Recreation Specialist - Licensed Program (Sun Camp)

CITY OF WHEAT RIDGE•Wheat Ridge, CO

2d•$19 - $24

About The Position

GENERAL PURPOSE: Responsible for implementing a youth summer camp program for children ranging from 6 to 13 years of age. 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!

Requirements

Applicants must be 18 years or older.
American Red Cross Infant/Child/Adult CPR, AED, First Aid, Standard Precautions and Medication Administration certifications are required before the start of camp.
A background check from the Colorado Bureau of Investigations and fingerprinting is required at your expense.
One (1) year (minimum of 455 hours) experience in the group care of children. If training includes related bachelor’s degree, no experience required. or any equivalent combination of training and experience that provides evidence that the applicant possesses the required knowledge, skills and abilities.
Degree in Recreation, Early Childhood Education, Child Development or related field; bachelor’s preferred.
Handle confidential information; work from broad direction with limited supervision; work with, instruct and supervise children ages 6 to 13 years; work well with culturally diverse people; establish and maintain effective working relationships; work well with varied and demanding people; establish and maintain effective working relationships; respond appropriately in emergency situations; communicate effectively; organize activities, address multiple demands, and meet deadlines; organize tasks and working environment to maximize efficiency; adapt to interruptions, equipment failures, unusual demands, or changing priorities; read, understand, and apply technical manuals, complex analytical methods, and research reports; understand and follow instructions and procedures; safely operate a motor vehicle.
Candidates must possess basic swimming skills and be comfortable supervising and participating in water-related activities.
Ability to drive effectively during daytime and nighttime hours, and to read and follow a road map.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with participants with disabilities preferred; or any equivalent combination of training and experience that provides evidence that the applicant possesses the required knowledge, skills and abilities.

Responsibilities

Plan and implement classes, activities, specialty classes, events as assigned for participants including, but not limited to, arts and crafts, sports and games, outdoor recreation, team-building activities, creative play, and special event programming.
Maintain control of the classroom environment; provide a safe environment for participants; monitor the safety of activities and facilities; use all required safety equipment, take proper safety precautions, anticipate unsafe circumstances, and act accordingly to prevent accidents.
Administer prescription and/or over-the-counter medications.
Prepare program materials, equipment and other necessary items; organize related equipment; inspect equipment to ensure safety and cleanliness; may be required to set up and break down materials used for instruction.
Provide a safe and fun environment in which both participants, as well as parents, feel comfortable.
Provides feedback regarding programs, events and classes and makes suggestions for improvement.
Develop positive relations with customers and provide information concerning facility and program(s) to participants and parents.
Maintain a variety of records, including registrations, reservations, permission slips, purchasing, accidents, vandalism, medical records, and evaluations.
Work is performed in accordance with established licensing procedures and well-defined standard practices.
Perform related work as required and assigned.
Drives city-owned vehicles or passenger vans 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 vehicles are 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.
Gives oversight to assigned staff and assists in evaluation and disciplinary processes.