Minimum Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications:This position will be filled at one of the following based on qualifications:
Activity Specialist: $20.80 per hour. - Must be at least 18 years of age with a High School diploma/ GED , and no experience required.
Activity Leader: $22.55 per hour.- Must be at least 18 years of age with a High School diploma/ GED and six (6) months related experience.
Notes to Applicants
The City of Austin
Parks and Recreation Department ( PARD ) provides, protects and preserves a park system that promotes quality recreational, cultural and outdoor experiences for the Austin community. Working with the City of Austin provides a number of health and welfare benefits, such as medical, paid leave time, a great retirement plan, training opportunities and more! Click
HERE for more information.
The purpose of the
Temporary Summer Playgrounds Activity Specialist or Leader position is to work between 20 and 40 hours per week in a youth development summer playgrounds program setting. The
Summer Playgrounds Program begins the week of June 13th, with staff mandatory staff training beginning two weeks prior. Successful applicants must demonstrate strong leadership, exhibit creative thinking, perform good judgment, and have excellent communication skills. Applicants must also possess reliability, trustworthiness, and be safety conscious.
Park Locations include: - Bartholomew District Park,
- James A. Garrison District Park,
- Roy G. Guerrero Metropolitan Park,
- Ramsey Neighborhood Park,
- Walnut Creek Metropolitan Park,
- Dick Nichols District Park
*Please note your location preference in the supplemental section of your application. Location requests will be honored on an availability basis and the hiring manager will make the final decision on work site location.
Application Instructions/Job Requirements: - Application: A detailed, complete application is required, and applicants must include on their Employment Record all experience (work and/or volunteer) related to this job posting - up to 10 years or more; this will be used to determine your base compensation. Employment Record dates must include month and year. Verification of employment history dates on resume should match online Employment Application. Statements such as “See Resume” will not be accepted and a resume alone will not be accepted in lieu of a complete online application.
- Skills Assessments: Skills assessment(s) may be required as part of the recruitment process.
- Virtual Interviews: PARD may conduct virtual interviews.
- Military/Veteran: An applicant claiming Military/Veteran status must provide a copy of his or her DD-214(s), or valid comparable document, at the time of interview.
- Physical Requirements: Tasks involve bending, lifting, walking, carrying or using a force equal to lifting up to twenty-five (25) pounds. Must be physically and mentally able to work with participants adapting to a variety of conditions such as daily walking, hiking, climbing, standing, balancing, kneeling, stooping, running, bending, crawling, swimming, stretching and reaching in rugged terrain. Tolerate loud noise associated with enthusiasm and excitement. Ability to work outside in all types of weather and/or inclement conditions, and in confined spaces.
Other: - Application Status Communication: Please note that you will be contacted if you are selected to move forward in the hiring process. Once the department is no longer hiring for this position, you may receive a notification informing you the position is closed and the hiring process is concluded.
- Travel: If you are selected for this position, and meet the Driver Safety Standards in the City of Austin Driver Safety Program , you may drive when necessary to multiple locations as part of your regular job duties. Otherwise, you are responsible for getting to and from these locations.
- Tobacco and Vape-Free Workplace: All PARD work site locations are tobacco-free. Use of tobacco products and/or e-cigarettes is not permitted on any PARD work site - including construction sites, parking lots, garages or in any personal vehicles located on the premises.
Pay Range
$20.80 - $22.55 per hour
Hours
Work/Location Schedule Notes: - Variable schedules, 20 - 40 hours per week.
- Monday through Friday between 8:30am - 5:30pm.
- Programming hours vary at each work site.
- Schedule may include weekends, evenings, overnights and/or holidays.
- May be required to work weekends and during special events and programming needs.
- May be required to work during city emergencies such as extreme weather events.
Job Close Date 05/01/2024 Type of Posting External Department Parks and Recreation Regular/Temporary Temporary Grant Funded or Pooled Position Not Applicable Category Technical Location Various City of Austin Playground locations Preferred Qualifications
Preferred Experience: - Experience working with youth in a playground or summer camp setting.
- Experience in leading and/or instructing one or more of the following types of recreational programming:
- Recreational Games and Activities (Indoor or Outdoor),
- Sports/Athletic Programs,
- Performing & Visual Arts,
- Science/Nature/Environmental Education,
- Outdoor Recreation,
- Arts and Crafts,
- Team Building,
- Therapeutic Recreation, Inclusion and Special Education.
Preferred Skills and Abilities: - Ability to fluently communicate (reading, writing, speaking) in English and Spanish. or English and another language.
Other: - Ability to travel to more than one work location.
Duties, Functions and Responsibilities
Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.
Safely facilitate and actively supervise participants at all times while engaging in a variety of activities. Develop, modify and teach program activities to accommodate various ages, abilities and interests. Regular attendance is essential for this position. Attend all sessions of scheduled staff training. Serve as a role-model, exercising appropriate decision-making boundary setting. Utilize effective behavior management skills, including enforcing policies fairly, consistently, kindly and firmly. Communicate clearly and professionally with, participants, parents, co-workers and supervisor. Work cooperatively with co-counselors and other staff. Provide customer service. Complete reports and forms and assist with maintaining records in accordance with COA and PARD policies. Other duties as assigned.
Responsibilities - Supervision and/or Leadership Exercised:Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.
- Knowledge of youth programs and activities.
- Knowledge of safety practices and procedures.
- Skill in oral and written communication.
- Skill in problem solving.
- Skill in handling multiple tasks and prioritizing.
- Ability to work with children and teens, including youth with special needs.
- Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with the City and the public.
Criminal Background Investigation This position has been approved for a Criminal Background Investigation. EEO/ADA
City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require reasonable accommodation during the application process or have a question regarding an essential job function, please call (512) 974-3210 or Texas Relay by dialing 7-1-1.
The City of Austin will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, creed, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, religion, veteran status, disability, or sexual orientation. In addition, the City will not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of an individual’s AIDS , AIDS Related Complex, or HIV status; nor will the City discriminate against individuals who are perceived to be at risk of HIV infection, or who associate with individuals who are believed to be at risk.
Information For City Employees: If you are an employee within the department, are in good standing and meet both the minimum and preferred qualifications, then you will receive an initial interview.
Supplemental Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
* The minimum qualifications for the Activity Specialist position are graduation with a high school diploma or GED plus six (6) months of experience. Do you meet the requirements for this position?
* The minimum qualifications for the Activity Leader position are graduation with a high school diploma or GED plus one (1) year of experience. Do you meet the requirements for this position?
* Are you interested in the Activity Specialist position, the Activity Leader position or are you interested in either opportunity?
- Activity Specialist
- Activity Leader
- Open to either opportunity
* Are you bilingual in English/Spanish or English/other language, check all that apply?
- • Fluent in two languages-read, write, speak
- • Bilingual and able to speak in a second language
- • Bilingual and understand if someone is speaking to me in a second language
- • American Sign Language (ASL)
- • None of the above
* Briefly describe your recreational programming experience, the types of classes and activities that you have implemented and taught, and the age groups that you have developed programs for.
(Open Ended Question)
* Do you have the ability to travel to multiple sites as part of the regular job duties?
* Please note your location preferences below. If no preference, list 'no preference'. Location requests will be honored on an availability basis and the hiring manager will make the final decision on work site location.
(Open Ended Question)
* This position requires a criminal background check. By selecting the following, you are acknowledging that you understand if you are selected as a top candidate for this position, you will need a successful Criminal Background Investigation (CBI) to be hired.
- I acknowledge and understand this position requires a Criminal Background Investigation (CBI).
* Please note that you will be contacted if you are selected to move forward in the hiring process. Once the department is no longer hiring for this position, you may receive a notification informing you the position is closed and the hiring process is concluded.
- Yes. I acknowledge and understand the statement above.
Optional & Required Documents
Required Documents Optional Documents Resume
