Middle School Teen Late Night Program Lead

Work where you play!
Join our team at Metro 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
Metro Parks Tacoma (MPT) is a CAPRA-accredited and AZA-accredited, independent park district that leads efforts to build a healthy, sustainable community. Located in Tacoma, Washington, Metro Parks' 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 Here
Come 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 Metro Parks Tacoma, and you'll do so as part of a supportive team of committed, passionate, and mission-driven professionals. The people of Metro Parks 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
Metro Parks Tacoma's Youth Services division is seeking to add new and dynamic team members in the form of a Teen Late Night. Under the direction of an assigned supervisor, this position is responsible for teaching, supervising, and facilitating the Late-Night at Tacoma Public School - school facilities. Primary work will be with youth, ages 11-15, during Friday evening and late-night events at the school facilities. This is a part-time position, working mainly during evening and weekend hours, totaling 5-10 hours a week
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.

This position is responsible for safely facilitating enrichment programs for teens ages 11-18. Duties include but are not limited to:

• Plan, lead and assist staff and participants in skill development, game play and social interaction.
• Facilitate and lead group sessions, workshops, and recreational activities, providing guidance and instruction as necessary.
• Fostering a community within the school that reflects the voice of young people
• Ensure the safety and well-being of all participants during program hours, adhering to safety protocols and guidelines of the Tacoma Public School and Metro Parks Tacoma's policies and procedures.
• De-escalate situations in a professional manner to ensure program safety
• Maintaining the facility by organizing, and cleaning as needed.

• Experience and/or formal education in the areas of education, youth development, recreation, or similar fields.
• Experience working with youth in a similar program or educational setting is preferred.
• Knowledge and/or experience with Youth Program Quality (YPQ) methodologies preferred.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse groups of youth and create an inclusive and supportive environment.
• First Aid and CPR certification may be required (or willingness to obtain certification).
• Must have good communication and organizational skills.

HOURS:

• Fridays from 4:30 pm to 9:30 pm

Hours vary depending on scheduled events and activities. Set shifts for this position will be shared upon hire. Additional working hours will be scheduled and set with direct supervisor. Work schedule may change at supervisor's discretion as needed.

LOCATIONS:

• Mason Middle School - 3901 N 28th St, Tacoma, WA 98407
• Meeker Middle School - 4402 Nassau Ave NE, Tacoma, WA 98422
• Hunt Middle School - 6501 S 10th St, Tacoma, WA 98465
• Hilltop Heritage Middle School - 602 N Sprague Ave, Tacoma, WA 98403

SKILLS/ATTRIBUTES: Successful candidates will be skilled in the areas of patience, listening, prioritizing, multi-tasking, maintaining boundaries, and written and verbal communication with a passion for youth-driven programming and mentoring young people.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Ability to perform activities in assigned area. Sight to prepare written or typed recreational and leisure program material and monitor activities. Hearing and speaking to conduct classes and exchange information. Walking over rough or uneven surfaces during field trips.
HAZARDS:
Contact with dissatisfied or abusive individuals.
METRO 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.
MPT 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.
MPT 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 hr@tacomaparks.com.
Employment is subject to a national background check.
This position is an at-will position with no written or implied contractual agreement. Employment Type: Part-time, 29 hrs per week or less