Program Assistant - Care Program

Position Description

Work. Serve. Thrive. With the City of Durham

Advance in your career while making a real difference in the community you serve.

A nationally accredited team of passionate professionals devoted to building better lives and a better community through the power of parks and recreation. Our talented team at Durham Parks and Recreation is devoted to community service and provides a diverse range of programs, services, opportunities, and experiences while being united through our core pillars of creating equitable economic impacts; advancing conservation; rejuvenating health and wellness; enhancing quality of life and sustaining social equity.

Hourly Rate: $17.40
Location: Various Recreation Centers
Work Days/Hours: Shifts Vary

• After School / Monday-Friday, 2:30pm - 6:00pm
• Intersession / Fun day camps (multiple times throughout the year) operate from 7:30am - 6:00pm
• Some evenings and weekend
• Summer Camp between 7:30am - 6:30pm

Position leads school-age care participants in a variety of fun and interactive activities according to a daily schedule, instructing group games, providing constant eye/ear supervision, facilitating special projects with participants, and providing basic behavior management. Incumbent is responsible for reporting participant issues, attending to program supply needs, and making general day to day updates to the onsite supervisor.

Position leads school-age care participants in a variety of fun and interactive activities according to a daily schedule, instructing group games, providing constant eye/ear supervision, facilitating special projects with participants, and providing basic behavior management. Incumbents are expected to physically engage with participants during indoor and outdoor activities such as local hikes, swimming, athletic field games and activities, and gym/playground games and activities. Incumbent is responsible for reporting participant issues, attending to program supply needs, and making general day to day updates to the onsite supervisor.

Duties/Responsibilities

• Collaborates with supervisor, other staff, and volunteers to conduct activities.
• In water supervision of program participants (swimming).
• Monitor’s participant behavior, assesses its appropriateness, enforces safety regulations and emergency procedures, and applies behavior management techniques.
• Recognizes and responds to opportunities for group and individual problem solving.
• Indoor and outdoor environment Recreation Activities (All weather types).
• Takes responsibility for the health, well-being, and safety of participants of all skill levels and abilities.
• Encourages respect for personal property, City equipment and facilities.
• Communicates regularly with supervisor regarding concerns, updates, and challenges.
• Provides opportunities for the group so that everyone has an experience of success.
• Performs duties in the setting of Summer Camp programs.
• Organizes and facilitates youth sports, games and activities, arts and crafts, music and drama, and other recreational activities.
• Observes necessary precautions to secure the safety of recreation participants and spectators, renders first aid in case of minor injury.
• Attends and participates in staff meetings, in-service training programs, orientations, and evaluation sessions.
• Assists in planning and conducting special events and projects and encourages participation.
• Assists in completing behavior, accident, and other program reports as needed, submits required paperwork on time.
• Assists with personal care, mobility, communication, and other basic needs.
• Sets a good example for participants in all areas, including cleanliness, punctuality, cleaning up after activities, observing rules, and sportsmanship.
• Engages with participants, learning their likes and dislikes and guiding them in successfully participating in all aspects of program activities.

KNOWLEDGE OF:
-Child development.

• Elementary math, science, writing, etc.
• Basic arts and crafts.
• Group recreational supervision and the rules and regulations governing various competitive games, including athletics.
• Basic Behavior Management skills.

SKILL IN:

• Interacting positively and communicating effectively with children and adults.
• Following directions and completing assigned tasks.
• Organizing and actively facilitating a variety of recreational and social activities.
• Adhering to program standards and objectives.
• Report writing and record keeping.
• Communicating instructions effectively to individuals and groups.
• Exhibiting character, integrity, and adaptability.

Minimum Qualifications & Experience

• Six (6) months of experience working with youth in a recreation or education setting.
• High School diploma/equivalent (GED, HiSet, TASC).
• Must be at least 18 years of age.

Additional Preferred Skills

• Available between the hours of 2:30 pm-6:00 pm Monday-Friday.
• Comfortable in your abilities to manage behavior expectations, engage with participants daily and encourage participants to be involved in group/individual activities for children ages 5-13.
• Related experience.
• Comfortable working with all ages and levels of ability.
• Basic swimming skills.
• Comfortable working both indoors and outdoors.
• Willing to work some evenings and weekends.
• Experience working with children ages 5-12
• Comfortable in the water.