Recreational Programs Assistant - Minneapolis

Position Summary · The current vacancies are in the Parks & Recreation Department. · Ramsey County Parks is seeking four energetic, people-centered individuals to help deliver fun, hands-on outdoor recreation and environmental education programs across the parks system. · This ro ...

Job description

Position Summary

The current vacancies are in the Parks & Recreation Department.

Ramsey County Parks is seeking four energetic, people-centered individuals to help deliver fun, hands-on outdoor recreation and environmental education programs across the parks system.

This role is ideal for someone who enjoys working with youth, families, and community groups that wants to spend their summer leading activities like fishing, archery, hiking, and biking while gaining real-world experience in parks, recreation, and environmental education.

The anticipated duration of this position is May 18, 2026, through August 31, 2026, with the potential to continue into the fall at reduced hours for actively enrolled students.

Anticipated work hours for this position are approximately 40 hours per week.

This role is a blend of hands-on, field-based programming (including fishing, archery, hiking, and biking) and office work, with roughly 50% of time spent outdoors, weather permitting, and 50% indoors.

The role includes evening and weekend hours based on program needs. Shifts may follow Sunday–Thursday or Tuesday–Saturday schedules.

To apply, please complete the application, submit a personal statement and resume.

Please Describe The Following In Your Attached Personal Statement:

How will this role help you grow professionally?
In what ways do you hope to apply your skills, experiences, and perspective to create meaningful impact within this position?

More detailed information on this role can be found here: RECREATION PROGRAMS ASSITANT INFO

To view or print a copy of the complete Ramsey County job (class) description for this position, go to: Job Descriptions.

Once at this page, you can browse the alphabetical list or search for a job description.

Examples of Work Performed

Assist with the facilitation and delivery of environmental education, outdoor recreation, and interpretive programs for the general public, schools, and youth groups.

Respond to public inquiries concerning program offerings and park rules.

Assist in the maintenance of Parks facilities and property by taking inventory of recreation equipment, organizing supplies, and keeping records and files as directed by supervisor.

Contribute to the general operation of Parks facilities by keeping the areas clean and well maintained, including setting up and taking down equipment and supplies for programs.

Engage participants in inclusive, welcoming, and age-appropriate learning experiences.
Model safe practices and assist with maintaining a positive group environment during programs.
Provide on-site support for special events, outreach programs, and seasonal activities across Ramsey County Parks.

(The work assigned to a position in this classification may not include all possible tasks in this work and does not limit the assignment of any additional tasks in this classification. Regular attendance according to the position's management approved work schedule is required.)


ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:
High School graduate, or equivalent.


Experience:
None.


Other:
Must be 18 years of age or older and have a valid driver's license.


Preferred Qualifications:
Experience working with youth, schools, or community groups
Interest in environmental education, parks and recreation, or outdoor learning
Strong communication and interpersonal skills
Knowledge of local ecology, plant and wildlife identification or interest in learning

Exam/Screening Process Information

To apply, please complete the application, submit a personal statement and resume.

Please Describe The Following In Your Attached Personal Statement:

How will this role help you grow professionally?
In what ways do you hope to apply your skills, experiences, and perspective to create meaningful impact within this position?

This is an unclassified, at-will temporary position. This position requires an open screening and selection process. There is no exam for this unclassified, at-will, temporary position. All applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will be forwarded to the department for consideration. Employment isn't guaranteed beyond the end of this assignment.

Definition Of Unclassified From The Ramsey County Personnel Act:

Subdivision 1. General. "The appointing authority may discharge employees in the unclassified service with or without cause.

Employees in the unclassified service have no right to a grievance appeal from discharge or other disciplinary action under sections 383A.281 to 383A.301.

An employee in an unclassified position shall not have tenure but shall be entitled to all benefits associated with tenure such as vacation leave, sick leave, health insurance, and other benefits as determined by the county board.

"

Criminal Background Checks:
All employment offers are conditioned upon the applicant passing a criminal background check. Convictions are not an automatic bar to employment. Each case is considered on its individual merits and the type of work sought. However, making false statements or withholding information will cause you to be barred from employment, or removed from employment.

E-Verify Participation:
Ramsey County participates in the federal E-Verify program.

This means that Ramsey County will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each new employee's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization.

If the Government cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, Ramsey County is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact DHS and/or the SSA before taking adverse action against you, including terminating your employment.

Employers may not use E-Verify to pre-screen job applicants and may not limit or influence the choice of documents you present for use on the Form I-9.

Equal Opportunity Employer:

Ramsey County provides equal access to employment, programs and services without regard to race, color, creed, religion, age, sex (except when sex is a Bona Fide Occupational Qualification), disability, marital status, sexual orientation or gender identity, public assistance or national origin.

Ramsey County is deeply committed to advancing racial equity and promoting diversity and inclusion within all areas of its workforce.

The county strives being equitable, inclusive, transparent, respectful, and impactful in how we serve and engage with residents, as well as Ramsey County employees.

Advancing racial equity ensures all people who need access to opportunities and services we provide, will receive them.

Racial equity is achieved when race can no longer be used to predict life outcomes, and outcomes for all are improved.

Please only use a paper application if you are unable to submit your application online. To print a paper application for this posting click Paper Application (Download PDF reader).

You will need to print this posting and answer the supplemental questions associated with this exam and submit them with your completed paper application.

For further information regarding this posting, please contact

Ramsey County provides a wide range of employee benefits to support health, well-being, and work/life balance. Benefits eligibility can vary depending on union status/contract language. A summary of benefits is provided below. Detailed information is available for review at

Medical, dental and vision insurance
The County contributes a bargained percentage to the medical and dental monthly premium
Employees choose from four enrollment tiers: Single, Employee + legally married spouse, Employee + Child(ren), Family

Blue Cross Blue Shield Medical insurance – three plan options including a High Deductible Plan with a Health Saving Account offered.

Earn up to $20/month in electronic gift cards for each enrolled employee or spouse for wellness activity
MetLife Dental Insurance – two plan options offered
VSP Vision Insurance – Advantage Plan offered

Pre-tax Benefit Program
Pre-tax medical, dental, vision monthly premium deduction option
Dependent and Health Care Flexible Spending Accounts
County monthly contribution to a Health Savings Account for employees who elect the High Deductible medical plan

Paid time off
Vacation hours, accrued based on years of service, ranging from 12 to 25 days per year (pro-rated for part-time employees)
11 scheduled holidays and two floating holidays
Up to eight weeks of 100% paid parental leave, plus additional use of sick time as noted below
Sick hours accrued at a rate of three weeks per year, which can be used for medical and dental care; injury or illness for you, your spouse or children; the birth or adoption of a child (up to 80 hours) or the death of a family member (up to 40 hours)
Wellness incentive allows conversion of unused sick time to vacation or pay

Retirement benefits
Pension - The county contributes at least 7.5% of your salary to your pension, depending on bargaining unit. Unlike other retirement investments, pension payments are a lifetime benefit once you start collecting payments
New employees become vested after three years. For the Police and Fire union, employees are vested after 10 years
Deferred compensation - 457(b) account with employer match

Health Care Savings Plan - all benefits-eligible employees contribute 1% of gross regular salary to a Health Care Savings Plan account for eligible health care expenses after retirement.

Interest accrues tax free. County provides a scheduled contribution after five years of participation

Transit and parking
Fully funded Metropass.
Transportation/parking expenses reimbursement account

Employee well-being
Employee assistance program, including telephone counseling, financial counseling, rideshare benefits, etc.
Wellness programming
Flexible work policy with hybrid work options for eligible positions

Life Insurance and Disability leave
County provided Basic Life coverage - 1x annual salary, minimum $10,000 up to a maximum of $50,000. Optional supplemental coverage available

Long-term Disability – County provided coverage replaces 40% of the employee's lost income after six months of disability, subject to a $5,000 monthly maximum.

Option to purchase an additional 20% income replacement up to $7,500 monthly maximum
Short-term Disability – option to purchase 60% income replacement coverage with 30, 60 or 90-day waiting period

Career development
Tuition reimbursement, up to $4,000 per year
Online professional development opportunities through the Learning & Development Center
County employment qualifies as a public service organization for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
Employee resource groups – help employees build connections through common bonds with colleagues
For information about Ramsey County's 2026 benefits, visit:

01

Each applicant must complete this supplemental questionnaire as a part of the application screening process. The supplemental questionnaire will be used as a scored evaluation of your knowledge, skills and experience. Provide complete information for each question. Do not write "see resume" as it is not an acceptable answer.

The experiences you indicate in your responses will be reviewed and used to determine your eligibility to move forward in the selection process.

Select "yes" if you have read and understand.
Yes
No

02

Please select the option that best applies to you if you have completed or are you currently participating in any of the following Public Sector Partnership Programs at Ramsey County.

HIRED Partnership Program
Project for Pride in Living (PPL) Partnership Program
Ramsey County Workforce Solutions
Ramsey County Internship (including Right Track Plus)
Fellowship at Ramsey County
Limited-Duration Assignment at Ramsey County
Provisional Assignment at Ramsey County
Temporary Opportunity at Ramsey County
Work Experience Program (e.g., Young Adult Career Academy)
Job Shadow Experience at Ramsey County
No, I have not participated in any of the above

03

Select the option that best describes your highest level of completed education.
High school diploma or GED
Associates Degree
Bachelors Degree
Masters Degree
Doctoral Degree
None of the above

04

If you indicated in the previous question that you have a degree, please describe below your field of study, the name of the school, dates of attendance/completion and type of degree.

If you have other formal training and certifications related to this position, you may include that here. If you do not have a degree/college credit, please write N/A in the space below. DO NOT WRITE see resume or see application.

05

Which best describes your experience working with youth, schools, or community groups?

No experience
Less than 2 years of experience
At least 2 years of experience but less than 4 years
At least 4 years of experience but less than 6 years
6 years of experience or more

06

Describe the experience indicated in question above. Include the name of your employer and provide specific details of the work you performed. Do not copy and paste your resume, a job description or indicate "see resume". If you do not have this experience, type "N/A in the space below."

07

Are you willing and able to work outdoors in varying weather conditions?

Yes
No

08

This job requires employees to lift up to 50-pounds of boxes and/or equipment as needed. Are you able to do that with or without a reasonable accommodation?

Yes
No

09

Do you have a valid drivers license?

Yes
No

10

Are you 18 years of age or older?

Yes
No

11

Did you submit your personal statement?

Yes
No
Required Question