Summary
This is a talent pool application for part-time or seasonal recreation jobs at SUN Community Schools in Portland, involving roles like counselors, lead counselors, and instructors for after-school programs and activities for youth aged 15 and up.
The work focuses on supporting fun, educational experiences in parks and community settings, with flexible hours and no immediate hiring but potential future opportunities.
Ideal candidates are enthusiastic young adults or those with experience in youth engagement, teaching, or community programs who enjoy active, team-oriented environments.
Full Job Description
Are you looking for a part-time job that is flexible and fun? Portland Parks & Recreation is hiring at SUN Community Schools across Portland!
This application is not for summer day camp jobs. Summer job applications will become available in March.
We're collecting names of people who are interested in working future part-time or seasonal jobs with Portland Parks. This doesn’t mean there’s a job open right now, but we’re happy you’re interested! We might not contact you right away. When jobs do open, we will connect you if you're selected for an interview.
The following positions are forecasted vacancies:
Here are the jobs you can apply for on this application. Click on them to learn more! |
Recreation Associate Jobs: | Parks Activities Specialist Jobs: |
Recreation Associate Pay: - The training pay is $19.99 for all Recreation Associate jobs.
- Counselor, Lead Counselor and Attendant base pay is $19.99 - $23.33 (entry is $19.99)
Lead Counselor premium pay is $21.99 - $25.33 (entry is $21.99) Employees working in a Lead Counselor role shall receive a Leadership premium of $2.00 per hour while performing that body of workthat requires direction and coaching of other Recreation Support Staff.
For more information, please click here. - The premium pay range listed includes the $2.00 premium.
| Parks Activities Specialist Pay: The training pay is $19.04 for all Parks Activities Specialist positions. Assistant Instructor base pay is $19.04 - $22.21 (entry is $19.04) General Instructor base pay is $21.16 - $28.03 (entry is $21.66 - $24.33 based on experience) Certified Teacher base pay is $25.38 - $33.85 (entry is $25.38) Specialized Arts Instructor base pay is $31.73 - $40.19 (entry is $31.73 - $37.03 based on experience).
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Recreation Associate Union: These jobs are part of a union called (LiUNA) Labors' Local 483 - Recreation. You will start at the entry-level pay rate. To view the labor agreement, please click here | Parks Activities Specialist Union: These positions are not represented by a Union. |
Summary: SUN (Schools Uniting Neighborhoods) Community Schools offer academic support and enrichment classes to students in Multnomah County. Partnering with local agencies and school districts, SUN focuses on helping students and families, especially those from underserved communities, to achieve self-sufficiency.
SUN Community Schools offer after-school activities and academic support, camps, evening enrichment classes for youth and adults, including fitness, sports, arts, and more.
If you are interested in applying as a certified Fitness instructor with SUN, please apply to the Fitness Recruitment here (with link).
Note:
This is a talent pool and is collecting a list of people who are interested in the job. When a job opens up, we will look at your application to decide who to invite for an interview.
Job Type: Casual, Part-time. This job posting is for several positions, which are classified by the City of Portland as either Recreation Associates or Parks Activities Specialists.
Schedule: This job has flexible hours and might include working during the day, evenings, weekends, or holidays. The number of hours you work each week can change based on program needs, and there is no guarantee of work hours each week.
SUN School Locations: We are looking for people that may lead activities at Alice Ott, Arleta, Beaumont, Centennial Middle School (MS), Faubion, Grout, Lane, Mt. Tabor, Parkrose Highschool (HS), Roseway Heights, and Sitton SUN Community Schools. When you apply you can choose as many SUN School Locations as you want to work at.
Benefits:
This job has limited benefits. Click the Benefits tab for more information.
Language Pay:
If you speak another language besides English and use it to help the community, you may get extra pay. To learn more, click
here.
About Us: Portland Parks & Recreation is dedicated to making sure everyone can enjoy our parks and services, no matter their background. We value diversity and are committed to equity and inclusion. We encourage people who speak other languages to apply.
Contact Information:Loan Tran Polanco, Recruiter
Bureau of Human Resources
Loan.Tran@portlandoregon.gov
Requirements
Qualifications needed for all jobs listed on this application: - Can create a welcoming and friendly environment.
- Knows about the assigned recreation area.
- Can talk clearly with different groups of people.
- Can notice and handle safety and emergency situations.
- Can solve problems and help with customer concerns.
Qualifications needed for Certified Teacher job, in addition to the 5 qualifications listed above:
- Teaching Certification or License
Qualifications needed for the Specialized Arts Instructor job, in addition to the 5 qualifications listed above:- Minimum of 500 hours of prior teaching experience for each discipline(s).
- Have had significant traditional/non-traditional professional learning and/or development. Examples of this can include, but are not limited to:
- An accredited degree or certificate program in a specialized art form(s) OR
- Long-term self-lead practice of art form(s)/discipline(s), which may include teaching and/or continued education
Qualifications
How to Apply: - Click "APPLY" to submit your talent pool application online.
- You need to answer the supplemental questions and fill out your work history.
- If you are a Veteran and want preference, attach your Veteran documents.
Hiring Process:
Step 1: Apply online between January 19, 2026 to April 26, 2026
Step 2: We will review your application to see if you meet the minimum needs for this role.
Step 3: If you qualify, you will be placed on a list of talent pool eligible candidates.
Step 4: We will contact eligible candidates for interviews as positions become available.
Step 5: Job offers will be made after interviews.
Step 6: The start date will be set once all hiring conditions are met.
SUN Schools by Area: |
North Portland: Sitton SUN Community School – 9930 N Smith St
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Northeast Portland: Beaumont SUN Community School – 4043 NE Fremont St Faubion SUN Community School – 2930 NE Dekum St Parkrose HS SUN Community School – 12003 NE Shaver St Roseway Heights SUN Community School – 7334 NE Siskiyou St
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Southeast Portland: Alice Ott SUN Community School – 12500 SE Ramona St Arleta SUN Community School – 5109 SE 66th Ave Centennial MS SUN Community School – 17650 SE Brooklyn St Grout SUN Community School – 3119 SE Holgate St Lane SUN Community School – 7200 SE 60th Ave Mt Tabor SUN Community School – 5800 SE Ash St
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Additional Information
Counselor Jobs (Recreation Associates)
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These jobs are represented by Labors' (LiUNA) Local 483 - Recreation. Applicants start at the entry hourly rate. To view the labor agreement, please go to the
Labor agreements webpage and click on the appropriate link.
Counselors organize, plan, and lead a variety of activities including art, crafts, music, performance, science, games, nature, and sports in addition to supporting the physical, social, and cognitive development of preschool and school-aged participants. Positions will be responsible for maintaining discipline and safety while monitoring youth, consistently modeling appropriate behavior, maintaining accurate program records, and performing maintenance duties as assigned.
Ages: Counselor (Must be at least 15 years old) Lead Counselor (Must be at least 18 years old) Pay Range (new employees start at the entry hourly rate): All counselor positions base pay is $19.99 - $23.33 (entry is $19.99) Lead Counselor premium pay is $21.99 - $25.33 (entry is $21.99)- Employees working in a Lead Counselor role shall receive a Leadership premium of $2.00 per hour while performing that body of work that requires direction and coaching of other Recreation Support Staff. For more information, please click here.
- The premium pay range listed includes the $2.00 premium.
Training Pay: The training pay is $19.99 for Counselor and Lead Counselor positions. |
Counselor: Extended Day Program Help with after-school activities and instructions. Locations: Alice Ott, Arleta, Beaumont, Centennial MS, Faubion, Grout, Lane, Mt. Tabor, Parkrose High School, Roseway Heights, and Sitton SUN Community Schools. Shift Range: Weekday afternoons and evenings.
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Lead Counselor: Family Resource Navigator
Family Resource Navigators (FRN) work alongside families to help reduce barriers and stressors in the home, and promote self-sufficiency, so that students can learn and families can thrive. This position may work with the SUN site coordinator, school social workers, and counselors to provide activities and services to help families find access to food and clothing, rent and utility assistance, employment support, to offer resource navigation workshops, and more. Location: Parkrose High School Shift Range:
Weekday afternoons and evenings.
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Lead Counselor: SUN Assistant
Help with after-school activities and instructions. Participates in program leadership and provides direction to counselor staff.
Location: Alice Ott, Arleta, Beaumont, Centennial MS, Faubion, Grout, Lane, Mt. Tabor, Parkrose HS, Roseway Heights, and Sitton SUN Community Schools. Shift Range: Weekday afternoons and evenings. |
Instructor Jobs (Parks Activities Specialists) | These positions are not union represented.
Instructors prepare and present introductory lessons/activities for programs and classes for a variety of age ranges including preschool, youth, teen, and adult. Areas of assignment are as follows: messy art, cooking, music exploration, sports, and movement, tumbling and dance exploration, fine arts, writing and languages. Instructors create a welcoming atmosphere, engage with park and facility guests, provide excellent customer service and are a resource for PP&R information. Instructors will maintain clean facilities and/or park spaces, monitor use of space and needs of guests, are proactive in addressing potential safety concerns, upholds the PP&R code of conduct, and communicates with supervisor, rangers, and security under established guidelines. Instructors monitor participation and complete needed paperwork and record keeping.Instructor I and II (Must be at least 15 years old) Instructor III and Specialized Arts Instructor (Must be at least 18 years old) Pay Range (new employees start at the entry hourly rate):
Instructor I base pay is $19.04 - $22.21 (entry is $19.04)
Instructor II base pay is $21.16 - $28.03 (entry is $21.16 - $24.33 based on experience)
Instructor III base pay is $25.38 - $33.85 (entry is $25.38)
Specialized Arts Instructor base pay is $31.73 - $40.19 (entry is $31.73 - $37.03 based on experience)
Training Pay:
Instructor training pay is $19.04 for all instructor positions. |
Instructor I - Assistant Instructor
Assistant instructors support delivery of a variety of classes and activities. They are an aid to program delivery and not responsible for the lesson planning or class content. Locations:
Alice Ott, Arleta, Beaumont, Centennial MS, Faubion, Grout, Lane, Mt. Tabor, Parkrose HS, Roseway Heights, and Sitton SUN Community Schools. Shift Range: Weekday afternoons and evenings.
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Instructor II – General Instructor
General Instructors are responsible for lesson planning, class content, and instruction for a variety of general recreation activities including art, music, cooking, movement, dance, tumbling, gymnastics, sports, and skateboarding. Class instruction is predominately for youth and teenage participants. Locations: Alice Ott, Arleta, Beaumont, Centennial MS, Faubion, Grout, Lane, Mt. Tabor, Parkrose HS, Roseway Heights, and Sitton SUN Community Schools. Shift Range: Weekday afternoons and evenings.
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Instructor III – Certified Teacher * Help with after-school activities and instructions. This position is for certified or licensed teachers who instruct academic curriculum-based classes in SUN Community School programs. Locations: Alice Ott, Arleta, Beaumont, Centennial MS, Faubion, Grout, Lane, Mt. Tabor, Parkrose HS, Roseway Heights, and Sitton SUN Community Schools. Shift Range: Weekday afternoons and evenings. *It is required for Level III - General Instructors to be licensed or certified teachers.
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Specialized Arts Instructor*
All artistic practices, including culturally specific styles and genres, will be considered. Current instruction includes music classes, ensembles & choirs, private & group music lessons, dance, theatre, drawing, painting, ceramics, metalsmithing, printmaking, book arts, woodworking, textiles, photography, and literary arts. Class instruction is predominately for youth and teenage participants.
Locations:
Alice Ott, Arleta, Beaumont, Centennial MS, Faubion, Grout, Lane, Mt. Tabor, Parkrose HS, Roseway Heights, and Sitton SUN Community Schools. Shift Range:
Weekday afternoons and evenings. Specialized Arts Instructors must meet the requirements below: Minimum of 500 hours of prior teaching experience Have had significant traditional/non-traditional professional learning and/or development. Examples of this can include, but are not limited to: An accredited degree or certificate program in a specialized art form(s) OR Long-term self-lead practice of art form(s)/discipline(s), which may include teaching and/or continued education
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Click here for additional information regarding the following:
- Click here for additional information regarding the following:
- City of Portland Core Values
- Recruitment Process - Work Status
- Equal Employment Opportunity
- Veteran Preference
- ADA, Pregnancy, and Religious Accommodations
An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer