Job Details

Recreation Aide (Part-Time, 19 Hour Less/Week)

Do you enjoy working with children and creating fun, safe, and engaging experiences? We're seeking a caring and energetic Part-Time Recreation Aides to support youth programs, assist with activities, and help foster a positive environment where children can learn, play, and thrive.

Recreation Aides assist with activities, supervise children, and gain hands-on experience in leadership, teamwork, and communicationall while working in a fun and rewarding environment.

Selection Process

This is a continuous recruitment. Applications will be reviewed and screened as they are received, and the recruitment may close at any time once a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received.

We encourage interested candidates to apply promptly. The first round of interviews is tentatively scheduled to take place in mid-January 2026.

The selection process may include, but is not limited to, an application screening, oral panel interview, and final selection. The City reserves the right to modify the selection process as necessary to meet business needs.

Job Description

Under supervision, assists in the supervision of children in the childcare program; demonstrates leadership skills, effective communication and interpersonal skills in working with parents and supervisors; demonstrates a clear understanding of childcare problem-solving techniques when dealing with any discipline situation involving children; reads and understands all policies and procedures; and performs related duties as assigned.

Supervision Received and Exercised

Receives general direction and supervision from the Recreation Manager and/or Recreation Supervisor. Recreation Leader II/III may exercise lead direction over lower-level staff (Recreation Aide and Recreation Leader I job classes).

Essential Functions

Essential and other important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Assists with lesson plan preparation and project planning.
• Works with children to implement assigned classroom projects.
• Ensures children are in a safe environment at all times.
• Anticipates problems among the children and prevents harmful situations before they occur or escalate.
• Prepares daily snacks, including set-up.
• Assists with drafting accident and incidents reports when needed. Assists with cleaning duties including washing dishes, vacuuming, trash disposal, and sweeping.
• Makes efficient use of available materials and supplies.
• Attends monthly staff meetings.
• Performs related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge of:

• Basic principles and practices of a childcare program.
• Correct English usage, including spelling and grammar.
• Safety principles and practices related to childcare programs and activities.

Ability to:

• Exercise flexibility regarding working with varying personalities, age groups and work schedules.
• Lead and interact with large groups of children on a daily basis with various activities such as organized games, art projects, homework, and outdoor play.
• Be a positive role model for children and exercise good appearance, attitude, speech, and body language.
• Acknowledge children when an issue arises and respect the concerns that are shared.
• Exercise good listening and communication skills.
• Assist program staff and stay calm during emergencies.
• Assist with daily chores, including mopping spills, sweeping, vacuuming, carrying out the trash, and washing dishes and tables as needed.
• Wear proper attire which includes uniform, badge, and safe, comfortable shoes at all times. Open toes shoes are not allowed.
• Meet daily schedules and shifts in a timely manner, as required.
• Work year around schedules for seasonal camps and in-service days.
• Follow oral and written instructions.
• Evaluate emergency situations and act decisively and effectively to resolve situations.
• Work cooperatively with the public and employees in an enthusiastic and constructive manner.
• Work effectively within a public services organization.
• Administer first aid, CPR and/or artificial respiration.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Skills and Personal Attributes: Demonstrates strong attention to accuracy, thoroughness, and detail, and communicates clearly and effectively in both oral and written forms.

Education and Experience

Any combination of experience and education/training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Education/Training

Seasonal Programming Equivalent to the completion of the tenth grade.

Year-Round Programming High School Diploma or equivalent.

Experience Experience working in a recreation program is desirable.

Certificates / Licenses / Special Requirements

Possession, or ability to obtain, current Pediatric First Aid and Infant/Child/Adult CPR certificates.

Minimum Age: Seasonal Programming Must be at least sixteen (16) years of age. Year-Round Programming Must be at least eighteen (18) years of age. Must be fingerprinted for submission to the California Department of Justice in order to work for the City of Hercules.

Environmental Conditions: Indoor and outdoor environments; exposure to noise; exposure to heavy public contact.

Physical Conditions: Essential and marginal functions require the ability to walk, stand, or sit for prolonged periods of time in an indoor and outdoor environment; frequently sit, stand, walk, run, jump, climb, reach, turn, bend, squat, stoop, hop, kneel, crouch, crawl, grasp, push, pull and make repetitive hand movements in the performance of daily duties and in interactions with children in their daily play; interact with children through sports, physical education, swimming, aerobics, dance and other activities; lift, carry, push, and/or pull moderate to heavy amounts of weight; hearing and speaking ability sufficient to communicate in person, by telephone, and to speak loudly in a noisy setting; visual ability sufficient to clearly distinguish objects and persons at a distance; ability to raise arms above shoulder height; manual dexterity sufficient to grasp objects, use fine manipulation, write and operate office machines and equipment; competency to write, spell and relay accurate information on behavior, discipline, and incident and accident reports, as needed. Position requires working in a high-noise environment with frequent interruptions and elevated sound levels.