Recreation Instructor (RNB)

City of Bellingham
Bellingham, WA

The City of BellinghamParks & Recreation Departmentis currently accepting applications for Recreation Instructors. We're on the lookout for dynamic, energetic individuals who are passionate about making a difference in their community.Join our team for an unforgettable summer adventure, all while getting paid!

If you're ready to join our enthusiastic and creative team, we want to hear from you!


This is an on-going recruitment to fill current and future staffing needs throughout the year based on departmental needs.Schedules may include weekends, early mornings and/or evening hours.The initial application review will begin onMarch 16, 2026.This recruitment may be closed at any time.

JOB SUMMARY:

The Recreation Instructor performs a variety of duties in general recreation including class instruction, special events support, supervision and maintenance of the facilities, and administrative support. Assists in program development, training and leading lower classified staff.


Current Recreation Instructor Opportunities (up to8 positions):


Inclusion Specialist (1-2 positions)
Bellingham Parks & Recreation will be offering several on-site summer day camps for youth. The Inclusion Specialist works well with children with disabilities, has excellent communication skills, and enjoys working in a variety of camp settings. This position may be scheduled to work with a camp participant who needs assistance (physically, socially, behaviorally, or cognitively) as either 1:1 support or as an additional staff member. The Inclusion Specialist works closely with staff to promote a successful experience for all campers and should demonstrate skills in behavior management, social awareness, positive reinforcement, and redirection. Successful candidates should be flexible, creative, and good natured. Camp hours are Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 5:30 pm. The Inclusion Specialist's hours are typically Monday-Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm from June 22 - August 21, with a mandatory training week of June 15 - 18.



Camp Cordata Director (1 position)
Bellingham Parks & Recreation will be offering a summer day camp for youth called Camp Cordata. This position will be working with children 7 - 12 years old. Staff are responsible for supporting the Recreation Coordinator with training, preparing, instructing and leading activities and programs. Qualifications include prior experience working with children and/or camp leadership, experience leading art and science activities, games and outdoor activities, knowledge of safety, outdoor skills and team building. Candidates will assist with administration of paperwork and process, implementation of daily schedule and ensuring that camp staff are following guidelines. They will also troubleshoot behavioral management issues that arise as well as interact with parents and guardians and assist with overall program development, training and leading lower classified staff. Staff must be good natured, fun, creative, energetic and thrive in hectic environments. Camp runs Monday - Friday with a mandatory training week of June 15 - 18. The Camp Cordata Director will work 7:30 am - 4:00 pm Monday - Friday for 4 weeks only between June 22 - August 7. Camp Cordata staff also assist with other special events, All Comers Track Meets and fill in as needed for other youth camps throughout the summer.


Adventure Day Camp Director (1 position)
Adventure Day Camp (ADC) is a 4-day camp for children 10 - 14 years old that will run for 8 weeks between the hours of 9:00 am - 4:00 pm Monday-Thursday. It is an off-site, field trip-based camp where campers travel in a 15-passenger van with staff. On Fridays, ADC staff will assist Camp Cordata staff. Staff should have behavior management skills, be comfortable driving a large vehicle, have safety and risk management skills, be organized, professional, flexible, and have exceptional time management skills. Camp runs June 22 - August 13 with a mandatory training week of June 15 - 18. Staff hours are typically 8:30 am - 4:30 pm.


Event, Program and Trip Instructor (1-2 position)
This position will work directly with the Recreation Supervisor and Coordinators to support large department events, facility rentals, trips, sports leagues, community outreach and year-round programs. Hours will vary based on the time of year and specific needs. This position will be full-time (40 hours per week) from May to August and 69 hours per month for the remainder of the year, based on department needs. This position requires working some weekends, early mornings and/or late evenings. It requires being a team player, flexible, patient and comfortable working with people of all ages and abilities. Knowledge of Northwest Washington parks, trails and attractions is preferred as well as experience driving 12-passenger vans.


BellingCamp Director (1 position)
Bellingham Parks & Recreation will be offering a summer day camp for youth called BellingCamp-Oaks. This position will be working with children 9 - 12 years old. Staff are responsible for supporting the Recreation Coordinator with training, preparing, instructing and leading activities and programs. Qualifications include prior experience working with children and/or camp leadership, experience leading art and science activities, games and outdoor activities, knowledge of safety, outdoor skills and team building. Candidates will assist with administration of paperwork and process, implementation of daily schedule and ensuring that camp staff are following guidelines. They will also troubleshoot behavioral management issues that arise as well as interact with parents and guardians and assist with overall program development, training and leading lower classified staff. Staff must be good natured, fun, creative, energetic and thrive in hectic environments. Camp runs Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 5:30 pm, from June 22 - August 21 with a mandatory training week of June 15 - 18. The BellingCamp Director will work 7:30 am - 4:00 pm Monday - Friday.



VolunTeens Director (1 position)
VolunTeens is a program designed for youth ages 13 - 16 years old and provides them with an opportunity to volunteer in a variety of settings while having fun. Also created as an off-site, field-trip based offering, two staff members will work with up to 10 participants and travel in a 12-passenger van. The program will be offered Monday - Thursday for 5 weeks July 6 - August 6 and hours will be 9:00 am - 4:00 pm. Staff hours will typically be 8:30 am - 4:30 pm. Staff should be well organized, professional, fun and willing to work beside teen participants while accomplishing volunteer projects. All destinations will be planned and organized but will require weekly confirmation and communication. VolunTeens staff also assist with other special events, All Comers Track Meets and fill in as needed for other youth camps throughout the summer. Staff are also required to attend a mandatory training week of June 15 - 18.


SALARY AND BENEFITS INFORMATION:

This position will start at Step 1 ($25.10/hour).Employees receive step increases on completion of 2080 hours in accordance with the Collective Bargaining Agreement and City policy. The full hourly range for this position is $25.10 - $32.75.

At the City of Bellingham, we offer the following benefits that help you thrive in both your career and personal life.

  • Work up to 69 hours per calendar month and flex up to full time for up to four months each calendar year.
  • Access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
  • 1 hour of Washington State paid sick leave accrued for every 40 hours worked.

This position is not eligible for benefits except as required by law.


This position becomes represented by the Local 1937 bargaining unit after the completion of 1040 hours working an average of at least 12 hours per week, on an annual basis. You can find more details on ouremployment benefits pageandlabor agreements page.



ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
  1. Participates in planning, promoting, implementing, leading and instructing recreation programs and activities in the areas of community events, specialized recreation, athletics, and general programs.
  2. Ensures a safe environment for all participants and staff by enforcing Parks & Recreation policies, procedures and specific regulations of assigned area.
  3. Procures supplies for assigned classes.
  4. Maintains statistics of assigned programs, performs data entry and produces associated reports.
  5. Staffs assigned facilities during public and rental periods; monitors program activity within facility or designated park space.
  6. Performs setup and take down of activities, supplies and equipment; maintains facilities in accordance with departmental standards and procedures.
  7. Assists in training, scheduling, leading and evaluating lower classified staff involved in assigned area.
  8. Provides support for special events and programs.
  9. Independently lead programs or trips without presence of supervisor.
  10. Provides program information to recreation staff and participants.

ADDITIONAL WORK PERFORMED:

  1. Performs other related work of a similar level or nature.


WORKING ENVIRONMENT:

Work is performed year-round in a wide variety of indoor and outdoor public facilities and environments, including, but not limited to classrooms, gyms, parks, trails, swimming areas and public attractions. Frequently interacts with the public in the field, which may include exposure to hostile, offensive language, or interactions with angry or volatile individuals. Exposed to outside weather conditions. Some assignments may require use of City or private vehicle.


Physical ability to perform essential functions, including:

  • Frequently carry, lift and set up tables and chairs up to 50lbs.
  • Frequently remain stationary for long periods of time; ability to kneel, crouch, or bend at the waist to lift materials up to 50lbs.
  • Frequent exposure to outside weather conditions.
  • Hear, communicate, and see sufficiently to receive and provide instructions in a noisy fast-paced environment, classroom setting, or recreational event while meeting mandated safety standards.
  • Demonstrate the activity in conjunction with the instruction being provided.

  • Minimum of six months experience preparing, teaching and leading recreation activities required.
  • Demonstrated leadership skills required.
  • High school diploma or GED.
  • Experience working with people of all ages and abilities preferred.
  • Employment contingent upon passing a criminal background check and child and vulnerable adult abuse records check (See Fair Hiring Practices below).
  • Verification of ability to work in the United States by date of hire.
  • Valid Washington State driver’s license and good driving record. Candidates must submit a three-year driving abstract prior to hire.
  • Must possess or obtain First Aid, CPR/AED, and Bloodborne Pathogens certification within one month of hire and maintain throughout employment.

**You are encouraged to print a copy of this job announcement for your reference as the process moves along**

Please ensure your application is complete and all required information has been provided. Standard completeness means all application fields (contact information, personal information, education, work experience, references, and supplemental questions). Application materials should comprehensively document your experience and skills related to the position responsibilities and experience/training requirements. As part of the City’s commitment to reducing bias in the hiring process, Human Resources redacts personally identifiable information for reviewers. Only the documents listed as required will be reviewed.

This is a continuous recruitment.Complete applications will be sent to the department for further review. The Parks and Recreation department will contact the top candidates to schedule interviews.

Please Note: Candidates will receive updates regarding application status via email. Please be sure to check your email frequently, including your spam folders for messages filtered by your email providers.

Equal Opportunity:

The City of Bellingham is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in its work force. We do not make decisions on the basis of an individual's race, religion, creed, color, national origin, sex, marital status, age (40+), disability, retaliation, sexual orientation or gender identity, honorably discharged veteran or military status, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking, use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, or any other basis prohibited by local, state, or federal law. All are encouraged to apply for employment.

Fair Hiring Practices

  • The City provides individuals who have been arrested or convicted of a criminal offense an equal and fair opportunity to obtain employment.
  • The City will not inquire about an applicant's criminal history until after a conditional job offer has been made.
  • The City will disregard the prior arrest and conviction record of an otherwise qualified individual unless the offense is directly related to the job position for which the individual has applied.
  • The City will notify an otherwise qualified applicant about a potentially disqualifying conviction and give the applicant an opportunity to submit information regarding the accuracy of the criminal records as well as evidence of mitigation or rehabilitation, as appropriate.
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