Recreation Leader, Licensed Program (Seasonal)

Wheat Ridge was founded during the 1859 Gold Rush as a rest stop for miners and later named for its golden wheat fields. As unsuccessful miners turned to farming, the area thrived with orchards, vegetable fields, and later, greenhouses, earning the title “Carnation City.” Incorporated in 1969, Wheat Ridge now offers a central location with easy access to Denver and the Rocky Mountains. It operates as a home-rule city with a council-manager government, where the elected council sets policy, and the manager oversees daily operations and budgeting.

CORE VALUES: The City of Wheat Ridge is committed to excellence and ACTION!:

• Accountability: Employees take responsibility for their actions, decisions, and recommendations and are accountable to each other and the community

• Change: Adapts to changing organizational needs, conditions, and work responsibilities.

• Teamwork: Employees value teamwork as a collaborative effort, with each person contributing unique skills, knowledge, and training to achieve common goals.

• Integrity: Employees uphold the highest ethical standards, recognize the importance of public and customer trust and adhere to the values of the organization.

• Opportunity: Employees are empowered to grow professionally, develop best practices, and seek challenges to advance the City.

• NOW!: Employees are proactive, timely, and efficient in responding to the needs of the organization and the community – NOW!

GENERAL PURPOSE:
Responsible for leading participants, with and without disabilities, in a variety of activities, events and classes. This position may assist with various administration duties.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Plan and implement classes, activities, specialty classes, events as assigned for participants.
• Develop lesson plans for activities and purchase supplies/equipment needed.
• Provide a safe and fun environment in which patrons, as well as parents, feel comfortable.
• Provide corrective action as needed and actively participate in activities attached to program, event or class.
• Develop positive relations with customers and provide information concerning facility and program(s) to participants and caregivers.
• Evaluate programs and provide for promotion of programs as needed.
• Provide support in a variety of office tasks such as answering phones, data entry, and promotional types of activities.
• Provides feedback regarding programs, events and classes and makes suggestions for improvement.
• Perform related work as required and assigned.
• Depending on assignment, duties may include:
• Drives city-owned vehicle or passenger van as assigned to and from destinations. Operates assigned motor vehicles safely and obeys all applicable traffic laws.
• Conducts pre and post trip inspections of assigned vehicles and completes a safety checklist. Reports any vehicle performance or maintenance issues to supervisor. Ensures vehicle is ready for use including, but not limited to, obtaining keys, filling with gas, and cleaning vehicle upon return. Organizes boarding procedures and provides aid to all passengers entering and exiting the vehicle.
• Participates in and guides activities that can include but is not ‘limited to hiking, swimming, and other physical fitness related events.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS:

• Knowledge of assigned program, equipment and facilities used; necessary safety requirements and procedures; public relations techniques; working knowledge and understanding of public relation skills and techniques.
• Working knowledge of laws relating to the operation of motor vehicles that transport passengers.
• Teaching knowledge of various ages is preferred.
• Ability to communicate effectively and diplomatically with participants, caregivers, co-workers and general public and react quickly and correctly in emergency situations.
• Instruct and oversee a large group, lead games and/or activities, enforce safety regulations firmly, analyze situations quickly and objectively and determine proper course of action.
• Express ideas clearly and concisely and establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Ability to safely and legally drive a 15-passenger van under various conditions as while as while multiple distractions and stressful situations are occurring
• Ability to drive effectively during daytime and nighttime hours, and to read and follow a road map
• High School diploma or equivalent; Associate’s degree in recreation or related field preferred.
• Experience working with individuals with physical and developmental disabilities is preferred or any equivalent combination of training and experience that provides evidence the applicant possesses the required knowledge, skills and abilities.
• American Red Cross Infant/Child/Adult CPR, AED and First Aid certifications are required within 60days of hire. Medication Administration certification may be needed at employer’s expense for licensed camp position; valid Colorado driver’s license or must obtain within thirty (30) days from hire.
• For the City’s licensed youth camp program, incumbent(s) must be 18 years of age and have 480 hours verifiable experience working with school age children, (e.g., Sunday school, scouts, sports, babysitting, or recreation programs).
• A background check from the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, fingerprinting and Universal Precautions certification are required at your expense. Contractual employees will be required to provide necessary supplies and/or equipment.
• Verification of employment, driving record, and required education and certifications will be completed.

HOURS OF WORK, LOCATION, AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The position is part-time, and hours will vary according to program needs. Work is performed primarily in a standard office environment and in program areas that may include gymnasiums, activity rooms and at outdoor areas and facilities. Work involves working closely with others, hearing, speaking, writing, and intermittently sitting, standing, and walking. Occasional lifting, pulling, pushing, and carrying objects weighing up to and over 50 lbs., reaching, bending, crouching or stooping, twisting, squatting; may require the use of tools or equipment requiring a degree of dexterity; requires reading, detailed work, problem solving, reasoning, customer contact. Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing, manage multiple concurrent tasks. The work environment may involve occasional exposure to noise, heat, cold, wetness and humidity. Must be able to operate: telephone, copier, athletic supplies, arts and crafts supplies, cleaning supplies and game equipment; may be required to operate personal computer and other office equipment. Depending upon assignment, must be able to drive 15-passenger van and operate city gas pumps.

The City of Wheat Ridge is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and inclusivity and do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, disability status, marital status or any other applicable characteristics protected by law, unless related to a bona fide occupational qualification. The City of Wheat Ridge will consider reasonable accommodations for employment to qualified applicants upon request to the Human Resources Office.

This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of qualifications, skills, efforts, duties, responsibilities, or working conditions associated with the position.