Based on our internal equity review process, the starting salary for this position will be $16.66.

The current full hourly range for this position is $16.66 - $20.40.

If you’re passionate about inclusion and love creating fun, engaging experiences for everyone, we’d love to hear from you! As an Assistant Recreation Leader, you’ll gain hands-on experience supporting individuals with a range of disabilities in a supportive, energetic environment led by Recreation Leaders and Program Directors. This year-round position offers a variety of shifts, including weekday afternoons, evenings, and weekends, across activities like outdoor recreation, social events, swimming, and large community gatherings. While prior disability support experience isn’t required, we’re looking for team members with an open mind, a willingness to learn, the ability to stay calm in occasionally unpredictable situations, and a strong commitment to universal inclusion. If you’re excited to join a team dedicated to safe, inclusive recreation for all, we want to hear from you!

Work where you play!

Join our team at 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

Parks Tacoma is a CAPRA-accredited and AZA-accredited, independent park district that leads efforts to build a healthy, sustainable community. Located in Tacoma, Washington, Parks Tacoma's 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 with us and work where you play! You will contribute to the overall vitality and well-being of your community when you work for Parks Tacoma, and you’ll do so as part of a supportive team of committed, passionate, and mission-driven professionals. The people of Parks Tacoma are the key to its success, and you just might be the next great addition to our team. On top of that, you’ll wake each day knowing that you’re helping make Tacoma a great place to call home.

Position Information

Implement, lead and/or oversee programming and activities in an assigned program area

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.

• Provide support to and collaborate with other Parks Tacoma staff as needed to assist with implementing recreation programs.
• Lead, instruct, and/or teach activities to participants using excellent citizenship, sportsmanship, and inclusivity.
• Provide each participant the opportunity to succeed and grow their social skills through recreational opportunities.
• Understand, explain and up-hold program and facility expectations.
• Ensure program/facility rules, policies and procedures are followed; maintain and enforce safety standards.
• Responsible for reporting all participant behavioral problems and incidents to appropriate staff and supervisor.
• Responsible for overseeing participants during program activities.
• Provide a positive attitude toward program participants and staff; encourage and serve as a positive role model.
• Support delivery of accommodations and behavior plans as outlined by the program's Leaders, Directors, and/or Specialists
• Administer first aid as needed.
• Ensure proper use, care, and storage of program equipment.
• Other duties as assigned.

• At least 16 years of age.

HOURS/SCHEDULE:

• Up to 15 hours per week.
• Variety of shifts available, including weekdays and weekends.

COMPETENCY REQUIREMENTS:

• Demonstrate thorough knowledge of assigned recreation programs, activities, and services.
• Demonstrate knowledge of safety guidelines and practices.
• Skill in overseeing and leading the work of others.
• Ability to handle conflict and solve problems using good judgement, patience, and courtesy.
• Ability to navigate emergency situations.
• Work with diverse groups of people in a tactful, effective, and respectful manner.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, the community and program participants.
• Follow instructions, both written and verbal.
• Ability to safely perform job tasks in a variety of park and non-park settings.

WORK ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Work is performed indoors and outdoors.
• Driving a district vehicle, and transporting patrons, is required for some positions.
• Work various schedules including mornings, afternoons, evenings, and weekends.
• Ability to communicate with district employees and customers.
• Noise level is moderately loud
• Standing for long periods of time.
• Walking, kneeling and/or crouching to demonstrate proper form.
• Ability to lift up to 25 pounds on occasion.
• Ability to navigate emergency situations, including performing CPR.

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.

Parks Tacoma 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.

Parks Tacoma 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.