Portland Parks & Recreation is hiring for Summer Recreation Employment opportunities for the Free for All Lunch + Play and Free Lunch + Play Mobile Van Program!
The Summer Free for All Lunch + Play program takes place in parks throughout the city and for the Free Lunch + Play Mobile Van program travels to East Portland Apartment Complexes and parks on a daily basis.
Portland Parks & Recreation strives to hire people that share in our mission of providing inclusive programming that celebrates and reflects the diversity of Portland and the youth we serve and align with City of Portland's core values of Anti-Racism and Equity. This includes a daily commitment to diversity, equity, access, and inclusion.
FREE LUNCH + PLAY
The Free Lunch + Play program runs from mid-June to end of August. During this time children and families spontaneously “drop-in” to various parks and mobile sites to play, make friends, participate in activities, and eat a free meal onsite. Some children and families will return to the same sites frequently, while others may visit only once. Ages of youth and numbers of youth in attendance continually changes throughout the day. Staff will prepare, plan and lead drop-in recreation activities such as arts n’ crafts, exploratory play, and games to youth and families, give out meals as part of the Federal lunch program, and provide a fun, safe experience for children in our parks. All staff are expected to be inclusive, friendly, reliable, and eager to play with diverse groups of children and youth during their entire shift each day. All Free Lunch + Play positions are physically active, high-energy jobs that take place in outdoor parks in all types of weather. Must be able to lift and move 20 pounds throughout the shift each day and work in an outdoor environment.
This recruitment is for positions held at various parks located throughout Portland. This is an open continuous recruitment and intended for summer employment only.
Positions include:- Counselor (approximately 60 opportunities)
- Lead Counselor (approximately 35 opportunities)
Find more information below about job types, locations of potential job openings, shifts and salary ranges.
The City of Portland, Oregon is a growing and diverse city of 650,000 residents, nearly 20% of whom speak languages other than English at home. PP&R values a diverse workforce and seeks ways to promote equity and inclusion within the organization and with the public. PP&R encourages applications from candidates with knowledge, ability and experience working with a broad range of individuals and communities with diverse racial, ethnic, and socio-economic backgrounds. Although not required, PP&R encourages candidates that can speak another language fluently to include that information in their responses below. Bilingual/bi-cultural candidates are encouraged to apply.
Language Pay Differential: Employees who speak one or more languages in addition to English and who use their language skill to assist the community, may receive additional pay. More about the process can be found here.
RECREATION ASSOCIATE - COUNSELOR
Position/s: Counselor & Lead Counselor – These positions are union represented.
Counselors organize, plan, and lead a variety of activities including art, crafts, music, performance, science, games, nature, and sports in addition to supporting the physical, social, and cognitive development of preschool and school-aged participants. Positions will be responsible for maintaining discipline and safety while monitoring youth, consistently modeling appropriate behavior, maintaining accurate program records, and performing maintenance duties as assigned.
Recreation Associate – Counselor: Free Lunch + Play Park Site
Create programs that welcome and value people from all backgrounds and cultures. Prepare, plan, and lead drop-in play-based recreation activities to youth in parks. Daily tasks include set-up, take-down and general cleaning of equipment and area. Counselors will serve pre-made lunches and follow all Federal rules and guidelines for meal distribution. Counselors will communicate with the community about program and activities being offered. Counselors will follow the guidance and direction of Lead Counselor’s and work collaboratively with them to ensure a safe and engaging experience. Counselors will act as role models and mentors to youth, volunteers and Park Squad staff.
Locations: Parks in North Portland, Northeast Portland, East Portland, Southeast Portland, Outer East Portland, Northwest Portland, and Southwest Portland
Shift Range: Monday through Friday 10am-2pm
*Must be able to lift and move 20 pounds throughout the shift each day.
Recreation Associate – Counselor: On-Call Sub Free Lunch + Play Park Site
On-Call subs perform the same counselor duties. This position is considered “on-call” and will fill in at various Free Lunch + Play sites throughout Portland. Shifts may become available on short notice and may be available at multiple locations. A willingness to work at multiple sites will increase the number of hours available to pick up. On-Call subs need to have an ability to get to work by car, carpool, foot, bike or public transit. On-Call Sub position works well for those who need more flexibility during the summer, such as those who are going to summer school, have a second job, have existing commitments, or need to take multiple days or weeks off during the summer. Must be available a minimum of two days a week most weeks.
Locations: Parks in North Portland, Northeast Portland, East Portland, Southeast Portland, Outer East Portland, Northwest Portland, and Southwest Portland.
Shift Range: Monday through Friday 10am-2pm for park sites or 9:00am-3:00pm for Mobile Program. Hours will vary depending on staffing needs throughout the summer.
*Must be able to lift and move 20 pounds throughout the shift each day.
Ages:
Counselor (Must be at least 16 years old)
Wage Range (applicants start at the entry hourly rate):
Recreation Associate – Counselor $18.00 - $21.00
Training Wage: The training wage is $18.00 for all counselor positions.
Please note: This position is represented by Labors' (LiUNA) Local 483 - Recreation. Applicants start at the entry hourly rate. To view the labor agreement, please go to the Labor agreements webpage and click on the appropriate link.
These are part-time positions with flexible hours and may include days, evenings, weekends, and holidays. Work hours can be assigned verbally and depend on enrollment levels, needs of the program, and other factors. There is no guarantee of the number of hours needed each week nor the number of hours worked from week to week. Employees in these positions serve at will.
RECREATION ASSOCIATE - LEAD COUNSELOR
Position/s: Lead Counselor – These positions are union represented.
Lead Counselors are the staff leaders and are expected to communicate and model exceptional customer service, safety protocols, and engagement techniques to all Counselor’s and volunteers on a consistent basis. Lead Counselors are also responsible for prioritizing the safety of all staff and guests, documenting, and maintaining accurate records, being a liaison to all program partners, creating a culture of inclusiveness, care, and fun, ensuring staff and volunteers remain engaged and on-task, daily communication with supervisors.
Recreation Associate – Lead Counselor: Free Lunch + Play at Park SitesPerform the tasks of the Counselor in addition to Lead Counselor duties. Ensure a safe, engaging, interactive and playful experience for all youth and families. Lead Counselors will oversee all on-site logistics and flow of the program they are assigned to, problem solve any issues that arise, act as the point person with activity program partners, Federal Lunch Drivers and staff at the site level. Lead Counselors will serve pre-made lunches and follow all Federal rules and guidelines for meal distribution. Provides direction to counselor staff, works collaboratively with counselors to develop, and lead the daily schedule, role models expectations, provides excellent customer service, and guaranteeing all leftover meals are donated to approved donation sites at the end of each shift. Lead Counselors will act as role models and provide direction to Counselors, youth, volunteers and Park Squad staff.
Locations: Parks in North Portland, Northeast Portland, East Portland, Southeast Portland, Outer East Portland, Northwest Portland, and Southwest Portland
Shift Range: Monday through Friday 9:45am-2:00pm
*Must be able to lift and move 20 pounds throughout the shift each day.
Recreation Associate – Lead Counselor: Free Lunch + Play Mobile Van ProgramThe Free Lunch + Play Mobile Van Program travels to one apartment complex in East Portland each day, visiting a total of five different apartment complexes each week. Staff meet at a centralized location in NE Portland daily to pack-up supplies, meet with Recreation Leader, plan activities for the day, and then drive to the site for the day, lead activities, and then return to the same site in NE Portland. Youth dropping into the program are residents of the complex and frequently do not have adult supervision. Lead Counselors will serve pre-made lunches and follow all Federal rules and guidelines for meal distribution. Daily tasks include set-up, take-down and general cleaning of equipment and area and van. Lead Counselors will oversee all on-site logistics and flow of the program they are assigned to, problem solve any issues that arise, and communicate with site managers. Mobile staff must be comfortable playing with and leading crafts, games, and activities for preschool and youth and adapt to each apartment complexes’ youth’s needs. Must have a valid driver’s license, be comfortable driving a cargo van, and be able to present a clean 5-year driving record from the DMV.
Locations: Apartment Complexes and Parks in East Portland and Outer East Portland. Shift will start at a NE Portland daily to pick up the van and supplies.
Shift Range: Monday through Friday 9:00am-3:00pm
*Must be able to lift and move 20 pounds throughout the shift each day.
*Not all positions will require a driver’s license.
Ages:
Lead Counselor (Must be at least 18 years old)
Wage Range (applicants start at the entry hourly rate):
Recreation Associate – Lead Counselor $20.00 - $23.00
Training Wage: The training wage is $18.00 for all counselor positions.
Please note: This position is represented by Labors' (LiUNA) Local 483 - Recreation. Applicants start at the entry hourly rate. To view the labor agreement, please go to the Labor agreements webpage and click on the appropriate link.
City of Portland Core Values:Anti-racism | Communication | Collaboration | Equity | Transparency | Fiscal Responsibility
These values guide our actions as we serve the community and engage our workforce. To learn more about the City's core values, please click here.
Why work at the City of Portland?
The City of Portland serves a population of over 650,000. Culture and solutions are our focus. We view every challenge as an opportunity to learn, improve, and share our experience. We are committed to removing barriers to resources, access, and opportunity.
The City is a believer in all people and continues to actively recruit and retain diverse top talent every day. If you are open-minded, interested, community-focused, and self-aware, please apply yourself at the City of Portland today.
COVID-19 Vaccine Requirement
As of October 18, 2021, all City employees must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19. This is required for all positions at the City of Portland. Proof of being fully vaccinated is required by date of hire. You may request an exception,for health or religious reasons, from getting the COVID-19 vaccine at the time a position is offered.
Position not eligible for benefits.
The following minimum qualifications are required for these positions are as follows:- Experience with playing, interacting, and providing positive experiences for youth and families.
- Ability to build relationships, solve conflicts, and collaborate with a team.
- Ability to communicate and engage effectively with diverse groups of people.
- Ability to recognize and respond to safety and emergency situations.
- Ability to problem-solve and respond to customer concerns.
Applicants must possess:- Must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 per City/State mandate or have an approved exception by date of hire.
Submit only your work history and answers to supplemental questions for review. Do not add documents not listed. If you pass the basic skills (qualifications) review, you will be placed on the equally ranked eligible list. You have 14 days from the date of the email result, to let us know if you disagree with your results. Read City of Portland Rule 3.01 for information. Additional review may be needed before the eligible list and/or final selection.
Application Instructions
Applicants must submit the following to be considered:
1. Work History
2. Answers to Supplemental Questions
Work Experience: Fully describe your relevant work experience and/or any unpaid volunteer experience, making sure to explain how your experience demonstrates the qualifications listed in the "To Qualify" section above.
Supplemental Questions: Please answer all required questions- Your work history and answers to the questions will be scored for this position. Incomplete work history and answers to the job questions may remove you from moving forward.
- Your answers to the supplemental questions should have details about your education, training, work experience or lived experience.
- Your work history should support your answers to the questions.
- Salary Range/Equity Pay Analysis: Per the Oregon State Pay Equity Law, your pay is determined based on the experience and education listed in your application. It is strongly encouraged to include any transferable experience (paid or unpaid regardless of how recent) to ensure your offer is reflective of all directly related and equivalent experience.
- If you served in the military, you may ask for preference. More information can be found below. You may provide in your answers to the questions and resume, any skills gained during your service and how they relate to each of the required minimum skills for this job.
Please note, applications for this position must be turned in no later than the closing date and time of this recruitment. Applications must be turned in through the City's online application system. Do not attach materials not listed. E-mailed or faxed applications will not be accepted.
Next Steps:- After you submit your application to Government Jobs, it will be reviewed, and you will be contacted for an interview if a position opens and if you meet the qualifications.
- You may be contacted anytime while this recruitment remains open as this is an open-continuous recruitment.
- This recruitment will consider only summer employment.
- Applications submitted by April 10th will be guaranteed an interview. Applications submitted after April 10th, will only be interviewed on an as needed basis.
- Interviews will be offered weekly beginning in late March/early April. You will get more information to sign-up for the date and times available once your application has been reviewed
- Summer Trainings will begin the week of June 20th
- This recruitment will remain open until June 30, 2023.
Work Status: Non-citizen applicants must be authorized to work in the United States at the time of application.
Veterans' Preference: If you are requesting Veterans' preference, attach a copy of your DD214/DD215 and/or Veterans Administration letter stating your disability to your profile, as well as checking the box identifying yourself as a Veteran. You must request Veterans' Preference AND include a copy of your documentation for each recruitment to which you apply. Veterans' Preference documentation must be submitted no later than 11:59 PM on the closing date of this recruitment.
ADA Accommodations: If you identify as a person with a disability and would like to request a reasonable accommodation when applying for this job, please contact the Recruiter below for assistance.
Equal Employment Opportunity: It is the policy of the City of Portland that no person shall be discriminated against based on race, religion, color, sex, marital status, family status, national origin, age, mental or physical disability, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or source of income. The City values diversity and encourages everyone who is interested in employment with the City to apply.
Did you know? The City of Portland offers How to Apply Classes that are free and review best practices for applying to the City. Follow the link for the most recent list of scheduled dates: https://www.portland.gov/bhr/career-center/applying-city-jobs
Questions?
Vanessa Valdez, Recruiter
Bureau of Human Resources
Vanessa.Valdez@portlandoregon.gov