Recreation Assistant - job 1 of 3

As a Recreation Assistant at the City of Fort Worth Park & Recreation Department, your main responsibilities will include supervising children during the After School Program, coordinating activities like arts and crafts, games, and team-building exercises, assisting with field trips, and maintaining safety and discipline within the group. You'll also handle snack distribution and keep accurate attendance records.

To work as a Recreation Assistant in the Park & Recreation Department of Fort Worth, you must be at least 16 years old. While no previous experience is required, having experience working with children ages 5-13 or leading activities in a recreational environment is preferred. Additionally, you will need to obtain CPR, First Aid, and AED certifications within your first six months of employment.

Yes! The City of Fort Worth provides training for new Recreation Assistants, including CPR, First Aid, and AED certification during your first six months on the job. This training ensures that you have the essential skills to maintain a safe environment for the children in your care.

Recreation Assistants at the City of Fort Worth Park & Recreation work Monday through Friday from 2 PM to 6 PM. This schedule is designed to cater to individuals looking for part-time, after-school positions, allowing you to engage with children without conflicting with other responsibilities.

The pay range for the Recreation Assistant position at the City of Fort Worth is $16.07 per hour. This competitive rate reflects the important role you will play in enriching the lives of children through the After School Program.

When asked about engaging children, you can highlight your creativity and adaptability. Discuss specific strategies like incorporating interactive games, using their interests to develop lesson plans, and maintaining a positive, enthusiastic attitude to encourage participation.

Share a specific example that emphasizes your patience and conflict resolution skills. Explain how you understood the child's perspective, applied effective communication, and implemented a solution that ensured everyone's well-being.

Safety is crucial. Talk about how you would establish clear rules and keep a close eye on activities, how you would communicate with the children about safety expectations and procedures, and your knowledge of emergency protocols, including your commitment to obtaining necessary certifications.

Discuss your passion for guiding children and helping them develop their skills and self-esteem. Highlight the joy you find in witnessing their growth and enthusiasm and how meaningful relationships with children can positively impact their lives.

Speak about your understanding of diversity and inclusion. Mention implementing activities that celebrate different cultures and being sensitive to individual backgrounds, which can foster a warm and welcoming environment for all participants.

Share your enthusiasm for specific activities you’re passionate about, whether it's sports, arts and crafts, or nature-related activities. Highlight how your interests can be used to develop engaging and fun lesson plans for the children.

Stress the importance of preparation. Explain that you'll create lesson plans in advance, gather necessary materials for activities, and build a flexible schedule that accommodates both structure and spontaneity based on the children's interests and mood.

Discuss your collaborative spirit and provide examples of successfully working with colleagues to plan events or resolve issues. Emphasize the importance of teamwork in creating a successful environment for both staff and children.

Highlight your patience and empathy. Explain that you'd approach the child gently to understand their feelings and preferences, using encouragement, peer influence, or alternative activities to reintegrate them into the group.

Share your enthusiasm for contributing to the community and positively impacting children’s lives through the After School Program. Mention your alignment with the city's values of exceptional customer service and ethical behavior.