Lead Youth Counselor

CLICK HERE to complete the application. 

TITLE: Lead Youth Counselor 

REPORTS TO: DSRP Program Specialist; Recreation Program Manager 

STATUS: Full-Time Seasonal (32-40 hours/week) 

SALARY: Starting at $18/hour 

GENERAL PURPOSE 

The Lead Youth Counselor oversees daily operations of assigned youth programs and activities. This position is responsible for ensuring participant safety, leading recreational and educational activities, supervising Youth Counselors, supporting transportation operations, and creating a safe, inclusive, and engaging environment that promotes positive youth development. The Lead Youth Counselor provides leadership, activity coordination, participant supervision, staff support, and operational oversight while helping ensure the successful delivery of Parks & Community Services programs. 

SUPERVISION RECEIVED 

Works under the general direction of the DSRP Program Specialist and Recreation Program Manager. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

1. Maintains the health, safety, and well-being of all participants in their care at all times. 

2. Supports program safety efforts by following all City safety policies, emergency response procedures, and incident reporting protocols. 

3. Supervises participants at all times and maintains required participant-to-staff supervision ratios. 

4. Responds appropriately to emergencies, including administering first aid when necessary. 

5. Encourages participation, teamwork, and positive peer relationships among participants. 

6. Supports and supervises Youth Counselors assigned to their age group. 

7. Implements positive behavior management strategies and reports concerns to the DSRP Program Specialist. Communicates clearly, respectfully, and professionally with participants, staff, and parents/guardians. 

8. Exercises sound judgement in a fast-paced, outdoor, and highly active environment. 

9. Assists with daily set-up, clean-up, and routine maintenance of program areas, facilities, equipment, and supplies. 

10. Coordinates daily activities and assists with implementation of program plans and schedules. Safely transports participants between schools, parks, program sites, and other approved locations when assigned. 

11. Conducts attendance verification and maintains participant accountability during transportation and field trips. 

12. Supports youth recreation, educational, enrichment, nature-based, camp, after-school, and special event programs. 

13. Maintains professional boundaries with participants at all times, including appropriate use of social media and electronic communication. Performs other related duties as assigned. 

14. Provides excellent customer service and serves as a positive representative of the Parks & Community Services Department. 15. Performs other related duties as assigned. 

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND CERTIFICATIONS 

Education: High School Diploma or Equivalent. Experience working with youth programs, camps, after-school programs, recreation programs, educational programs, childcare settings, or related youth services preferred. 

1. Prior experience working in youth programs or summer camps with children ages 5 – 12 years old preferred. 

2. Strong leadership skills. 

3. Ability to handle and maintain confidential and sensitive information while maintaining confidentiality. 

4. Ability to work independently and exercise good judgment. 

5. Must obtain a valid Adult/Pediatric CPR, First Aid, and AED certification within a timeframe established by the department. 

6. Must successfully complete all City-required driver training and vehicle operation requirements. 

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED 

Recreational equipment, educational materials, first aid supplies, passenger vehicles, and general Parks & Community Services program equipment. 

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS 

1. Must possess a valid Texas Class C Driver’s License and maintain a clean driving record. 

2. Must be able to successfully complete City vehicle driver qualification requirements. 

3. Must be able to safely operate passenger vans transporting youth participants. 

4. Candidates must be a minimum age of 18 years of age at the time of hire. 

5. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, communicate, use hands, and reach with hands and arms. 

6. The employee must occasionally carry, lift, hold, push and/or pull up to 50 pounds of camp supplies, athletic equipment, and camp equipment. 

7. Must be available to work assigned program schedules, including after-school programs, camps, school break programs, special events, and other departmental activities as assigned. 

8. Must enjoy working with youth of all ages in an outdoor environment. 

9. Must have reliable transportation. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT 

This position is performed in both indoor and outdoor environments and in varying weather conditions. This position requires sitting, standing, bending, walking, and reaching for extended periods of time. Employee must have the mobility to move to and from various points within the city and hike daily over uneven terrain. Employee must be able to speak, read, and write proficiently in English. Employee must be able to lift, push, or pull a minimum of 50 lbs. This position may be required to perform other camp or department related duties. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. 

WORK HOURS 

This is a non-exempt seasonal and/or part-time position. Hours vary based on program assignments and operational needs. Programs may be scheduled before school, after school, during school holidays and breaks, during summer months, on weekdays, and occasionally during evenings and weekends. Additional hours may be available based on program enrollment, staffing needs, and special events. Time off requests must be submitted in advance and approved by the Recreation Program Manager. This position is non-exempt and eligible for overtime pursuant to the needs of the City if the employee works more than forty (40) hours in a seven (7) day work period. Any overtime hours performed must be pre-approved by the Recreation Program Manager. 

SALARY 

Starting at $18.00 per hour, depending on experience. Pay days are every other Friday, or as otherwise determined by the “City of Dripping Springs Personnel Manual.” 

BENEFITS As a seasonal employee, the employee shall not be eligible for benefits. Benefits shall be in accordance with those outlined in the “City of Dripping Springs Personnel Manual,” as may be modified by the employee’s offer letter and subsequent revisions to the Manual. 

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER 

The City’s employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, handicap, or marital status. Discrimination or harassment against any person in recruitment, examination, appointment, training, promotion, discipline, or any other aspect of personnel administration because of political or religious opinions or affiliations, membership or non-membership in employee organizations, or because of race, color, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sex, or marital status is prohibited. To discuss an accommodation, please contact the Human Resources Director, Chase Winburn at (512) 502-8313. 

TO APPLY 

Please complete a City of Dripping Springs employment application and submit it to the Recreation Program Manager Alisha Osborne by email to aosborne@cityofdrippingsprings.com, or by mailing or delivering to 511 Mercer Street, Dripping Springs, TX 78620. 

Please note: This Position Description is not a contract and shall not be construed to alter an employee’s at will relationship. The terms and conditions of any employee’s position with the City may be altered by the City Council at any time. To the extent reasonably possible, this Job Description, the Personnel Manual, and the employee’s Offer Letter shall be read together in harmony. If there are conflicts between this Position Description, the Personnel Manual, and the employee’s Offer Letter, the most specific term or condition of employment shall govern.