Senior Recreation Leader - Summer Sampler & Backyard Adventures

SENIOR RECREATION LEADER – SUMMER SAMPLER & BACKYARD ADVENTURES (Senior Recreation Leader, Community Services Specialist II)

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:

Summer Sampler and Backyard Adventures are two separate day camps that fall under the Outdoor Education programs for the City of Davis. Summer Sampler offers participants a little bit of everything, with each day’s activities inspired by other City of Davis camps, including Camp Putah, Summer Quest, and Kids in the Kitchen. Backyard Adventures is a summer program with outdoor activities such as scavenger hunts, bug catching, camp stories, team games, and biking to UC Davis’ Riparian Reserve at Putah Creek.

Both Summer Sampler and Backyard Adventures are biking and swimming camps.

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

There are two Senior Recreation Leaders for Summer Sampler and Backyard Adventures and between three to four Outdoor Education Camp Counselors. The two Senior Leaders will alternate as acting Senior Leader weekly, with one Senior Leader serving as the acting Summer Sampler or Backyard Adventures Senior Leader, while the other Senior Leader acts as the Outdoor Education Recreation Leader.

Must be proficient in bicycling and must own a bike that will be used weekly. Will bike upwards of 10 miles per day with coworkers, volunteers and campers.

Hours: City of Davis summer camps run for ten weeks from June 15 – August 21, 2026. Must be available to work Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. (schedules vary) from June through August, attend scheduled staff meetings during the summer dates, and participate in mandatory trainings at the beginning of June.

Camp planning begins in March. Mandatory training is Saturday, June 6, 2026. Additional training will be held prior to summer. Must be available Monday, June 15 – Thursday, June 18 for on-site training.

Overview of Daily Tasks:

• 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

Typical Responsibilities:

• 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

Minimum Qualifications:

• 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…