Activity Center Assistant Leader – Therapeutic Recreation/Special Needs

FHLB Des Moines; Virginia Beach (VA); On-site; USD 26,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive wages

Career training

Varied paid holidays

Personnel leave

Beach FCU

Job summary

Virginia Beach Parks and Recreation seeks a program leader to support inclusive recreation for individuals with disabilities. You will work with a team to provide safe, legendary experiences and promote healthy lifestyles in our community.

The role requires at least a high school diploma or GED, with opportunities for training and career growth within the department. Scheduling will vary and may include evenings and weekends.

Qualifications

• Must be at least 18 years old.
• High school diploma or GED plus three months of related experience with individuals with disabilities.
• Some locations require a current and valid driver’s license.
• Criminal history checks and TB screening may be required.

Responsibilities

• Facilitate inclusion of individuals with special needs in recreation programs.
• Assist participants with activities of daily living (ADL’s).
• Foster friendships among participants.
• Communicate with parents and participants about progress.
• Handle emergencies to prevent injuries.
• Assist with reports and special events.

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

Job Posting End Date: September 21, 2026 Department: PARKS AND RECREATION Compensation Grade: H3051 Compensation Range & Starting Salary: Pay Range : $19.13 - $22.96 Starting Part Time Hourly Rate : $19.13 Average up to 27 hours per week. Job Exempt (If No, Position is eligible for overtime): No Scheduled Weekly Hours: 27

About Us:

At Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation, our success is because of our dedicated employees. We are intentional about creating an employee experience where you are empowered to reach your full potential, are supported through strength-based initiatives, and are confident in your abilities. We champion a workplace culture built on our cultural foundations: Professionalism, Respect, Accountability, Integrity, and Citizenship. These guiding principles of behavior cultivate a positive and high performing work environment. Success is recognized and celebrated, and legendary experiences are the core of who we are.

Job Duties and Preferred Qualifications:

Our Commitment Work with the best – work for Virginia Beach Parks and Recreation! Join our team and contribute to our 60+ year track record of providing legendary experiences! We are dedicated to promoting healthy lifestyles and protecting our environment. We ensure all residents – regardless of their physical, social, and economic circumstances – can access our programs. By providing enriching and memorable lifelong experiences, we strive to enhance the quality of life for our community by improving the physical and mental well-being of our residents.

Day to Day Job Duties

The duties will include but not be limited to:

• Function as part of a team to facilitate the inclusion of individuals (preschool, youth, teen and adult populations) with special needs in recreation programs using adaptive techniques to provide safe and legendary experiences.
• Assists participants with activities of daily living (ADL’s) and self-help skills such as toileting, feeding, changing clothes, and diapering as needed.
• Facilitate Friendships with other program participants
• Utilize behavior management techniques to ensure the safety of staff and participants.
• Communicate with parents and participants in order to convey essential information and/or participant progress
• Handle emergencies as they arise in order to prevent injury/incident
• Assist with the preparation of reports
• Assist with special events and field trips
• Some positions/programs may require driving city vehicles to transport participants
• Review and interpret confidential participant files in order to provide safe, effective services
• Substitute in other programs to assure sufficient staff to participant ratios
• Perform other job duties requiring skills, knowledge and physical requirements as demanded by those duties described or less.
• Individual assignments will be determined by the supervisor based on the current workloads and department needs.

Preferences

In addition to the minimum requirements, the ideal candidate for this position will have experience listed in the preferences below. Candidates with the preferred experience should ensure the information is provided in the application. Recreation/Programming Experience Special Needs Experience The individual selected for this position will be housed at a primary site but may be scheduled between other park sites/facilities. Schedules will be adjusted seasonally and will vary weekly based on events, facility coverage, and weather. Total hours Part Time Hours - Average scheduled hours up to 27 hours per week.

Sample Schedules

• Summer Therapeutic Recreation Program – Monday – Friday 8:00 am to 4:00 pm.
• Fall/Winter/Spring Therapeutic Recreation Programs – varied by program/class schedules many evenings/weekends
• Summer Inclusion Service Positions – Monday – Friday 8:00 am – 1:00 pm or 12:00 – 5:00 pm.
• Fal/Winter/Spring Inclusion Services- After school and/or class/program schedule

This position could provide direct childcare licensed by the State Licensing standards. Convictions of any barrier crime set forth in Virginia Code 63.2-1719 shall be automatic disqualification for employment for this position.

Training Starters

As a condition of employment, all employees must attend: P&R Connection (Department Orientation). If selected for the position, you will be provided an approximate training date at the time of hire. Training is held from 8:30am-5:00pm, every other Friday, at the Parks & Recreation Administration Building. When an exemption is permittable, a hybrid version of the training is available, but will require training attendance on a weekend. OST New Employee Orientation trainings that run Monday through Thursday in the afternoon and evenings. Other trainings as required.

The Perks

• Competitive wages
• Training/Mentoring for career advancement
• Varied Paid Holidays
• Personnel Leave
• Beach Municipal Federal Credit Union
• Deferred Compensation Plans
• Employee Assistance Program
• Maternity/Paternity/Parental Care Leave

Additional requirements:

• DMV Transcript: No
• CDL: No
• Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse: No
• CPS Check: Yes
• Physical: No
• Respirator: No
• Psychological Screening: No
• Polygraph: No
• At Will: No

Minimum Qualifications: Must be at least 18 years old. High school diploma or GED plus three (3) months of related experience as a program leader working with individuals with disabilities; such as a personal assistant/attendant, youth leader, mentor, camp counselor, teacher/substitute, coach, recreation program leader, church youth leader, scout leader, or child care provider, either in a paid or volunteer capacity or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities. Some locations will require a current and valid driver’s license. At programs providing direct childcare, conviction of any barrier crime set forth in Virginia Code 63.2-1719 shall be an automatic disqualification for employment in this position. At childcare program locations licensed by the Virginia State Department of Social Services additional qualifications are determined by the current state standards and guidelines.

Special Requirements:

All employees may be expected to work hours in excess of their normally scheduled hours in response to short-term department needs and/or City-wide emergencies. Must be able to work rotating shifts (days/evenings/midnights) including weekends and holidays and be available to work overtime when required to meet operational needs. As a condition of employment, all new employees must have a criminal history record investigation, take TB Screening, and attend mandatory training.

Skills:

Working Conditions: Per HR Policy 6.19, Americans with Disabilities, the City follows the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in all hiring and employment decisions. The City shall not discriminate on the basis of disability in its hiring and employment practices. The City shall make reasonable accommodations for the known physical or mental limitations of a qualified applicant or employee with a disability upon request unless the accommodation would cause an undue hardship on the operation of the City’s business.

Official Job Descriptions:

To browse official job descriptions, please access this link - https://virginiabeach.gov/careers/job-descriptions-pay-plans?search=&group=E

VRS Contribution:

All full-time employees are required to contribute 5% of annual salary toward their retirement account; in accordance with VRS retirement provisions. This will be handled through a pre-tax payroll deduction.

Drug Free Workplace:

The City of Virginia Beach maintains a drug free workplace.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Statement:

The City of Virginia Beach is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing a diverse and inclusive work environment. We do not discriminate against any applicant or employee on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected status as defined by applicable law. The City of Virginia Beach boasts a diverse workforce of around 7,500 employees dedicated to delivering outstanding government services. Our team is guided by core values of quality customer service, teamwork, leadership and learning, integrity, commitment, and inclusion and diversity.

Virtual Q&A:

Have questions about current job opportunities, the hiring process or benefits with the City of Virginia Beach? Join our virtual Q&A every Thursday from 11:00AM – 1:00PM. Ask questions, get answers, and take the next step in your career.