Recreation Counselor

Under the direction of the Parks and Recreation Supervisor and Program Coordinator, the P&R Counselor is responsible for the direct supervision of program participants and P&R Aides. The P&R Counselor is also responsible for the implementation of age-appropriate activities. The P&R Counselors are expected to provide a safe and enjoyable experience for all participants.

The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various type of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.

• Work with the Somerville community by running daily program activities. Lead youth and SPR Aides in a variety of Recreation activities specifically, but not limited to sports, arts and crafts, drama, music, DJ programs, STEM programs, Recreation special events, and teen center programs.
• Meet regularly with Program Coordinators to set schedule, review daily, weekly, and monthly progress.
• Act as a positive role model for all Parks and Recreation participants and Works with groups to ensure active participation during program activities.
• Responsible for opening and closing procedures for Parks and Recreation facilities.
• Assist with taking daily attendance of participants.
• Assist the Aide’s with cleaning and maintaining program area.
• Report any issues or concerns that may arise to Recreation Supervisor
• Explain principles, techniques, and safety requirements to activity participants to prevent injury.

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 position’s essential functions.

High School Diploma required; strongly preferred for applicants to be enrolled in a college or university majoring in recreational studies, sports management, education, or physical education. Minimum of one to three (1-3) years of work in recreation or similar field; or any equivalent combination of education, training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Minimal physical demands are required to perform the work. Work effort principally involves sitting to perform work tasks, with intermittent periods of stooping, walking, and standing. Work requires some agility such as moving in or about athletic fields, ice rinks, or over rough terrain. There may also be some occasional lifting of objects such as recreational equipment, office equipment or photocopy paper (up to 30lbs.).

Duties are both mental and physical, the job may occasionally require motor skills for activities such as moving objects, interacting in recreational activities, operating a telephone, personal computer and/or most other office equipment including word processing, excel, filing and sorting of papers.

Visual demands require constantly reading documents for general understanding and analytical purposes.

• 4 weeks annual vacation for non-union positions. Union positions vary by contract. Please note, police officers are members of the SPEA union. Public Health Nurses are part of Union A (SMEA).
• Medical insurance through the Group Insurance Commission (GIC) - 80% of premium costs paid by City
• Dental coverage low and high plans through Cigna
• Vision care through Vision Service Plan (VSP)
• Long term disability through Sun Life
• Group and voluntary life insurance through Boston Mutual
• Health Care and Dependent Care flexible spending through Benefit Strategies
• Deferred compensation plans through a choice of three vendors
• Free, confidential services through the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provided by E4Health
• Annual cancer screening & wellness release
• Somerville Retirement Pension System
• Tuition reimbursement
• MBTA pass program
• FREE Blue Bikes membership
• Eligible employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)