Valerie Arhondakis
3124 Stanwood Street,Philadelphia, Pa.
Overview
32
32
years of professional experience
Work History
Recreation Programming Director
Parks and Recreation Department
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
04.2024 - Current
- Analyzed customer feedback data to identify trends in product performance or customer service issues.
- Assessed employee performance against established benchmarks or targets.
- Reviewed internal reports and identified areas of risk or potential cost savings.
- Developed and implemented comprehensive strategies to improve operational processes and organizational efficiency.
- Collaborated with senior leadership to set long-term objectives for the company.
- Developed and implemented strategic plans to ensure organizational goals were met.
- Ensured compliance with all relevant regulations, policies and procedures.
- Implemented systems for tracking progress on key initiatives or projects.
- Managed budgeting and financial planning processes for the organization.
- Recruited, trained, supervised, evaluated and mentored staff members.
- Coordinated resources across departments to maximize productivity levels.
- Created detailed plans outlining timelines, goals, budgets, staffing needs and other requirements for projects.
- Assessing programming needs in the community, establishing goals and objectives, monitoring the budget for the division, and researching and preparing grant proposals are components of the work.
- Develops and manages a variety of external partnerships to support the work of each individual site within each community service area, including volunteer offerings, financial support, and material support.
Program District Manager
Parks And Recreation
Philadelphia, PA
04.2014 - 04.2024
- Dedicated District Manager skilled in process improvement and budgeting.
- Manages multiple projects under tight deadlines.
- Seeking position of Program Director and possesses 30 years of experience in this division.
- Identified opportunities for process improvement across multiple locations within the district.
- Analyzed financial data for each store in the district to identify areas of improvement or growth potentials.
- Provided ongoing coaching and training for store managers on how to maximize productivity and profits.
- Collaborated with other departments such as marketing, human resources, finance, to achieve goals set by upper management.
- Managed all personnel matters within the district including recruitment, hiring, performance reviews, disciplinary actions.
- Worked with direct reports to develop and implement action plans, improving operating results.
Recreation Program Coordinator
Parks and Recreation
Philadelphia, PA
06.2007 - 04.2014
- Implement various Fine Art programs throughout the city of Philadelphia.
- Interview and hire educators to who would be responsible for teaching various lessons to patrons in every area in every neighborhood.
- Oversee a citywide Art Camp that focuses on higher education and career development in the field of Visual Arts.
- Responsible for working with facility supervisors to program, operate, and coordinate activities and programs at their sites.
- Handle all the administrative duties of the Visual Arts office for the Recreation Department and help create and implement the budget for Art throughout the city.
- Order supplies and create database for purchase order agreement bids as part of my job as Recreation Program Coordinator for Visual Arts.
- Create partnerships with outside organizations, including Mural Arts, various Behavioral Health groups.
- Work with non profit groups to assist with providing art to all who are interested.
- Write grants and submit proposals to obtain funding for Visual Arts as well as all of the creative activities we wish to implement in the department.
Recreation Leader III
Parks and Recreation
Philadelphia, PA
04.2005 - 06.2007
- Oversee a facility within the Parks & Recreation Department which has a gymnasium and a swimming pool.
- Responsible for hiring staff to implement the various programming at the facility.
- Hire lifeguards and pool maintenance assistants to operate and keep the pool safe and fully functional for the summer season.
- Plan and coordinate with participants and staff, athletic, cultural, educational, and environmental programs for the local neighborhood.
- Planned, organized, facilitated and promoted diverse recreational programs.
Recreation Leader II
04.2003 - 04.2005
- Performed similar duties as a Recreation Leader II that I did as a Recreation Leader III, but in addition to all of those duties, ran a large Men's softball league and assisted in a Mural project that still stands today in 2016.
Recreation Leader I
09.1997 - 04.2003
- Facility supervisor of a small facility that had a large group of activities, geared towards various age groups.
- Hired staff and created a working and operating budget for this small facility.
- Created a sense of community enthusiasm for a economically depressed area and helped it thrive by creating outlets that were both affordable and necessary for the neighborhood people.
Assistant Recreation Leader
07.1993 - 09.1997
- Assist facility supervisor with all needs and aspects of the recreation facility.
- Run my own Day Camp, Dance program, and After school program.
- Implement the drama program.
- Work with other staff and parents to provide a great outlet and venue for local constituents.
Seasonal Playground Leader
Philadelphia Recreation Department
Philadelphia, PA
06.1992 - 07.1993
- Supervised individuals on swings, slides and other playground equipment, keeping watch to avoid dangerous situations.
- Directed students to and from playgrounds, reminding children to line up quietly at end of recess.
- Enforced park regulations, ordinances and policies by explaining rules to guests.
- Ordered and tracked inventory for arts and crafts, athletic equipment and games for daily engagements.
- Scheduled playground site field trips, special activities and programs.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Elementary Education English
Holy Family College
05.1996
Skills
- Exceptional organizational skills Grant writing expertise
- Analytical thinker Community development
- Expert in Microsoft Office Social Media
- Public Speaking Project Management
- Creative problem solver Employee relations
- Team leadership Strategic planning
- Decision-making strength Marketing proficiency
- Recruitment and training Motivated team player
- Program coordination Organized and efficient
- Critical thinking skills Decision Making ability
- Planning, organizing, and developing programs with staff
- Meet community needs and provide resources to staff and patrons
- Establish and develop relationships effectively with staff and community partners
- Event planning
Accomplishments
- Certified in American Heart Association Basic Life Support and Heart saver as well as AED. I have trained a majority of my direct reports when needed.
- Certified in First Aid
- Certified in Adult, Youth, and Teen Mental Health First Aid.
- Led team to achieve a highly successful fine arts program, earning recognition from upper management and financial reward.
- Consistently maintained high customer satisfaction ratings.
- Wrote an activity booklet annually for the Art division in PPR from 2007 through 2014.
- Lead project Coordinator for the Philadelphia Marathon and Broad street run for the Elite athlete division.
- Awards Coordinator for Philadelphia Marathon and Broad street run races.
- Coordinated and implemented the 5k race series from 2014 thru 2024.
- Comic Division Coordinator for the Philadelphia Mummers parade from 2014 to the present.
- Worked with hearing impaired dancer to include them in a dance class in 1994.
- Started a day camp with 3-5 year olds in 1993 through 1995.
- Worked with at risk youth from 2000 to 2003. Coached and facilitated teen girls basketball league.
- Completed 17 marathons and have volunteered to motivate and inspire young girls and young women to be athletic and have a positive self image.
- Wrote an award winning paper regarding eating disorders and positive self image.
- Finally, in the past 5 years I have competed and successfully completed 2 triathlons.
Personal Information
I am bi-lingual and speak fluent Greek.
I was a teacher for one year at a parochial school, while I was an Assistant Recreation leader. I gave up the desire to teach in a traditional setting to teach in various capacities other than academics in a classroom.
I have dedicated my life to this career and am 100 percent invested. With, no children of my own, this career choice, has given me the capability to have many that I have considered like my own children over the 30 years I've spent at PPR.
Languages
Bilingual Greek/English
Timeline
Recreation Programming Director
Parks and Recreation Department
04.2024 - Current
Program District Manager
Parks And Recreation
04.2014 - 04.2024
Recreation Program Coordinator
Parks and Recreation
06.2007 - 04.2014
Recreation Leader III
Parks and Recreation
04.2005 - 06.2007
Recreation Leader II
04.2003 - 04.2005
Recreation Leader I
09.1997 - 04.2003
Assistant Recreation Leader
07.1993 - 09.1997
Seasonal Playground Leader
Philadelphia Recreation Department
06.1992 - 07.1993
Bachelor of Science - Elementary Education English
Holy Family College