Part-time Recreation Leader II
- 30 hours Leonard Armstrong Recreation Center Join our Great City The City of Alexandria is in Northern Virginia bordered by the District of Columbia (Potomac River), Arlington, and Fairfax counties.
Once within the original boundary stones that demarked the area of the Nation's Capital, Alexandria is a part of the greater Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. With a population of approximately 157,600 Alexandria is the sixth largest city in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Unique and historic, Alexandria is a place that is experiencing substantial redevelopment appeal and business growth opportunities because of a high market demand for urban living in a quality environment. About one-quarter of the City's 15.47 square miles has been designated as a national or local historic district. The City of Alexandria is an independent city with no county affiliation and derives its governing authority from a Charter granted by the Virginia General Assembly. Virginia is a Dillon Rule state, allowing local governments only the authority expressly granted to them by the Virginia Constitution or by the Virginia General Assembly in the City Charter or in general law. City Council is the governing body, which formulates policies for the administration of the City. The mayor is chosen on a separate ballot and presides over sessions of the Council. If you are interested in working for the vibrant City of Alexandria, we invite qualified candidates to apply for our Recreation Leader II (30 hours) position in the Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities (RPCA). A Message from the Director Welcome to the City of Alexandria's Department of Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities. I am excited that you are considering joining our team. Every day, we have the privilege of serving a city that values connection, creativity, and community. Our parks, programs, and cultural spaces reflect Alexandria's diversity and spirit, and our people are the heart of it all. As you explore opportunities within RPCA, know that you are stepping into a department where teamwork, curiosity, and service guide everything we do. We take pride in our work, we find purpose in our impact, and we celebrate the difference each team member makes. Together, we are building something meaningful for the people of Alexandria, and I am grateful for your interest in being part of it. Hashim T. Taylor, Director, Department of Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities About You You are service-minded, dependable, and take pride in your work. You bring energy, professionalism, and a sense of purpose to every task, whether maintaining a park, supporting a program, or greeting visitors. By joining RPCA, you become part of a team that takes pride in serving Alexandria and shaping experiences that last a lifetime. As part of RPCA, you will be expected to: Serve with purpose and approach each day with enthusiasm and a commitment to excellence Embody accountability and curiosity by taking initiative, asking questions, and seeking solutions Demonstrate teamwork and respect, supporting colleagues and fostering a positive, inclusive environment Stay responsive and reliable by being attentive, dependable, and engaged with the community Reflect our values through transparency, professionalism, and wholehearted dedication to service The mission of the Department of Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities is to create meaningful experiences that inspire community, foster creativity, and enhance the quality of life for everyone in Alexandria. The Department envisions Alexandria as a vibrant, connected, and thriving community where every resident feels a sense of belonging. Through safe, inclusive, and innovative programs and spaces, we strengthen well-being, celebrate diversity, and create opportunities for joy and discovery. Guided by equity and excellence, we are dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for all who live, work, and play in our city. The Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities received national accreditation from the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA). National accreditation requires park and recreation agencies to meet 155 standards representing elements of effective and efficient park and recreation operations. Recreation Leader II (30 hours) Recreation Leader II performs technical recreation work as a leader of recreational and cultural activities in arts and crafts, sports, games, music, drama, cooking, exercise, and field trips. Other positions in this class may work as front desk clerk/cashiers at a large, multi-use revenue producing recreation facility providing program activity information. An employee in this class leads assigned activities, instructs and guides participants, ensures all safety precautions and guidelines are followed, and assists higher level Recreation Leaders and Recreation Supervisors in the planning of a well-rounded recreational program. Tasks are performed under the general supervision of a Recreation Supervisor or the designated supervisor. Illustrative Examples of Work Leads recreational and cultural activities; Ensure safety precautions and guidelines are followed; Plans structured group and community activities; Make suggestions to supervisors on how to improve program activity; Assists in planning family and community activities; Participates in staff meetings and trainings; Registers new participants via recreation software (RecTrac); Keeps equipment clean and up to date; Conducts a general program of recreation at an assigned area, develops and plans activities in a special program area; Plans, organizes, evaluates and directs a wide variety of activities at a recreation facility; Works with neighborhood and community groups on matters of civic and recreational interest; Keeps financial and activity records and submits periodic and special reports; Demonstrates continuous effort to improve operations, decrease turnaround times, streamline work processes, and work cooperatively and jointly to provide quality seamless customer service; Plans, organizes, evaluates and directs a wide variety of activities at a recreation facility; Supervises Community Center during evenings and weekends and handles registration; Works with the Recreation Coordinator to conduct programs including scorekeeping, officiating, and facility preparation; Attends mandatory pre-service and in service training and meetings; Maintains a safe program environment and facility; Conducts safety checks; Administers first aid as required; Assists higher level Recreation Leaders and Recreation Supervisors in planning program activities; Communicates activity status and problems encountered to higher level staff; Develops and distributes promotional and marketing information to the community; Assists the public with questions and problems; Assists with the supervision of teen recreation programs; Supervises teens in the program and ascertains that rules and regulations are followed; Attends field trips and other special functions; Assists higher level recreation supervisors in planning activities for all City wide programs; Conducts community and street outreach programs to insure that all information is getting into the hands of all would be participants; Maintains participants' attendance records and other related records to insure that services are being rendered; Participates in staff meetings and in service training, planning of activities and updates to programs; Distribute information on various programs that the department offers; Refers participants to other City agencies to ensure that all problems are being addressed that may interfere with the growth of participant; Communicates concerns and makes recommendations to higher level staff regarding participants behavioral problems and their resolution;
- Performs related work as required.
Key Work Aspects of RPCA and the
City of Alexandria:
Statement of Workplace Excellence
- Every RPCA staff member has the right to a safe, healthy, efficient, and pleasant working environment where all organization members adhere to the highest standards of behavior, personal integrity, and truthfulness. Each staff member demonstrates full support and acts on deploying workplace excellence. Customer Service Guarantee
- We are committed to delivering a consistently superior customer experience to all who participate in our programs or visit our parks and facilities.
Service will be:
Responsive
- respond in a timely manner to all residents and customers both external and internal. We own the request we receive and do not shift responsibility. Professional
- represent the department in appropriate appearance, decorum, and communication. Courteous
- Treat everyone with respect. Treat everyone fairly. Treat everyone with dignity. Accountable
- Demonstrate a bias toward action.
Ensure follow-up and follow-through with appropriate results. Our most valued assets are engaged staff members and customers. What You Should Bring Each member of the team is accountable for the outstanding delivery of services to the community. The ideal candidate should possess knowledge of programming and special event planning; knowledge of child development; ability to plan and direct program activities; ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, stakeholders, and the public; ability to generate interest and participation in center activities with various age groups; ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing. The ability to work independently and use judgment within established procedures; experience preparing reports; ability to organize, ability to work with a variety of staff at all levels and to handle assignments across sections of the Recreation Services Division will ensure success in this role. High School Diploma and two (2) years of related experience or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities. First Aid/CPR training. This position requires successful completion of a criminal records background check and drug screening prior to employment.
