Recreation Assistant

Recreation Assistant

Salary

$20.63 - $29.46 Hourly

Location

Whitefish City Hall, 418 E. Second Street, Whitefish, MT

Job Type

Part-Time

Job Number

2026-0015

Department

Parks & Recreation

Opening Date

05/29/2026

Closing Date

6/28/2026 5:00 PM Mountain

• Description
• Benefits

General Purpose

The City of Whitefish is actively recruiting for a Recreation Assistant to join our Parks and Recreation Department. We welcome your inquiries and encourage you to apply! If you have a passion for serving the public sector, this may be the perfect fit for you.

One of the fastest growing cities in Montana, Whitefish is consistently rated one of the best small towns in America and was named one of the top 25 ski towns in the world by National Geographic. It is located on the shores of Whitefish Lake and the base of Big Mountain - home to Whitefish Mountain Resort. Whitefish also boasts over 36 miles of natural surface single-track mountain biking and hiking trails with 10 trailheads, golfing, world class dining, two professional live theater companies, and is only thirty minutes from Glacier National Park.

This position is part-time with the following schedule:

20 hours per week September - May

40 hours per week June - August

Benefits of working for the City of Whitefish include:

• Health, Dental, Orthodontic, and Vision Insurance - Employer/employee contribution to monthly premium will be at a prorated amount
• Generous employer contribution toward Health Savings Accounts (HSA) for those who choose the High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP)
• Free annual biometric screening - Employee and spouse/partner can earn up to $200 incentive for participation
• City Wellness Program - City pays $30 per month to employees to use toward wellness
• Corporate rate membership to The Wave health club (billed to City and deducted through payroll)
• Montana Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) - includes employer and employee contributions
• Paid leave (vacation, sick, holidays, personal day)
• $25,000 employer paid Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment Life Insurance Policy for employee and $5,000 for spouse/dependents (at least 20 hours per week required)
• 125 Cafeteria Plans - Optional Pre-Tax Flexible Spending Account and Dependent Care Account (at least 20 hours per week required)
• Free Employee Assistance Program - 6 free counseling sessions per issue, per person in household
• Optional Deferred Compensation Plan (457) - Pretax and Roth Available
• Optional Aflac Plans including Accident, Short-Term Disability, Cancer, Hospital and Critical Illness (at least 20 hours per week required)
• May be eligible for Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Plan (PSLF) - click here to learn more and to understand your eligibility
• City paid continuing education, training and development (as approved by supervisor and City Manager)
• FMLA - up to 12 weeks of leave per year (rolling calendar year) available after working 1250 hours within previous 12 months and employed for 12 months for qualifying events. Accrued leave utilized concurrently.
• Bereavement Leave - up to 5 paid days off for death of immediate family member
• Jury & Witness Duty Leave
• Military Leave
• Eligible to earn Compensatory Time (additional paid leave of 1.5 hours earned for each hour worked in a qualified and approved OT event)
• 15% -20% discount on Verizon voice plans and select data plans
• T-Mobile exclusive offers with Work Perks - 15% off the Go5G Plus or Go5G Next rate plans
• AT&T discounts also available
• Parks & Recreation After School and Summer Day Camp services provided at no cost to employees
• Whitefish Workforce Assistance Program - designed to help full-time, part-time and seasonal equivalent employees to successfully live and work in the Whitefish area by providing rental assistance - click here to learn more and understand your eligibility.

For assistance with online application process, please contact the Human Resources Department at 406-863-2464 or email HR@cityofwhitefish.gov.

EOE-AA-M/F-VET-DISABILITY

GENERAL PURPOSE:

Assist the Recreation Programmer in organizing, implementing, and supervising recreation programs. The Recreation Assistant is the direct link between the public, program participants, and the Parks and Recreation Department. This position must provide quality services to program participants and their families and positive public relations with school staff and the general public.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:

Works under the direct supervision of the Recreation Programmer, and under the indirect supervision of the Recreation Coordinator or Parks and Recreation Director or designee.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED:

Supervises program participants and volunteers. Serves as a lead to Program Counselors.

Job Duties

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The following duties are typical for this classification. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.

It is expected that every employee should be on time, fully prepared, every day that the employee is scheduled to work.

Assist the Programmer in carrying out the functions of recreation programs.

Assist the Programmer in planning and implementing daily activities such as games, supervising clubs, special events, physical fitness, arts and crafts, team building, outdoor skills, etc.

Interact with children in an engaging manner with positive leadership.

Provide direct supervision to children at all times.

Create a safe and inclusive environment for all participants, children, parents, and staff.

Follow all guidelines provided by the school and the Parks & Recreation Department.

Monitor use of equipment/supplies and ensure they are used in a capacity in accordance with intended use.

Ensure that equipment/supplies are returned to the storage area and organized daily.

Perform general cleaning duties including but not limited to trash pick-up, mopping, sweeping, and bathroom disinfection.

Assist in maintaining a variety of records and forms such as permission slips, incident forms, and attendance records.

Provide feedback to the Parks and Recreation Department for improvement of the program prior to and after conclusion of the program.

Maintain inventory of all equipment; ensure equipment is maintained for future programs.

Respond to public inquiries or comments such as questions and complaints.

Respond to and take care of circumstances requiring first aid.

Responsible for driving and transporting participants to and from activities.

Perform a variety of miscellaneous duties as assigned.

PERIPHERAL DUTIES:

Provides backup to related positions as needed and assigned.

COMPETENCIES:

• Exhibits behavior consistent with the mission, vision and values of the City of Whitefish.
• Furthers the mission, vision, and values of the City through excellent customer service, creative problem solving, decision making and stewardship of City resources.
• Provides teaching, mentoring and motivation to other employees within the organization through the sharing of knowledge, skills and information.
• Is proactive in performing and improving his/her own work and suggests and participates in projects and activities to improve the function of the entire organization.
• Demonstrates emotional intelligence in day-to-day work, decision making and problem solving.
• Initiates and suggests actions to improve departmental and City operations, employee performance, morale and work methods.
• Demonstrates a commitment to provide and require excellent customer service through cooperative team and individual efforts.

COMMUNICATION:

• Provides suggestions, advice and support to supervisor, department head, other City employees, employee teams, and the City customers.
• Communicates effectively, both orally and in writing with the supervisor, department head, City employees, program participants, school staff, and the public.
• Works cooperatively with all City employees toward the common goal of providing high quality services.
• Exhibits excellent interpersonal and human relationship skills.

TECHNICAL TASKS:

• Performs all job duties in compliance with the established rules and regulations of the City of Whitefish.
• Demonstrates accountability and responsibility for completion of work assignments in the absence of a department supervisor; provides responsive and timely feedback to supervisory staff on status and progress of work activities.
• Promotes safe work practices and ensures compliance with City safety policies.
• Maintains individual knowledge and skills to be able to carry out all duties of position.
• Handles other responsibilities and duties as assigned or needed.
• Suggests and carries out procedures to assure the highest standards of risk management, employee safety and risk avoidance.

Desired Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience

• High School Diploma or GED
• 1+ years' experience coaching youth sports and/or facilitating youth sports camps
• an equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Must have the initiative to carry out work assignments in a timely manner.
• Must possess good verbal and written communication skills in English to deal positively and effectively with the public.
• Must have the ability to remain calm, cool, and collected during confrontation.
• Should demonstrate enthusiasm for activities, patience, and self-control.
• Should have the ability to maintain control of children in a positive manner.
• Have a genuine concern for the well-being and development of young children.
• Must have the fortitude to abide by and enforce rules, policies and procedures.
• Ability to work effectively with young people.
• Ability to work well with other staff members.
• Ability to accept guidance and supervision.
• Ability to demonstrate proper etiquette (behavior, safety, emergency procedures, cleanliness, etc.)
• Willingness to take initiative and work independently.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

Prior to the first day of employment, must have 1st Aid and CPR certification or ability to obtain certification and a valid State of Montana driver's license or ability to obtain one. Must not appear on any State or National sex offender registry. Must be able to pass a State and Federal criminal background check. Must be at least 14 years of age per Montana Child Labor Laws.

Supplemental Information

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED:

Phone, computer, tablet, various sports and recreation equipment, TV, VCR, and portable music player. Unskilled labor tools such as hammer, screwdriver, Allen wrench, basketball hoop key.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to walk, sit, talk and hear. The employee is required to use hands to handle, feel or operate objects, tools, and controls. The employee is occasionally required to climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl or run. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move objects up to 50 pounds.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the abilityto adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee works inside and outside. Outside weather conditions vary from rain, cold and heat.

The noise level in the work environment can be moderately loud to loud.

SELECTION GUIDELINES:

Formal application, rating of education and experience; oral interview and reference check; job related tests may be required.

The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

Whitefish is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the American with Disabilities Act, the city will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer. The City of Whitefish does not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, color, religion, creed, political idea, sex, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, national origin, sexual orientation, or gender identity and/or expression in its hiring or employment practices.

All benefits for part-time employees are at a prorated amount. The City of Whitefish provides an exceptional benefit package which includes medical, dental, vision, wellness, life insurance, holidays, vacation, sick leave, personal day, retirement, optional 457 and FSA 125 plans.

Employer City of Whitefish

Address PO BOX 158

Whitefish, Montana, 59937

Phone 406-863-2407

Website http://www.cityofwhitefish.gov