Job Details

Salary: $17.50 - $22.28 Hourly
Location : Hercules, CA
Job Type: Part-time
Job Number: 2025-00010
Department: Parks & Recreation
Opening Date: 12/29/2025
Closing Date: Continuous

Recreation Aide (Part-Time, 19 Hours or 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 communication-all 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 incident 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 toed 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.
• 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.
Additional Information
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.
Non-union/non-benefited position.
01

COMPETITIVE EVALUATION: Each applicant must complete this supplemental questionnaire as a part of the application screening and selection process. The information you provide will be reviewed and used to determine your eligibility to move forward in the selection process. Incomplete responses, false statements, omissions, or partial information may result in disqualification from the selection process. Do you agree to answer each supplemental question truthfully and completely and that your responses can be verified from information included within the application?

• Yes
• No

02

Please indicate the highest level of education you have completed.

• Less than High School Diploma or GED
• High School Diploma or GED
• Some college
• Associate's Degree (at least 60 semester units or 90 quarter units)
• Bachelor's Degree (at least 120 semester units or 180 quarter units)
• Master's Degree or Higher

03

Are you at least 18 years of age?

• Yes
• No

04

How much experience do you have working in a recreation program?

• I don't have any experience
• Less than 6 months
• 6 months to less than 1 year
• 1 year to less than 2 years
• 2 years to less than 3 years

05

The position requires a valid American Red Cross or equivalent agency certifications. Which of the following valid certificates do you possess?

• American Red Cross Lifeguarding/First Aid Certificate.
• American Red Cross Emergency Medical Response Certificate.
• American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor (WSI) Certificate.
• American Red Cross CPR/Automated External Defibrillator (AED) for Lifeguard Certificate or American Red Cross CPR for the Professional Rescuer/AED Essentials Certificate.
• American Red Cross Course Record showing successful completion of required training.
• Equivalent certificate from a lifeguard training program approved by the California Department of Public Health.
• American Red Cross or equivalent agency Pediatric First Aid and Infant/Child/Adult CPR certificate
• American Red Cross or equivalent agency Pediatric First Aid certificate
• American Red Cross or equivalent agency CPR certificate
• None of the above.

06

Please acknowledge by choosing one option from the list below:

• I currently possess the required license/certification(s) for this position.
• I do not currently possess the required license/certification(s) for this position, but acknowledge that if selected for this position, that I will obtain them prior to hire.

07

I have attached copies of all job-related certifications that I have to this application.

• Yes, I have attached them.
• No, I have not. I have them, but they are not attached.
• No, I have not, because I have not yet acquired them. I will provide copies of them to HR before my hire date if selected for this position.

08

In 500 words or less, describe your experience working with children, including your role, the location, and the duration of your experience.If you do not have experience working with children, please enter "N/A" in the space below.
09

In 500 words or less, tell us what interests you about the Recreation Aide position and explain why your skills, interests, or experience make you a good fit for the role.If not applicable, please enter "N/A" below.
10

How did you hear about this position?
Required Question