Program Assistant

Salary

$ $22.44 Hourly

Location

Durham, NC

Job Type

PT w/o benefits (Less than 20 hours per wk)

Job Number

Department

Parks and Recreation

Opening Date

01/09/2026

Closing Date

1/23/ :59 PM Eastern

Work. Serve. Thrive. With the City of Durham
Advance in your career while making a real difference in the community you serve.

A nationally accredited team of passionate professionals devoted to building better lives and a better community through the power of parks and recreation. Our talented team at Durham Parks and Recreation is devoted to community service and provides a diverse range of programs, services, opportunities, and experiences while being united through our core pillars of creating equitable economic impacts; advancing conservation; rejuvenating health and wellness; enhancing quality of life and sustaining social equity.

Hourly Rate: $ $20.35/ Hourly
Work Times/Days: Shifts vary, Monday- Friday 9:00 am-5:00 pm with some evenings and weekends

Position organizes and leads participants in diverse indoor and outdoor recreational programs for the City of Durham. Incumbent may be assigned to a special skilled development area with responsibility for supervising a single recreational program, including tutoring, arts and crafts, theater, music, sports, and other athletic, cultural, or recreational activities. Incumbent leads and directs program participants in special center and community projects as well as prevention education programs. Must be available to work varying work hours, including evenings and weekends.

• Supervises diverse age groups in a variety of indoor and outdoor activities.
• Takes responsibility for the health, well-being, and safety of participants of all skill levels and abilities.
• Provides assistance with personal care, mobility, and communication needs of participants.
• Maintains order, distributes equipment, and encourages respect for personal and City property.
• Sets a good example for participants in the areas of cleanliness, punctuality, observing rules, and sportsmanship.
• Recognizes and responds to opportunities for group problem solving.
• Leads and directs community work conducted by program participants.
• Provides opportunities for the group so that everyone has an experience of success.
• Facilitates prevention education workshops and participates in group discussions.
• Attends and participates in staff meetings, in-service training programs, orientations, and evaluation sessions.
• Assists in maintaining activity and attendance records and submits required paperwork on time.
• Communicates regularly with supervisor regarding concerns, updates, and challenges.
• Encourages respect for personal property, City equipment and facilities.
• Observes necessary precautions to secure the safety of program participants and renders first aid in case of minor injury.

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• Group recreational supervision.
• Group recreational supervision and the rules and regulations governing various competitive games, including athletics.
• Basic arts and crafts.
• Basic behavior management skills.
• Prevention education and positive alternative concepts.
• Elementary math, science, writing, etc.

SKILL IN:

• Interacting positively and communicating effectively with youth and adults.
• Communicating instructions effectively to individuals and groups.
• Organizing and instructing specialty area.
• Adhering to program standards and objectives.
• Following directions and completing assigned tasks.
• Exercising initiative, adaptability, and good judgment.
• Modeling compliance with policies and procedures.
• Conflict management and defusing confrontational situations.
• Working with "at risk" and "high risk" youth as identified by prevention education standards.
• Report writing and record keeping.

• High School diploma or equivalent (GED, HiSet, TSAC).
• Six (6) months of experience in programming with Mature Adults (ages 55+).
• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• A valid Adult and Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED – with Anaphylaxis and Epinephrine Auto Injector Certification within the first six months of employment.

• Strong commitment to serving the community through positive, respectful, and effective customer service.
• Ability to provide high-quality customer service in a community-facing environment.
• Experience supporting outings and field trips for program participants in a community-based setting.
• Ability to modify or adapt programs to appropriately serve mature adults in a community recreation environment.

Employer

City of Durham

Address

101 City Hall Plaza

Durham, North Carolina, 27701

Website