Program Leader - Youth Programs

PROGRAM LEADER - YOUTH PROGRAMS 

Part-time, Non-exempt, non-benefitted position

Training and Programs to begin 9/3/26 

APPLICATION CLOSING DATE:

Open to Willamalane employees only through 5PM on August 3, 2026 

Open until filled. Application screening will begin immediately

Desired start date by 9/3/2026

JOB DESCRIPTION: 

General Statement of Duties: Implements, organizes, and oversees all program activities at a recreation program site; ensures safety of school-age children who are participating in the program; does related work as required.

 

Distinguishing Features of the Class: An employee in this classification is responsible for the day-to-day operations of a recreation program site. Incumbent is responsible for ensuring the safety of children in the program. The Program Leader holds responsibility for the safety of all participants and program staff at the site. Work is performed under the supervision of a Youth Programs Supervisor, who reviews work primarily on the basis of results attained, feedback from participants/parents, and direct observation. Supervision is not normally a responsibility of positions in this classification. However, as the lead worker at the site, incumbents are responsible for overseeing, guiding and mentoring the work of Activity Leaders working at the site.

Examples of Essential Duties Performed: (Illustrative only. Any single position of a class will not necessarily involve all of the duties listed, and many positions will involve duties that are not listed.)

• Oversees and monitors participant safety with various measures including attendance taking, active supervision and frequent head counts. Ensures the safety of all participants and program staff at the site.
• Maintains positive communication and relationships with community partners, including Springfield Public School staff.
• Schedules and implements recreation activities, including guest speakers, arts and crafts, sports, games, educational activities, and special events. In collaboration with the Recreation Coordinator and Youth Program Supervisor.
• Acts as lead worker to Activity Leaders, which includes assigning and reviewing work, role modeling appropriate techniques and strategies for program implementation, coaching staff on appropriate Positive Behavior Intervention Strategies (PBIS), teaching site specific procedures, providing input to performance evaluations, and providing work assistance as required.
• Request and organize supplies to maintain the recreation site. May occasionally purchase supplies. 
• Prepares, serves, and documents meals and snacks as required. 
• Maintains appropriate records and prepares reports related to recreation programs and activities.
• Handles disciplinary problems with children, including implementing and monitoring using Positive Behavior Intervention Strategies (PBIS) techniques.
• Administers first aid and responds to emergencies as required.
• Responds to a variety of questions, concerns and/or complaints from parents; keeps parents informed regarding child’s progress/achievements. 
• Reports cases of suspected child abuse to supervisor and contacts Department of Human Services as necessary.
• Maintains patron informational bulletin boards and areas. 
• Oversees and is responsible for oversight of routine cleaning and sanitization of recreation program site and supplies.
  Drives district vehicles when necessary Performs other job-related duties or tasks as required. 
• Monitors participant safety with various measures including attendance taking, active supervision, and frequent head counts. Ensures the safety of all participants at the site.

• Supervises and assists children in recreation activities such as games, songs, educational activities, arts and crafts projects, and special events; leads and directs activities as requested.
• Recommends program activities and projects to Program Leader and Recreation Coordinator.
• Assists with serving snacks; performs necessary cleanup.
• Respond to behavior concerns and implements PBIS (Positive Behavior Intervention Strategies) Administers first aid and responds to emergencies as required.
• At the direction of a Program Leader, prepares site; sets up supplies and/or equipment for activities; performs necessary cleanup.
• Responds to questions from parents and keeps them informed regarding their child’s progress/achievements.
• Adhere to the daily program schedule. 
• Routine cleaning and sanitization of recreation program site and supplies.
• Completes paperwork as required.
• Reports cases of suspected child abuse to supervisor and contacts Department of Human Services as necessary.
• Performs other job-related duties or tasks as required. 
  

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience with mentoring and engaging with youth in a childcare setting
• Experience in organizing and facilitating a daily schedule in a childcare setting.
• Strong interpersonal communication skills and ability to contribute as a team member in a fast-paced, diverse work environment.
• Comprehension of Oregon State child-care rules and regulations.

Knowledge: Some knowledge of behavior management of school-age children; planning and implementing recreational and educational activities for school-age children. Some knowledge of school-age curriculum development; customer service; record keeping.

 

Skills: The administration of basic first aid and CPR; leading activities for children.

 

Abilities: Communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing; work successfully with children and parents; work independently; act calmly and effectively in emergency situations; deal effectively with behavioral problems of children; lead, assign and review the work of others; maintain records and prepare accurate reports.

 

Physical Demands of the Position: The employee will frequently be required to stand and be mobile for over 70% of the work period.  While performing the duties of this position the employee will frequently be required to crouch or kneel and seldom be required to bend and twist.  Physical exertion and coordination is occasionally required to lift materials up to 30 pounds such as activity materials, snack foods, furniture etc. The position requires manual dexterity and coordination, for the vast majority of the work period.  In performing the essential duties of this position, the employee will spend over 50% of the work period indoors and the remainder outdoors, thus exposure to heat in summer is possible.  Persons with disabilities may be able to perform the essential duties of this class with reasonable accommodation.  Reasonable accommodation will be evaluated on an individual basis and depends, in part, on the specific requirements for the job, the limitations related to the disability and the ability of the hiring department to accommodate the limitation.

 

Personal Protective Equipment: Ability to use protective equipment required to perform job tasks as needed and as required by health and safety guidelines.

 

Minimum Experience and Training: At least 18 years of age and experience in community education, parks and recreation, or related areas which include working closely with children and the general public; or any satisfactory combination of experience and training which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and ability to perform the above-described duties.

Preferred Experience and Training: High school graduation or equivalency and one year of experience working with children, recreation management, child development, or a related field, and two years of progressively responsible experience in a childcare, community education, recreation setting, or related area; or any satisfactory combination of experience and training which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and ability to perform the above-described duties. Individuals bilingual in Spanish or ASL are encouraged to apply; a bilingual rate adjustment for Spanish or ASL is contingent upon passing a proficiency test. 

 

Necessary Special Requirements: Possession of or ability to obtain the following within first 30 days of employment:

• First aid and CPR certification 
• Oregon Food Handler Permit
• Recognizing and Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect certification (RRCAN)
• Introduction to Childcare Health and Safety certification (ICCHS)
• Foundations for Learning certification (FFL)
• Enrollment in the Oregon Central Background Registry (CBR), within 7 days of hire date.
• This job is considered safety sensitive, a drug screen test, and ability to pass a criminal background check will be required prior to employment.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: 

Hours/Shift

Monday through Friday, 2:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. & 12:30 - 6:00 p.m. occasional Fridays.

Position follows Springfield Public Schools calendar.

Drug Free Workplace

Because this job is considered safety sensitive, a drug screen test will be required prior to employment.

Oregon Pay Equity 

Willamalane Park and Recreation District determines starting pay based on the applicant's relevant education, experience and training within the wage and salary range for the position. This process is consistent with Oregon pay equity laws. 

Equal Opportunity Employer

BENEFITS: 

• Paid sick leave beginning with date of hire, 1 hour accrual for every 30 hours worked. Part-time staff may use sick leave beginning on their 91st day of employment.
• Annual cost of living increase (up to 4% as approved by the Board). 
  
• Merit increase (3%) upon successful completion of the initial probationary period, and up a three percent (3%) increase annually thereafter as approved by the Board. 
  
• Additional $1/hour increase upon successful completion of a Spanish or American Sign Language (ASL) competency test. 
• Discount on selected childcare programs (see Policy Manual for restrictions).
• 50-percent discount on selected childcare program (see Policy Manual for restrictions).
• 25-percent discount on certain recreation programs.
  
• Free use of pools for lap and play swim for employee only. Discount for household members. 
• Free use of fitness center for employee only. Discount for household members.
• Free Wellness programs for employee.
• Payroll direct deposit is available.