Treetops Program Assistant (Recreation Leader II)

Salary: $19.88 - $22.71 Hourly

Location : STAR Center, WA

Job Type: Part-time, 29 hrs per week or less

Department: Parks and Recreation

Opening Date: 07/24/2026

Closing Date: 8/23/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Job Description

Based on our internal equity review process, the starting salary for this position will be $19.88

The current full hourly range for this position is $19.88 - $22.71.

Join our unique Treetops team and inspire young learners through play as they learn and grow!The Treetops Program Assistant supports the planning, coordination, and execution of recreational and educational programs at the STAR Center. This role helps ensure smooth daily operations, quality programming, and a safe and welcoming environment for all participants.Key Responsibilities:Assist in the day-to-day operations of Treetops programs, including preschool, specialty camps, special events, and member/drop-in activities.Monitor attendance and participation by assisting in collecting and maintaining accurate program records and reports.

Applications are reviewed as they are received. This position will remain open until filled.

Work where you play!

Join our team at Parks Tacoma to put your skills to use serving your community and making Tacoma a vibrant, healthy, and welcoming place to live.

Who We Are

Parks Tacoma is a CAPRA-accredited and AZA-accredited, independent park district that leads efforts to build a healthy, sustainable community. Located in Tacoma, Washington, Parks Tacoma's mission is to create healthy opportunities to play, learn, and grow. The independent park district spans the city providing a wide range of life-enriching destinations and services, including 70+ parks, 80+ miles of trails, 1,000+ acres of urban forest, 66 playgrounds, four community centers, Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, Northwest Trek Wildlife Park, Point Defiance Park, and much more. Our work is guided by eight core values that are the foundation of our actions and goals: innovation, excellence, equity, inclusiveness, sustainability, accountability, safety, and fun.

Why You'll Love it HereCome work with us and work where you play! You will contribute to the overall vitality and well-being of your community when you work for Parks Tacoma, and you'll do so as part of a supportive team of committed, passionate, and mission-driven professionals. The people of Parks Tacoma are the key to its success, and you just might be the next great addition to our team. On top of that, you'll wake each day knowing that you're helping make Tacoma a great place to call home.

Position Information

Implement, lead and/or oversee programming and activities in an assigned program area

In the performance of their respective tasks and duties all employees are expected to:

• Perform quality work within deadlines with or without direct supervision.
• Interact professionally with other employees, customers and suppliers.
• Work effectively as a team contributor on all assignments.
• Work independently while understanding the necessity for communicating and coordinating work efforts with other employees and organizations.
• Observe applicable safety requirements, use safety equipment provided, implement appropriate safety practices at all times and report immediately any unsafe working conditions or hazards.

Essential Duties

• Provide support to and collaborate with other Parks Tacoma staff as needed to assist with implementing recreation programs.
• Lead, instruct, and/or teach activities to participants using excellent citizenship, sportsmanship, and inclusivity.
• Provide each participant the opportunity to succeed and grow their social skills through recreational opportunities.
• Understand, explain and up-hold program and facility expectations.
• Ensure program/facility rules, policies and procedures are followed; maintain and enforce safety standards.
• Responsible for reporting all participant behavioral problems and incidents to appropriate staff and supervisor.
• Responsible for overseeing participants during program activities.
• Provide a positive attitude toward program participants and staff; encourage and serve as a positive role model.
• Administer first aid as needed.
• Ensure proper use, care, and storage of program equipment.
• Assist with coordinating part-time staff and volunteer schedules.
• Assist with preparing reports and/or promotional materials as needed.
• Provide work direction to other part-time staff (Level 1)
• Maintain communication with staff, participants, parents/guardian as needed.
• Responsible for the designated site location to ensure proper program set-up and safety/security measures are observed.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• At least 18 years of age.
• At least 2 years of work or volunteer experience related to infant/child programming required.

Additional Information

HOURS/SCHEDULE:

• Up to 15-20 hours per week.
• Weekends Required
• Mon, Wed, Fri; Sat - Sun: 4-hour shifts between 9:00AM - 5:00PM (to be determined with Supervisor)

COMPETENCY REQUIREMENTS:

• Demonstrate thorough knowledge of assigned recreation programs, activities, and services.
• Demonstrate knowledge of safety guidelines and practices.
• Skill in overseeing and leading the work of others.
• Ability to handle conflict and solve problems using good judgement, patience, and courtesy.
• Ability to navigate emergency situations.
• Work with diverse groups of people in a tactful, effective, and respectful manner.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, the community and program participants.
• Follow instructions, both written and verbal.
• Ability to safely perform job tasks in a variety of park and non-park settings.

WORK ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Work is performed indoors and outdoors.
• Work various schedules including mornings, afternoons, evenings, and weekends.
• Ability to communicate with district employees and customers.
• Noise level is moderately loud
• Standing for long periods of time.
• Walking, kneeling and/or crouching to demonstrate proper form.
• Ability to lift up to 30 pounds on occasion.
• Ability to navigate emergency situations, including performing CPR.

PARKS TACOMA IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.

All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, political affiliation, disability or any other merit factor. Members of ethnic minorities, women, special disabled veterans, veterans of the Vietnam-era, recently separated veterans, and other protected veterans, persons of disability and/or persons age 40 and over are encouraged to apply.

Parks Tacoma employs only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized non-U.S. citizens. All new employees must show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

Parks Tacoma is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact Human Resources at .

Employment is subject to a national background check.

This position is an at-will position with no written or implied contractual agreement.

Enrollment in the the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) through the Washington State Department of Retirement Services (DRS) may be mandatory.

Sick Leave: 1 hour earned for every 40 hours worked.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP) -SupportLinc provides emotional wellbeing and work-life balance resources to keep you at your best. Administered by CuraLinc Healthcare, the program offers guidance to help you address and resolve everyday issues at no cost to you or your family.

Community Center Fitness Pass - All Parks Tacoma employees get a Staff Pass to use at our community centers.The All Center Pass allows access to all four centers - Center at Norpoint, Eastside Community Center, People's Center and STAR Center.

Note: THIS BENEFIT OVERVIEW IS FOR INFORMATION ONLY AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED CONTRACT. ANY PROVISION CONTAINED HEREIN MAY BE MODIFIED AND/OR REVOKED WITHOUT NOTICE.

01

Are you at least 18 years of age?

• Yes
• No

02

Do you have at least 2 years of work or volunteer experience related to infant/child programming?

• Yes
• No

03

Are you available to work weekends?

• Yes
• No

04

What is your experience working with children from 6months to 12 years old?

Required Question