Assistant Camp Counselor - Adaptive & Specialized Camps Recreation Leader

Based on our internal equity review process, the starting salary for this position will be $17.13

The current full hourly range for this position is $17.13 -$20.40.

Spend Spring Break with our awesome campers! Adaptive & Specialized Camps are designed for kids with disabilities and provide highly structured, well-supported opportunities for campers to engage in recreational activities alongside their peers.

As an Assistant Counselor, you will work directly with campers to encourage positive engagement in fun, structured activities planned by Group Leads and Directors. You will actively engage with campers in a positive, inclusive, and consistently calm manner while supporting their participation throughout the day. In this role, you will assist with implementing camper behavioral management plans as outlined by Group Leads and Directors, and you will closely observe campers’ behavioral, verbal, and nonverbal cues to determine when additional support from Group Leads or Directors is needed.

This position is a great fit for individuals with little to no experience working with kids with disabilities who are interested in learning more, as well as for those with experience who are looking for a rewarding, hands‑on opportunity to connect with campers. Availability to work at least half of the weeks of camp is required.

Applications are reviewed as they are received. This position will remain open until filled.

Join our team at Parks Tacoma to put your skills to use serving your community and making Tacoma a vibrant, healthy, and welcoming place to live.

Parks Tacoma is a CAPRA-accredited and AZA-accredited, independent park district that leads efforts to build a healthy, sustainable community. Located in Tacoma, Washington, Parks Tacoma's mission is to create healthy opportunities to play, learn, and grow. The independent park district spans the city providing a wide range of life‑enriching destinations and services, including 70+ parks, 80+ miles of trails, 1,000+ acres of urban forest, 66 playgrounds, four community centers, Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, Northwest Trek Wildlife Park, Point Defiance Park, and much more.

Our work is guided by eight core values that are the foundation of our actions and goals: innovation, excellence, equity, inclusiveness, sustainability, accountability, safety, and fun.

Come work with us and work where you play! You will contribute to the overall vitality and well‑being of your community when you work for Parks Tacoma, and you’ll do so as part of a supportive team of committed, passionate, and mission‑driven professionals. The people of Parks Tacoma are the key to its success, and you just might be the next great addition to our team.

On top of that, you’ll wake each day knowing that you’re helping make Tacoma a great place to call home.

Implement, lead and/or oversee programming and activities in an assigned program area

In the performance of their respective tasks and duties all employees are expected to:

• Perform quality work within deadlines with or without direct supervision.
• Interact professionally with other employees, customers and suppliers.
• Work effectively as a team contributor on all assignments.
• Work independently while understanding the necessity for communicating and coordinating work efforts with other employees and organizations.
• Observe applicable safety requirements, use safety equipment provided, implement appropriate safety practices at all times and report immediately any unsafe working conditions or hazards.