Specialized Recreation Leader - Temporary

Pierce County; Lakewood (WA); On-site; USD 21,000 - 30,000; Part time

Job summary

Pierce County Parks and Recreation is seeking a part-time staff member to support the Specialized Recreation program for individuals with disabilities, ages 8 and up. The role is in-office at varying sites, with two schedule options including weekday 7 am–5 pm and weekend/evening hours, 4:30 pm–8 pm.

Responsibilities include planning, implementing and leading activities, attending trainings, maintaining a safe inclusive environment, and assisting participants with daily tasks onsite and in the

Qualifications

• 18 years of age or older.
• High School diploma or GED.
• Valid driver's license required within 30 days of employment.
• Be comfortable driving a 15-passenger bus.
• CPR/First Aid certification required within 30 days of employment.

Responsibilities

• Assist Coordinator & staff with planning, preparing, implementing, and leading programs and activities.
• Participate in staff meetings/trainings.
• Maintain a clean, safe, and inclusive environment throughout each activity.
• Assist participants with daily tasks onsite and within the community.
• Direct family questions and comments to appropriate avenue.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the coordinator.

Skills

Disability program experience

People of all ages

Problem solving

Organizational skills

Teamwork

Education

High School diploma or GED

Job description

• This is a part-time, 69 hours a month, temporary position and not eligible for County benefits.
• This is an in-office position. Your work site will vary, depending on the activity you are supporting.
• May be required at times to work evenings, weekends, and/or holidays.

• This program is part of our Specialized Recreation Program, designed for individuals ages 8 and up with special needs. During the school year, we primarily serve individuals aged 22 to 60. In the summer, we offer camps and programs that cater to a younger age range.
• This role typically has two schedule options, with some crossover to support programming.
  1. Weekdays, 7 am to 5 pm
  2. Weekend and evening schedule – typically evening hours between 4:30 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. and varying hours on weekends

Core Daily Responsibilities

• Assist Coordinator & staff with planning, preparing, implementing, and leading programs and activities
• Participate in staff meetings/trainings
• Maintain a clean, safe, and inclusive environment throughout each activity
• Assist participants with daily tasks onsite and within the community
• Direct family questions and comments to appropriate avenue
• Perform other duties as assigned by the coordinator

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge and experience working with people with disabilities in a recreational and/or work setting
• Knowledge and experience working with people of all ages with various needs
• Ability to problem solve, work with the public in a tactful manner, and possess organizational skills while remaining flexible
• Ability to exercise mature judgment to ensure safety and enjoyment by program participants; lead both large and small group activities; maintain effective working relationships with staff, parents and volunteers; follow written and oral directions; shifts vary

Why It's a Great Department:

Pierce County Parks and Recreation manages more than 5,200 acres of parks, trails, and open space, ranging from community hubs to natural areas. We deliver diverse recreation programs and maintain the infrastructure that supports both active play and quiet connection with nature.

Our department is made up of four divisions: Park and Recreation Operations, Business Operations, Volunteer and Resource Development, and Park Stewardship and Infrastructure Delivery, working together to serve one of the most dynamic and fast-growing regions in Washington. Guided by our mission to create livable communities, we provide opportunities for people to connect with nature, learn about sustainability, live healthy lives, and experience inclusive, thriving public spaces.

Joining Pierce County Parks means being part of a forward-thinking team that values collaboration, innovation, and community impact, where your work truly makes a difference every day.

Learn more about the Pierce County Parks and Recreation Department here.

What is Specialized Recreation?

Specialized Recreation is a program that facilitates a variety of fun, exciting, and safe social and recreational activities for people with disabilities in our community. Through camps, clubs, sports, Special Olympics, and more, we aim to provide a wide selection of accessible and inclusive opportunities.

Learn more about Specialized Recreation here.

How to be Successful in the Role:

Are you someone passionate about social activities, helping others, and planning and implementing recreation programs? If so, this may be a wonderful role for you to use your skillset and interests to support our Specialized Recreation participants. Your knowledge and experience working with people of all ages and various needs will be helpful as you lead programing for people with differing abilities. Your capacity to problem-solve, work with the public in a tactful manner, and use your organizational skills while remaining flexible, will be critical to your success.

• 18 years of age or older
• High School diploma or GED
• Must have valid driver's license required within 30 days of employment
• Be comfortable driving a 15-passenger bus
• Must have a current CPR/First Aid certification required within 30 days of employment

Preferred Qualifications

• Work or volunteer experience with individuals with disabilities is preferred (experience can be through school, family, camps, childcare, church, volunteering, or job coaching)
• Active or previous participation in a recreation programming setting is preferred (experience can be through school, camps, childcare, church, volunteering, or job coaching)

As a condition of employment, the applicant will need to authorize and complete a background check. Information received from the background check is reviewed case-by-case and will not necessarily remove an applicant from consideration.

Our Recruitment Practices:

This is a competitive and meritorious selection process. Pierce County applications are reviewed by human hiring staff in accordance with the qualifications listed for the position. Pierce County understands applicants may use AI tools when preparing application materials. We recognize these tools can make the process easier; however, we ask that everything you submit genuinely reflects your own experience, skills, knowledge, and writing style.

During the interview process, you may be asked to demonstrate your skills, including writing and subject knowledge, and to speak to your experience in your own voice. Applicants should be prepared to respond to interview questions without relying on AI-generated responses or reading prepared answers from a screen. Any misrepresentation may result in disqualification or separation.

Applicants whose qualifications most closely align with the County’s needs will be eligible for further consideration. Notification of application status typically occurs within two to three weeks after the closing date. Some applicants may receive short notice to participate in additional selection steps, which may include assessments, phone screens, or interviews.

Upon offer, compensation is based on a range of job-related factors, including the requirements of the role, your skills and experience, and internal pay equity.

Our Welcoming Workplace Commitment:

Pierce County is committed to fostering a Welcoming Workplace where employees are supported, respected, and able to thrive. We believe a strong public workforce is representative of the community it serves and that fair and just access to opportunity strengthens public service.

Guided by the County Executive’s Forward Together mission, Pierce County works to build communities that are safe, welcoming, and connected. This same commitment shapes how we recruit, develop, and retain our employees. County employees make a direct and visible impact in the lives of residents every day, and we invite you to join us in helping keep Pierce County a place people are proud to call home.