Vancouver Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services Summer Positions

Salary Range

$17.13 - $20.36

Job Summary

Vancouver Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services is looking for enthusiastic candidates that are skilled in working with all ages and abilities for summer recreation activities.

Job Details

Marshall Community Center and Fircrest Elementary Youth Day Camp

• Ages 6-10 years old
• Dates: 7 to 9 weeks Monday-Friday
• Marshall Camp (6/22 - 8/21/26) and Fircrest camp (6/29 - 8/14/26)
• Staff Hours: 20-30 hours per week between 7:45am-5:45pm Monday-Friday
• Mandatory training dates will be between Marshall Camp (6/15-6/18/26) and Fircrest Camp (6/23-6/26/26)
• Location: Marshall Community Center or Fircrest Elementary School

Summer Playground Program

• Ages 6-11 years old
• Dates: 6 weeks Monday-Friday starting 6/29/26
• Program hours: 10-3pm Monday- Friday
• Mandatory training dates TBD
• Locations: Hough Elementary, Evergreen Park, and Crestline Elementary.

Access to Recreation (ATR) Camp – Citizens with Disabilities

• Ages 13+
• Dates: 6 weeks Monday-Friday starting 6/29/26
• Staff Hours: 20-25 hours per week between 9am-3pm Monday-Friday
• Mandatory training date will be between 6/24-6/26/26
• Location: TBD

Essential Functions:

• Facilitate and supervise participants in summer recreational programs.
• Embrace and support the diverse backgrounds and abilities of all participants.
• Enforce program structure and rules that ensure the physical and mental safety of all participants and staff.
• Actively participate in staff meetings and mandatory trainings.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Have fun!

Position Requirements:

• Current CPR/First Aid card within 30 days of employment. Offered by City of Vancouver.
• Successful completion of a background check for applicants 18 and older.
• Successfully pass employment reference checks.
• Maintain a professional appearance, adhere to dress code, and provide excellent customer service.
• Maintain a professional demeanor in stressful or challenging situations.
• Comply with policies and procedures of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services.
• Participate in rigorous physical activities that may require heavy lifting and/or long periods of standing/walking.
• Work in indoor and outdoor settings that may require exposure to weather elements
• Successfully complete trainings/certification as required by position.

Recommended Qualifications:

• Relevant work, volunteer, training, or personal experience in similar recreational programming.
• Communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing.
• Ability to listen and carry-out instructions both written and verbal.
• Ability to quickly and effectively respond to emergencies and report all accidents and safety health hazards according to City guidelines.
• Establish and maintain effective work relationships with the public, program participants, other city employees.
• Monitor and interact with a large, diverse group of participants while multitasking duties and expectations.

Qualifications

Youth Day Camp Counselor (16 years or older) $17.13-$18.91

• Manage a group of 10-15 youth both on and off site.
• Lead and actively participate in organizing and facilitating daily activities including crafts, games, sports, and other engaging experiences.
• Effectively communicate and collaborate with all participants, city staff, parents/guardians, and the public.
• Assist with program operations such as setting up, organizing, and cleaning of activity areas.
• Implement and support behavior management techniques and plans in collaboration with fellow staff, participants, and parents/guardians.

Youth Day Camp Assistant Lead (18 years or older) $18.00-$18.91

• Assist in the mentoring, coaching, and supervising camp and support staff.
• Assist in leading and managing entire camp onsite and during offsite field trips.
• Take on counselor responsibilities and duties in the event of staff call outs, breaks, etc.
• Facilitate the day-to-day operation of program activities, ensuring the distribution of schedules and supplies to staff along with checking in and out of campers.
• Support administrative functions, including supply and equipment requisitions, accident and discipline reports, attendance reports, parent/camper conferencing and other reporting/documentation as required.
• Communicate, collaborate, and implement behaviors management plans with parents/guardians, campers, and staff as directed by the Lead and coordinator.
• Maintain a high level of organization and cleanliness to support a safe and orderly program area.
• Carry camp phone as direct contact for staff and lead.
• Assist in leading and organizing daily activities and all camp events when needed.
• Embrace and support the diverse backgrounds and abilities of staff.
• Assist in staff meetings and required trainings.

Youth Day Camp Lead (18 years or older) $19.36-$22.48

• Mentor, coach, and supervise camp and support staff.
• Lead and manage entire camp onsite and during offsite field trips.
• Facilitate the day-to-day operation of program activities, ensuring the distribution of schedules and supplies to staff along with checking in and out of campers.
• Support administrative functions, including supply and equipment requisitions, accident and discipline reports, attendance reports, parent/camper conferencing and other reporting/documentation as required.
• Communicate, collaborate, and implement behaviors management plans directly with parents/guardians, campers, and staff.
• Maintain a high level of organization and cleanliness to support a safe and orderly program area.
• Carry camp phone as direct contact for participant’s parents/guardian and staff.
• Lead and organize daily activities and all camp events when needed.
• Embrace and support the diverse backgrounds and abilities of staff.
• Assist in staff meetings and required trainings.

Inclusion/Support Staff (16 years or older) $17.13-19.87

• Support participants with physical and/or neurodiverse needs in youth and playground programs.
• Implement accommodations and modifications from participant behavioral management plans.
• Communicate with Lead staff on participant needs and concerns.
• Implement positive behavior management and redirection through de-escalation techniques.
• Promote peer interaction and socialization.

Playground Program Counselor (16 years or older) $17.13-$18.91

• Manage a group of 10-15 youth both on and off site.
• Assist with program operations: set up, clean up.
• Support leader managing groups of kids ages 6-10 in various playground/camp activities, such as crafts, games, sports, etc.

Playground Program Lead (18 years or older) $19.38-22.48

• Responsible for managing the day-to-day summer playground camp operation, distributing daily USDA summer lunches, program schedule and supplies.
• Communicate, collaborate, and implement behaviors management plans directly with parents/guardians, campers, and staff.
• Implement comprehensive recreational program for assigned area.
• Respond to public inquiries regarding program guidelines.
• Assist administrative functions such as requisition of supplies and equipment, accident and discipline reports, bookkeeping (attendance reports), parent conferencing and other reporting/documentation required for assigned area.
• Organize program operations: set up, clean up.
• Lead and manage groups of kids ages 6-10.
• Lead activities such as crafts, games, sports, etc.
• Implement behavior management techniques when needed.

Access to Recreation (ATR) Camp Counselor– Citizens with Disabilities Ages 13+ $17.13-$18.91

• Thorough understanding of various neurodiverse needs and services.   
• Encourage meaningful development of skills through participation: Assist participants with activities such as crafts, games, sports, etc.
• Implement behavior management techniques and plans with the collaboration of staff when needed.
• Cooperate with daily program operations: set-up and clean-up.

Job Posting End Date

Open Until Filled