Program Assistant, Senior (Mature Adults)

City of Durham; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 28,000 - 30,000; Part time

Job summary

The City of Durham Parks and Recreation seeks an enthusiastic recreation staff member to assist with indoor and outdoor programs, including planning, registration, and supervision of activities. The role emphasizes strong customer service, safety, and collaboration with schools and community partners.

Responsibilities include facility operations, data entry, reporting, and promoting inclusive programs for diverse communities, including translation duties when needed.

Qualifications

• Experience providing customer service in a recreational setting.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish for outreach activities.
• High school diploma or GED required.

Responsibilities

• Assist in planning, organizing, and supervising recreational activities.
• Open/close facilities and monitor rentals and programs.
• Collect fees, maintain records, and prepare reports.
• Engage with participants and partners, and support community outreach.

Skills

Customer service

Public interaction

Bilingual English/Spanish

Education

High School diploma or equivalency

Tools

Active.net software

Job 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: 20.06 - $22.11/​hour

Work Times/Days: Shifts vary between Monday-Friday 9:00 am-4:00 pm, with some evenings and weekends required

Position assists in the development and implementation of diverse indoor and outdoor recreational programs for the City to meet community needs. Incumbent assists in the planning, organization, and supervision of various athletic, cultural, and recreational activities, opens and closes facilities, monitors facilities for rentals, and leads athletic and cultural activities. Responsibilities include organizing positive alternative and preventive education projects; maintaining discipline; registering participants and collecting fees; coordinating, analyzing, and utilizing a variety of reports and records; and maintaining partnerships with local schools, non‑profit organizations, and private entities. Communication with program participants, families, and representatives of community agencies, and the public is a major component of the duties of this position. Individual may also assist in promoting and coordinating specific activities and programs by distributing flyers and brochures, participating in public engagement meetings and events, and serving on committees. Incumbent may assist supervisor in training, assigning, supervising, and evaluating other part‑time recreation staff and volunteers.

Incumbent must be available to work varying hours, including evenings and weekends.

When assigned to the Culture and Community unit

of Parks and Recreation, incumbent will assist with improving engagement and service for our Latino community.

• Monitors and supervises various recreational activities in multiple spaces simultaneously.
• Develops and implements programs for diverse groups, determines demographics and objectives, and sets the time and date the program will be offered.
• Researches and gathers resources for programs, maintains inventory, and orders supplies.
• Oversees facility operations and maintenance, opens, and closes the facility, and supervises field rentals.
• Ensures participants and patrons have an exemplary customer service experience by addressing questions, answering phone calls, and assisting with requests.
• Becomes well‑versed in department structure and offerings to give accurate and correct information for any inquiry and direct patrons to appropriate staff members.
• Enters data such as user information and program registrations into the Active.net recreation software system.
• Maintains division records, prepares contracts, vendor forms, time sheets, attendance reports, calendars, and may assist in developing and proposing operating budgets.
• Prepares a daily cash report, obtains needed staff signatures, and prepares collected funds for deposit.
• Performs safety and security inspections and submits necessary work order requests to supervisor.
• Completes accident and incident reports for staff and participants.
• Collaborates with law enforcement to promote safety and security in the facility, determines when to conduct drills and initiates lockdown procedures as needed.
• Conducts assigned surveys for program evaluation.

Positions assigned to the Culture and Community unit of Parks and Recreation will also be responsible for translation of written and oral communications (English to Spanish and Spanish to English).

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• Group recreational planning.
• Philosophy and objectives of group recreation and physical education.
• Community awareness and dynamics.
• Gang awareness. § Relevant technology and office machines.
• Best practices for handling money.

SKILL IN:

• Interacting positively with the public.
• Communicating effectively with varied age groups including teens and seniors.
• Planning and coordinating recreational activities and events.
• Behavior management and conflict resolution.
• Organization and facility management.
• Participating in community outreach.
• Exercising initiative and good judgment.
• Report writing and record keeping.
• Cash handling.

Required Qualifications

• High School diploma or equivalency (GED, HISet, TASC).
• Two (2) years of experience working with diverse groups in a recreational setting, supervising activities, and providing customer service.
• Must be at least 21 years of age.
• Valid North Carolina Class C Driver’s License with a satisfactory driving record.
• Valid Adult and Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED - with Anaphylaxis and Epinephrine Auto Injector Certification within six months of hire.

For positions assigned to Latino Outreach

employee must be Bilingual in English and Spanish.

• Experience creating and implementing activities for persons with disabilities and mature adults.
• Available to work day time hours, weekends and evenings.
• Comfortable working with people of all ages, with disabilities, and from different cultural groups.