Senior Recreation Leader - Summer Sampler & Backyard Adventures

Senior Recreation Leader – Summer Sampler & Backyard Adventures (2026)

City of Davis Summer Sampler and Backyard Adventures are two separate day camps under the Outdoor Education programs. Summer Sampler offers participants a variety of activities inspired by other City of Davis camps, including Camp Putah, Summer Quest, and Kids in the Kitchen. Backyard Adventures focuses on outdoor experiences such as scavenger hunts, bug catching, camp stories, team games, and biking to UC Davis’ Riparian Reserve at Putah Creek.

Both camps include biking and swimming.

Wage: $17.83/hour

Status: Temporary part time (no benefits, paid for all hours worked)

Minimum Age Requirement: Applicants must be at least 18 years of age or have education equivalent to completion of high school.

Program

Description:

The Senior Recreation Leader ensures a fun‑filled, safe, structured and comfortable environment for all. The position plans, oversees and evaluates all camp‑related activities, including supervision of camp staff, volunteers, youth participants and camp activities.

• Lead staff and volunteer morning meeting to prep for day
• Lead check‑in of campers on first day of camp, communicating with parents, ensuring all emergency forms are complete and campers have everything they need
• Introduce staff and volunteers to campers, explain camp rules, and get everyone excited
• Bike with the camp group to the location that is being used that day
• Keep time for activity rotations keeping staff and volunteers on track
• Lead checkout of campers every day, ensuring campers go home with the right person, and each child is accounted for

• Supervises, schedules, motivates, evaluates and leads program staff and volunteers
• Plans and coordinates camp activities
• Directs arts and crafts, sports, games, cooking, and other program related activities
• Communicates with parents on a daily basis regarding participant behavior, injuries and other relevant matters
• Renders first aid as necessary
• Attends and facilitates weekly volunteer meetings as needed
• Assures equipment and facilities are safe and properly prepared and maintained
• Keeps work environments clean and organized
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with other program staff and community members

• Must be 18 years or older or have education equivalent to the completion of high school
• Must have a valid California Driver’s License
• Must be certified in CPR and Standard First Aid prior to the start of the camp program
• Ability to direct and delegate assigned tasks to subordinate staff as needed
• Ability to swim at a level considered water safe and be comfortable participating in pool activities
• Ability to demonstrate energy, enthusiasm and creativity in the job position
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and communication with other program staff and community members
• Having related experience working with children is highly desirable
• Ability to motivate and lead staff, volunteers and youth participants
• Must complete required online trainings prior to the start of the program, including but not limited to Concussion Training, Blood Borne Pathogens, Mandated Reporter, Sudden Cardiac Arrest, Heat Illness, Prevention of Harassment and Discrimination

Final date to receive applications: March 2, 2026 or until filled. Applicants will be screened according to qualifications and experience and invited via email to an interview.

To Apply: A City of Davis online employment application must be submitted to be considered for these positions; paper applications will not be accepted. Please apply online yofdavis.org.

Physical/Sensory Requirements: Staff should be prepared to work outdoors, in various environmental conditions each week. The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This active position requires the ability to stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, reach, stand, walk and occasionally lift and/or move objects up…