JALEN HINKSON
Charlotte,NC
Summary
Results-driven Recreation Professional with nine years of experience in developing and expanding diverse recreation programs for various age groups. Expertise in staff leadership, facility operations, aquatics, and event management. Skilled in identifying community needs, enhancing program offerings, and boosting participation while ensuring a quality experience for all participants.
Overview
1
1
Certification
7
7
years of professional experience
Work History
Recreation Specialist
Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation
Charlotte, NC
01.2021 - Current
- Develop, coordinate, implement, and evaluate recreation programs serving youth, teens, adults, seniors, and families.
- Led the strategic redesign of Kids Night Out, evaluating program demand and participant experience, rebranding the program as “Once Upon a Night Out,” introducing new program elements, adjusting pricing, and expanding capacity; increased enrollment from 24 to 40 participants (+67%) while continuing to maintain a waitlist.
- Expanded summer camp capacity from 24 to 32 participants (+33%) in response to consistent year-over-year demand and a standing waitlist, increasing community access while maintaining strong participant interest.
- Plan and execute seasonal programs, special events, youth sports, summer camps, and community engagement initiatives.
- Supervise and provide direction to summer camp staff and other recreation personnel, supporting staff performance, participant safety, and quality program delivery.
- Coordinate summer camp programming for children ages 6–12, and 10-14 including activity planning, staff coordination, participant engagement, parent communication, and daily facility operations.
- Lead youth athletic programs including basketball and flag football, coordinating practices, participant communication, equipment, schedules, game-day operations, and parent engagement.
- Developed recreation programs aligned with community interests and participation trends, enhancing seasonal offerings and resource utilization.
- Develop new recreation programs based on community interests, participation trends, seasonal opportunities, and available facility resources.
- Coordinate senior recreation initiatives, including themed social programs, wellness activities, scavenger hunts, and special events.
- Support aquatics programming and facility activities, including water aerobics, swim programming, and other recreation offerings.
- Create program marketing materials, flyers, signage, promotional campaigns, and community outreach initiatives to increase program awareness and participation.
- Created marketing materials, flyers, and promotional campaigns to boost program awareness and participation within the community.
- Assist with program budgeting, purchasing, supplies, equipment needs, and cost-conscious program planning.
- Monitored participation and feedback to identify and implement improvements, optimizing program offerings and addressing community needs.
- Maintain a safe, welcoming, inclusive, and customer-focused recreation environment.
Recreation Specialist
Mecklenbrug County Park and Recreation
Charlotte, NC
07.2019 - 08.2021
- Coordinated recreation and aquatics programming for diverse community members, enhancing engagement across multiple age groups.
- Assisted with daily aquatic center facility operations, program coordination, participant services, and customer service.
- Assisted in program scheduling, participant registration, and management of equipment and supplies to ensure smooth facility operations.
- Worked collaboratively with aquatic staff and other recreation personnel to deliver quality programs and services.
- Responded to participant and customer needs while following departmental policies, safety procedures, and facility standards.
- Supported special events and community activities at aquatic facility, contributing to successful program execution and participant enjoyment.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Health Systems Management
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Charlotte, NC01.2020
Skills
- Recreation Programming
- Program Development
- Youth Sports
- Summer Camp Management
- Aquatics Operations
- Special Events
- Program Coordination
- Program Growth
- Capacity Management
- Marketing & Outreach
- Community Engagement
- Customer Service
- Staff Supervision
- Staff Leadership
- Risk Management
- Budget planning
- Conflict Resolution
Accomplishments
- Completion of MeckEmerge in 2024
- Completion of Leadership Academy in 2026
- Program Growth & Capacity Management
- Increased Once Upon a Night Out enrollment by 67%, from 24 to 40 participants, while continuing to maintain a waitlist following a comprehensive program redesign.
- Increased summer camp capacity by 33%, from 24 to 32 participants, based on consistent year-over-year demand and a standing waitlist.
- Utilized participation trends, waitlists, and community demand to inform program modifications and capacity decisions.
- Staff & Facility Leadership
- Serve as Manager on Duty, providing operational oversight and addressing facility, staffing, customer service, and program needs.
- Provide leadership and direction to seasonal staff during summer camp operations.
- Coordinate multiple concurrent recreation activities while maintaining a safe and positive facility environment.
- Bring experience across both traditional recreation and aquatic facility operations.
- Program Development
- Develop programming for youth, teens, adults, seniors, and families.
- Create themed programs and special events designed to increase participant engagement.
- Develop youth sports and athletic programming, including basketball and flag football.
- Coordinate community events, participant recognition activities, and seasonal programming.
Certification
Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation, Park and Recreation Leadership Academy, Leadership Development Program
Timeline
Recreation Specialist
Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation
01.2021 - Current
Recreation Specialist
Mecklenbrug County Park and Recreation
07.2019 - 08.2021
Bachelor of Arts - Health Systems Management
University of North Carolina at Charlotte