Seasonal Recreation Instructor (Fischer Park Nature Center)

Recreation Instructors make a lasting impact, fostering a positive experience with nature! This position offers great experience for someone interested in the fields of environmental and natural sciences, education and communication, recreation or who find value in outdoor experiences, environmental stewardship, and meaningful work. As a Recreation Instructor, you'll guide kids through exciting games, arts and crafts, team-building exercises, and outdoor adventures, creating memorable experiences in a supportive and inclusive environment.

What we're looking for: Enthusiastic, motivated, and creative individuals to be part of our seasonal Fischer Park Nature Center team. Under general supervision, Recreation Instructors assist in coordinating and delivering recreation programs and summer camps to ensure customer satisfaction and safety for registered campers/participants, City team members, and visitors at Parks and Recreation Department facilities and programs. Must be at least eighteen (18) years of age.

What will you gain from this role?

• Make a difference by fostering a connection between people and nature.
• Develop skills in customer service, outdoor education, relationship building and problem solving.
• Team-building working alongside like-minded individuals who share similar passions.
  
  

Schedule needs for this role

• This is a seasonal position, meaning employment will last 7 months.
• This position can be hired on as early as March for weekdays and weekend shifts
• During the Camp Season (end of May through mid-August), must be able to work Monday-Friday, generally 7:00am- 3:00pm, with occasional afternoon shift 12:00pm-6:30pm.
  
  

The Responsibilities You'll Be Trusted With

The following duties ARE NOT intended to serve as a comprehensive list of all duties performed by all employees in this classification, only a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties.

Primary Responsibilities Of This Role

• Plans, organizes, promotes, facilitates, and instructs recreation programs as approved by the Fischer Park Nature Education Center Supervisor in a safe condition and to meet community needs; coordinated in alignment with the City's strategic objectives, policies and procedures, and State and Federal laws.
• Prepares and assists in maintaining facilities at Fischer Park and the Nature Education Center including the boathouse, ponds, gardens and trails, etc. to ensure safe conditions and to meet community needs.
• Maintains attendance and class records and completes reports, including but not limited to program and participant surveys and accident /incident reports
• Answers incoming calls and provides recreation program information to the public; provides prompt, courteous and friendly customer service.
• Acts as a sales assistant and cashier in the Nature Education Center gift shop and manages cash transactions.
• Assists staff with special events programming and crowd control measures.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
  
  

Job duties may vary depending on staffing and program season. Additional responsibilities during camp season include:

• Works with other camp staff members to plan, coordinate, and facilitate high quality and consistent recreation programs and enjoyable experiences for campers.
• Leads and supports campers as they participate in age-appropriate activities; provides supervision for children at program site and throughout Fischer Park; encourages participation in activities.
• Ensures children are always accounted for and adheres to safety policies and procedures including children pickup and drop off.
• Follows all emergency procedures and enforces camp rules.
• Maintains attendance and class records.
• Communicates inventory supply needs and deficiencies to supervisor.
• Handles minor disciplinary issues or policy interpretation according to Parks and Recreation Department policies and procedures.
• Models good behavior for campers as it relates to safety, sportsmanship, and respectfulness.
• Reports and records details of incidents, such as accidents or rule violations, to parents and camp staff.
• Cleans, maintains and ensures proper use of camp facilities and equipment in compliance with the City's strategic objectives, policies and procedures, and State and Federal laws.
• Performs basic groundskeeping and janitorial tasks.
• Performs other duties as assigned or required.
  
  

Your experience and knowledge that matter most for this role

Education and Experience

Preferred one (1) year of college, one (1) year experience working with children, and (1) year customer service/public interaction experience or equivalent combination. Must be at least eighteen (18) years of age.

Required Licenses or Certifications

• Must possess a valid Texas Driver's License.
• Must possess or be able to obtain within two (2) weeks of employment: Community First Aid and Safety/Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) / Automated External Defibrillator (AED) certification.
  
  

Required Knowledge of

• Best practices of working with children.
• Principles of customer service.
• Federal and State safety laws and regulations.
  
  

Required Skill in

• Interpreting customer and facility needs and solving customer service and public relations issues.
• Responding to emergencies and determining corrective actions using available resources.
• Establishing and maintaining cooperative and effective working relationships with City employees, camp participants, their parents or guardians, and the general public.
• Effective, clear and concise communication, both verbally and in writing.
  
  

Physical Demands / Work Environment

• Work is performed in indoor and outdoor environments in all weather conditions; is subject to sitting, standing, bending and reaching for extended periods of time; and must be able to safely pull, push, lift and carry items weighing up to fifty (50) pounds.
• May be required to work immediately before, during or after an emergency or disaster.
• During the Camp Season (end of May through mid-August), must be able to work Monday-Friday, generally 7:00am- 3:00pm, but must be able to work occasional afternoon shift 12:00pm-6:30pm.
• Earliest start date of 03/05 for weekdays and weekend help.
• Must be able to start no later than 5/14, with anticipated end date of 8/20.
• If employment begins prior to, or is extended after Camp Season, may work weekdays, evenings, and weekends.
  
  

NOTE: This position is designated safety and/or security sensitive.