Temporary Recreation Leader I – Out of School Time

Temporary Recreation Leader – Out of School Time Position

“Preserving the Past, while Innovating our Future”

The City of Alexandria is located in northern Virginia and is bordered by the District of Columbia (Potomac River), Arlington and Fairfax counties. With a population of approximately 150,000 and a land area of 15.75 square miles, Alexandria is the seventh largest city in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Alexandria has a charming waterfront and is a unique and historic place to live and work. About one-quarter square miles in the city have been designated as a national or local historic district. We proudly embrace our rich history and seize the endless opportunities that lie ahead. If you are interested in working for the vibrant City of Alexandria, we invite qualified candidates to apply for our Temporary Recreation Leader – Out of School Time Position.

What we do and how we do it is driven by our 4 Guiding Principles:

• Aligning the work, we do with our strategic plan.
• Executing against our strategy and ensuring accountability for our results
• Promoting and encouraging a culture of leadership and ownership at all levels of the organization
• Promoting a culture of service excellence, creativity, and entrepreneurship

A Message from the Director

Welcome to the City of Alexandria’s Department of Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities. I am excited that you are considering joining our team. Every day, we have the privilege of serving a city that values connection, creativity, and community. Our parks, programs, and cultural spaces reflect Alexandria’s diversity and spirit, and our people are the heart of it all.

As you explore opportunities within RPCA, know that you are stepping into a department where teamwork, curiosity, and service guide everything we do. We take pride in our work, we find purpose in our impact, and we celebrate the difference each team member makes. Together, we are building something meaningful for the people of Alexandria, and I am grateful for your interest in being part of it.

Hashim T. Taylor, Director, Department of Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities

About You

You are service-minded, dependable, and take pride in your work. You bring energy, professionalism, and a sense of purpose to every task, whether maintaining a park, supporting a program, or greeting visitors.

By joining RPCA, you become part of a team that takes pride in serving Alexandria and shaping experiences that last a lifetime.

As part of RPCA, you will be expected to:

• Serve with purpose and approach each day with enthusiasm and a commitment to excellence
• Embody accountability and curiosity by taking initiative, asking questions, and seeking solutions
• Demonstrate teamwork and respect, supporting colleagues and fostering a positive, inclusive environment
• Stay responsive and reliable by being attentive, dependable, and engaged with the community
• Reflect our values through transparency, professionalism, and wholehearted dedication to service

Overview

In pursuit of service excellence, the Temporary Recreation Leader I perform technical recreation work. Recreation Leaders may assist, plan, lead, instruct and guide youth 5-17 years old from all backgrounds in arts and crafts, sports, games, music, drama, cooking, STEAM, Social and Emotional Learning, physical fitness, health and wellness and field trips at an Out of School Time Program / Afterschool site and/or Summer Camps. Our Recreation Leaders work Monday to Friday, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. during the school year and/or up to 30 hours per week in the summer with shifts between the hours of 7 a.m-6:30 p.m. Some evening and weekend hours as needed for meetings, training, or planning and additional hours may be available to assist with other recreation programs. Enthusiasm, flexibility, and excellent customer service and communication skills are needed to be successful in this position.

The Opportunity

• Plan and implement sport and recreation programs, drama, music, dancing, and arts and crafts programs to ensure a variety of activities and events are made available in the afterschool program or summer camp.
• Ensure all safety precautions and guidelines are followed for all programs and activities.
• Ensure program participants are properly supervised at all times.
• Prepare for recreational activities at one or more sites on a particular date: open site, set- up equipment and program materials, ensure rules and regulations are followed, maintain order, store equipment and materials at the end of activities, and secure the site.
• Complete incident/illness report forms and contact parents as required.
• Participate in staff meetings, in-service training sessions, and workshops.
• Perform related work as required.

About the Department of Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities

The mission of Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities is to enrich the City of Alexandria by creating meaningful experiences through public space, cultural activities, and programming. The City of Alexandria Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities received national accreditation from the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA). National accreditation requires park and recreation agencies to meet 155 standards representing elements of effective and efficient park and recreation operations.

High School Diploma and one (1) year of related experience or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities. First Aid training.

Interests in working with youth ages 5 – 17 years old. Some experience leading youth in recreational and cultural activities including art and crafts, sports, games, music, drama, cooking, physical fitness, performing arts, mindfulness, swimming and water play activities, STEAM activities, and field trips, or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

A background working with vulnerable youth, experience working independently and as part of a team, experience working with schools, therapeutic recreation, youth sports programs and/or other community services or programs. Strong writing and verbal skills.
This position requires successful completion of a criminal records background check and child abuse and child neglect screening.