Before School Recreation Counselor
Wilmette Park District
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Benefits offered by this job
Job summary
Wilmette Park District is seeking a Before School Rec Counselor to create a safe and engaging environment for children from Kindergarten to 4th Grade. This part-time position involves leading games, crafts, and enrichment activities while assisting children with homework and ensuring a positive atmosphere.
Ideal candidates should be energetic and have a genuine interest in working with children, fostering their development through planned activities and encouraging strong relationships with families.
Qualifications
- Must be at least 18 years of age.
- Previous experience working with children preferred.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
Responsibilities
- Foster a safe, welcoming environment for children.
- Lead various activities like games and crafts.
- Assist children with snack and homework.
Skills
Education
Tools
Job description
Job Location: Various - Wilmette, IL 60091
Position Type: Part Time Year Round
Salary Range: $18.00 - $21.00 Hourly
Job Shift: Day
Job Category: Recreation
The Before School Rec (BSR) Counselor is responsible for creating a safe, engaging, and inclusive environment for school-age children (Kindergarten through 4th Grade) during before‑school hours. This position is responsible for leading games, crafts, enrichment activities, and assisting with homework or structured free time. Counselors help support each child’s development through planning and leading enriching daily activities, supporting positive peer interactions, and fostering strong relationships with children and families. This position requires energy, creativity, teamwork, and a passion for working with kids in a before‑school recreational setting. This is a PT 2 position, with the benefits listed below.
- Foster a safe, welcoming, and engaging after‑school environment for children
- Lead a variety of activities, such as crafts, games, group challenges, and quiet time
- Supervise children during free play, snack time, and indoor/outdoor activities
- Assist children with snack and homework time, when applicable
- Maintain accurate attendance records and communicate daily with parents/guardians during pick‑up
- Promote and model respectful behavior, positive social interaction, and inclusion
- Collaborate and communicate effectively with team members and supervisors
- Maintain a clean, organized activity space; sanitize shared supplies and equipment
- Escort children to other scheduled activities or classes as required
- Support behavior expectations and ensure participant safety at all times
- Follow Wilmette Park District safety protocols and attend required training; assist with minor first aid when necessary
- Ability to take initiative, adapt quickly, and remain calm in dynamic situations
- Actively uphold and contribute to the Wilmette Park District Comprehensive and Strategic Plan, including the Guiding Principles and Strategic Priorities
- Actively contribute to the Park District’s sustainability goals
- Actively support the safety program that will effectively control and reduce accidents
- Obey the safety rules, regulations and procedures established by the Wilmette Park District safety program that is pertinent to the activities conducted by the department
- Become familiar with and follow safety procedures of the Wilmette Park District, including, but not limited to, fire, severe weather, and evacuation procedures
- Promptly report all unsafe actions, practices or conditions observed to the immediate supervisor, or Human Resources/Risk Management division
- Attend and participate in required safety training
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to satisfy each essential duty. 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 of the job.
- Must be at least 18 years of age
- Previous experience working with children preferred
- Ability to engage with children in a warm, supportive, and structured manner
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills
- Dependability, flexibility, and a team‑player attitude
- Ability to lead or assist with games, group activities, and small projects
- Clear decision‑making and problem‑solving skills
- Ability to work both independently and as part of a team
- Positive energy, initiative, and a genuine interest in working with children
- Must be able to lift/move up to 25 pounds
- Frequently required to stand and walk; occasionally required to sit, climb, balance, stoop, or kneel
- Exposure to cleaning and disinfecting supplies
- Noise level is generally moderate to high
- Work takes place indoors and outdoors in various weather conditions
- Must possess CPR/First Aid certificates within three months of hiring, provided by the Park District
- Complete annual District trainings, including, but not limited to, Sexual Harassment Training, Avoiding Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens annually and Mandated Reporter training every three years
The work environment characteristics described herein are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The general work area is indoors, in a smoke‑free environment, with controlled temperature and fluorescent lighting. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. The outdoor work area depends on the season.
Follows the 2026‑2027 D39 School Calendar
- Monday‑Friday: 6:45‑8:30 am
- General hours of duty will be approved by the Recreation Supervisor – School Age Programs and the Recreation General Manager
This position follows the District 39 school year calendar and does not operate on non‑school days. While there may be opportunities to pick up additional hours through special school‑day‑off programs (such as Rec on the Road or Rec at the Center), working these shifts is not required and availability is not guaranteed.
- Employee benefit: PT2, 600‑1000 hours*
- Employee family benefits
- Skating membership (employee & family)
- Pool and beach membership (employee & family)
- Beach parking decal
- Golf membership unlimited play
- Golf membership off‑peak limited play – 25% off resident rate
- Golf guest fee
- Tennis membership – 25% off resident rate
- Tennis open court time
- Tennis guest fee
- Fitness membership – 25% off resident rate
- Recreational program classes, group lessons at any park or facility, ice private lesson rental & facility rental – 25% off resident rate
- Golf/tennis pro shop discount – cost + 15%
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