Program Assistant (Outdoor Recreation)

City of Durham; Durham (NC); Hybrid; USD 25,000 - 28,000; Part time

Job summary

The City of Durham Parks and Recreation is seeking staff to lead and supervise diverse recreational programs at multiple locations. You will guide activities, ensure safety, manage equipment, and support environmental education across indoor and outdoor settings.

Shifts include daytime, evening, and weekends; willingness to work varied hours is required. The role requires a high school diploma, 6 months of related experience, and completion of First Aid/CPR/AED within six months of employment.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or equivalent (GED/HiSet/TSAC).
• Six (6) months of experience in specialty area.

Responsibilities

• Performs and supervises set-up and take-down tasks, accounts for equipment needs and prepares equipment for each program.
• Interacts with participants, provides information and learning points during programs. Facilitates paddling programs, following basic instructional guidelines and ensuring the safety of participants while on the water.
• Facilitates environmental education, leading groups through educational and exploration activities at various city and state parks.
• Assists with occasional overnight camping experiences and other programs as requested by clients. Facilitates field trips for school groups.
• Maintains order and discipline, issues and collects equipment, and maintains equipment in a responsible and careful manner.
• Follows all established safety procedures and standard operating procedures to ensure the safety of participants and spectators.
• Prepares reports and maintains activity and attendance records.
• Attends and participates in staff meetings, in-service training programs, orientations, and evaluation sessions.
• Renders first aid in case of minor injury.

Skills

Outdoor recreation

Participant safety

Communication

Group leadership

Program instruction

Problem solving

Education

High School diploma or equivalent

Job description

Position Description

Work. Serve. Thrive. With the City of Durham

Advance in your career while making a real difference in the community you serve.

A nationally accredited team of passionate professionals devoted to building better lives and a better community through the power of parks and recreation. Our talented team at Durham Parks and Recreation is devoted to community service and provides a diverse range of programs, services, opportunities, and experiences while being united through our core pillars of creating equitable economic impacts; advancing conservation; rejuvenating health and wellness; enhancing quality of life and sustaining social equity.

Hourly Rate: $18.46 - $20.35/hour

Work Times/Days: Work shifts vary and may be a combination of daytime, evening, and weekend hours.

Location: Multiple Locations

Position organizes and leads participants in diverse indoor and outdoor recreational programs for the City of Durham. Incumbent may be assigned to a special skilled development area with responsibility for supervising a single recreational program, including tutoring, arts and crafts, theater, music, sports, and other athletic, cultural, or recreational activities. Incumbent leads and directs program participants in special center and community projects as well as prevention education programs. Must be available to work varying work hours, including evenings and weekends.

Duties/Responsibilities

• Performs and supervises set-up and take-down tasks, accounts for equipment needs and prepares equipment for each program.
• Interacts with participants, provides information and learning points during programs. Facilitates paddling programs, following basic instructional guidelines and ensuring the safety of participants while on the water.
• Facilitates environmental education, leading groups through educational and exploration activities at various city and state parks.
• Assists with occasional overnight camping experiences and other programs as requested by clients. Facilitates field trips for school groups.
• Maintains order and discipline, issues and collects equipment, and maintains equipment in a responsible and careful manner.
• Follows all established safety procedures and standard operating procedures to ensure the safety of participants and spectators.
• Prepares reports and maintains activity and attendance records.
• Attends and participates in staff meetings, in-service training programs, orientations, and evaluation sessions.
• Renders first aid in case of minor injury.

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• Group recreational supervision.
• Expertise in a relevant specialty area.
• Safety principles for outdoor activities.
• Proper use of relevant equipment such as compression straps, boat trailers, ropes.

Skill In

• Outdoor recreation such as boating (canoe, kayak), hiking, and environmental education.
• Management of participant safety practices during programs.
• Communicating instructions effectively to individuals and groups.
• Interacting effectively with groups of all ages and skill levels.
• Organizing and instructing programs in the prescribed specialty areas.
• Teaching basic skills to participants such as canoe stroke and putting on a Personal Floatation Device.
• Problem solving, assessing participant engagement and managing risk.
• Comfortably working at height, in an outdoor setting, and on water.
• Report writing and record keeping.

Minimum Qualifications & Experience

• High School diploma or equivalent (GED, HiSet, TSAC).
• Six (6) months of experience in specialty area.
• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• A valid Adult and Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED – with Anaphylaxis and Epinephrine Auto Injector Certification within the first six months of employment.

Additional Preferred Skills

• Comfortable swimming in lakes/rivers.
• Experience working with nature or environmental education programs.
• Comfortable working in outdoor settings that include being on or over water.
• Comfortable working with anxious or agitated clients/customers.
• Available to work on weekends, evenings and some holidays.