Recreation Associate - Nelson Center

Springfield Park District•Springfield, IL

12d•Onsite

About The Position

The Springfield Park District is hiring a part-time Recreation Associate for the Nelson Center. This entry-level role assists Program Coordinators, Facility Managers, and instructors with activities, guest services, customer service, point-of-sale operations, registration, and rentals. The position works at and around the Nelson Center, with regular public contact, and may sometimes support other Park District program areas or facilities. The role reports to the Business Administrator; work is performed under the direct supervision or guidance of the Nelson Center Business Manager, Lead Recreation Associate, Facility Program Supervisor, or another designee. Duties include operating cash registers and point-of-sale systems, assisting patrons with registration and admissions, processing public-skate tickets, supporting rentals and birthday parties, and preparing and cleaning up classes and activities. At the Nelson Center, the associate performs daily admission procedures for the ice rinks and swimming pool, responds to inquiries about programs, services, and rentals, and assists other staff as needed. The position also includes receptionist and office duties, customer service, and occasional supervised assistance with group activities ranging from preschool-aged children to seniors. Associates must not assume full responsibility for a group of children or participants without supervision or parental/guardian presence. Hours vary according to facility needs and may include weekdays, evenings, and weekends. Schedules are set by the Nelson Center Business Administrator or designated supervisors, who try to accommodate part-time staff availability. Applicants should provide their available days and times. Activity preparation and activity time may average more than three hours per shift. The hourly salary is $15.00.

Requirements

Must be currently enrolled in high school or have a high school diploma.
Must be able to read and write and have a good command of English.
Must have good oral and written communication skills.
Must be able to perform basic mathematics.
Must have basic proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Word.
Must be a team player and willing to work in groups.
Must demonstrate emotional maturity and respect when working with children and adults.
Must be sensitive to patrons’ and participants’ socioeconomic, cultural, ethnic, and religious backgrounds, as well as individual needs and capabilities.
Must follow direction from the Business Administrator or designated Facility Program Supervisors.
Must be able to lift 50 pounds, squat, bend, and move as necessary for the job.
Must have a valid Illinois driver’s license, unless the position is approved for a 15-year-old with identification.
Must present a neat and professional appearance.
Must live within 50 miles of the Springfield Park District Administrative Office in Illinois, or be willing to move within the stated area within the first six months of accepting the position, unless otherwise pre-approved by the Hiring Manager or Supervisor.
Must be willing to work a flexible schedule that may include weekdays, evenings, and weekends, based on facility needs.
Must not assume full responsibility for a group of children or program participants without supervision or parental/guardian presence.

Nice To Haves

Candidates age 16 or older are preferred; qualified 15-year-olds may be considered with parental permission, a work permit, and transportation to and from shifts.
Experience in babysitting, nanny positions, child-care facilities, camp counseling, receptionist work, retail, the food industry, customer service, or similar activities involving people from preschool age through seniors is a plus.

Responsibilities

Work under the direct supervision or guidance of the Nelson Center Business Manager, Lead Recreation Associate, Facility Program Supervisor, or another designee.
Complete Park District orientation, RecTrac Learning Lab, and customer service training.
Operate point-of-sale systems, handle cash, use cash registers, complete cash close-out responsibilities, and learn RecTrac and WebTrac to assist patrons with admissions, memberships, activity registration, and rentals.
Assist at front-line registration desks and with public-skate ticket processing, rentals, birthday parties, and other activities.
Set up and clean up classes, birthday parties, and other activities.
Follow facility COVID-19 rules and policies, ask COVID-19 screening questions, and take temperatures.
Provide customer service and respond to customer inquiries about Nelson Center programs, services, and rentals.
Perform receptionist and office duties, including answering and transferring calls professionally, filing, and organizing.
At times, assist with program preparation, cleaning projects, and organizing back-room activities for participants and their parent or guardian chaperones.
At times, assist with group activities for preschool-aged children through seniors under direct supervision.
Perform daily admission procedures for the Nelson Center ice rinks and swimming pool.
Assist other Nelson Center staff as assigned and when needed.
Follow Springfield Park District employee-manual policies and procedures.