Program Assistant

Work. Serve. Thrive. With the City of Durham.Advance in your career while making a real difference in the community you serve. A nationally accredited team of passionate professionals devoted to building better lives and a better community through the power of parks and recreation. Our talented team at Durham Parks and Recreation is devoted to community service and provides a diverse range of programs, services, opportunities, and experiences while being united through our core pillars of creating equitable economic impacts; advancing conservation; rejuvenating health and wellness; enhancing quality of life and sustaining social equity.Hiring range: $20.06 - $23.22/hour Hours/Shift: Up to 20 hours per week based on availability; Shifts are 2:30 pm-6:00 pm Monday-Friday during the school year; Intersession / Fun day camps 7:30 am- 6:00 pm; Summer Camp 7:30 am- 6:30 pm; Some evenings and weekends required.Position prepares, organizes, and supervises facilitation of School Age Care program activities and games. Incumbent leads part-time staff, provides direct input on daily schedules, and assists with program development. Responsibilities include drafting reports, maintaining supply inventory, entering attendance, group coverage and providing onsite support for staff in place of supervisor. Incumbents are expected to physically engage with participants during indoor and outdoor activities such as local hikes, swimming, athletic field games and activities, and gym/playground games and activities.Incumbent maintains regular communication with parents concerning general updates, behavior issues, and other information pertinent to participants.Duties/ResponsibilitiesPrepares, implements, and leads games and recreational activities for children.Assists participants with completion of homework tasks using available resources.Interacts with participants, listens to concerns, and works to offer a fun and engaging environment.Recognizes and responds to opportunities for group and individual problem solving.Provides behavior management, adjusts as needed to mitigate issues, completes write-ups, and escalates problems to supervisor as needed.Documents and submits incident and accident reports to program supervisor.Collaborates with supervisor, other staff, and volunteers to conduct activities.Assists with the development of daily schedules, coordinates space, identifies resources and plans developmentally appropriate activities.Assists with personal care, mobility, communication, and other basic needs.Assists with employee training, observes and evaluates staff, and plans and leads staff meetings to provide opportunities for feedback.Helps to assure adherence to program objectives and state licensure standards.Attends workshops/trainings, classes, seminars, and lectures to meet professional development requirements and to enhance and maintain knowledge of trends and developments in School-age care.Addresses patron questions, concerns, and complaints and escalates concerns to Supervisor as situation warrants.Assists with processing participant registrations and fee payments in Active.Net recreation software system.Administers medicine according to authorized Medication Administration Forms and policy; and provides first aid in case of minor injury.Performs duties in the setting of Summer Camp programs.Indoor and outdoor environment Recreation Activities (all weather types).In water supervision of program participants (swimming).Position specific responsibilities might include: Participant mediation to help resolve conflicts to include other participants and staff. Program inventory - findings reports communicated to Recreation Specialist. Program classroom decorations (Bulletin board creations, furniture arrangement, hanging artwork etc.) Ensure compliance and accuracy for sign in/out program procedures.Knowledge of: Underlying principles, practices, and objectives of childcare programs. North Carolina Division of Child Development childcare licensing regulations and quality indicators. Behavior management strategies and techniques. Basic arts and crafts. Elementary math, science, writing, etc. Skill in: Interacting positively and communicating effectively with children and adults. Organizing and actively facilitating a variety of recreational and social activities. Communicating instructions effectively to individuals and groups. Evaluating existing practices and recommending improvements. Clear and precise written and oral communication. Exhibiting character, integrity, and adaptability. Report writing and record keeping. Critical thinking. Problem solving.Minimum Qualifications & ExperienceHigh School diploma/equivalent (GED, HiSet, TASC).2 years of experience in child development, elementary education, recreation administration, or a related field.A minimum of 1 year verified experience working in a licensed childcare program or a minimum of 1.5 years hours working in an unlicensed childcare program.Valid North Carolina Class C Driver's License with a satisfactory driving record.Valid Adult and Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED – with Anaphylaxis and Epinephrine Auto Injector Certification within the first six months of employment.Additional Preferred SkillsAt least 1 year of experience working with children ages 5-12.Skill in managing behavior expectations, engaging with participants, and encouraging participants ages 5-12 to be involved in group/individual activities.Experience supervising recreational activities or in a related child development field (to include Elementary Education, Child Development, Physical Education, and Early Childhood).Experience developing and maintaining an after school and/or summer camp program licensed through the NC Division of Child Development and Early Education.Basic swimming skills and comfortable in the water.Comfortable working with all ages and levels of ability.Comfortable working both indoors and outdoors.Willing to work some weekends.