Staff Assistant - McClellan Ranch Preserve

Are you interested in creating a positive day camp experience with nature or science-based adventures while connecting with campers, staff, and parents? The Cupertino Parks and Recreation department is recruiting an active and motivated part-time summer Staff Assistant to coordinate and oversee summer activities at McClellan Ranch Preserve.

The Staff Assistant helps ensure that programs run smoothly and meet the needs of the community. Under limited supervision, the Summer Staff Assistant assists the Recreation Coordinator and Community Coordinator in planning, organizing, supervising, and leading summer camp activities and other related work as required at McClellan Ranch Preserve. This position emphasizes leadership, organization, communication, mentoring, and customer service skills.

Class Characteristics
The Staff Assistant position requires 1,000 hours of experience in recreation programs or a similar field. The Staff Assistant works independently and demonstrates knowledge of planning and implementing recreation, nature, and community programs.
This is a part-time, at-will, and non-benefited position limited to no more than 995 hours per fiscal year.

Important Dates:
• Mandatory In-Service Training: June 8 to June 12. This is paid training.
• Mandatory workday: July 4.
• Summer programs run from June 15 to August 7.
• Target start date is May 2026 to begin camp preparation and job training.

Supervision Received and Exercised
Receives direct or general direction from the Recreation Coordinator and Community Coordinator. Exercises supervision over recreation leaders and volunteers.
Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

Create and facilitate a positive environment that engages youth in a variety of positive, fun, and age-appropriate activities. Typical camp activities include, but are not limited to: arts, crafts, science experiments, nature walks, games, and supervising campers during guest presentations. The summer Staff Assistant is instrumental in making summer camp fun, safe, organized and the best possible experience.

• Administrative: Organizes program activities and weekly camp schedules. Tracks and communicates any needed supplies for camp operation. Prepares program documents and reports including roster preparation and emergency forms. Assists Community Coordinator in creating weekly camp calendars, flyers, and other general administrative assistance.
• Customer Service: Interacts professionally with parents, participants, program instructors, community partners, and recreation staff in person and via email. Sets a good example by always presenting a professional appearance and attitude.
• Communication: Coordinates with non-profit organization partners for their presentations and how to best integrate and implement these in camp programming. Provide positive strategies to manage camper behaviors. Is aware of and properly communicates issues that may arise with campers and follows up with parents/guardians as needed. The summer Staff Assistant needs to have effective email communication.
• Other duties: Supports Recreation Coordinator and Community Coordinator with in-service training and other staff trainings. Supervises camp staff and volunteers to ensure activities are prepared, supplies are organized, and individuals understand their roles and responsibilities. Assists with the general management and supervision of summer Nature and Science Camps such as set-up and clean-up.
• May perform additional duties as required.
Knowledge of:
Youth games, science experiments, crafts, other interactive activities as well as nature and/or science.
Safety precautions for the workplace and as they relate to youth and teens.
Experience working with special needs youth and teens is highly desirable.
Customer service best practices.
Nature-related programming knowledge is preferred but not required.

Ability to:
Respond appropriately when plans change due to weather or camper needs.
Understand and follow written and oral instructions.
Be responsible, alert, courteous, and punctual.
Manage time effectively, show initiative, and work independently.
Work and communicate effectively with peers, supervisors, and patrons in a team setting.
Provide own transportation to and from work.

Education and Experience:
Must have at least 1,000 hours of recent paid experience in Recreation programming or a related field.
Must be a minimum of 18 years old.
Must have a high school diploma or GED.
Two years of college-level courses in Recreation, Environmental Studies, or Early Childhood Education are desirable but not required.
Experience with nature related programming preferred but not required.

Licenses and Certificates:
Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California driver’s license is required.
Current Red Cross CPR/First Aid certification. Must be CPR/First Aid certified within one month of employment. If you are offered the position, CRP and First Aid certification and re-certification training will be offered to employees.
Nature and Science Summer Camp:
The Staff Assistant is expected to work Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm at McClellan Ranch Preserve. Availability is needed from May 2026 to August 2026.

Work schedules can be flexible. Additional hours as needed.

Physical Demands
Must be able to stand, sit, bend, squat, climb, kneel, jump, run, twist and reach, and lift and carry weight of 25 pounds or less while coordinating and or/ supervising recreation activities.
Must be able to lead walks and field games in warm weather.

Application and Selection Process
If you are interested in this opportunity, please submit your City of Cupertino employment application to Human Resource. Final Filing Date: Open Until Filled. This recruitment is subject to close at any time. Applications must be filled out completely. Failure to complete the supplemental application will disqualify the applicant from the recruitment process. Failure to list work experience or stating "See Resume" in the work experience section of the application will be considered an incomplete application and subject to rejection. Resumes may be attached separately. Electronic applications may be submitted online through the City's employment page at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/cupertino/jobs/4395056/staff-assistant?page=2&pagetype=jobOpportunitiesJobs or application materials may be submitted to: Human Resources, 10300 Torre Avenue, Cupertino, CA 95014. Late applications will not be accepted. Applications will be screened according to the qualifications outlined in this job announcement.
Applicants possessing the most desirable qualifications will be invited to continue in the selection process, which may include an interview.

Additional Information
The City of Cupertino is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in employment on the basis of a person's race, religion, color, sex (including gender and pregnancy), sexual orientation (Including heterosexuality, homosexuality, and bisexuality), national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, uniformed service member status, marital status, age, medical condition, genetic characteristics, and physical or mental disability. Candidates with a disability, which may require special assistance in any phase of the application or testing process, should advise City of Cupertino Human Resources upon submittal of application. Documentation of the need for accommodation must accompany the request.
The information contained within this announcement may be modified or revoked without notice and does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.