Summer Play Program - Lead Counselor

City of Dearborn Heights

Job Description

Part Time Summer Play Program - Lead Counselor

$18-$19 per hour

Anticipated Start Date: Mid-June 2026

The City of Dearborn Heights is seeking an enthusiastic and responsible Summer Play Program – Lead Counselor to help lead a fun, safe, and engaging summer experience for youth in our community. In this role, you will coordinate, oversee, and actively participate in all aspects of the Summer Play Program while supporting staff and ensuring a positive environment for participants. This position works under the direction of the Deputy Parks and Recreation Director and Parks and Recreation Director.

Why Join Us

• Make a direct impact by creating a fun and safe summer experience for local youth
• Build leadership and teamwork skills in a hands-on environment
• Gain valuable experience in recreation, supervision, and program coordination
• Work outdoors and stay active throughout the summer
• Be part of a supportive team that values energy, creativity, and community

Nature of Work Duties

⦁ Assists the Deputy Director in the orientation of all program staff and execution of all summer activities and events that are planned

⦁ Oversees, evaluates, and supports the program staff

⦁ Assists in promotion of the program, maintains check-in & check-out records, and keeps inventory of equipment and snacks to submit orders to department leadership when necessary

⦁ Serves as a liaison between Recreation Department and the program to assist the Deputy Director with review and evaluation of the City’s Summer Play Program

⦁ Communicates with parent/guardian of participants to ensure program safety

⦁ Assists with medical record keeping and administering approved prescriptions received from parents

⦁ Assists with overseeing equipment set-up for any special event or activity that is planned each day

⦁ Attends bi-weekly staff meetings and performs other tasks as required by the Recreation Department leadership

Environmental Conditions and Equipment Used

⦁ Exposure to indoor and outdoor weather conditions, insect bites, etc.

⦁ Exposure to constant sunlight and adverse weather conditions, subject to exposure to poisonous chemicals and plants

⦁ Uses tools and equipment that are relative to the position, including sports equipment, games, scissors, examinations, manuals, etc.

Minimum Training, License, Education and Experience

⦁ Must be at least 18 years old, have earned a High School diploma or equivalent and other advanced course work or related field

⦁ Must also have a general knowledge of first aid and experience with working with children

⦁ Must be self-motivated, dependable and responsible with knowledge of the program’s goals and objectives

⦁ Must have own transportation to and from work site

Specifications (Skills, Mental and Physical)

⦁ Must have the ability to apply principles of rational systems to solve problems and interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagrammatic, or schedule form

⦁ Must be able to read at a level to understand procedures and methods related to the job, as well as communicate effectively both verbally and in writing

⦁ Must have math ability that includes shop math

⦁ Must be able to complete light work that includes exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, or up to 10 pounds of force frequently or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects; physical demands are in excess of those for sedentary work

• Must be able to perform work duties involving reaching, handling, tactile tasks, and repetitive movements

⦁ Must have hearing to perceive information at normal spoken word levels and receive detailed information through oral communication and/or make fine distinctions in sound

⦁ Must have visual acuity for determining accuracy, thoroughness of work and observation of general surroundings and activities

⦁ Must be able to adapt to changing situations, work well with others and participate in a team-oriented environment

⦁ Must be able to be customer oriented and maintain excellent customer service

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed, not construed as an exhaustive list of all duties that could be performed by a person in this classification.

The City of Dearborn Heights is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, or any other legally protected status in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.

4/21/2026

Salary : $18 - $19