Temporary Summer Community Engagement Ambassador - Recreation Leader

Do you enjoy fresh air and recreation outside during the summer months in Seattle? Do you love working with people? Are you looking for a fun, fast paced, team-oriented, and community-centered work environment? Come join the Seattle Parks and Recreation Team this Summer! We have multiple positions available supporting the Outdoor Activation and Mobile Recreation unit year-round.

About Seattle Parks and Recreation:

Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) is a national leader and innovator in the services and programs we provide to our residents who enjoy our public spaces such as parks, community centers, specialty gardens and swimming pools. Our mission is to equip employees and the public for well-being as we support healthy people, a thriving environment and vibrant community. We provide safe and accessible spaces for residents and visitors to work, recreate, rejuvenate and enhance quality of life and wellness for children, teenagers, adults and seniors. Delivering excellent customer service to all is a core value.

Equity & Inclusion:

Seattle Parks and Recreation commits to advancing equity and social justice in our department and in every neighborhood by growing a dynamic and diverse workforce, developing strong investments, growth opportunities and beneficial partner strategies as we acknowledge and pledge to close disparities created by historical practices which often hindered workforce development, environmental justice, access to quality open spaces, programs and facilities. #OneSeattle

Recreation Division:

The Recreation Division eliminates barriers through responsive, exceptional recreation services. We operate over 50 recreation facilities (community centers, teen centers, pools, school-based learning centers, environmental learning centers, and boating and sailing centers) and provide opportunities for people to play, learn, and lead healthy, active lives. Our programs and events include fitness and athletics, licensed childcare and preschool, swimming and boating, youth development and job preparation, academic enrichment, and more -- including programs designed for older adults and people with disabilities, as well as grant and partnership programs designed and implemented with immigrant and refugee communities.

This job posting is for multiple Community Engagement Ambassador (CEA) positions, classified as Recreation Leader, within the Outdoor Activation and Mobile Recreation unit. Community Engagement Ambassadors outreach and engage underrepresented residents of the City of Seattle to access City programs and resources through the lens of The Seattle Race and Social Justice Initiative (RSJI); a citywide effort to end institutionalized racism and race-based disparities in City government. CEA's build awareness among hard-to-reach audiences about opportunities, services, and City resources. Additionally, they are responsible for increasing and strengthening community participation in City of Seattle services and assisting community in planning and implementing programs, special events, and activities in their respective communities. This position will report to the Community Engagement & Special Event Program Coordinator.

Goals:

• To change the underlying system that creates race-based disparities in our community and to achieve racial equity by promoting City activities, events, and programs to all City residents.

• To engage community participation in projects to underserved populations including People of Color, Immigrant and Refugee, Persons with Disabilities, and LGBTQIA+ communities.

• To provide support for individuals who may need help navigating City and processes.

• To reduce barriers to access of City programs and services. 

The work requires knowledge of diverse community nuances specific to various neighborhoods to communicate and engage diverse groups in current program offerings, and the development of new programs. Work will be performed in field situations; this may include translations of documents and interpreting at workshops and/or presentations for community members' consumption.

Job Responsibilities:

• Translation of media documents.

• Outreach and public engagement about Parks and Recreation programs, events, services.

• Maintain personal contacts with the public; interact with community, programs, and community leaders.

• Solicit information from participants and communities on needs/desires. Prepare recommendations for new program development or program revisions to meet community needs.

• Assist in response to comments, questions, and complaints from program participants.

• Assist community members to plan and conduct special events. Solicit volunteer participation in recreational activities and special events.

• Maintain records such as attendance, program activities, volunteer participation and special events activities. Prepare weekly engagement report of all outreach activities.

• Prepare and translate promotional materials for programs such as brochures, flyers, posters, etc.

• Develop partnerships with community groups and/or agencies.

• Work with culturally specific communities which include immigrants and first-generation refugee populations.

• The ability to represent Seattle Parks and Recreation under limited supervision.

• Perform other related duties of a comparable level/type as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Requires one year experience in a community-based recreation program and an associate degree in Recreation, Therapeutic Recreation, or related field (or a combination of education and/or training and/or experience which provides an equivalent background required to perform the work).

Desired Qualifications:

Experience in community engagement and outreach, program planning and reporting. 

The ideal candidate must possess strong interpersonal and communication skills with a variety of audiences in multiple settings. The ideal candidate is bilingual and/or multilingual, has experience working in team-based environments, and has a demonstrated personal commitment to undoing racism and building cross-cultural community.

Work Environment/Physical Demands

• Required to work evenings and weekends.

• Requires working outdoors in all types of weather.

• Normally required to lift up to 50 pounds.

• May require strenuous physical activity.

License, Certification and Other Requirements

• Current State of Washington driver's license or evidence of equivalent mobility.

• First Aid and CPR Certificate required within six months of hire.

To be successful in this role, you will have experience, skills, and abilities in:

• Working collaboratively with staff, community-based organizations, and elected officials

• Providing cross-cultural communications and engagement with members of various cultural backgrounds

• Working in fast-paced work environments

• Ability to collaborate with community to deliver activities.

• Ability to develop and lead events and workshops for adults and youth.

• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.

• Ability to show cultural competence in working with diverse populations.

• Ability to be organized, proactive, work independently and be a self-starter.

• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities with various deadlines and tasks.

• Experience applying equity lens to direct service programs.

• Demonstrates flexibility/adaptability, ability to pivot, and shift direction to meet fast paced needs.

• Experience working with computer software products; MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

SPR's Core Competencies:

Accountability & Action: Holding yourself accountable for achieving goals, completing tasks, and delivering quality work. Demonstrating thoughtful initiative in actions and decision-making and promoting high quality standards.

Equity and Inclusion: Supporting the goals of the Race and Social Justice Initiative and the City's commitment to workforce equity.

Communication: Sharing and exchanging information and ideas with people in a variety of ways to help them understand and remember the information.

Services: An ongoing commitment to base decisions and actions on the needs and priorities of the City.

Teamwork: Participating as an engaged member of a team to achieve group goals. Effectively working with internal and external people to complete tasks and achieve work group goals.

Hiring Timeline

This job posting is open for continuous recruitment through August 2024. Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and positions will be open until filled. Start dates vary based on program needs. 

The full salary range for this position is $31.63 - $42.35 per hour.