Location: Olympia,WA, USA
The salary for this position is $18.50 hourly.
Thurston County Public Health and Social Services (PHSS) is recruiting for a part-time Specialized Recreation Lead for our Specialized Recreation Program in our Developmental Disabilities Division.
Public Health and Social Services (PHSS) is Thurston County's local health jurisdiction and human services department and is responsible for protecting the health and promoting the well-being of all people who live, work, and play in Thurston County. We value diversity and strive to foster a sense of belonging, honoring the unique experiences, cultures, skills, backgrounds, identities, and perspectives of our employees and community. As an agency actively working to address health equity, we aspire for everyone to have the opportunity to attain their highest level of health, regardless of their individual circumstances.
The Specialized Recreation Program provides fun activities for ages sixteen (16) and above with intellectual/developmental disabilities (I/DD). The primary goal of the program is to provide opportunities for learning and growth through leisure activities.
As the Specialized Recreation Lead, you oversee activities and work with individuals with I/DD at a variety of events such as themed dances, bingo, bowling, pizza and movie nights, arts and crafts, and more! This is a part-time position offering flexible hours, mostly nights and weekend. You will be able to sign up for activities that fit your schedule. If you have compassion and a desire to advocate for those with special needs, you will love this job. Help us bring recreation and socialization opportunities to those who need it most!
Some of the essential job functions include, but are not limited to, the following:
* Assist the Specialized Recreation Supervisor and staff with preparing and leading programs and activities
* Lead both large and small group activities
* Maintain a clean, safe, and inclusive environment throughout each activity
* Assist participants with tasks
* Maintain effective working relationships with staff, parents, and volunteers
* Follow written and oral directions
* Perform other work as required or assigned, including, but not limited to, a 24/7 response during public health emergency situations and disease outbreak investigations.
What we offer our employees:
* Work-Life Balance: We are committed to ensuring that our staff experience the reward of public service, while also sustaining a routine that suits each individual's lifestyle.
* Plan for Your Future: As a member of our team, you enjoy great employee benefits, including a retirement plan, pre-tax savings accounts, as well as comprehensive health care and dental/vision care for you and your family. Please visit our Thurston County Employee Benefit Plans website for more information.
* Paid Leave: Full-time regular employees earn a minimum of 12 paid vacation days per year in addition to paid holidays and 2 floating holidays.
* Robust Training Program: Employees are encouraged to attend County-paid training to help them further their career, learn new skill sets, and stay on top of emerging trends in our industry. We also encourage staff to participate in professional organizations and attend conferences.
* Flexible Work Schedules: Some employees may take advantage of alternative or compressed schedules and/or remote working.
Why you'll love it here:
Thurston County is located between Seattle and Portland in Western Washington's South Puget Sound Region. Perched between the mountains and the ocean, the area boasts the perfect blend of year-round outdoor activities including boating, hiking, skiing, and more. The region is also home to the state capital city of Olympia, known for its many restaurants, microbreweries, coffee shops, farmers markets, kids' activities, history, and art events. Discover more about life in Thurston County at Experienceolympia.com.
QUALIFICATIONS
* High School Diploma or GED
* Two years of work experience in parks or recreation programs, providing assistance in planning, organizing, or implementing programs
* Have a Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) / First Aid certification, or ability to obtain before hire date
DESIRED SKILLS
The ideal candidate has the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:
* Minimum of 21 years of age
* Minimum of six (6) months experience working with youth or adults, preferably in a lead capacity
* Experience leading programs and activities for individuals with disabilities (physical, mental, or sensory challenged) is preferred but not required
* Ability to problem solve, work with the public in a tactful manner, and possess organizational skills while remaining flexible
* Ability to exercise mature judgment to ensure safety and enjoyment by program participants
Respect and Organizational Culture:
* Create an environment where employees and partners can safely express needs or concerns and where employees can make and correct mistakes
* Effectively interact with sensitivity while working with persons from diverse cultural, socioeconomic, educational, racial, ethnic, and professional backgrounds, and persons of all ages, gender identities, sexual orientations, and lifestyles
* Thrive in a fast-paced, robust organization maintaining a positive work environment
Communication:
* Serve the public in a timely, complete, accurate, and professional manner while ensuring that written and verbal communication is clearly understood by others
* Maintain cultural competency to support diverse perspectives in developing, implementing, and evaluating policies, programs, and services that affect the health of the community
* Strong oral communication for networking and interpersonal relationships
* Excellent written communication including the ability to craft correspondence, reports, and articles or web postings with minimal grammatical and syntax errors
Leadership:
* Supervise, motivate, and develop employees and team to become more productive and effective in achieving desired goals and career growth while encouraging employee critical reflection; able to give direction without conflict
* Show fairness and impartiality in interactions; is interested in employee welfare, elicits staff input where feasible; respond to staff suggestions and complaints in a sincere, sensitive, and timely manner
Goal Setting and Accomplishment:
* Use strategic thinking and planning for goal setting and evaluation
* Effectively plan, organize, and manage competing priorities and challenges under pressure
* Create a sense of mission by articulating and modeling confidentiality, professional values, and ethics with honesty and integrity
* Operate with a high degree of flexibility, initiative, attention to detail, and commitment
* Delegate and use persuasion and negotiating skills for shared responsibility and acceptance of change
Questions about this recruitment?
Contact the hiring team at: ...@co.thurston.wa.us or (360) ###-####
This position is:
* Not represented by a union
* Eligible for overtime under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)
* Not eligible for benefits, unless mandated by law
* Contingent on the ability to pass a criminal background check
Items required for consideration:
* Resume
* Letter of interest
* Possess a current Washington State Driver License or have an appropriate accommodation
* Applicant Disclosure Form (Pursuant to RCW Section 43.43.830) (Supplemental Questions 1-6)
* Proof of licenses/certifications
PLEASE NOTE: The candidate selected for this position is required to show proof of the following immunizations by their agreed upon start date:
* Measles/mumps/rubella (MMR)
* Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap/TD)
PLEASE NOTE: Information in this announcement is subject to change without notice at any time during the length of the job advertisement.
THURSTON COUNTY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:
Thurston County is committed to provide equal opportunity to all persons seeking or having access to its employment, services and activities, which is free from restriction based on race, sex, marital status, color, creed or religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, including gender expression or identity, pregnancy, status as an honorably discharged veteran or military status, genetic information, or the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability, unless based upon bona fide occupational qualifications. Applicants with disabilities who need accommodation with the application or selection process should contact Thurston County's Human Resources, at (360) ###-####. Those who are deaf, deaf-blind, hard of hearing or speech impaired may use the statewide relay system to reach Thurston County offices and departments to conduct their business telephonically. Relay users can simply dial 7-1-1 (or 1-800-###-####) to connect with Washington Relay.