Special Recreation Program Assistant

Olparks; Oak Lawn (IL); On-site; USD 17,000 - 22,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Program discounts

Free fitness facilities access

Job summary

Oak Lawn Park District is hiring a Special Recreation Program Assistant in Oak Lawn, IL. This part-time position supports weekly social and sports programs, including Special Olympics, and requires compassion, energy, and the ability to engage participants with disabilities.

The role emphasizes safety, teamwork, and effective communication, with incentives including staff discounts and free facility access. Training in CPR/AED and First Aid is required.

Qualifications

• Must be at least 16 years of age.
• Experience with children, teens, and adults with disabilities preferred.
• Ability to supervise and participate in programs with participants.
• Creative delivery of recreation activities.
• Excellent communication with children, public, parents and staff.
• Ability to work independently and in a team.
• Quick thinking and patience when needed.

Responsibilities

• Assist with various social and sports programs held throughout the week.
• Act in a professional, responsible, and respectful manner with participants and staff.
• Actively lead activities to ensure a fun and inclusive environment.
• Communicate effectively with participants, parents, coworkers and supervisors.
• Maintain safety awareness at all times.
• Complete trainings including CPR/AED & First Aid, Mandated Reporter, Sexual Harassment.
• Demonstrate flexibility to work at multiple sites or schools as needed.
• Adhere to Oak Lawn Park District rules and policies.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Supervision

Communication

Teamwork

Creativity

Patience

Adaptability

Job description

NOW HIRING: Special Recreation Program Assistant

Are you looking for a fun, rewarding, and highly engaging part-time position that gives back to the disability community? The Oak Lawn Park District Special Recreation Department is seeking high-energy, compassionate individuals to assist with our weekly social and sports programs, including Special Olympics programming.

INCENTIVES:

Part time employees receive 25% off general programs with the exception of PDNA, contracted, trips and private lessons. In order to encourage a healthy lifestyle for our staff members, the Park District provides all staff with the opportunity to use our fitness facilities at the Community Pavilion and the Racquet, Fitness and Gymnastics Center free of charge.

ABOUT US:

The Oak Lawn Park District, incorporated in 1944, has a long and proud history of serving the recreational needs of our 56,000 residents with a myriad of recreational programs and services. We operate under the state tax cap as a municipal corporation, meaning we are our own taxing body. Overseen by a Board of five elected officials, the District manages a combination of 34 parks and facilities which cover over 280 acres. In addition, we manage a Special Recreation Cooperative that offers recreational programs and services to individuals with disabilities in 9 municipalities.

The Oak Lawn Park District is an equal opportunity employer. Equal access to programs, services and employment is available to all persons. Those applicants requiring accommodations to the application and/or interview process should contact a representative of the Personnel Department.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Must be at least 16years of age.
• Experience in working with children, teens, and adults with disabilities preferred.
• Ability to effectively supervise and participate in programs with participants.
• Ability to be creative in delivery of recreation activities.
• Understand and exhibit behavior consistent with stated values of the Oak Lawn Park District.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to work well with children, the general public, parents and fellow staff members.
• Ability to work both independently, as well as in a team/group setting.
• Quick thinking skills, as well as patience when needed.

IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR

Special Recreation Supervisor

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Assist with various social and sports programs held throughout the week
• Act in a professional, responsible, and respectful manner at all times when interacting with participants, parents/guardians, and coworkers
• Actively lead activities and engage participants to ensure a fun and inclusive program environment
• Communicate effectively with participants, parents/guardians, coworkers, and supervisors
• Maintain awareness of surroundings to ensure participant safety at all times
• Complete and maintain required trainings, including CPR/AED & First Aid, Mandated Reporter, Sexual Harassment, and any additional trainings assigned before or during employment
• Demonstrate flexibility to work at multiple sites or schools as needed
• Adhere to and enforce Oak Lawn Park District rules and policies
• Perform other duties as assigned

PHYSICAL CONSIDERATIONS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to speak and listen. The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, and use hands to handle or feel. The employee is occasionally required to sit, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and or/move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral perception, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential responsibilities of this job.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS

May be required to work during various weather conditions, from winter cold to summer heat.

COGNITIVE CONSIDERATIONS

Must have the ability to read, write, and organize materials. Also, must have good problem solving and communication skills. Must be able to supervise others and have good safety awareness.