Head Pickleball Professional

Pay Classification/Details: This is an hourly, full-time position. (Annual anticipated pay is between $79K - 100K). Pay differential for on-court hours vs. administrative hours. Weekly hours expectation is shown:

• $41 - $50 / hour on-court pay rate DOQ (30 hours per week)
• $30+ / hour administrative pay rate DOQ (10 hours per week)

Summary: Under the direction of the General Manager of Racquet Sports, the Head Pickleball Professional is responsible for leading a team of both full-time and part-time racquet sport professionals including pros who specialize in padel and pickleball programming. The head professional will develop a comprehensive and competitive racquet sport program for a new pickleball and padel facility. The head professional will oversee all pickleball and padel programming at various district sites including outdoor courts and at Deer Creek Racquet Club. Program management will include group and individual lessons, as well as the development of leagues, tournaments, rentals, and special events. The head pro may be required to assist leadership in the supervision of the facility including the registration desk, pro shop, facility staff and facility programs.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Teach private and group lessons as assigned in accordance with Park District policies and program schedule.
• Observe players to provide specific feedback and advice during lessons and clinics.
• Assign and distribute instructors to classes and private lessons.
• Recruit, hire, and train the pickleball and padel instructional staff, direct and evaluation staff work to ensure productivity and efficiency through teamwork, methodology and overall job performance; review and approve staff timecards to ensure accurate time entry.
• Design and lead pickleball and padel programming efforts to ensure instructional, social, competitive, etc. activities meet the demands of the community and fiscal expectations.
• Assist with the development of camp opportunities at indoor and outdoor racquet facilities.
• Assign instructors to classes and private lessons.
• Conduct staff meetings and training sessions.
• Ensure instructional equipment and materials are properly ordered, arranged, and distributed among sites.
• Assist in the planning and budgeting for program fees, staffing, projects, capital improvements, materials, etc.
• Ensure a neat, clean, and safe environment is being left at the conclusion of daily instructional activities.
• Attract participants to our program while displaying district values of caring, welcoming, and extraordinary.
• Handle customer services inquiries and concerns in person, in writing and over the phone.
• Evaluate all incoming participants for pickleball.
• Secure substitute teaching professionals when unable to fulfill commitments and ensure all substitutes are found for all staff professionals.
• Complete timesheet daily by accurately inputting privates/groups/drop-in and administrative hours.
• Assist in the supervision of the front desk, pro shop and facility in the absence of the General Manager or Site Supervisor.
• Assist with point-of-sale transaction in the absence of the General Manager or Site Supervisor.
• Assist in the development of Padel programming and instruction.
• Assist the General Manager with the development and implementation of grand opening a new pickleball and padel facility.
• Perform other Park District-related duties as assigned by the Racquet Sports General Manager or the Director of Recreation.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities: Supervision of full-time, part-time and seasonal staff.

Qualifications: Minimum high school diploma or equivalent with preference given to a four-year (4) degree from a recognized college or university. Must be certified or able to obtain within six (6) months of employment: Certification with Professional Pickleball Registry "Professional Level" or International Pickleball Teaching Professional Association (IPTPA) certification and have a minimum of 5 years teaching experience with a variety of ages and ability levels. A professional background in tennis or padel is preferred.

• Ability to teach all levels of pickleball.
• Ability to teach Padel or ability to obtain a thorough knowledge of Padel programming.
• The ability to utilize facility software for court reservations, membership sales and programming.
• Ability to communicate and maintain patience in a teaching setting.
• Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills.
• Ability to time management between teaching duties with administrative duties.
• Must have certification with the Professional Pickleball Registry "Professional Level" or International Pickleball Teaching Professional Association (IPTPA) certification or ability to obtain within six (6) months of hire.
• Valid Driver's License
• American Red Cross CPR/AED Certification
• BASSET certified or ability to obtain at hire.
• Serve Safe certification or ability to obtain at hire.
• USPA certification preferred, but not required.

Benefits: Excellent benefit package including paid holidays and paid time off (vacation, sick time, personal days), health, dental and vision insurance, Employee Assistance Program, life insurance, flexible spending, a defined benefit pension plan (IMRF) and a voluntary deferred retirement plan, opportunities to get involved in recreational programs for free or reduced cost, and more.

Physical Requirements: The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

• Regularly required to sit, talk or hear.
• Frequently required to stand, walk, and grasp/manipulate and/or reach with fingers, hands and arms.
• Occasionally required to climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.
• Regularly lift and /or move up to 15 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Working Conditions: While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works in an indoor pickleball and padel play facility and is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions with outdoor court work. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts and is occasionally exposed to vibration and flying objects.