August 2025 Spotlight Professional

Jeremy Jasman – Recreation Coordinator with the City of Mercer Island

Describe the scope of your position in parks and recreation.

Overall, my position blends facility management, staff leadership, customer service, and financial stewardship. As a Recreation Coordinator, my primary focus is overseeing our athletic field rentals, ensuring that community organizations, residents, and other sports leagues have access to our outdoor facilities. In addition to athletic fields, I am also overseeing rentals at our community center. I provide leadership and support to our recreation aides and recreation assistants, guiding day-to-day operations, scheduling, and customer service standards. My role also includes responsibility for budget and revenue oversight, where I monitor financial performance, track rental bookings and drop-in sports participation, and contribute to long-term planning of the community center. 

How long have you been with your present agency?

I have been with the City of Mercer Island since 2011, serving in a variety of roles throughout my career. Over the years I have had the opportunity to grow within the department, gain experience, and build connections with the community we serve.

What did you do before your previous role? (Background experience and previous careers)

Coming out of college, I began my career with the City of Mercer Island in the spring of 2011, working part time at the front desk of the Community & Event Center. From there, I transitioned into several different roles, including Customer Service Specialist, Administrative Assistant, Business Systems Analyst, and now Recreation Coordinator. During the COVID years, I also had the opportunity to support Public Works, where I partnered with other divisions to maintain and enhance our work order system.

How have you participated in WRPA?

While I am not currently serving in an official capacity with WRPA, I make it a priority to engage with the organization by attending trainings, workshops, and events whenever possible. These opportunities allow me to continue developing my skills, stay current on trends, and connect with other parks and recreation professionals across the region. I was also honored to receive the Mickey Corso Professional Leadership Grant this past spring, which I will use to complete my second year of NRPA’s Revenue Development and Management School.

What inspires you about the parks and recreation field?

What inspires me about the parks and recreation field is the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the community while working alongside a dedicated team. I first came into the field hoping to land a job after college to start paying off student loans and other bills. What started as employment quickly became a journey. I have spent my adult life with the City of Mercer Island. The town has become a home away from home. Born and raised in a small town in eastern Washington, I’ve always appreciated the small-town feel that Mercer Island offers. That sense of community has made it easy to connect with residents and provide recreation opportunities that enhance their quality of life. Working with a talented and committed team makes it even more rewarding. My family and I also enjoy Mercer Island’s parks, programs, and special events, with Summer Celebration being our favorite.

What is one creative solution you and your team have applied to a professional challenge?

We are a lean team, but we manage one of the nicest outdoor facilities in the region, which keeps us in high demand. While our priority is always to allocate fields to local groups first, there were still opportunities to open access to additional organizations. To streamline this process, I maximized the use of our recreation software’s online booking system and updated our website to make it easier for groups to view availability, submit reservations, or even book online themselves. These improvements reduced the amount of staff time required after the allocation period, increased overall bookings, and gave user groups instant access to field availability. By leveraging technology in this way, our team has been able to improve efficiency, enhance customer service, and expand community access to our facilities.

Considering what you’ve learned throughout your career, what advice would you share with someone starting out in the parks and recreation field?

One piece of advice I would share with someone starting out in the parks and recreation field is to always embrace learning. Trends in recreation, technology, and community engagement are constantly evolving, and staying adaptable is key. Take advantage of trainings, conferences, and professional organizations, and seek out mentors who can share their knowledge and perspective. Every experience is an opportunity to grow, and the more you invest in your development, the more prepared and inspired you’ll be to serve your community.

What is one of your favorite moments as a parks and recreation professional?  What was your job title?

It is never a dull moment in parks and recreation. One of my favorite experiences in my role as Recreation Coordinator has been serving as our city’s mascot, “Leap,” during the Summer Celebration Parade over the past two years. Children and adults of all ages love seeing the town’s mascot. Moments like these are a reminder of the fun and community impact that parks and recreation have on people of all ages.