Recreation Specialist I - Community Programs

Fairbanks North Star Borough; United States; On-site; USD 21,000 - 26,000; Full time

Job summary

Fairbanks North Star Borough seeks a flexible, customer-focused team member to assist with senior and adaptive recreation programs at parks and facilities. The role involves evenings and weekends, helping with event setup, participant support, and safety, with a focus on accessible, welcoming activities for all ages and abilities.

The successful candidate will have grounded public interaction skills, basic math, and the ability to obtain First Aid/CPR/AED certifications within three months.

Qualifications

• Must be at least 18 years old.
• Six months of work experience dealing with the public, operating a personal computer and/or cash register, and handling cash preferred.
• Preferred: valid driver’s license and insurance proof if personal vehicle used for Borough business.

Responsibilities

• Assist with the delivery of senior, adaptive recreation, and family programs at parks, trails, and facilities.
• Support community events, equipment transport, setup/teardown, and basic facility prep.
• Provide direct assistance to participants, promoting independence and inclusion.
• Monitor safety and enforce rules respectfully.
• Assist with participant check-in/out, attendance tracking, and materials distribution.

Skills

Customer service

Public interaction

First aid

CPR

AED

Cash handling

POS system

Tools

Cash register

Personal computer

Job description

Supports the planning, setup, delivery, and supervision of inclusive recreational programs and community events for seniors, individuals with disabilities, and families. Works collaboratively with program staff to ensure activities and events held at parks and Parks & Recreation facilities are safe, welcoming, accessible, and well organized. This position frequently works evenings, weekends, and varied locations and assists with both indoor and outdoor programming. Schedule is flexible based on candidate availability.

SALARY: 2A

REPORTS TO: Recreation Program Manager

POSITIONS SUPERVISED: None

1. 1. Assist with the delivery of senior, adaptive recreation, and family programs at parks, trails, and Parks & Recreation facilities.
2. 2. Support community events and special programs, including setup, tear down, equipment transport, and basic facility preparation.
3. 3. Provide direct assistance to program participants, including individuals with disabilities, older adults, and families, while promoting independence, inclusion, and positive social interaction.
4. 4. Monitor participant safety and behavior. Enforce program and facility rules in a respectful and supportive manner.
5. 5. Respond to participant questions and needs; communicate concerns or incidents to the program supervisor.
6. 6. Assist with participant check in/out, attendance tracking, and distribution or collection of program materials.
7. 7. Provide first aid and respond to emergencies according to department policies and training.
8. 8. Support staff with leading activities, games, outings, and events appropriate for varying ages and abilities.
9. 9. Assist with the safe transportation of participants, when assigned.
10. 10. Perform custodial and cleanup duties related to program activities and events.
11. 11. Help maintain program spaces, ensuring they are clean, organized, and accessible before and after activities.
12. 12. Promote programs and events through positive interaction with the public and assistance during outreach activities.
13. 13. Follow all Parks & Recreation policies, safety procedures, and inclusion best practices.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Must be at least 18 years old.
2. Six months of work experience dealing with the public, operating a personal computer and/or cash register, and handling cash preferred.
3. PREFERRED: Ability to have and maintain a valid driver's license and to meet insurance standards and maintain insurability under the Borough's insurance program. If personal automobile is used for Borough business, proof of insurance at statutory limits must be provided. (A CURRENT COPY OF DRIVING RECORD WILL BE REQUIRED UPON REQUEST.)

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

1. Knowledge of basic math computations.
2. Ability to deal with the public in a pleasant, tactful, and courteous manner.
3. Must be able to achieve Standard First Aid, Adult CPR, and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) certifications as recognized by the American Red Cross (or equivalent) within three (3) months of hire.

OTHER

1. This position requires a criminal background check.
2. A PROFICIENCY TEST MAY BE ADMINISTERED.

JOB CONTACTS:

Frequent business contact with employees in own division, continuous, routine public contact and frequent contact involving outside organizations/agencies.

JOB RESPONSIBILITY:

Does not supervise; many minor problems daily, and an occasional major one where supervisor is usually required for help and instruction; the consequences of error, carelessness or mistaken judgment require minimal effort to recover.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

A recreational facility where conditions are pleasant; good, clean conditions where accidents/hazards are negligible; requires short periods of moderate lifting, pushing or pulling (26-50 lbs.).

This position falls under the Borough's Blood Borne Pathogen (BBP) Exposure Control Program as it is reasonably anticipated that infrequent exposure to blood or other bodily fluids may occur while performing some job duties.