Recreation Counselor - City of Somerville

Statement of Duties

Under the direction of the Parks and Recreation Supervisor and Program Coordinator, the P&R Counselor is responsible for the direct supervision of program participants and P&R Aides. The P&R Counselor is also responsible for the implementation of age-appropriate activities. The P&R Counselors are expected to provide a safe and enjoyable experience for all participants.

Essential Functions:

The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various type 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 position.

• Work with the Somerville community by running daily program activities. Lead youth and SPR Aides in a variety of Recreation activities specifically, but not limited to sports, arts and crafts, drama, music, DJ programs, STEM programs, Recreation special events, and teen center programs.
• Meet regularly with Program Coordinators to set schedule, review daily, weekly, and monthly progress.
• Act as a positive role model for all Parks and Recreation participants and Works with groups to ensure active participation during program activities.
• Responsible for opening and closing procedures for Parks and Recreation facilities.
• Assist with taking daily attendance of participants.
• Assist the Aide’s with cleaning and maintaining program area.
• Report any issues or concerns that may arise to Recreation Supervisor
• Explain principles, techniques, and safety requirements to activity participants to prevent injury.

Recommended Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience:

High School Diploma required; strongly preferred for applicants to be enrolled in a college or university majoring in recreational studies, sports management, education, or physical education. Minimum of one to three (1-3) years of work in recreation or similar field; or any equivalent combination of education, training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Special Requirements: First Aid/CPR and AED (training will be provided to incoming employees)

Knowledge, Abilities and Skill:

Knowledge: Knowledge of a variety of recreation modalities. Knowledge of the scope and goals of the City’s recreational programs. Knowledge of sports, games, arts and crafts, and other subjects of interest.

Ability: Ability to work within a team. Ability to handle problems and emergencies effectively; ability to communicate clearly, both verbally and in writing with a wide variety of stakeholders; ability to maintain confidential information.

Skill: Strong organizational and interpersonal skills. Excellent conflict resolution and communication skills.

Work Environment

The work environment involves everyday discomforts typical of offices, with occasional exposure to outside elements. Noise or physical surroundings may be distracting, but conditions are generally not unpleasant. Employee may be required to work beyond normal business hours in response to attend evening meetings or complete work assignments. Work in the field involves regular exposure to outside elements.

Physical and Mental Requirements:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the position’s essential functions.

Physical Skills

Minimal physical demands are required to perform the work. Work effort principally involves sitting to perform work tasks, with intermittent periods of stooping, walking, and standing. Work requires some agility such as moving in or about athletic fields, ice rinks, or over rough terrain. There may also be some occasional lifting of objects such as recreational equipment, office equipment or photocopy paper (up to 30lbs.).

Motor Skills

Duties are both mental and physical, the job may occasionally require motor skills for activities such as moving objects, interacting in recreational activities, operating a telephone, personal computer and/or most other office equipment including word processing, excel, filing and sorting of papers.

Visual Skills

Visual demands require constantly reading documents for general understanding and analytical purposes.

Hours: Part-Time/Seasonal
Salary: $18.00 hourly; no benefits
Union: Non-Union
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Date Posted: February 21, 2024

City of Somerville residents are especially encouraged to apply.

The City of Somerville is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, age, national origin, disability or any other protected category. Women, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Auxiliary aids and services, written materials in alternative formats, and reasonable modifications in policies and procedures will be provided to qualified individuals with disabilities free of charge, upon request. Persons with disabilities who need auxiliary aids and services for effective communication (i.e., CART, ASL), written materials in alternative formats, or reasonable modifications in policies and procedures in order to access the programs, activities, and meetings of the City of Somerville should please contact Adrienne Pomeroy at 617-625-6600 x 2059 or apomeroy@somervillema.gov.

Pre-Employment Requirements for All Employees:

• MA Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) clearance
• Completition of Conflict-of-Interest Law Education training for municipal employees

Overview of Total Rewards:

• 4 weeks annual vacation (for non-union positions) union positions vary by contract
• Medical insurance through the Group Insurance Commission (GIC) - 80% of premium costs paid by City
• Dental coverage low and high plans through Cigna
• Vision care through Vision Service Plan (VSP)
• Long term disability through Sun Life
• Group and voluntary life insurance through Boston Mutual
• Health Care and Dependent Care flexible spending through Benefit Strategies
• Deferred compensation plans through a choice of three vendors
• Free, confidential services through the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provided by E4Health
• Annual cancer screening & wellness release
• Somerville Retirement Pension System
• Tuition reimbursement
• MBTA pass program
• FREE Blue Bikes membership
• Eligible employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)

Benefits listed are for benefits-eligible positions and the above information is meant to be a general overview of the benefit programs offered by the City of Somerville and not a binding contract.

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