Skills Specialist - RPS205 Recess Program

POSITION SPECIFICS

Title

Skills Specialist - RPS205 Afterschool

Department

Community Recreation

Status

Seasonal; August - June

Reports To

Program Director/Recreation Coordinator

Wage

$16/hour

Hours

Monday - Friday; 9:30am-1:30pm

Location

Ellis Elementary School & Washington Elementary School

Position Description

Supports RPS 205 Recess Programs by supervising and engaging participants in recreational activities, assisting with daily supervision and organization during meal service, and collaborating with instructors, community partners, and the Site Coordinator to ensure a safe, supportive, and fun environment for all participants.

ROCKFORD PARK DISTRICT VISION, MISSION AND LEADERSHIP BY VALUES

Agency Vision

To be the best urban parks and recreation system in North America, as measured by national standards and the citizens we serve.

Agency Mission

The Rockford Park District is in business to “help people enjoy life” by providing a quality park and recreation system.

Vision & Planning System

The District aligns itself and all its resources to achieve its purpose, vision, mission, and priorities. This successfully drives the strategic plan, operational plans, and performance goals.

Policy Management & Operations System

Every team member serves as an active contributor in the development of the team’s operational plan; develops job strategies and plans that support the team’s operational goals; identifies timetables for completion; plans daily work activities in an organized manner ensuring effective utilization of time and resources in the completion of job tasks.

Leadership by Values System

Leadership by Values can only be achieved if all team members believe in and live by these shared values: accountability, integrity, passion, agility, relationship oriented, results driven, service oriented, respectful, and innovative. While all team members share these essential values, our culture is enriched by and welcomes the diverse supporting values of its team members.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Statement

The Rockford Park District is committed and accountable to being a place where everyone is invited and belongs, as demonstrated by being an inviting, equitable, and inclusive environment, respectful of all people, embracing diversity, creating accessibility, and valuing all team members, partners and community members for their unique experiences and backgrounds.

RELATIONSHIPS TO RESULTS CULTURE

Definition

Sustained by long-term, positive, exceptional relationships with stakeholders and team members as our hallmark of success.

ONE TEAM, ONE GOAL COMMITMENT

Definition

To work together to achieve the mission, vision, and shared values of the Rockford Park District.

Connectedness

Departments are truly interconnected to support the mission and vision of the Rockford Park District.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS include the following. Other duties may be assigned

• Assist in creating and organizing specialty recreational programs at your assigned program location, for participants with and without disabilities, with the Recreation Programmer.
• Initiate and lead program activities providing direct programming and take initiative to organize activities for program, considering safety and well-being of participants.
• Supervise, monitor, and participate with participants for maximum success and enjoyment at program site.
• Set the tone for positive behavior and discipline using positive reinforcement for a safe zone/ environment for all participants following RPD code of conduct. Inform Recreation Programmer of potential past conflicts.
• Inform Program Director of supplies needed and preserve and care for equipment of the RPD.
• Take initiative to be aware of personal care and physical needs of participants and report to director.
• Make sure business transactions occur correctly and on time including, but not limited to, time cards, accident reports, logs and program evaluations as requested by the Recreation Programmer.
• Represent the Park District in a friendly and positive manner when communicating with program participants, parents/guardians, staff, and all other program visitors.
• Help enforce program policy and procedures using positive communication with program participants, parents/guardians, and staff.
• Lead, guide, and assist those enrolled in the Jr. Leaders Program with organizing activities and interacting with participants.
• Act as a bus rider as assigned.
• Be cheerful, positive, and ready to play with all participants every day.
• Attends scheduled staff meetings and training sessions as determined by the Recreation Programmer and/or Area Coordinator.
• Participate and be on time for weekly site staff meetings led by the Recreation Programmer, give feedback on program concerns and positive experiences.
• Assess and inform Recreation Programmer of site safety concerns in the play area such as: park users, play equipment, hazards, etc.
• Responsible for appropriate supervision, instruction and monitoring participants on off-site field trips as directed by the Recreation Programmer.
• Initiate and lead with Recreation Programmer daily operations such as: attendance, daily logs, opening and closing site check lists.

Education/Experience

• Must be at least 19 years of age
• Experience or interest in interacting with people with and without disabilities in a recreation setting preferred.

Critical Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions:

• Ability to provide customers with expert care, sensitive consideration and efficient service.
• Must be at least 19 years of age.
• Clear communication one-to-one or in small/large groups, using different forms of communication.
• Proficient in the skill area of program being offered and ability to adapt teaching technique considering different abilities and skill levels.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships and demonstrate flexibility as a team player.
• Must have reliable transportation.
• Provide basic training to other staff on specific area of skill responsibility.
• Ability to provide customers with expert care, sensitive consideration and efficient service.
• Good communication skills including expressive, written, and receptive.
• Ability to follow direction from Site Coordinator, Program Supervisor, and/or Recreation Specialist, demonstrating flexibility as a team player.
• Ability to work under stressful conditions, including situations involving program participants, staff conflicts and dissatisfied customers.
• Ability to problem solve in a variety of situations.
• First Aid, CPR, and AED training (can be obtained through the Rockford Park District).

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions:

• Medium work:
  • Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally
  • Exerting up to 20 pounds of force frequently
  • Exerting up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects
• This is a physically active position that involves stamina.
• Reliable transportation for weekend, evening, and holiday work as required.
• Assist occasionally with caring for physical needs of participants including toileting, transferring, or pushing participants in wheelchairs.
• May be exposed to hazardous vegetation (i.e., poison ivy) and insect bites while outdoors
• May be exposed to extreme weather conditions during camp season, particularly rain and heat.
• May be working with flammable materials for fires.
• Ability to work under stressful conditions, including situations involving program participants staff conflicts and dissatisfied customers.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions:

This position typically works within a school setting, may also be outside for a portion of program

Supports RPS 205 Recess Programs by supervising and engaging participants in recreational activities, assisting with daily supervision and organization during meal service, and collaborating with instructors, community partners, and the Site Coordinator to ensure a safe, supportive, and fun environment for all participants.