Summer Play Program - Counselor

City of Dearborn Heights

Job Description

Part Time Summer Play Program - Counselor

$15-$16 per hour

Anticipated Start Date: Mid-June 2026

The City of Dearborn Heights is seeking energetic and reliable individuals to join our team as Summer Play Program Counselors. In this role, you will help create a fun, safe, and engaging environment for youth by leading activities, supporting daily programming, and encouraging positive participation. This position is ideal for individuals who enjoy working with children and being active in a team-oriented, outdoor setting.

Why Join Us

• Make a positive impact on children in your community
• Gain hands-on experience in recreation, leadership, and youth engagement
• Work in a fun, active, and outdoor environment
• Build teamwork and communication skills
• Be part of a supportive and energetic team

Nature of Work Duties

• Helps plan, organize and direct activities each day while monitoring participants in the program
• Sets up needed equipment daily, maintain storage/inventory of program equipment and participates in each activity to set positive example for participants
• Keeps records, enforces playground rules and regulations and observes/reports playground area issues that could harm participants
• Assists in leading special events and special recreation activities

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 recreational equipment, arts and crafts supplies, sports equipment, 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 have knowledge of planning and organizing activities, a knowledge of sports, games, arts and crafts, music, drama and nature activities
• Must be a self-motivator and able to direct activities and have own transportation

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.