Day Camp Counselor (Seasonal)

Position Description

The Community Services Department is hiring seasonal Day Camp Counselors for the 2026 Summer Day Camp program! Day Camp Counselors, under direct supervision, help create a fun, safe, and welcoming environment for campers. You’ll lead activities, keep an eye on assigned areas, help enforce safety rules, and jump into action during emergencies if needed. The ideal candidate enjoys working with youth and brings positive energy, creativity, and enthusiasm to camp each day. Experience or interest in sports, arts, cooking, music, and excursions/field trips is a big plus! Strong candidates can work both independently and as part of a supportive, team-oriented staff. This role requires friendly, respectful interaction with campers, parents, volunteers, and staff in a variety of situations—while having fun and making summer memories along the way.

This is a seasonal position within the Community Services Department. To be eligible for this position, applicant must be 18 years of age or older on or by June 15, 2026

DEFINITION

Under direct supervision, assists with the coordination of various recreational programs and activities suitable for a Youth Day Camp program and/or area of assignment.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

The Day Camp Counselor is the most entry level classification in the Day Camp series. The employee assists in conducting Community Services program activities in area(s) of assignment. May be assigned to work directly with the public. The ability to provide a high level of customer service is extremely important.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives direct supervision from the Director of Community Services or his/her designee.
No supervision exercised.

Examples of Duties

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Assists with coordinating all facets of assigned program area(s) and special events
• Assists with scheduled sessions of Youth Day Camp
• Maintains inventory control, activity and progress records
• Assists with the planning, developing, and implementing of specialized Community Services programs, which may include athletic, craft, social, and instructional activities
• Responds to inquiries from the public; assists with resolving complaints
• May provide guidance to volunteers
• Provides high level of customer service
• Sets-up and breaks down equipment and facilities; performs basic maintenance and cleaning, as needed
• Assists with facilitating field trips and group outings
• Assists with tours of sites or facilities
• Conducts pre and post trip inspections of vehicles to verify safety and proper operations or to identify potential problems; reports faulty equipment or operational problems
• Prepares and writes a variety of reports and documentation, including detailed Risk Management incident reports
• Prepares and writes a variety of reports and documentation, including detailed Risk Management incident reports
• Performs other duties of a similar nature

Minimum Qualifications

A combination of education, experience, and training that has provided the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities is required for entry into the classification. The City of Temecula utilizes equivalencies to substitute two years of applicable experience and similar responsibility for one year of college in order for a candidate to meet Minimum Qualifications. A typical combination of education, experience, and training for this classification includes:

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

High School Diploma or equivalent; Six (6) months of experience (paid or volunteer) as a youth group recreational activity worker or leader is desired. Related college course work is highly desirable.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

• Basic principles and practices of public Community Services programs
• Community Services leisure and volunteer activities as they relate to various interests and abilities
• First aid methods, practices and safety precautions related to Community Services programs
• Applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations
• Safe work practices and procedures
• Occupational hazards and safety measures appropriate to work performed

Skill to:

• Operate various types of standard office equipment, including a personal computer and related software
• Operate a motor vehicle in a safe manner, may be needed

Ability to:

• Provide quality customer service
• Evaluate situations, identify problems, propose alternative solutions, and exercise sound judgment within established guidelines
• Establish and maintain courteous, cooperative, and effective working relationships with those encountered in the course of the work
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing
• Use proper English, spelling, grammar and punctuation
• To learn first aid methods, practices and safety precautions related to Community Services programs
• Serve as emergency services worker in the event of an emergency

LICENSES AND/OR CERTIFICATES

First Aid and CPR certifications are required upon appointment.

Must be at least eighteen years of age at time of appointment.

Supplemental Information

WORKING CONDITIONS & PHYSICAL DEMANDS :

The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by employees to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand and sit; talk or hear both in person and by telephone; use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate equipment needed to carry out duties of the position; and reach with hands and arms. The employee frequently stands or walks, and lifts and moves records and documents or objects weighing up to 50 pounds alone, and up to 100 pounds with assistance. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

The employee is regularly required to use written and oral communication skills; read and interpret data, information and documents; analyze and solve complex problems; use math and mathematical reasoning; perform work under changing deadlines, on multiple concurrent tasks; work with constant interruptions; and interact with the public, including occasionally dissatisfied or quarrelsome individuals.

The employee may work in an office or field setting, and may travel to different community centers and events. In the office setting, the noise level is frequently quiet or moderately quiet, at or below 50 decibels. In field settings, the employee is exposed to loud noise which frequently exceeds 70 decibels during Community Services activities, and works under variable weather conditions at different sites and events. Occasional driving is required to visit community services facilities, and attend community and public meetings.

This recruitment will establish an eligibility list which may be used to fill future vacancies in the same classification or below in the same classification series for both project and authorized positions.

Note: A Project employee is an employee who is hired to work a specific period of time in a Fiscal Year. Project employees are: scheduled at the convenience of the City; not eligible for City sponsored benefits (e.g., health, dental, or vision insurance) unless otherwise specified; serve at the pleasure of the City Manager; and, specifically excluded from the Discipline policy (i.e. may be terminated at any time with or without notice). Typically, project positions do not exceed 1,000 hours in a fiscal year.

PLEASE NOTE: If you are a CalPERS annuitant, please be advised that this position does not meet the statutory criteria for post-retirement employment because the incumbent will be performing regular staff duties for an undetermined duration. Employment in this capacity would require you to rescind your retirement and reinstate as a current member of CalPERS.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION :
Flexibly Staffed: Yes
FLSA Status: Non-exempt
Conflict of Interest: Not Required
Department: Community Services
Bonding Required: No

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, mental condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, sexual orientation, or military and veteran status. If you require a reasonable accommodation to assist with the application, examination or interview process, please contact our Human Resources Department at 951-694-6490 as soon as practicable.

Benefits for Project Employees

Employees who are hired in a temporary or "project" position do not receive benefits other than those mandated by state and federal law. These benefits include paid sick leave(PSL)as well asparticipation in Medicare, Worker's Compensation,OBRAand/orCalPERSRetirement System.

Sick Leave
In accordance with California State Law, all non-regular, temporary and seasonal employees will receive 40 hours of paid sick leave (PSL) upon hire. PSL will be available for use beginning on each employee's90thday of employment. Thereafter, in each pay period that includes July 1, employees will receive a new 40-hour lump sum of PSL. Any unused PSLhours will not carry over.

Closing Date/Time: 3/9/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

• 

• City of Temecula

• 951-302-4152

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