Camp Director - Spring Break (Recreation Leader III)

Based on our internal equity review process, the starting salary for this position will be $19.42

The current full hourly range for this position is $19.42 -$24.41 

Join our amazing Youth Engagement Team for Spring Break Camps 2025! Parks Tacoma will be hosting Spring Break Camps this coming April 7th - 11th at our Center at Norpoint, Wapato Park & Pavilion, Titlow Park & Lodge, and Point Defiance. Campers aged from 5 - 12 years old will have the opportunity to play, learn, and grow while building lifelong connections and memories! 

This position will be responsible for leading a group of staff members and campers in camp activities which range from arts and crafts to a camp wide game of dodgeball. You will oversee camp counselors and monitor their check-in and check-out times while managing camper daily counts and overseeing all camp activities. You will work closely with full time Youth Engagement staff members. You will need high energy to initiate and teach rules to activities while you ensure each camper has the best camp experience possible. You will also utilize customer service skills with campers and their parents/guardians to ensure a fun and safe Spring Break Camp experience for all!

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.

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 Metro Parks 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. 
• Administer first aid as needed.
• Ensure proper use, care, and storage of program equipment.
• Responsible for the designated site location to ensure proper program set-up and safety/security measures are observed.
• Responsible for overall program onsite supervision and facilitation of activities.
• Coordinate temporary staff and volunteer schedules.
• Provide work direction to other part-time staff (Level I & II)
• Communicates pertinent information with program participant families/guardians.
• Prepares and provides reports for program/sites being managed. 
• Other duties as assigned.

• At least 18 years of age, some positions may require at least 21 years of age.
• At least 3 years of related work or volunteer experience to the designated or assigned recreation program required.

• 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 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 50 pounds on occasion.
• Ability to navigate emergency situations, including performing CPR.

Salary : $19 - $24