Activity Leader - Youth Programs

Willamalane; Springfield (OR); On-site; USD 2,066,400 - 2,617,440; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid sick leave

Annual pay adjustments

Merit increases

Spanish/ASL competency bonus

Discounts on programs

Facilities and wellness perks

Job summary

Willamalane is seeking an Activity Leader for Youth Programs to implement developmentally appropriate activities for preschool through kindergarten children. The role emphasizes safety, positive learning environments, and supervision during recreation activities.

The ideal candidate is at least 16 years old with experience working with children and will support program leaders in delivering quality youth programming after school hours.

Qualifications

• Some knowledge of behavior management of school‑age children; planning and implementing recreational and educational activities for school‑age children.
• Ability to lead activities for children and to supervise in a classroom/recreation setting.
• Requires ability to respond to safety concerns and follow instructions.

Responsibilities

• Monitors participant safety with attendance taking and active supervision.
• Supervises children in games, songs, crafts, and events; leads activities as requested.
• Assists with program planning and setup; communicates with parents about progress.

Skills

Behavior management

Child activities planning

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

ACTIVITY LEADER - YOUTH PROGRAMS

Part‑time, Non‑exempt, non‑benefitted position

Training and Programs to begin 9/3/26

APPLICATION CLOSING DATE:

Open to Willamalane employees only through 5PM on August 3, 2026

Open until filled. Application screening will begin immediately

Desired start date by 9/3/2026

JOB DESCRIPTION:

General Statement of Duties: Facilitates and implements developmentally appropriate curriculum and enrichment activities in a classroom setting for children from preschool through kindergarten age; provides a positive learning environment that supports children's social, emotional, physical, language, and cognitive development. Develops and recommends program activities and projects; ensures safety of children who are participating in the program; does related work as required.

Distinguishing Features of the Class: An employee in this classification is responsible for ensuring the safety of children in the program while supervising and assisting children in recreation activities such as games, songs, learning activities, arts and craft projects, and special events; and for developing and recommending program activities and projects. Work is performed under the supervision of a Youth Programs Supervisor, with daily on‑site direction from a Program Leader. Supervision is not normally a responsibility of positions in this classification.

Examples of Essential Duties Performed:

(Illustrative only. Any single position of a class will not necessarily involve all of the duties listed, and many positions will involve duties that are not listed.)

• Monitors participant safety with various measures including attendance taking, active supervision, and frequent head counts. Ensures the safety of all participants at the site.
• Supervises and assists children in recreation activities such as games, songs, educational activities, arts and crafts projects, and special events; leads and directs activities as requested.
• Recommends program activities and projects to Program Leader and Recreation Coordinator.
• Assists with serving snacks; performs necessary cleanup.
• Respond to behavior concerns and implements PBIS (Positive Behavior Intervention Strategies) Administers first aid and responds to emergencies as required.
• At the direction of a Program Leader, prepares site; sets up supplies and/or equipment for activities; performs necessary cleanup.
• Responds to questions from parents and keeps them informed regarding their child’s progress/achievements.
• Adhere to the daily program schedule.
• Routine cleaning and sanitization of recreation program site and supplies.
• Completes paperwork as required.
• Reports cases of suspected child abuse to supervisor and contacts Department of Human Services as necessary.
• Performs other job‑related duties or tasks as required.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS:

Knowledge:

Some knowledge of behavior management of school‑age children; planning and implementing recreational and educational activities for school‑age children. Some knowledge of school‑age curriculum development; customer service; record keeping.

Skills:

The administration of basic first aid and CPR; leading activities for children.

Abilities:

Work successfully with children, parents and staff; deal effectively with behavioral problems of children; provide clear instructions and directions; understand and follow oral and written instructions.

Physical Demands of the Position:

The employee will frequently be required to stand and be mobile for over 70% of the work period. While performing the duties of this position the employee will frequently be required to crouch or kneel and seldom be required to bend and twist. Physical exertion and coordination is occasionally required to lift materials up to 30 pounds such as activity materials, snack foods, furniture etc. The position requires manual dexterity and coordination, for the vast majority of the work period. In performing the essential duties of this position, the employee will spend over 50% of the work period indoors and the remainder outdoors, thus exposure to heat in summer is possible. Persons with disabilities may be able to perform the essential duties of this class with reasonable accommodation. Reasonable accommodation will be evaluated on an individual basis and depends, in part, on the specific requirements for the job, the limitations related to the disability and the ability of the hiring department to accommodate the limitation.

Personal Protective Equipment:

Ability to use protective equipment required to perform job tasks as needed and as required by health and safety guidelines.

Minimum Experience and Training:

At least 16 years of age and experience in community education, parks and recreation, or related areas which include working closely with children and the general public; or any satisfactory combination of experience and training which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and ability to perform the above‑described duties.

Preferred Experience and Training:

High school graduation or equivalency and one year of experience working with children, recreation management, child development, or a related field, and two years of progressively responsible experience in a childcare, community education, recreation setting, or related area; or any satisfactory combination of experience and training which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and ability to perform the above‑described duties. Spanish speaking is preferred; a bilingual rate adjustment is contingent upon passing a proficiency test.

Necessary Special Requirements:

• First aid and CPR certification
• Oregon Food Handler Permit
• Recognizing and Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect certification (RRCAN)
• Introduction to Childcare Health and Safety certification (ICCHS)
• Foundations for Learning certification (FFL)
• Enrollment in the Oregon Central Background Registry (CBR), within 7 days of hire date.
• This job is considered safety sensitive, a drug screen test, and ability to pass a criminal background check will be required prior to employment.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Hours/Shift

Monday through Friday, 2:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. & 12:30 - 6:00 p.m. occasional Fridays.

Position follows Springfield Public Schools calendar.

Drug Free Workplace

Because this job is considered safety sensitive, a drug screen test will be required prior to employment.

Oregon Pay Equity

Willamalane Park and Recreation District determines starting pay based on the applicant's relevant education, experience and training within the wage and salary range for the position. This process is consistent with Oregon pay equity laws.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Equal Opportunity Employer

BENEFITS:

• Paid sick leave beginning with date of hire, 1 hour accrual for every 30 hours worked. Part-time staff may use sick leave beginning on their 91st day of employment.
• Annual cost of living increase (up to 4% as approved by the Board).
• Merit increase (3%) upon successful completion of the initial probationary period, and up a three percent (3%) increase annually thereafter as approved by the Board.
• Additional $1/hour increase upon successful completion of a Spanish or American Sign Language (ASL) competency test.
• Discount on selected childcare programs (see Policy Manual for restrictions).
• 50-percent discount on selected childcare program (see Policy Manual for restrictions).
• 25-percent discount on certain recreation programs.
• Free use of pools for lap and play swim for employee only. Discount for household members.
• Free use of fitness center for employee only. Discount for household members.
• Free Wellness programs for employee.
• Payroll direct deposit is available.