Recreation Leader - Before and After School Program

Do you have a passion for childhood learning and enjoy leading various activities like arts, crafts, and games? This is a great opportunity for those looking to go into a career in Recreation or Education.

It is also an ideal experience for those that have extra time, enjoy working with children, and find fulfillment providing leadership to kids in our community.

Closing Date

Open until filled

To Apply

Complete the online application at attach a resume and cover letter explaining how you meet the requirements.

Nature of Work

The City of Des Moines partners with the Highline School District to offer a before and after school program, lasting from September through June.

The Before / After School Care is located at the Des Moines Field House. The program provides enriching activities, individual and group play, snacks, and homework time.

Reporting to the Recreation Coordinator, the Before and After School Program Recreation Leaders are directly responsible for the coordination of daily activity, and the supervision of program participants, teen leadership training program interns, and community volunteers.

These positions that last through the school year from September to June. Before School Program Leaders typically work Monday through Friday, 6 : 15-9 : 00 a.

m. After School Program Leaders typically work Monday through Thursday, 3 : 45-6 : 15 p.m. and Friday 2 : 15-6 : 15 p.m.

2024 Hourly Wages

Recreation Leader I $16.28 to $18.27 : This is the entry-level in the job series, focusing on assisting other Recreation Leaders in the instruction and implementation of recreational programs.

Applicants must be at least 16 years of age. See education and experience requirements below.

Recreation Leader II $16.73 to $19.82 : T his is the lead level in the job series, performing all duties of a Recreation Leader I, while also providing leadership and direction to Recreation Leader I staff members, leading program activities, and occasionally transporting program participants and staff.

Applicants must be at least 18 years of age and must be high school graduate or equivalent. See education and experience requirements below.

Recreation Leader III $18.27 to $22.39 : This is the supervisory level in the job series, performing all duties of Recreation I and II, while providing direction to and supervision of Recreation Leader I and II staff, leading program activities.

Must be high school graduate or equivalent. See education and experience requirements below.

Essential Functions

• Organizes, teaches, leads, and stimulates interest in a variety of activities including, but not limited to, arts and crafts, nature-oriented activities, competitive and noncompetitive games, contests, sports and songs.
• Supervises and actively participates in group activities, serving as a positive role model for participants at all times.
• Keeps routine records and drafts written reports.
• Performs light maintenance duties such as cleaning, vacuuming, and mopping.
• Ensures department services are provided with exceptional customer service and with the highest ethical standards.
• Assumes responsibility for ensuring the duties of the position are performed in a safe and efficient manner.
• Supervises children and / or teens on excursions.
• Maintains a professional image and positive attitude at all times.
• Maintains an understanding of department programs and services.
• Understands, adheres to, and enforces departmental and program procedures, confidentiality guidelines, emergency procedures, and health and safety standards for all participants and staff.
• Attends meetings / training as required.
• Establishes and maintains cooperative, effective working relationships with co-workers, other City employees, and the general public using principles of good customer service.
• Reports for scheduled work with regular, reliable, and punctual attendance.
• Performs other duties as assigned, including but not limited to being assigned to work in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, equalize peak work periods, or balance the workload.

Necessary Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to deal tactfully and effectively with children and adults when enforcing rules and regulations in a recreation setting.
• Ability to recognize and correct safety hazards.
• Ability to effectively plan, schedule, and supervise programs and participants.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Ability to interact and play with program participants through games and athletic activities.
• Must be able to lift a minimum of 50 pounds in order to lift small children and arrange room equipment.
• Must be able to read, interpret, direct, and follow rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks in high paced environment.
• Ability to deal with participants and parents with poise and tact in sometimes stressful situations.

Education and Experience Requirements

• Recreation Leader I : Must be 16 years of age or older and must be in attendance at, or on legitimate leave from a high school, trade school, college or university.
• Recreation Leader II : Must be 18 years of age or older. Must be a high school graduate or have a GED and two years of experience as a Recreation Leader I or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Recreation Leader III : Must be a high school graduate or have a GED and two years of experience as a Recreation Leader I or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Educational background in recreation, education, or child development preferred. Experience in planning, implementing and supervising recreation and / or educational activities for children preferred.

Special Requirements

• Must obtain First Aid / CPR Card prior to employment and maintain it throughout employment.
• Employment is contingent upon passing a criminal history background check.
• Responsible for your own transportation to and from job site.
• Because of the known effects of tobacco use, the City of Des Moines does not hire applicants who use tobacco products.
• Successful completion of a pre-employment background and criminal history check.

Working Conditions and Physical Abilities

The work environment is indoor and outdoor. The outdoor environment can include uneven and unstable walking surfaces, tripping hazards, and inclement weather conditions.

Occasional travel to off-site locations is required. Hand-eye coordination and fine-manipulation skills are necessary to operate computers and a variety of office machinery.

The position also requires the ability to speak and hear to exchange information, sit for extended periods of time, bend and stretch to retrieve and maintain files and program supplies, and lift up to 50 pounds.

Extra-Hire Employment

The City defines an "extra-hire employee" as one who is appointed to a position that is not eligible for benefits except those mandated by law or regulations, such as Social Security and workers' compensation insurance.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The City of Des Moines is committed to hiring a diverse workforce and all qualified applicants, including all ethnic backgrounds and persons with disabilities, are encouraged to apply.

The City of Des Moines is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, veteran status, disability status, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state, or local law.

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, an employer is obligated to make a reasonable accommodation only to the known limitations of an otherwise qualified individual with a disability.

In general, it is the responsibility of the applicant or employee with a disability to inform the employer that an accommodation is needed to participate in the application process, to perform essential job functions or to receive equal benefits and privileges of employment.

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