Position Summary

The award-winning Brooklyn Park Recreation and Parks Department is looking for a highly motivated, team-oriented and enthusiastic individual who has a desire to make a difference in Brooklyn Park by leading the planning, implementation and supervision of recreation activities for youth, teens and families.

The Teen Program Specialist will implement programs for youth, teens and families at the Zanewood Recreation Center (ZWRC). This position will assist with providing work direction to recreation program seasonal employees and will also assist with developing positive partnerships with community organizations to increase opportunities for youth/families to participate in positive youth enrichment activities.

This position will work under the general supervision of the Recreation Programs Supervisor at Zanewood Recreation Center and is a member of a youth-centered results-focused staff that works together to develop innovative high quality programs and services that are designed with youth voice, interest and partnerships in our community.

Amendment 5/17/23: Job posting extended through May 31, 2023

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Youth and teen program development and implementation
• Coordinate, supervise, develop and implement programs and events for youth, teens and families at Zanewood Recreation Center
• Facilitate activities and seasonal staff in the ZWRC drop-in center
• Provide daily on-site supervision and support programs that include direct service and relationship building
• Serve as the Teen Program Team lead staff to set a positive, engaging, participatory environment for youth and families
• Work with Intervention Specialist and Program Team to transform youth behaviors to ensure a safe and positive climate
• Implement planned activities with preparing materials and supplies as needed
• Partner with other agencies and contractors to provide services and programs both at the center and in the community
• Ensures Youth Program Quality Assessments (YPQA) action plans are implemented and that all staff is trained in youth program quality
• Understand policies and procedures to ensure safe environment exists for all participants; maintain and complete required data tracking and report development
• Promote youth, teen and family activities and recreational programs through various marketing methods
• Maintain accurate data collection records (attendance, registration, field trip participation and special events, accident/incident and parent reports) and prepare program reports to meet youth outcomes
• Assist Recreation and Program Supervisor with program budget preparation and maintenance
• Understand, reflect, communicate and assure customers conduct themselves in accordance with established policies
• Work cooperatively with all recreation program staff, administrative staff, office staff and other outside agencies
• Assist Recreation and Program Supervisor with the recruitment, hiring, training, scheduling and evaluation of staff and program instructors for employees
• Develop and maintain positive staff relationships
• Recommend corrective actions on disciplinary issues that arise based on personnel policies
• Assist with the daily operations of the recreation center
• Support and implement teen events and off-site programming
• Other duties as assigned or apparent

Minimum and Desired Qualifications

Education
Bachelor's degree in Parks, Recreation and Leisure studies, Youth Services/Development, Education or related field. Degree in Youth Services/Development preferred.

Experience
Five years progressive experience in the implementation and supervision of recreation programming or youth programming

Licenses/Certifications
Valid driver's license with a good driving record

Equivalency
An equivalent combination of related education/experience may be considered

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Basic knowledge of intervention and program planning
• Basic fiscal knowledge in the area of budgeting and tracking expenses
• Ability to provide meaningful, quality, and enriching programs for a wide spectrum of the community youth
• Ability to perform a variety of planning, administrative, supervisory, and community relations work requiring independent judgment and excellent organizational skills
• Ability to foster and promote a positive teamwork environment
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing
• Ability to communicate and build relationships with young people
• Ability to work in an active high traffic Recreation Center
• Ability to enforce Recreation Center expectations
• Ability to learn and use the community resources available in critical and emergency situations
• Ability to provide a level of customer service that meets or exceeds customer expectation and satisfaction
• Ability to relate and work effectively with people from diverse cultural, socioeconomic, racial and ethnic backgrounds
• Embrace and engage in cultural shift toward Continuous Improvement

• Three (3) years planning and implementing youth enrichment programs
• Three (3) year experience working in recreation or youth services
• Bachelor's degree in Youth Services/Development
• Previous work experience with young people facing multiple barriers
• Previous experience working with community agencies to develop
• Previous experience using recreation registration software (e.g., Rec Trac)
• Previous experience working with people from various cultural, socioeconomic, racial and ethnic backgrounds
• Fluency in Spanish, Hmong, Russian, Somali, Laotian or Vietnamese language(s)

Background Check
The City has determined that a criminal background check and/or qualifications check are necessary for this job title. Applicants are required to sign an informed consent form allowing the City to obtain their criminal history and/or verify their qualifications in connection with the position sought. Applicants who do not sign the informed consent form will not be further considered for the position.

Selection Process
The selection process will consist of one or more of the following steps: a rating of relevant education and experience and/or an oral examination (100%). It is important that your application show all the relevant education and experience you possess. This information will be used to determine which candidates will proceed in the selection process. A submitted application is also used to verify the answers to any supplemental questions. Only those candidates who attain a passing score (70%) on each step in the selection process will be placed on the eligible list. Human Resources Department reserves the right to limit the number in any phase of the selection process.

Brooklyn Park is a thriving northwestern suburb of Minneapolis and the sixth largest city in the state with over 86,000 residents and 30,000 jobs. As the 11th fastest growing city in Minnesota, the city has become even more vibrant because of our remarkable racial and cultural diversity. Fifty-four percent of residents are people of color, 22 percent are foreign-born, and more than a quarter speak a language other than English at home.

Additional Information

Department/Division: Recreation and Parks Department / Zanewood Recreation Center (ZWRC)

Anticipated Work Schedule: Full-time, non-exempt, non-union position subject to a flexible schedule that includes a standard eight (8)-hour work day; will include daytime, evening and weekend hours.

Anticipated Hiring Wage: $28.91 - $32.44 Hourly, plus full-time benefit package

We welcome applications from all individuals, including (but not limited to): people of all abilities, persons of color, Veterans, LGBTQ and women. If you need these materials in an alternate format or if you have a disability and need assistance with the application process, please contact Janis Lajon at either 763-493-8016 or via e-mail at Janis.lajon@brooklynpark.org.

• New employees generally earn 10 days of vacation per year
• Vacation accruals increase with longevity up to a maximum of 20 days per year

• Sick leave is accrued at the rate of 8 hours per month with unlimited accumulation

• 12 paid holidays per year

• Employees may choose between two health plans with an option to waive if covered under another qualified plan
• The City contributes to the cost of health insurance

• Employees may choose between two dental plans with an option to waive if covered under another qualified plan

• The City provides term life insurance with an option for employees to purchase additional voluntary and dependent term life insurance at group rates

• Long-term disability insurance available at group rates

• Public Employee's Retirement Association (PERA) pension plan (employer/employee contributions
• Optional 457 deferred compensation plans for tax-deferred retirement savings

• Reimbursement account for health care and daycare expenses using pre-tax contributions

• Employee Assistance Program provides confidential counseling and referral services

• Free on-site fitness facilities; Wellness program and fitness classes offered

• Payroll checks are automatically deposited into designated account(s) on payday

• Sick and Vacation at a pro-rated rate
• PERA Life
• Flexible Spending
• Deferred Comp, if enrolled.