Recreation Specialist - Community Youth Engagement at Metro Parks Tacoma – Tacoma, Washington

Join the Youth Engagement team of Metro Parks Tacoma's Parks and Recreation department! This is a fast growing team who keeps the youth of the community in the forefront of recreational plans. We are a dynamic team of individuals who work closely together to tailor our programs to the communities surrounding each of our four community centers in Tacoma.

When working with the youth of the community, there's rarely a dull moment! You'll play basketball, wall ball, play video games, air hockey, and even sometimes help students with their studies! You will provide light snacks to make sure kids are eating a healthy and balanced diet while building relationships that last a lifetime!

You will also assist with seasonal day camps and on Friday nights, from 7 - 11pm, you'll engage with high school community members of Tacoma and surrounding areas! After shooting hoops and listening to some fresh tunes, you'll converse and get to know these youth community members over a full meal!

This position is solely in-person and never online. The right person for the job will be reliable and adamant about engaging with the youth in our community centers while practicing proper Metro Parks Tacoma procedures and policies. You will get training from seasoned veterans on the Youth Engagement team, and supplied with all the resources you need to succeed in a fun and exciting field of youth programming!

Work where you play!
Join our team at Metro Parks Tacoma to put your skills to use serving your community and making Tacoma a vibrant, healthy, and welcoming place to live.

Who We Are
Metro Parks Tacoma (MPT) is a CAPRA-accredited and AZA-accredited, independent park district that leads efforts to build a healthy, sustainable community. Located in Tacoma, Washington, Metro Parks’ mission is to create healthy opportunities to play, learn, and grow. The independent park district spans the city providing a wide range of life-enriching destinations and services, including 70+ parks, 80+ miles of trails, 1,000+ acres of urban forest, 66 playgrounds, four community centers, Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, Northwest Trek Wildlife Park, Point Defiance Park, and much more. Our work is guided by eight core values that are the foundation of our actions and goals: innovation, excellence, equity, inclusiveness, sustainability, accountability, safety, and fun.

Why You’ll Love it Here
Come work where you play! You will contribute to the overall vitality and well-being of your community when you work for Metro Parks Tacoma, and you’ll do so as part of a supportive team of committed, passionate, and mission-driven professionals. The people of Metro Parks are the key to its success, and you just might be the next great addition to our team. You’ll receive a competitive wage, along with an attractive benefits package, including medical, dental, retirement, vacation, holidays, and much more. On top of that, you’ll wake each day knowing that you’re helping make Tacoma a great place to call home.

Position Information
Promote and deliver assigned recreational programs and activities; organize and facilitate instructional classes and special events related to the recreational program assigned; manage onsite personnel and service delivery.

In the performance of their respective tasks and duties all employees are expected to:

• Perform quality work within deadlines with or without direct supervision.
• Interact professionally with other employees, customers and suppliers.
• Work effectively as a team contributor on all assignments.
• Work independently while understanding the necessity for communicating and coordinating work efforts with other employees and organizations.
• Observe applicable safety requirements, use safety equipment provided, implement appropriate safety practices at all times and report immediately any unsafe working conditions or hazards.

• Review and comment on business plans associated with the assigned program.
• Deliver programming of assigned program to include organizing and implementing activities and activity groups and schedule equipment and facility usage. Plan and conduct trips, public programs and/or other special events for the program assigned. Prepare various reports; perform in accordance with defined policies and procedure as per supervisor to comply with federal, state and local laws, regulations, rules and/or standards.
• Provide a culture which encourages employee development and practices effective leadership by empowering staff to make decisions. Hire, train, oversee and/or work with part-time staff and/or volunteers to implement recreational programs.
• Provide recreational services within budget and to meet participation targets. Review budget and performance data for daily decisions.
• Communicate with representatives of the facilities or other program areas as appropriate to deliver recreational program. Provide excellent customer service to the public.
• Prepare and deliver oral presentations related to assigned programs or activities.

OCCASIONAL DUTIES:

• Perform related duties as assigned.
• Perform emergency first aid and CPR as needed and according to established guidelines; provide for proper safety of participants in recreational programs.

• Two (2) years increasingly responsible recreational experience required
• College level coursework in recreation programming desired
• Valid Washington driver's license with acceptable driving record required.
• Ability to a variety of shift as needed,
• Valid First Aid and CPR Card

ENVIRONMENT:

• Recreational facility environment involving indoor and outdoor assignments.
• Driving a vehicle to conduct field trips.

PHYSICAL ABILITIES:

• Sight to prepare written or typed recreational and leisure program material and monitor activities.
• Hearing and speaking to conduct classes and exchange information.
• Walking over rough or uneven surfaces during field trips.
• Ability to lift at least 10 lbs. to shoulder height.
• Ability to assist individuals with mobility limitations including, but not limited to, in and out of vehicles and up and down stairs.

HAZARDS:

• Contact with dissatisfied or abusive individuals.

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• Recreation needs and interests of recreational users.
• Principles, techniques, supplies and equipment applicable and necessary for a variety of recreational activities.
• Group dynamics and techniques for working effectively with groups.
• Principles and practices of supervision and training.

ABILITY TO:

• Interpret rules and regulations.
• Perform emergency first aid and CPR as needed and according to established guidelines.
• Communicate clearly verbally and in writing.
• Assess and evaluate situations effectively.
• Exert optimal effort in successfully completing tasks.
• Take initiative with minimal supervision.
• Extract and record data and carry out calculations accurately.
• Set up and operate equipment that can require selection from options or different settings.
• Manage time efficiently and effectively through scheduling and prioritizing.
• Work within and contribute to the effectiveness of a team, respecting differences.
• Report for work regularly and on time.

METRO PARKS TACOMA IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.
All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, political affiliation, disability or any other merit factor. Members of ethnic minorities, women, special disabled veterans, veterans of the Vietnam-era, recently separated veterans, and other protected veterans, persons of disability and/or persons age 40 and over are encouraged to apply.

MPT employs only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized non-U.S. citizens. All new employees must show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

MPT is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact Human Resources at hr@tacomaparks.com.

Employment is subject to a national background check.

This position is an at-will position with no written or implied contractual agreement.