museums and
galleries, libraries and information services etc. Leisure
Services Development Officers work with other professionals to
design and develop ways of making the council's leisure services
more effective and efficient, and more popular with the public.
Work Environment
Leisure Services Development Officers are based at the council
offices, but often have to go out and visit a variety of leisure
sites. They normally work a standard 37-hour week, but some
evening and weekend work may be necessary.
Daily Activities
The duties of a Leisure Services Development Officer vary
according to their particular work area within leisure
services. However, they might be involved in any number of
the following tasks:
- consulting with other departments, council members, local
organisations and community groups and leisure services staff and
listening to their suggestions for improvements to current leisure
services and developments for new ones;
- examining ways in which to encourage more people to use leisure
services, for example, in parks & countryside, considering the
development of nature walks;
- writing reports based on consultations and disseminating and
presenting information and ideas to managers and councillors;
- managing new leisure projects to ensure they run smoothly,
including liaising with consultants, contractors and council
colleagues;
- continually evaluating leisure services, paying particular
attention to cost effectiveness;
- preparing estimates for budgets and monitoring
expenditure;
- carrying out marketing activities to promote leisure
services;
- responding to customers' complaints;
- possibly managing a small team of staff within leisure services
development.
Skills & Abilities
Leisure Services Development Officers need to:
- be imaginative and innovative;
- have the ability to engage people in activities and
projects;
- have communication skills both written and verbal;
- be able to organise and prioritise workloads;
- work with people and communities to provide services;
- have negotiation skills;
- have numeracy skills.
Entry Requirements
A degree in a relevant subject such as leisure management or
sports development may be necessary. However, often previous
relevant experience in a leisure services/management role is more
important. It may also be desirable to have a relevant
professional qualification and membership of the Chartered
Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity
(CIMPSA). It may be possible to work towards relevant N/SVQs
whilst in employment.
Future Prospects & Opportunities
There may be opportunities to progress to a more senior management
level, both within leisure services and elsewhere in the council,
for example, libraries or parks and countryside. It may also
be possible to move into other policy development and performance
management roles at the corporate centre of the council.
Further Information & Services
Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical
Activity www.cimspa.co.uk
SkillsActive www.skillsactive.com
You may find further information about this area of work through
Careers Wales www.careerswales.com
or in your local library, careers office or school careers
library.