Make a difference in the community you live in! As a Community Builder—an employee with the City of Gainesville— you will have a direct hand in building and improving your community and making a visible impact on the lives of your neighbors. Working for local government is more than a job, it’s a chance to contribute to community success and to help enhance the Gainesville way of life.
Department:
GG_Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs: Youth Services
Salary will be based on qualifications.
Closing Date:
04/15/2026
Job Details:
Inviting applications for the position of:
Summer Camp Counselor (Education)
The City of Gainesville’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs is seeking an innovative, forward thinking, fun and flexible individual with the right combination of education and experience to fill a Summer Camp Counselor position. Embrace the organization’s vision of an equitable community for all and a sustainable community for the future; join in serving neighbors and building community.
This is temporary, entry-level work teaching, instructing, and leading recreational activities, events, and programs of the City’s Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs (PRCA) facilities.
Positions allocated to this class report to a designated supervisor and work under close supervision. Work in this class is distinguished from other classes by its emphasis on recreational instruction and activities, and leadership work of a temporary nature.
EXAMPLES OF WORK*
* This section of the job description is not intended to be a comprehensive list of duties and responsibilities of the position. The omission of a specific job function does not absolve an employee from being required to perform additional tasks incidental to or inherent in the job. Performance of lower-level duties may be required.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
Depending on the area of assignment:
Assists in leading and monitoring summer camp activities and functions for children ages 5 through 18.
Assists with developing and implementing summer camp activities and programs.
Develops and teaches educational programs for various age groups at the assigned facility.
Responsible for the care of the children/adults in the recreation programs to which they are assigned.
Enforces safety and operating procedures, including compliance with health, safety, and building codes; enforces by informing the general public participants.
Renders CPR/ first aid, according to level of training, in the case of an injury, and reports all injuries to the supervisor or his/her designee. Completes accident reports as required by policy.
Distributes and collects equipment for games and activities.
Assist in instructing various recreation programs.
Ensures that equipment and materials are clean, safe, and in proper working condition; reports any damaged and unsafe equipment or required maintenance to the supervisor or his/her designee.
Performs related clerical work, but not limited to, copying, answering telephones, providing information on center activities, and recording center attendance.
Attends work on a continuous and regular basis.
NON-ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
May be responsible for supervising and monitoring activities of contracted workers or temporary employees.
May be responsible for transporting children or staff as necessary.
Performs other related duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job function satisfactorily. Below are the required education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Minimum sixteen (16) years of age or high school graduate or possess an acceptable equivalency diploma, and a minimum of six (6) months of experience volunteering, teaching, leading, or instructing children in an organized recreational or childcare setting, or an equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Temporary Recreation Assistants assigned to a Teen Camp must be at least eighteen (18) years of age.
Ability to pass Department of Children and Families (DCF) background check upon hire and as requested.
Depending on the area of assignment, may be required to satisfactorily complete a Counselor in Training program.
CERTIFICATIONS OR LICENSES
Licenses
Depending on the area of assignment, a valid Florida driver's license may be required upon appointment.
Certifications
American Red Cross certification (or equivalent) in Adult, Child, and Infant Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), AED, and First Aid is required upon appointment.
If assigned to a Department of Children and Families (DCF) Licensed Program: Must complete the Department of Children and Families (DCF) 40-hour Introductory Child Care Training within 15 months of hire, take additional specialized DCF training courses, or have an education exemption. Must complete annual In-service trainings.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
Ability to provide individual and group skilled instruction in varied recreational activities.
Ability to develop and implement summer camp activities and programs.
Ability to develop and teach educational programs for various age groups.
Ability to communicate effectively with persons of varying ages and abilities, both orally and in writing.
Ability to read and understand work schedules.
Ability to effectively work with and to secure the confidence and cooperation of participants, the general public, and other employees in recreational activities.
Ability to plan, assign, and coordinate the work of contract and temporary employees in recreational activities.
PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must possess certain physical abilities and be able to withstand work-related environmental conditions.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
Work requires physical strength and agility sufficient to safely perform all essential job functions, including the ability to lift, carry, push, or pull 50 pounds without assistance.
Must conform to grooming and dress codes (uniforms furnished).
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Work requires the ability to work safely with hazardous chemicals, including but not limited to: household cleaning and maintenance chemicals.
While performing the duties of this job, work may require the performance of tasks outdoors under varying environmental conditions, including heat, humidity, and biting insects/invertebrates.
May be required to work outside regular business hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.
Drug test screening, DCF screening
Note:
May Require Assessment(s).
May fill multiple positions.
May establish an eligibility list.
Come join our team! The City of Gainesville offers a competitive benefits package and opportunities to grow both professionally and personally. Not only do we offer traditional benefits such as health insurance, life insurance, paid leave, 11 paid a holidays a year, a pension plan and a deferred compensation plan, but we also offer great things like on-site fitness centers, tuition reimbursement, on-site medical staff and a wellness program to keep you healthy and happy.
Equal Opportunity
The City of Gainesville is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and does not discriminate in hiring. Minorities, women and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Individuals with a disability, who require special accommodations during the selection process, should notify the Human Resources Department at 352-334-5077 or TDD/TTY at 352-334-2292.
Veterans' Preference
Veterans are encouraged to apply. Veterans’ Preference ensures that veterans and eligible persons are given consideration at each step of the selection process. However, preference does not guarantee that a veteran or other eligible person will be the candidate selected to fill the position. Section 295.07, Florida Statutes (F.S.) specifies who is eligible for Veterans’ Preference. State of Florida residency is not required for Veterans’ Preference.
If you are unable to apply online due to a disability, contact recruiting at HR@cityofgainesville.org or by calling 352-334-5077.
Ranked as #1 city to live on Livability.com’s Top 100 Best Places to Live list, #1 on Zippia’s Best City to Start Your Career, #42 Best City to Live in America and #9 Ten Best College Towns, the City of Gainesville serves as the cultural, educational, and commercial center of the north central Florida region. The City of Gainesville has a Commission-Manager form of government and employs roughly 2,200 employees, making it one of the largest employers in the region.
In addition to providing a full range of municipal services, the city owns a regional transit system, a municipal airport, a 72-par championship golf course and a utility. The Gainesville metro area population is more than 339,000 people. Geographically, Gainesville consists of approximately 63 square miles. Gainesville is nationally-recognized as a great place to live and raise a family due in large part to the University of Florida and Santa Fe College, as well as its central location in the state of Florida, putting its citizens within a few hours’ drive of Orlando, Tampa, Sarasota and Florida’s award-winning beaches.
To learn how to become a part of the city’s exceptional team, visit our current vacancies at https://www.gainesvillefl.gov/Employment-Pages/Employment/Careers.
