Program Assistant, Senior

Salary: $19.66 - $23.89 Hourly
Location : Durham, NC
Job Type: PT w/o benefits (Less than 20 hours per wk)
Job Number: 25-05788
Department: Parks and Recreation
Opening Date: 01/12/2026
Closing Date: 1/26/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

Position Description
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 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: $19.66 - $21.67/ Hourly
Work Times/Days: Shifts vary, Monday - Friday 9:00 am-9:00 pm; Saturdays 8:30 am-2:00 pm

Position assists in the development and implementation of diverse indoor and outdoor recreational programs for the City to meet community needs. Incumbent assists in the planning, organization, and supervision of various athletic, cultural, and recreational activities, opens and closes facilities, monitors facilities for rentals, and leads athletic and cultural activities. Responsibilities include organizing positive alternative and preventive education projects; maintaining discipline; registering participants and collecting fees; coordinating, analyzing, and utilizing a variety of reports and records; and maintaining partnerships with local schools, non-profit organizations, and private entities. Communication with program participants, families, and representatives of community agencies, and the public is a major component of the duties of this position. Individual may also assist in promoting and coordinating specific activities and programs by distributing flyers and brochures, participating in public engagement meetings and events, and serving on committees. Incumbent may assist supervisor in training, assigning, supervising, and evaluating other part-time recreation staff and volunteers.

Incumbent must be available to work varying hours, including evenings and weekends.
When assigned to the Culture and Community unit of Parks and Recreation, incumbent will assist with improving engagement and service for our Latino community.

This position is assigned to the Community Family Life & Recreation Center at Lyon Park.

• This position requires you to communicate and connect on a regular basis with individuals and families in the community.
• Staff member will work with community partners and develop relationships with them that will enhance programs at DPR.
• Staff member will be responsible for planning and implementing new and existing programs.
• Staff member will be required to be hands on with all our program participants. Some participants may need more redirecting than others.

Duties/Responsibilities

• Monitors and supervises various recreational activities in multiple spaces simultaneously.
• Develops and implements programs for diverse groups, determines demographics and objectives, and sets the time and date the program will be offered.
• Researches and gathers resources for programs, maintains inventory, and orders supplies.
• Oversees facility operations and maintenance, opens, and closes the facility, and supervises field rentals.
• Ensures participants and patrons have an exemplary customer service experience by addressing questions, answering phone calls, and assisting with requests.
• Becomes well-versed in department structure and offerings to give accurate and correct information for any inquiry and direct patrons to appropriate staff members.
• Enters data such as user information and program registrations into the Active.net recreation software system.
• Maintains division records, prepares contracts, vendor forms, time sheets, attendance reports, calendars, and may assist in developing and proposing operating budgets.
• Prepares a daily cash report, obtains needed staff signatures, and prepares collected funds for deposit.
• Performs safety and security inspections and submits necessary work order requests to supervisor.
• Completes accident and incident reports for staff and participants.
• Collaborates with law enforcement to promote safety and security in the facility, determines when to conduct drills and initiates lockdown procedures as needed.
• Conducts assigned surveys for program evaluation.

Positions assigned to the Culture and Community unit of Parks and Recreation will also be responsible
for translation of written and oral communications (English to Spanish and Spanish to English).
KNOWLEDGE OF:

-Group recreational planning.

-Philosophy and objectives of group recreation and physical education.

-Community awareness and dynamics.

- Gang awareness. § Relevant technology and office machines.

-Best practices for handling money.

SKILL IN:

-Interacting positively with the public.

-Communicating effectively with varied age groups including teens and seniors.

-Planning and coordinating recreational activities and events.

-Behavior management and conflict resolution.

-Organization and facility management.

-Participating in community outreach.

-Exercising initiative and good judgment.

-Report writing and record keeping.

-Cash handling.

Minimum Qualifications & Experience

• High School diploma or equivalency (GED, HISet, TASC).
• Two (2) years of experience working with diverse groups in a recreational setting, supervising activities, and providing customer service.
• Must be at least 21 years of age.
• Valid North Carolina Class C Driver's License with a satisfactory driving record.
• Valid Adult and Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED - with Anaphylaxis and Epinephrine Auto Injector Certification within six months of hire.

Additional Preferred Skills

• Experience creating and implementing recreation programs for Youth, Teens and adults.
• Experience working independently and following assigned guidelines and procedures.
• Experience with planning events for all ages.
• Experience with ActiveNet software

01

Where did you first hear about this opportunity?

• City of Durham Website
• Walk in
• Job fair
• Employee referral
• Professional organization ***Please list the organization in "other" box below***
• Internet posting ***Please list the specific web site in the "other" box below***
• Craig's List
• Facebook
• LinkedIn
• GlassDoor
• governmentjobs.com
• Monster.com
• Indeed.com
• Employment Security Commission
• Magazine/Newspaper
• Other

02

If you listed "other" above please give specific web site, organization, or publication.
03

Please select your highest level of COMPLETED education.

• Less than a High School Diploma or Equivalent (GED, HiSET, TASC)
• High School Diploma or Equivalent (GED, HiSET, TASC)
• Associates Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree
• Doctoral Degree (PhD, Juris Doctorate)

04

Do you have a valid, unrestricted, North Carolina driver's license? (If you have a valid license from a State other than North Carolina, you must be willing and able to obtain a valid, unrestricted NC driver's license within 60 days of hire).

• I have a valid, unrestricted NC driver's license.
• I have a valid license from another State and I am willing to obtain a valid, unrestricted NC driver's license within 60 days.
• I do not have a valid, unrestricted driver's license.

05

How many years of related experience do you have working with diverse groups in a recreational setting, supervising activities, and providing customer service?

• No related experience
• Less than 1 year of related experience
• 1 year but less than 2 years of related experience
• 2 years but less than 6 years of related experience
• 6 or more years of related experience

06

Do you have a valid Adult and Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED - with Anaphylaxis and Epinephrine Auto Injector Certification?

• Yes
• No, but I AM WILLING to obtain within six months of hire.
• No, and I am NOT willing or able to obtain within six months of hire.

07

Do you have experience creating and implementing recreation programs for Youth, Teens and adults?

• Yes
• No

08

This position entails working a mix of day time hours, weekends and evenings. Are you available to work during those times?

• Yes
• No

09

Do you have experience working independently and following assigned guidelines and procedures?

• Yes
• No

10

Do you have experience with planning events for all ages?

• Yes
• No

11

Do you have experience with ActiveNet software?

• Yes
• No

Required Question

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