Recreation Instructor

King County, WA; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 25,000 - 39,000; Part time

Job summary

King County Parks Division seeks part-time Recreation Instructors to lead structured and drop-in classes for teens and community participants at Steve Cox Memorial Park and West Hill Community Center. Work includes indoor and outdoor settings, weather contingencies, and serving as a positive role model for youth.

Candidates should have classroom management and strong organizational skills, enjoy working with youth, and be passionate about their subject.

Qualifications

• Experience teaching, coaching, or instructing in areas like dance, music, art, cooking, or sports.
• Ability to work with teens and the general public in a positive, professional manner.
• Must be 18 years of age.

Responsibilities

• Assist in planning, organizing, and delivering recreation program instruction across multiple activities.
• Interact with participants in a positive, respectful manner and serve as a role model.
• Promote programs and recruit youth participants.
• Maintain attendance records and set up/take down equipment.
• Enforce program rules and King County policies to ensure a safe environment.
• Represent King County Parks professionally when interacting with youth, parents, and partners.

Skills

Classroom management

Youth engagement

Organization

Communication

Job description

Summary

In addition to the current opening, this recruitment may be used to establish a pool of qualified candidates to fill future Recreation Instructor short -term temporary opportunities within the Parks and Recreation Division over the next six months.

About the Role

We are seeking Recreation Instructors including Visual and Performing Arts Instructors as well as Health and Fitness Coaches to assist with structured and drop-in classes and programs for teen and community participants at Steve Cox Memorial Park in White Center and West Hill Community Center in Skyway. Candidates should have knowledge of classroom management, strong organization skills, enjoy working with youth/teens, and have a passion for the subject they teach. Work will be performed both indoors and outdoors and in inclement weather.

About the Team

Joining our team means becoming part of a mission-driven organization that values equity, diversity, and inclusion. At the White Center Recreation Office, we enhance recreational opportunities for underserved and under-resourced communities, creating meaningful partnerships and positive experiences. By leading programs that bring joy, learning, and activity to our customers, you’ll leave a lasting impact on the youth and families we serve. If you’re ready to work in a welcoming, dynamic environment where your passion and creativity will thrive, we encourage you to apply today!

Check Us Out On Our Socials

• Website: Wcteenprogram.org
• Facebook: White Center Teen Program
• Youtube: White Center Teen Program
• Instagram: @atthelogcabin

Commitment to Equity, Racial and Social Justice

King County, named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., is a diverse and vibrant community that represents cultures from around the world. We prioritize equity, racial and social justice, making it a foundational and daily expectation for all employees. As a Recreation Instructor you will actively apply these principles in all aspects of your work. Learn more about our commitment at http://www.kingcounty.gov/equity.

at the King County Parks Division of the King County Department of Natural Resources & Parks (DNRP). Join our talented workforce in protecting and restoring the natural environment and promoting more resilient, sustainable, and equitable commu

Job Duties

• Assist in planning, organizing, and delivering recreation program instruction, including activities such as dance, music, art, cooking, soccer, and volleyball.
• Interact with participants in a positive, respectful, and supportive manner, consistently demonstrating appropriate behavior and serving as a positive role model.
• Proactively address and de-escalate conflicts among youth to maintain a safe and supportive environment.
• Proactively promote the program and enthusiastically recruit youth participants.
• Maintain accurate attendance records for all program activities.
• Set up equipment for program activities and clean and store equipment at the end of the program.
• Enforce Teen Program rules and King County policies and procedures to ensure a safe, respectful, and compliant environment.
• Represent King County Parks in a professional and respectful manner when interacting with youth, parents, school and agency personnel, and community members.

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

• Experience teaching, coaching, and/or providing instruction within a specific area of expertise, such as soccer, dance, cooking, etc.
• Communicate effectively and work collaboratively with teens, the general public, and coworkers.
• Demonstrated knowledge of safety protocols and the ability to consistently apply them to the subject matter.
• Ability to identify and address emergency situations promptly and appropriately.
• Demonstrated experience delivering high-quality customer service, including responding to inquiries, resolving concerns, and maintaining positive relationships with customers.
• Must be 18 years of age.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to work outdoors in all types of weather as needed.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to assist with program set-up and take-down.
• May require lifting, bending, and/or reaching.

Competencies You Bring

• Customer Focus: Building strong customer relationships and delivering customer-centric solutions.
• Balances Stakeholders: Anticipating and balancing the needs of multiple stakeholders (students).
• Collaborates: Building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives.
• Values Differences: Recognizing the value that different perspectives and cultures bring to an organization.
• Communicates Effectively: Developing and delivering multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences.

Required Licenses/Certifications

• Maintenance of current CPR and First Aid certifications, or willing to certify within 6 months.

It Would Be Great If You Also Bring

• Bilingual communication skills.

Supplemental Information

Working Conditions

• Work Locations: Steve Cox Memorial Park, located at 1321 SW 102nd St, Seattle, WA 98146; West Hill Community Center, located at 12010 71st Ave S, Seattle, WA 98178
• Work Schedule: This part-time position works 4-10-hours per week depending on programming needs. This position is covered under the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and is overtime eligible.
• Union Representation: This position is not represented by a union.

Application and Selection Process

We welcome applications from all qualified applicants. We value diversity, diverse perspectives and life experience and encourage people of all background to apply.

Application materials will be screened for clarity, completeness and alignment with the experience, qualifications, knowledge, and skills essential for this role to determine which candidates may be invited to participate in one or more panel interviews.

King County's Vision, Mission, and ACTIVATE Values unite us

King County serves residents with a relentless sense of urgency, delivering on commitments with transparency and accountability. We are action-oriented, creative problem solvers who collaborate across roles, engage directly with communities, and challenge the status quo to achieve meaningful impact. As a unified team, we uphold high ethical and stewardship standards, embrace change, stay curious, and continuously improve. Across all interactions, we listen first, act quickly, and stay aligned as a team to earn and sustain public trust. Learn more about our Vision, Mission, and ACTIVATE Values here and visit our Why work at King County page here.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer

No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on sex, race, color, national origin, ethnicity, religious affiliation, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age except by minimum age and retirement provisions, pregnancy, status as a family caregiver, parental status, marital status, military status or status as a veteran who was honorably discharged or who was discharged solely as a result of the person's sexual orientation or gender identity or expression, citizenship or immigration status, genetic information, or other protected class. However, to the extent that distinction or differential treatment on the basis of citizenship or immigration status is authorized by either federal or state law, regulation, or government contract, it is not an unfair practice.

Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.

This position is not eligible for King County leave, holiday, insured, or other benefits. Please contact the recruiter on the posting for any additional questions regarding associated benefits.