Temporary - Activity Specialist/Leader (Fall Programs/Multiple Positions/PARD)

Job Description:

Temporary - Activity Specialist/Leader (Fall Programs/Multiple Positions/PARD)

Description

Minimum Qualifications

Activity Specialist: $20.80 per hour.

• Education and/or Equivalent Experience:
  • Graduation with a high school diploma or GED .
  
  
  

Activity Leader (Salary: $21.55 per hour)

• Education and/or Equivalent Experience:
  • 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 this Temporary Activity Specialist or Activity Leader (Fall Programs/After School) position is to plan course content, and present lessons, demonstrations, and examples on specialized arts and culture topics for all ages in a Fall/After School camp setting.

Recreation Center locations include*:

• North Austin Work sites:
  • Gustavo “Gus” L Garcia Recreation Center
  • Hancock Recreation Center
  • Northwest Recreation Center
  • Virginia L Brown Recreation Center
  • Alamo Recreation Center
  • Dottie Jordan Recreation Center
  • Pickfair Community Center

• Central Austin Work sites:
  • Metz Recreation Center - Rodolfo “Rudy” Mendez Recreation Center
  • Givens Recreation Center
  • Oswaldo A.B. Cantu/Pan American Recreation Center
  • Parque Zaragoza Recreation Center
  • Turner-Roberts Recreation Center
  • Delores Duffie Recreation Center

• South Austin Work sites:
  • Dittmar Recreation Center
  • Dove Springs Recreation Center - George Morales Dove Springs Recreation Center
  • Montopolis Recreation Center
  • South Austin Recreation Center

*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.

Additional Details:

• Instructors must be able to adapt workshops and classes to student age, physical ability, and interests.
• Additionally, Instructors provide classroom management and monitor indoor and outdoor breaks, assist with checking students in and out of the program, provide feedback and encouragement, and ensure safe and proper use of equipment, materials, and facility.
• Instructors should enjoy working with youth and sharing their knowledge and love for the arts in a creative and fun environment, and working with diverse populations.
• Education and Classroom topics include, but are not limited to: Dance, Music, Visual Arts, Digital Media, Culture, Performance or Theater.

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 may involve bending, lifting, walking, carrying or using a force equal to lifting up to ten (10) pounds. Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer. Must be physically and mentally able to communicate, respond and work with participant’s needs and safety issues.

Other Information:

• Multiple Positions: This is a multi-position posting and multiple candidates will be hired from this recruitment. If you are not contacted 10 business days after the recruitment closes, you are not moving forward in the recruitment process and we encourage you to review our other City of Austin recruitments.
• Posting Guidelines: PARD reserves the right to close posted positions prior to the advertised close date, based on recruitment strategies and business needs. This posting may be used to fill other vacancies in other divisions/work locations within the City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department. Decisions on assigned selection will be made at the time of hire based on the business needs of the department.
• 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: 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 - $21.55 per hour
Hours
Work Location/Schedule:

• Variable schedule, 20 to 40 hours per week.
• May be required to work during special events, evenings, weekends & holidays.
• Work schedule and location is subject to change based on department needs and programs.
• May be required to work during city emergencies such as extreme weather events.

Job Close Date 09/29/2024 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 Recreation Centers Preferred Qualifications
Preferred Experience:

• Experience working with youth in recreational programming; and in implementing/teaching recreational classes and activities.
• Experience designing, implementing and evaluating outdoor interpretive and/or recreational programming.

Preferred Skills:

• Ability to fluently communicate (reading, writing, speaking) in English and Spanish, or English and another language.

Preferred Programming Knowledge:

• 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
  • S.T.E.A.M. - Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math.

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. Assist with teaching 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 counselors and other staff. Provide customer service. Other duties as assigned. Establish a professional rapport with participants which fosters trust, honesty, and a feeling of safety.

Responsibilities - Supervision and/or Leadership Exercised:

• None.

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 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
The 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. Do you meet the requirements for this position?

• Yes
• No

* The minimum qualifications for the Activity Leader position are graduation with a high school diploma or GED plus six (6) months experience. Do you meet the requirements for this position?

• Yes
• No

* This position requires a criminal background investigation (CBI). 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 CBI to be hired.

• I acknowledge and understand this position requires a Criminal Background Investigation.

* 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

* Do you have the ability to travel to multiple sites as part of the regular job duties?

• Yes
• No

* Which City of Austin Recreation Center(s) would you prefer to work at (select from list below)?

• Alamo Recreation Center
• Austin Recreation Center
• Danny G McBeth Recreation Center
• Delores Duffie Recreation Center
• Dittmar Recreation Center
• Dottie Jordan Recreation Center
• Dove Springs Recreation Center
• Givens Recreation Center
• Gustavo “Gus” L Garcia Recreation Center
• Hancock Recreation Center
• Lorraine “Grandma” Camacho Activity Center
• Metz Recreation Center
• Montopolis Recreation Center
• Northwest Recreation Center
• Oswaldo A.B. Cantu/Pan American Recreation Center
• Parque Zaragoza Recreation Center
• Pickfair Community Center
• South Austin Recreation Center
• Turner-Roberts Recreation Center
• Virginia L Brown Recreation Center
• All

* This is a multi-position job posting and you will only be notified if you are selected to move forward in the process. Once the department is no longer hiring for this position, you will receive a notification informing you of such.

• I acknowledge this statement

Optional & Required Documents

Required Documents Optional Documents