Part Time Recreation Leader II- Charles Houston

City of Alexandria; Alexandria (VA); On-site; USD 17,000 - 25,000; Part time

Job summary

City of Alexandria, Virginia, is seeking a Part Time Recreation Leader II for the Charles Houston Recreation Center to support the Out of School Time Program. This 20-hour-per-week position focuses on leading arts, sports, and cultural activities, ensuring safety, and maintaining accurate attendance records.

The role requires a High School Diploma and related experience; CPR/First Aid certification is a plus, with willingness to obtain if needed.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma required; two years related experience.
• First Aid training required.
• CPR/First Aid certification a plus; willingness to obtain.

Responsibilities

• Lead recreational, cultural, sports activities and provide instruction to participants.
• Prepare for recreational activities program plans and set up equipment.
• Maintain attendance and registration records; input data as needed.
• Follow safety guidelines and coordinate with supervisors and staff.
• Collaborate with RPCA staff to evaluate and improve programs.

Skills

First Aid

Spanish

Amharic

Youth mentorship

Teen program planning

Behavior management

Education

High School Diploma

First Aid certification

Job description

Part Time Recreation Leader II - 20 hours

Charles Houston

Join our Great City

The City of Alexandria is in Northern Virginia bordered by the District of Columbia (Potomac River), Arlington, and Fairfax counties. Once within the original boundary stones that demarked the area of the Nation’s Capital, Alexandria is a part of the greater Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. With a population of approximately 157,600 Alexandria is the sixth largest city in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Unique and historic, Alexandria is a place that is experiencing substantial redevelopment appeal and business growth opportunities because of a high market demand for urban living in a quality environment. About one-quarter of the City’s 15.47 square miles has been designated as a national or local historic district.

The City of Alexandria is an independent city with no county affiliation and derives its governing authority from a Charter granted by the Virginia General Assembly. Virginia is a Dillon Rule state, allowing local governments only the authority granted to them by the Virginia Constitution or by the Virginia General Assembly in the City Charter or in general law. City Council is the governing body, which formulates policies for the administration of the City. The mayor is chosen on a separate ballot and presides over sessions of the Council.

If you are interested in working for the vibrant City of Alexandria, we invite qualified candidates to apply for our Recreation Leader II PPT – (20-hour OSTP) position in the Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities (RPCA) at Charles Houston.

A Message from the Director

Welcome to the City of Alexandria’s Department of Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities. I am excited that you are considering joining our team. Every day, we have the privilege of serving a city that values connection, creativity, and community. Our parks, programs, and cultural spaces reflect Alexandria’s diversity and spirit, and our people are the heart of it all.

As you explore opportunities within RPCA, know that you are stepping into a department where teamwork, curiosity, and service guide everything we do. We take pride in our work, we find purpose in our impact, and we celebrate the difference each team member makes. Together, we are building something meaningful for the people of Alexandria, and I am grateful for your interest in being part of it.

Hashim T. Taylor, Director, Department of Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities

About You

You are service-minded, dependable, and take pride in your work. You bring energy, professionalism, and a sense of purpose to every task, whether maintaining a park, supporting a program, or greeting visitors.

By joining RPCA, you become part of a team that takes pride in serving Alexandria and shaping experiences that last a lifetime.

As part of RPCA, you will be expected to:

• Serve with purpose and approach each day with enthusiasm and a commitment to excellence
• Embody accountability and curiosity by taking initiative, asking questions, and seeking solutions
• Demonstrate teamwork and respect, supporting colleagues and fostering a positive, inclusive environment
• Stay responsive and reliable by being attentive, dependable, and engaged with the community
• Reflect our values through transparency, professionalism, and wholehearted dedication to service

The mission of the department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities is to create meaningful experiences that inspire community, foster creativity, and enhance the quality of life for everyone in Alexandria. The Department envisions Alexandria as a vibrant, connected, and thriving community where every resident feels a sense of belonging. Through safe, inclusive, and innovative programs and spaces, we strengthen well-being, celebrate diversity, and create opportunities for joy and discovery. Guided by equity and excellence, we are dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for all who live, work, and play in our city. The Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities received national accreditation from the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA). National accreditation requires park and recreation agencies to meet 155 standards representing elements of effective and efficient park and recreation operations.

Recreation Leader II

The Recreation Leader II – Charles Houston Recreation Center performs work in the Out of School Time Program. Recreation Leader II performs technical recreation work as a leader of recreational and cultural activities in arts and crafts, sports, games, music, drama, cooking, exercise, and field trips. An employee in this class leads assigned activities, instructs and guides participants, ensures all safety precautions and guidelines are followed, and assists higher level Recreation Leaders and Recreation Supervisors in the planning of a well-rounded recreational program. Tasks are performed under the general supervision of a Recreation Supervisor or the designated supervisor.

Illustrative Examples of Work

• Leads recreational, cultural, sports activities, and provides instruction to participants concerning activity/game methods and guidelines;
• Prepares for recreational activities program plans;
• Sets up equipment, controls crowd, stores equipment;
• Maintains participant attendance and registration records (regularly inputting data in RecTrac);
• Communicates activity status and issues encountered to higher level staff;
• Participates in staff meetings, in-service training sessions and workshops;
• Conducts ability appropriate arts/crafts, educational and enrichment programs for various groups;
• Monitors behavior, conduct and demeanor of participants and relays observations of concern to appropriate authorities to ensure all participants are safe at all times;
• Establishes and maintains productive working relationships with school officials, teachers, community group leaders and other City of Alexandria representatives;
• Serve as a positive role model and mentor for participants;
• Encourage teen involvement, leadership, and peer collaboration in programs and activities;
• Build positive relationships with teens and create a welcoming, inclusive environment
• Provides support to Recreation Coordinator, co-workers with other projects and attends mandatory and departmental meetings and trainings;
• Refers to and follows Administrative Regulations, department policies & procedures;
  • Assist in planning special events, field trips, and teen-focused initiatives;
  • Ensure proper use and care of recreation equipment and report maintenance needs;
  • Promote programs and encourage teen participation through outreach and engagement efforts;
• Collaborate with staff to evaluate programs and recommend improvements
• Provides general information, directions and referral assistance to citizens;
• Corresponds with supervisors, co-workers and citizens via emails, letters and phone conversations;
• Follows all safety regulations and prepares incident reports as necessary;
• Assists co-workers with securing the facility at the end of the business day;
  • Maintain cleanliness and organization of program areas, equipment, and supplies;
  • Performs related work as required.

Key Work Aspects of RPCA and the City of Alexandria:

Statement of Workplace Excellence - Every RPCA staff member has the right to a safe, healthy, efficient, and pleasant working environment where all organization members adhere to the highest standards of behavior, personal integrity, and truthfulness. Each staff member demonstrates full support and acts on deploying workplace excellence.

Customer Service Guarantee

– We are committed to delivering a consistently superior customer experience to all who participate in our programs or visit our parks and facilities. Service will be:

• Responsive – respond in a timely manner to all residents and customers both external and internal. We own the request we receive and do not shift responsibility.
• Professional – represent the department in appropriate appearance, decorum, and communication.
• Courteous – Treat everyone with respect. Treat everyone fairly. Treat everyone with dignity.
• Accountable – Demonstrate a bias toward action. Ensure follow-up and follow-through with appropriate results.

Our most valued assets are engaged staff members and customers.

What You Should Bring

Each member of the team is accountable for the outstanding delivery of services to the community. The ideal candidate should possess knowledge of programming and special event planning; knowledge of child development; ability to plan and direct program activities; ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, stakeholders, and the public; ability to generate interest and participation in center activities with various age groups; ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing. The ability to work independently and use judgment within established procedures; experience preparing reports; ability to organize, ability to work with a variety of staff at all levels and to handle assignments across sections of the Recreation Services Division will ensure success in this role.

High School Diploma and two (2) years of related experience or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities. First Aid training.

Experience with teen program planning, youth mentorship, or behavior management

CPR/First Aid certification or willingness to obtain upon hire. Ability to speak Spanish or Amharic is a plus.

This position requires successful completion of a criminal records background check and drug screening prior to employment.

The shift will be 2pm-6pm Monday- Friday and some Saturdays depending on event scheduled at the center.