Recreation Leader Part-time Unbenefited HHPZ - Parks, Recreation, and Neighborhood Services

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The City of San José is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants for all job openings will be considered without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status or any other consideration made unlawful under any federal, state or local laws. The City of San José is committed to offering reasonable accommodations to job applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please contact us at 408-535-1285, 711 (TTY) , or via email at CityCareers@sanjoseca.gov .

About the Department

Are you ready to join a team that is “Building Community Through Fun?” Are you ready to make a difference?

The City of San José’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services (PRNS) is looking for people who want to make San José a better place to live. Our mission is to connect people through parks, recreation, and neighborhood services for an active San José. ActivateSJ , PRNS’ latest strategic work plan, is committed to establishing healthy communities that inspire belonging by following the guiding principles of stewardship, nature, equity & access, identity, and public life.

The Department creates and activates thriving places where people live, work, play, and learn, which include 48 community centers, 10 regional parks, 203 neighborhood parks, Happy Hollow Park & Zoo, 290 playgrounds and almost 63 miles of trails, programs and services that touch the lives of individuals and families in our community. We take a fun approach to public service, and value the public’s trust. Our team is collaborative, supportive, and innovative. We are a fast-paced organization that takes decisive action after thoughtful planning.

For more information, please visit activatesj.org

Position Duties

Recreation Leader positions are available at Happy Hollow Park & Zoo . These positions are part-time unbenefited, with a limit of 20 hours per week or a maximum of 1,040 hours per calendar year. Schedules will vary seasonally. Weekdays, weekends, holidays, and some evening hours may be required.

This classification is covered by the Pay Floor Rate and pays $30.48 hourly for part-time unbenefited employees. This salary range includes an approximate five percent (5%) ongoing non-pensionable compensation.

***INTERVIEWS ARE TENTATIVELY SCHEDULED for December 202 5

Happy Hollow Park & Zoo is a 16-acre amusement park and AZA-accredited zoo. Happy Hollow Park & Zoo is open year-round, catering to families with children. With eight amusement park rides, various endangered species, and one of the oldest classical puppet theaters in California, as well as many other playgrounds and attractions, Happy Hollow emphasizes play and imagination in a natural conservation setting.

While all Recreation Leaders at Happy Hollow Park & Zoo may be required to perform other duties of a similar nature or level, these are the assignments that are currently available:

• ENTERTAINMENT: This assignment includes assisting with the fabrication of puppets, scenery and props; delivering improvisational performances; providing mascot escorts around the park and at offsite events; interacting with guests; and coordinating special events. Other responsibilities include performing routine maintenance tasks and performing daily safety checks in public areas. Includes learning puppetry skills for puppet shows, mastering the art of being a mascot and embodying various face characters.
• GUEST SERVICES: This assignment is responsible for providing guest support through ticket collection, membership verification at turnstiles, and providing park information regarding rides, attractions, and special events. Will be required to learn functions of selling tickets and memberships; and provide exceptional customer service to all Members and guests.
• PICNIC BASKET & CATERING: This assignment is responsible for providing courteous guest service, assisting with taking and preparing food orders, operating food equipment (i.e. slicers, fryers, grills), and processing food and beverage sales. Other tasks include performing various cleaning and sanitation duties within the kitchen, dining room, and stockrooms, as well as the serving and preparation areas.
• REVENUE: This assignment assists in various financial-related tasks necessary for Happy Hollow to operate in accordance with City policies. This includes the accurate counting of cash and coins and preparing daily money distributions. Works closely with the Celebrations & Face painting, Guest Services, Picnic Basket & Catering, and Zoo Education teams. Attention to detail and problem solving are required.
• RIDES & ATTRACTIONS: This assignment is responsible for the cleanliness and safety of ride operations, including conducting daily ride and attraction inspections as well as operating the rides. May be required to assist with special events.
• ZOO EDUCATION: This assignment helps with educational program preparation and presentation at Happy Hollow as well as offsite. This includes week-long camps, educational assemblies, and events. Supervising children and performing administrative tasks are required. Some animal handling is possible.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Completion of high school, General Education Development (GED) Certificate, or California Proficiency Certificate

Experience: No Minimum Requirement

Acceptable substitution: None

Special Qualification: Those applicants in their last semester of high school are permitted to apply but will be required to provide proof of graduation prior to obtaining a work assignment.

Required Licensing (such as driver’s license, certifications, etc.)

• A valid First Aid certificate is required and must be maintained. Must provide proof of a valid certificate or will need to obtain a certificate within one (1) year of hire. This requirement does not apply to seasonal hires.
• A valid CPR certificate is required and must be maintained. Must provide proof of a valid certificate or will need to obtain a certificate within six (6) months of hire. This requirement does not apply to seasonal hires.

Medical Verification: State law requires all employees working with youth to provide medical verification of negative tuberculosis test results within the last two years.

Background Check: Candidates will be required to undergo a background check, including a criminal history records check, before being considered for a position.

Other Qualifications

Competencies

The ideal candidate will possess the following competencies, as demonstrated in past and current employment history.

Job Expertise: Demonstrates knowledge of and experience with applicable professional/technical principles and practices, Citywide and departmental procedures/policies and federal and state rules and regulations.

• Familiarity with a variety of recreation and leisure activities.
• Knowledge of basic professional and office functions.

• Ability to effectively communicate with a diverse participant population.

Communication Skills: Effectively conveys information and expresses thoughts and facts clearly, orally, and in writing; demonstrates effective use of listening skills; displays openness to other people’s ideas and thoughts.

Customer Service: Demonstrates the ability to anticipate customers' needs and deliver services effectively and efficiently using professional demeanor.

Initiative: Exhibits resourceful behaviors toward meeting job objectives; anticipates problems, is proactive, and avoids difficulties by planning ahead; displays willingness to assume extra responsibility and challenges; pursues continuing education opportunities that promotes job performance.

Leadership: Leads by example; demonstrates high ethical standards; remains visible and approachable and interacts with others on a regular basis; promotes a cooperative work environment, encourages and rewards risk-taking, allowing others to learn from mistakes.?

Problem Solving: Approaches a situation or problem by defining the problem or issue; determines the significance of problems; collects information; uses logic and intuition to arrive at decisions or solutions to problems that achieve the desired outcome.

Additional Competencies and/or Desirable Qualifications

(Competencies, knowledge, skills and abilities that are more position specific and/or likely to contribute to more successful job performance.)

• Possession of a valid State of California Class A or B driver’s license with applicable endorsements is highly desirable.
  

Selection Process:

The selection process will consist of an evaluation of the applicant's training and experience based on the application and responses to all the job specific questions. You must answer all questions to be considered, or your application may be deemed incomplete and withheld from further consideration. Only those candidates whose backgrounds best match the position will be invited to proceed in the selection process.

If you have questions about the duties of this position, the selection or hiring processes, please contact Josh Marquez at josh.marquez@sanjoseca.gov .

NOTE : YOUR ANSWERS TO THE JOB-SPECIFC QUESTIONS WILL BE USED AS AN INITIAL SCREENING DEVICE. YOU MUST ANSWER THE JOB SPECIFIC QUESTIONS IN ORDER TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS VACANCY .

Additional Information:

Employment Eligibility: Federal law requires all employees to provide verification of their eligibility to work in this country. Please be informed that the City of San Jose will NOT sponsor, represent or sign any documents related to visa applications/transfers for H1-B or any other type of visa which requires an employer application.

You must answer all job-specific questions to be considered for this vacancy or your application will be deemed incomplete and withheld from further consideration. Applicants are expected to write their own essays/responses.

Please note that applications are currently not accepted through CalOpps or any other third party job board application system.

This recruitment may be used to fill multiple positions in this, or other divisions or departments. If you are interested in employment in this classification, you should apply to ensure you are considered for additional opportunities that may utilize the applicants from this recruitment.

Please allow adequate time to complete the application and submit before the deadline or the system may not save your application. If your online application was successfully submitted, you will receive an automatic confirmation email to the email address you provided. IF YOU DO NOT RECEIVE THE CONFIRMATION, please email CityCareers@sanjoseca.gov and we will research the status of your application.

Part-time positions(less than 40 hours per week) are required to participate in the City’s PTC 457 Deferred Compensation Plan per Federal regulations. Employees are required to contribute 3.75% of gross earning and the City contributes a matching amount of 3.75%. The funds contributed by the City are 100% vested upon initial deferral and will be held in in a stability of principal investment. This plan is in lieu of social security and does not include any healthcare benefits or contributions.

Part-time employees may elect to contribute additional retirement savings through the City’s Voluntary 457 Deferred Compensation Plan. Additional Information on both plans can be found on the City’s website.

Closing Date/Time: 11/12/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

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• City of San Jose

• 408-535-1285

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