Camp Long Challenge Course Recreation Leader

Full Job Description

Do you enjoy fresh air and outdoor recreation during Seattle’s summer months? Do you love working with people and thrive in a fun, fast-paced, team-oriented, and community-centered environment? Join the Seattle Parks and Recreation team this summer!

We are seeking Camp Long Challenge Course Recreation Leaders (Recreation Leaders) to lead groups and support programming at Camp Long. This role focuses primarily on facilitating the Challenge Course, with additional opportunities to assist with large events and other programming.

Camp Long spans 68 acres and features an extensive Challenge Course system, including 16 low elements located throughout the upper park among cabins and forested areas, one hub-and-spoke high course built into the hillside, and two additional belayed high courses in the lower forest.

Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) is a national leader and innovator in the services and programs we provide to our residents who enjoy our public spaces such as parks, community centers, specialty gardens, and swimming pools.

Our mission is to provide welcoming and safe opportunities to play, learn, contemplate, and build community and promote responsible stewardship of the land.

We promote healthy people, a healthy environment, and strong communities. We strive to deliver excellent customer service to each visitor and participant.

SPR is also deeply committed to advancing the City of Seattle's Race and Social Justice Initiative (RSJI) by working to end institutional and structural racism.

The Recreation Division eliminates barriers through responsive, exceptional recreation services.

We operate over 50 recreation facilities (community centers, teen centers, pools, school-based learning centers, environmental learning centers, and boating and sailing centers) and provide opportunities for people to play, learn, and lead healthy, active lives.

Our programs and events include fitness and athletics, licensed childcare and preschool, swimming and boating, youth development and job preparation, academic enrichment, and more -- including programs designed for older adults and people with disabilities, as well as grant and partnership programs designed and implemented with immigrant and refugee communities.

Requirements

• Attend all required trainings for 4-H Challenge Course certification and rock belay training.
  • Training dates: March 14–15, 2026 (both dates required) and April 18–19, 2026 (both dates required).
  • Additional training dates for the high challenge course may be discussed upon hire.
  • Certifications from other challenge course locations or vendors may be considered; however, additional training may still be required on a case-by-case basis.
• Facilitate teambuilding activities on the ground, low challenge course, rock wall, and potentially the high challenge course at Camp Long.
• Develop program plans for teambuilding activities within short timeframes.
• Manage risk and ensure participant safety for groups of all ages.
• Create and maintain a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment for participants from diverse backgrounds.
• Set up and take down course equipment, including regularly lifting and carrying loads of up to 50 pounds.
• Obtain and maintain current first aid certification and respond appropriately to first aid needs at Camp Long.
• Assist with large events such as Mountain Fest and Trail or Treat.
• Support additional youth programming and outdoor education activities at Camp Long.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications: Requires one year experience in a community-based recreation program and an associate degree in Recreation, Therapeutic Recreation, or related field (or a combination of education and/or training and/or experience which provides an equivalent background required to perform the work).

Desired Qualifications - You will be successful if you have the following experience, skills, and abilities:

• 1–3 years of experience working with youth
• 1–3 years of experience facilitating teambuilding activities or providing direct programming with groups
• Experience mentoring and working with youth from diverse and underserved communities

Additional Information

Special Working Conditions and Work Schedule:

• May be required to work evenings and weekends.
• Requires working outdoors in all types of weather.
• Normally required to lift up to 50 pounds.
• May require strenuous physical activity.
• Current State of Washington driver's license or evidence of equivalent mobility.
• First Aid and CPR Certificate required within six months of hire-SPR offers training.

Application Process

Please submit the following with your online application:

• A cover letter in which you clearly describe how your knowledge, experience, skills, and abilities prepare you for the job responsibilities and qualifications outlined in the job announcement
• A current resume of your educational and professional work experience.

The full salary for this position is $34.08 - $45.64 per hour.

SPR's Core Competencies:

Accountability & Action: Holding yourself accountable for achieving goals, completing tasks, and delivering quality work. Demonstrating thoughtful initiative in actions and decision-making and promoting high quality standards.

Equity and Inclusion: Supporting the goals of the Race and Social Justice Initiative and the City's commitment to workforce equity.

Communication: Sharing and exchanging information and ideas with people in a variety of ways to help them understand and remember the information.

Service: An ongoing commitment to base decisions and actions on the needs and priorities of the City.

Teamwork: Participating as an engaged member of a team to achieve group goals. Effectively working with internal and external people to complete tasks and achieve work group goals.