Bethel parks committee will discuss reorganizing jobs around a fitness center manager

Bethel's Community Parks and Recreation Committee, which advises the City Council, will discuss a proposal Monday, Nov. 9, to reorganize jobs around a Facility Manager for the Yukon Kuskokwim Fitness Center and a full-time evening and weekend position. The agenda lists the proposal under new business and does not mark it for a vote.

The Facility Manager would oversee the lead pool operator, the building's heating and air systems, staff scheduling and training, lifeguard certification programs and the facility's website and marketing materials. The job would require Red Cross lifeguard, Water Safety Instructor and Lifeguard Instructor certifications, plus Certified Pool Operator status, within six months of hire. The evening and weekend worker would run the front desk, oversee cleaning and schedule part-time staff. The page describing that job opens with "Job Description? Night Manager?"

The proposal, which names no author or cost, would drop committee minutes, non-City community events and a marketing duty it labels a duplicate from the Program Specialist job description. It calls keeping records for committee meetings an "inefficient use of time."

The department has three full-time jobs, a director and two Program Specialists, plus non-permanent staff. The proposal does not say whether the new positions would replace the Program Specialists.

Department Director Shane Iverson's September department report lists 11 lifeguards. One Sunday recreational swim closed two hours early for lack of lifeguards. No new potential guards passed the pre-test, and training is ongoing, the report says.

The committee's last scheduled meeting, Sept. 14, was not held because it lacked a quorum. Its most recent meeting was July 6. The committee will also take up an energy audit of the fitness center.

The meeting starts at 6 pm at 300 Chief Eddie Hoffman Highway and on Zoom. Written comments are due by 4 pm that day.