Program Assistant - Washington Park Community Center

Experience or interest in interacting with youth with and without disabilities in a recreation setting preferred.

Critical Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions:

• Must be at least 16 years of age or older
  
• Hours will typically be Monday - Friday, 2:00pm-6:15pm (School Year) and 10:45am-5:45pm (Summer); but may vary based on participant registration and season.
  
• Experience or interest in interacting with youth or teens with and without disabilities in a recreation setting preferred.
  
• 1-2 years of experience working with kids ages 5-15.
  
• First Aid, CPR and AED training (can be obtained through Rockford Park District).
  
• Ability to provide customers with expert care, sensitive consideration and efficient service.
  
• Good communication skills including expressive, written, and receptive.
  
• Ability to problem solve in a variety of situations.
  
• Ability to follow direction from Site Coordinator and Instructors
  
• Familiarity with Computer, Internet, Outlook, Word, Excel, Cell Phone, Telephone, Basic Office Equipment, Two-way Radio, Weather Band Radio, AED, Safety Equipment
  
• Ability to work under stressful conditions, including situations involving program participants, staff conflicts and dissatisfied customers.

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:

Medium work:

• • Exerting in excess of 50 pounds of force occasionally
  • Exerting in excess of 20 pounds of force frequently
  • Exerting in excess of 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

• Must be able to perform moderately physically intensive tasks, potentially including any combination of the following: climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, lifting, grasping, feeling, talking, repetitive motions, substantial movements (motions) of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers.
  
• Ability to communicate verbally one-on-one and in groups
  
• Ability to solve problems, understand and remember
  
• Must be able to hear, read, and comprehend the English Language
  
• Able to occasionally assist with caring for physical needs of participants including toileting, transferring, or pushing participants in wheelchair
  
• This is a physically active position that involves stamina
  
• Reliable transportation to various locations

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:

• May be exposed to hazardous vegetation (i.e., poison ivy) and insect bites while outdoors
  
• May be exposed to extreme weather conditions during camp season, particularly rain and heat.
  
• Ability to work under stressful conditions, including situations involving program participants staff conflicts and dissatisfied customers.