Part Time Recreation Leader III- Patrick Henry Teens

City of Alexandria, VA; Alexandria (VA); On-site; USD 21,000 - 30,000; Part time

Job summary

The City of Alexandria, Virginia is seeking a Part-Time Recreation Leader III for Teens at the Patrick Henry Recreation Center. This role involves planning and leading teen-focused activities, ensuring safety, and coordinating with a team across RPCA programs.

Strong customer service, leadership, and teamwork skills are required, with a focus on community engagement and program delivery. This position supports the City’s RPCA department and youth initiatives.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma and three years of related experience or equivalent.
• Knowledge of programming, event planning, and child development.
• Ability to develop relationships with staff, stakeholders, and the public.

Responsibilities

• Lead recreational, cultural, and teen activities.
• Prepare program plans and schedules.
• Set up equipment and manage attendance records.
• Ensure safety and follow regulations during activities.
• Collaborate with staff and community partners.

Skills

Customer service

Leadership

Communication

Teamwork

Education

High School Diploma

Job description

Part-Time Recreation Leader III

Patrick Henry Recreation Center

Teen Program

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 expressly 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 III - Teens position in the Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities (RPCA).

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 & 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 III – Teens

Recreation Leader III – Teens performs advanced-level work in the provision of a wide variety of leisure time activities to all ages and backgrounds of the community population. An employee in this class: makes presentations to the public in specialized subjects (i.e., teen programming and participates in providing City-wide teen events. Recreation Leader III ensures all safety precautions and guidelines are followed and assists higher level Recreation Leaders and Recreation Supervisors in planning a well-rounded recreational program. Work is performed with considerable independence in accordance with well established guidelines and standards under the general supervision of a Recreation Coordinator or higher-level Recreation Manager. An incumbent in this class may provide supervision to a small number of subordinate staff. Work is reviewed through observation and results attained.

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 teen 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 Division Chief, supervisor, 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

• 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 three (3) 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.