Parks & Recreation Career Paths

Aquatics Positions​ - Coach, Instructor and Lifeguard ​Jobs

Lifeguard

Responsibilities: Provide a safe swimming environment for patrons utilizing the pools at Community Recreation Centers. Enforce rules, perform rescues, and administer CPR and First Aid when necessary.

Minimum Requirements: Age 15 or older; possess current lifeguard and CPR/AED certification from a national, industry, or locally recognized lifeguard certification organization.

Successful completion of departmental swimming skills tests prior to employment.

If the current certification is not American Red Cross Lifeguarding, employees must obtain certification within 30 days of employment.

Aquatic Instructor - Water Safety Instructor

Responsibilities: Demonstrate and instruct swimming skills to youth and adults in American Red Cross Water Safety programs and other non-competitive swimming classes.

Minimum Requirements: Age 16 or older; possess a current American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor certification to instruct preschool, adult, and American Red Cross Learn to Swim programs.
Successful completion of departmental swimming skills tests prior to employment.

Must obtain American Red Cross CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer within 30 days of employment.

Aquatic Instructor - Lifeguard Training Instructor

Responsibilities: Instruct American Red Cross Lifeguarding classes.

Minimum Requirements: Age 17 or older; possess a current American Red Cross Lifeguard Training Instructor certification to instruct lifeguarding classes.

Successful completion of departmental swimming skills tests prior to employment.

Aquatic Instructor - Coach (Swim, Springboard Diving & Water Polo)

Responsibilities: Coach swim, dive, or water polo aquatic programs while providing a safe learning environment. Enforce rules and administer CPR and First Aid when necessary.

Minimum Requirements: Age 16 or older; experience in specialized aquatic program areas, i.e., competitive swimming, springboard diving, or water polo instruction.

Successful completion of departmental swimming skills tests prior to employment.

Must obtain American Red Cross CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer within 30 days of employment.

Activity Center Aide

• Assist with the planning and implementation of the daily schedule in programs in order to ensure participants have a quality experience, greet parents and visitors, set up and breakdown tables and equipment, set up games and activities, assist with gathering information and completing reports, assist with handling emergencies as they arise in order to prevent injury/incident, perform other job duties requiring skills, knowledge, and physical requirements as demanded by those duties described or less., individual assignments will be determined by the supervisor based on the current workloads and department needs.
• Minimum Requirements: Some high school or GED. 16 years or older, plus at least 240 hours of related volunteer or work experience in youth-related programs such as babysitting, camps, church groups, scouting, coaching, etc.; or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Activity Center Assistant Leader

• Assist in the planning, leading, and supervision of age-appropriate activities for youth including arts and crafts, games, sports, and special events.
• Minimum Requirements: Applicants must be at least 18 years old with a high school diploma or GED, and have at least three months or 400 hours of related volunteer or work experience in youth-related programs such as camps, church groups, scouting, coaching, etc.; or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Early Childhood Educators

• Plan, lead, and supervise age-appropriate activities for youth 3-6 years old including arts and crafts, games, sports and special events. Supervise part-time staff and volunteers.
• Minimum Requirements: Applicant must be at least 21 years old with a high school diploma or GED, and have six months of related volunteer or work experience in youth-related programs such as camps, church groups, scouting, coaching, etc.; or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities. Some locations may require additional education or experience.

Special Events & Outdoor Programming Jobs

​Parks and Recreation Lead Aide - Parks Events, Program, and Special Use - Part Time

• Assist with facilitation, administration, and supervision of programs and events including but not limited to, employees, volunteers, event set-up, rule enforcement, reservation rentals, maintenance, and delivery of equipment, etc.
• Minimum Requirements: High school or GED plus six months related experience or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities
• *Events and services have varied year-round schedules.

Recreation Specialist I - Parks Events, Program and Special Use - Part Time or Full Time

• Creation, facilitation, administration, and supervision of programs and events including but not limited to, employees, volunteers, event set-up, rule enforcement, reservation rentals, maintenance, and delivery of equipment, etc.
• Minimum Requirements: Requires a Bachelor’s degree in recreation management, therapeutic recreation, exercise science, or a related field; OR any combination of education (above the high school level) and/or experience equivalent to four years in fields utilizing the required knowledge, skills, and abilities and associated with such positions as recreation leader or recreation program supervisor.
• *Events and services have varied year-round schedules.

Fitness & Wellness Jobs

​All positions require CPR/AED and First Aid certification as well as related national certifications. To inquire about approved certifications, call (757) 385-0420

Group Fitness Instructor ​

• ​​Plan, execute, and instruct fitness in a variety of formats such as Les Mills BODYPUMP™, Yoga, Pilates, Tai Chi, Zumba® and TRX®
• Assist with recreation center fitness and wellness program management.
• Minimum Requirements: Must have at least three months, (totaling 25 hours of direct contact), in a specialized interest or skill.

Aquatics - Fitness Instructor

• ​Plan, execute, and instruct aquatic fitness classes.
• Assist with recreation center fitness and wellness program management.
• Minimum Requirements: Must have at least three months, (totaling 25 hours of direct contact), in a specialized interest or skill.​

Personal and Small Group Trainer

• ​​Conduct one on one and/or small group training in our recreation centers.
• Assist with recreation center fitness and wellness program management. ​
• Minimum Requirements: Applicants must have at least six months of experience conducting personal training sessions and possess related certification.

Child Care & School Break Camp Jobs

​Activity Center Aide

Assist with the planning and implementation of the daily schedule in programs in order to ensure participants have a quality experience, greet parents and visitors, set up and breakdown tables and equipment, set up games and activities, assist with gathering information and completing reports, assist with handling emergencies as they arise in order to prevent injury/incident, perform other job duties requiring skills, knowledge, and physical requirements as demanded by those duties described or less., individual assignments will be determined by the supervisor based on the current workloads and department needs.

Minimum Requirements: Some high school or GED. 16 years or older, plus at least 240 hours of related volunteer or work experience in youth-related programs such as babysitting, camps, church groups, scouting, coaching, etc.; or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Activity Center Assistant Leader

Assist in the planning, leading, and supervision of age-appropriate activities for youth including arts and crafts, games, sports, and special events.

Minimum Requirements: Applicants must be at least 18 years old with a high school diploma or GED, and have at least three months or 400 hours of related volunteer or work experience in youth-related programs such as camps, church groups, scouting, coaching, etc.; or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.  ​

Activity Center Leader

Plan, lead, and supervise age-appropriate activities for youth including arts and crafts, games, sports and special events. Supervise part-time staff and volunteers.

Minimum Requirements: Applicant must be at least 21 years old with a high school diploma or GED, and have six months of related volunteer or work experience in youth-related programs such as camps, church groups, scouting, coaching, etc.; or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities. Some programs may require additional education or experience.

Park & Landscape Positions - Maintenance & Customer Service Jobs

Groundskeeper I (Full-Time)

• Assist in maintaining grounds, structures, and park amenities, provide landscape and lawn care services, collect revenue, enforce park rules and regulations, provide custodial services, and distribute equipment for use in the parks, facilities, and complexes.
• Minimum Requirements: Requires completion of the 10th grade; or any equivalent combination of experience and training, which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities. Requires a current driver's license.

Groundsworker (Full Time/Part Time - Seasonal - Temporary positions through Abacus Staffing- 757.495.3145)

• Assist in maintaining grounds, structures, and park amenities, provide landscape and lawn care services, collect revenue, enforce park rules and regulations, provide custodial services, and distribute equipment for use in the parks, facilities, and complexes.
• Minimum Requirements: Requires completion of the 10th grade; or any equivalent combination of experience and training, which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities. May require a current driver's license.

Parks and Recreation Lead Aide (Part-Time)

• Assist in the supervision of part-time staff and volunteers.
• Assist in maintaining grounds, structures, and park amenities, provide landscape and lawn care services, enforce park rules and regulations, provide custodial services, and distribute equipment for use in the parks, facilities, and complexes.
• Minimum Requirements: High school or GED plus six months related experience or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities. Requires a current driver's license.

Parks and Recreation Aide (Part-Time)

• Assists in maintaining grounds, structures, and park amenities, provides landscape and lawn care services, reinforces park rules and regulations, provides custodial services, and distributes equipment for use in the parks, facilities, and complexes.
• Minimum Requirements: Applicants must be 16 years old with some high school education. Three months of experience in a related field such as lawn care service, construction, or customer service is preferred.

Recreation Center Programming Jobs:​

Parks and Recreation Aide

• Assist customers and center staff with diversified recreational programs and services including special events, tournaments, and fitness rooms, and leading and monitoring structured and unstructured programs.
• Enforce facility policies and procedures, and may transport program participants.
• Minimum Requirements: Must be at least 16 years old, have some high school or GED plus at least 240 hours of related experience or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Parks & Recreation Lead Aide

• Assist in the supervision of part-time staff and volunteers.
• Assist customers and center staff with diversified recreational programs and services including special events, tournaments, and fitness rooms, and leading and monitoring structured and unstructured programs.
• Enforce facility policies and procedures, and transport program participants.
• Minimum Requirements: Applicants must be 18 years old with either a high school diploma or GED and at least six months of related experience or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Recreation Center Class Instructor 

• Formats include but not may be limited to varied Martial Arts, Dance, Arts and Crafts formats​Plan, execute, and instruct recreational programs; teach leisure education classes in technical/talent fields.
• Minimum Requirements: At least three years related experience in a specialized interest or skill, which includes a minimum of one (1) year of teaching experience or five years experience in the subject; or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Recreation Center Member Services Jobs:

Clerk Cashiers (Part-time & Full Time)

• Assist with the supervision of part-time employees and volunteers.
• Open and close facilities.
• Provide customer service and assistance for the recreation center front desk via telephone, email, and walk-ins; monitor membership scanning at the scanning desk, provide facility tours.
• Minimum Requirements: High school or GED plus one year related experience or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Requires a valid driver's license in accordance with Virginia or North Carolina DMV driver's license.

​Sports Management, Leagues & Athletic Event Jobs

Parks and Recreation Lead Aide - Sports Management - Part-Time

• Assist and provide supervision for athletic programs and sporting events including but not limited to, employees, volunteers, event set-up, rule enforcement, custodial duties, maintenance of fields and athletic complexes, and facility oversight.
• Minimum Requirements: High school or GED plus six months related experience or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities
• *Sports Management, Leagues, and Athletic Events have a varied schedule year-round.

Recreation Specialist I - Sports Management - Part-Time/Full Time

• Planning, coordinating, implementing, and evaluating youth and adult athletic leagues, programs, services, and operations of Sports Management while providing excellent customer service to internal and external customers. Supervisor/Mentor part-time employees and volunteers.
• Minimum Requirements: Requires a bachelor's degree in recreation management, therapeutic recreation, exercise science, or a related field; OR any combination of education (above the high school level) and/or experience equivalent to four years in fields utilizing the required knowledge, skills, and abilities and associated with such positions as recreation leader or recreation program supervisor.
• *Sports Management, Leagues, and Athletic Events have a varied schedule year-round.

​Therapeutic Recreation & Inclusion Support Program Positions - Special Needs Support Jobs

Activity Center Aide

• Assist individuals with disabilities in participating in diversified recreation programs and provide assistance with daily living skills.
• Minimum Requirements: Applicants should have some high school education and at least 240 hours of experience in a related field such as babysitting or volunteering with people with disabilities.

Activity Center Assistant Leader

• Provide diversified opportunities for participation and programming for a variety of disability groups while assisting with daily living skills.
• Minimum Requirements: Applicants must be 18 years old with a high school diploma or GED and have at least three months of experience in leading group activities and working with people with disabilities.

Activity Center Leader

• Plan, lead and evaluate recreation programs making adaptations as needed for a variety of disability groups and providing assistance with daily living skills.
• Minimum Requirements: Applicants must be 18 years old with a high school diploma or GED and have at least six months of experience as a program leader working with individuals with disabilities.