Recreation Leader (Community Center)

City of Lake Forest; Lake Forest (CA); On-site; USD 22,000 - 30,000; Part time

Job summary

City of Lake Forest is seeking a part-time Recreation Leader to plan and implement community recreation activities at the Community Center. You will help run classes and events, supervise participants, and assist with registrations in a fast-paced setting.

The position requires weekend/evening availability, a valid California driver license not necessarily required, and willingness to obtain First Aid/CPR/AED certification if not already held.

Qualifications

• One year of experience working with children, youth, or adult recreation activities or related work is desirable.
• Education includes equivalent to completion of the tenth grade.

Responsibilities

• Assist in teaching classes or leading recreational activities across a range of programs.
• Supervise and monitor participant behavior and enforce rules.
• Coordinate program registration and promote events.
• Prepare food/snacks for programs.

Skills

Plan recreation programs

Supervise participants

Effective communication

Education

Equivalent to completion of tenth grade

Job description

“Lake Forest, Where Work and Life Come Together Naturally.”

Come join our team of enthusiastic, hard-working, and committed individuals in the City of Lake Forest's Management Services Department! If you want to make a meaningful impact in the community you serve, the Recreation Leader position is for you!

Under general supervision, plans, organizes, supervises, and implements a community service program within a specific section of Community Services Department; and performs a variety of responsible technical duties relative to assigned program functions.

Currently there is one (1) part-time opening at the Community Center facility. This position is scheduled to work approximately 18 hours per week. Must be able to work weekends and evenings. The eligibility list established from this recruitment may be used to fill future Recreation Leader vacancies as they occur throughout the Community Services division. This is an "at-will" position. You must be 18 years of age by September 1, 2026.

The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the class.

1. Assists in teaching classes or leading a variety of recreational program activities involved in the implementation of recreation programs including city-wide special events, adult and youth sports, skate park, teen programs, senior programs, specialty classes, aquatics, camps, excursions, and related recreation activities; participates in homework assistance as necessary.
2. Supervises and monitors the behavior of activity and program participants; enforces applicable program rules and regulations.
3. Assists in the coordination of program registration; promotes events as assigned.
4. Prepares various food/snacks for assigned programs.
5. Inventories equipment and supplies; cares for and maintains all equipment issued and informs supervisor when there are hazards or equipment replacement needs.
6. Responds to and provides first aid when necessary. Documents incidents and injuries.
7. Tracks program attendance; compiles and reports statistical information.
8. Performs light maintenance duties; provides facilities oversight and set‑up during scheduled activities.
9. Maintains a safe program environment for participants and staff.
10. Organizes indoor/outdoor games, arts and crafts.
11. Works with youth to develop and build basic skills with an emphasis on learning, fun, and sportsmanship.
12. Sets up, cleans up, opens, and closes facilities for rentals.
13. Performs related duties as required.

The following generally describes the knowledge and ability required to enter the job and/or be learned within a short period of time in order to successfully perform the assigned duties.

Knowledge of:

• Basic objectives, methods, and techniques of planned recreation and leisure activities for youth and adults
• Interests and concerns of various demographic groups, including youths, adults, and seniors.
• Effective instructional techniques; arts and crafts and/or indoor and outdoor games and sports for children.
• Safe work practices.
• Group recreational and social activities; basic rules, regulations, and equipment used in various recreational activities.
• Principles and practices of record keeping.

Ability to:

• Plan and organize recreation programs for children.
• Utilize good judgment in analyzing situations carefully and adopting effective courses of action.
• Maintain cooperative working relationships with staff, residents and community organizations; work and interact with youth in a manner that fosters open communication and elicits cooperation.
• Enforce facility rules in a positive, professional manner and take appropriate corrective action when necessary.
• Work variable hours, weekends, and/or holidays
• Work independently with limited supervision.
• Maintain a safe work environment.
• Appear for work on time.
• Manage stressful situations with tact and diplomacy.
• Follow directions from a supervisor.
• Maintain records.
• Understand and follow posted work rules and procedures; accept constructive criticism.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Licenses/Certificates/Special Requirements:

• A valid Class C California Driver's License and the ability to maintain insurability under the City's Vehicle Insurance Policy.
• Possess or have the ability to obtain First Aid, CPR and AED certification.

Education/Training/Experience:

Any combination of training, education and experience which demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position.

• One year of experience working or volunteering with children, youth or adult recreation activities or work in a related field or equivalent is desirable.
• Education includes equivalent to completion of the tenth grade.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this class, the employee is regularly required to work in a field environment; to walk, stand, and sit for prolonged periods of time; to frequently stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, crawl, climb, reach, twist, grasp, and make repetitive hand movement in the performance of daily duties; to climb unusual heights on ladders; to lift, carry, push, and/or pull moderate to heavy amounts of weight; to operate assigned equipment and vehicles; and to verbally communicate to exchange information. Specific hearing abilities required by this job include hearing in the normal audio range with or without correction. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

Mental Demands

While performing the duties of this class, the employee must be able to use written and oral communication skills; read and interpret data, information and documents; interpret policies and procedures; use math and mathematical reasoning; learn and apply new information or new skills; work under deadlines with constant interruptions; and interact with the general public, outside organizations, business representatives, employees, and others encountered in the course of work, including occasionally dealing with conflict situations.

Work Environment

The employee primarily works in a standard office setting with extensive public contact and frequent interruptions. The employee may also work in outdoor field environment; travel from site to site; exposure to noise, dust, grease, smoke, fumes, solvents, toxic agents, chemicals, gases, electrical currents, and all types of weather and temperature conditions; exposure to hazardous traffic conditions; work and/or walk on various types of surfaces including slippery or uneven surfaces and rough terrain.