PAY RANGE: 9

PARKS AND RECREATION OUTREACH WORKER

GENERAL DEFINITION

This is parks or recreation work recruiting community volunteers, participants, businesses and institutions to participate in the administration of programs in recreation centers, neighborhood parks, playgrounds, environmental education centers and city-wide special events. Employees in the Stewardship assignment perform work specifically for volunteer groups engaged in park beautification, environmental programming and restoring of natural environmental areas and parks within the city. Employees in the Recreation Engagement assignment focus on neighborhood engagement within recreational facilities, neighborhood parks, and environmental centers. Working closely with all segments of the community and motivating active involvement among participants are significant aspects of the work. Duties require scheduled evening and weekend work. An employee in this class functions under the general supervision of a recreation or park supervisor.

ALLOCATING FACTORS: (The following conditions must be met for a position to be approved for this class.)

1. Positions this class must recruit participants for neighborhood engagement within recreational facilities, neighborhood parks and environmental centers for recreation programs or stewardship programs for parks in designated areas of the city.

2. Positions must be located in the Parks and Recreation Department.

TYPICAL EXAMPLES OF WORK (ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY)

ALL ASSIGNMENTS

Recruits participants for classes and programs by contacting parents and community groups; partners with local schools to provide information on recreation center activities; recruits community groups to participate in programs.

Assists with recreation programming as required.

Performs related work as required.

RECREATION ENGAGEMENT ASSIGNMENT

Attends meetings of local community and volunteer groups; seeks community support and involvement in recreation programs or special events; helps community groups plan and implement recreation programs; addresses concerns communities may have concerning how programs or special events will affect or benefit the community; assists interested community, civic, or social organizations in planning special events.

Organizes field trips to places of interest; accompanies participants to shopping malls, factories, museums and amusement parks.

Advises community groups on procedures and services for obtaining funds and how to navigate City of Philadelphia policies and procedures for recreation activities.

Assists program staff with promoting and implementing recreation programs.

Attends staff conferences to discuss and resolve problems.

STEWARDSHIP ASSIGNMENT:

Performs the above duties specifically related to sustaining and restoring environmental areas with the City’s municipal park system, including reclamation, re-planting, and removal of invasive plants and trash; assists with volunteer workdays, recruitment of volunteer services; responsible for tool care and maintenance; provides support to Friends Groups; assists with education campaigns to encourage communities to follow department rules and care for parks.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

KNOWLEDGE OF:

· equipment, tools and supplies required to conduct activities or events in the area of assignment

· the principles and methods of organization, program planning, and scheduling and techniques of community group relations

· the methods and techniques used in instructing children and teens, if required by work assignment

· principles and practices of urban environmental management, stewardship and conservation for the stewardship assignment

SKILL IN:

· encouraging and maintaining sustained participation in recreational programs or stewardship activities

ABILITY TO:

· establish and maintain effective working relationships with participants, associates and the community

· motivate participants

MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE (The following statement represents the minimum training and experience standards which will be used to admit or reject applicants for tests. Applications submitted by candidates for this class will be reviewed based on training and experience requirements as approved on 10/22.)

OPTION 1:

EDUCATION:

Completion of thirty (30) credits of course work at an accredited college or university.

AND

EXPERIENCE:

Completion of the equivalent of six months of experience leading participants in recreation sports leagues, day camps, aquatics, or other organized recreational, environmental, or cultural activities.

NOTE: Completion of 60 college credits may be substituted for the experience requirement.

OPTION 2:

EDUCATION

Equivalent to completion of the twelfth school grade.

AND

EXPERIENCE:

Completion of the equivalent of three seasons of experience leading participants in organized recreational activities and/or participating in community engagement activities.

PHYSICAL AND MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS

Ability to physically perform the duties and to work in the environmental conditions required of a position in this class.

LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS AND/OR CERTIFICATES

Possession of a valid proper class motor vehicle operator's license as issued by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania prior to appointment and during tenure of employment, if required by work assignment.

Class Established - 6/83

Spec Revision:

CSC - 5/02

Ad. Board - 10/02

Spec Revision:

CSC –5/19

Ad. Board – 6/19

Latest Spec. Revision:

CSC – 9/22

Ad. Board – 10/22