Parkour & Program Specialist

Job Title:        Parkour & Program Specialist

Department:   Recreation

Location:        550 Business Center Dr, Mt. Prospect, IL 60056

Reports To:    Recreation Supervisor of The Zone

Supervises:   Parkour Instructors

Status:            Part-time, Non-exempt

The Parkour Program Specialist will be the lead parkour instructor and staff member during birthday parties, programs, and open gym. They will assist Recreation Supervisor of the Zone with programming ideas and facility management.

Administrative

• Attend and participate in mandatory staff and training meetings
• Assist with recruiting, hiring, training, supervising, and evaluating parkour instructors
• Assist in the scheduling of part-time staff as needed
• Oversee supervision of The Zone and perform rotating checks of the parkour, turf and party room areas including all opening and closing procedures of The Zone
• Assist in developing parkour programming (i.e. class schedules, open gyms, birthday parties, special events etc.)
• Assist with all Special Events at the Zone as requested
• Assist with daily cash control, counting of revenue, preparing cash bank for next shift (i.e. open gym)
• Function as the on-site supervisor during any parkour programming hours and rentals
• Perform other duties and functions as assigned
• Ensure that all worksheets, progress reports, progress cards, certificates, etc. are in supply. Assemble and distribute progress cards for specific classes.
• Prepare attendance lists at start of each session to ensure proper placement of students. Maintain accurate attendance and sign-in/out participant books and updates class lists
• Teach, demonstrate, and correct skills at all levels of the programs as needed
• Assist in creating lesson plans. Review the lesson plans after usage and submit recommendations accordingly.
• Keep supervisor(s) informed of any problems or special occurrences
• Utilize the POS cash register
• Respond to participant concerns, complaints and suggestions as directed by supervisor.
• Communicate effectively with parkour classes, birthday parties and rentals
• Assist with rentals as needed

Additional Functions

• Maintain a thorough understanding of the Park District’s policies and operations, and enforce these in a positive manner
• Carry out all rules and regulations of the park district
• Develop and maintain working relationships with ALL park district departments
• Meet with instructors before lessons start to review responsibilities, explain procedures, and discuss teaching methods and approaches.
• Set up and take down equipment as needed (parkour and./or birthday)

Risk Management

• Hand in all accident/incident reports to Recreation Supervisor
• Report broken equipment/supplies to the Recreation Supervisor
• Actively support and enforce the safety program instituted by the Park District
• Maintain a working knowledge of all general agency and department-specific safety rules
• Attend required safety program and in-service education meetings
• Perform parkour safety checks and correct unsafe conditions and/or report them to Safety Coordinator
• Use material handling equipment or staff assistance when lifting and/or moving objects 50 pounds or heavier
• Address unsafe employee and patron behaviors by approaching, correcting and coaching
• Enforce safety disciplinary policies and procedures
• Use protective gloves, masks and other personal protective equipment (PPE) to prevent exposure to pathogens
• Foster a working environment that promotes safe work habits and active participation in the agency’s risk management program
• Administer First Aid and take charge in the event of any emergencies.

Required: 

• Excellent (oral and written) communication and organization skills
• Excellent customer service skills
• Possession of a valid driver’s license
• Strong organization and interpersonal skills
• Ability to deal positively and cooperatively with people of all ages. 
• Ability to oversee and direct staff when supervisor is out of the office
• Certification in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), First Aid and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) within 3 months of employment
• Exhibit quality leadership and be a good role model.
• WFPF Assistant Parkour Coach Certification within 3 months of employment start date

Recommended:

•   A formal education in a related area preferred 
  • Associate’s degree (2 year) in Management, Athletics, Sports or closely related field
  • Or a minimum of five (5) years of progressive management/supervisory experience
• Parkour and/or gymnastics experience
• Experience working with and/or teaching youth
• Possess organizational and management skills. 
• Ability to be flexible and adapt to a wide variety of duties 
• Experience in training, supervising, motivating and evaluating staff.
• Proficient knowledge and experience in Microsoft Office applications

Physical Considerations

• See the attached “Essential Functions Pertaining to the Job”

Customers:

Internal:     Other Park District staff

External:    Patrons of River Trails Park District, residents of Mount Prospect and Prospect Heights

Created          October 2025

Equal Opportunity Employer

This job description is intended to be an illustrative, and not an exhaustive, listing of experiences, skills and duties of this position.

**A copy of this signed position description will be place in the personnel file

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS PERTAINING TO JOB

1.         In an 8 hour work day employee may:

            a.         Stand/Walk                 None              1-4 hours                    4-6 hours          X         6-8 hours

            b.         Sit                                None               1-3 hours                    3-5 hours          X         5-8 hours

            c.         Drive                           None    X         1-3 hours                    3-5 hours                    5-8 hours

2.         Employee may use hand(s) for repetitive:

                         Single Grasping                     Fine Manipulation                   Pushing & Pulling

3.         Employee may use foot/feet for repetitive movement as in operating foot controls”

                         yes                               X         no

4.         Employee may:                       Not At All                     Occasionally               Frequently

                        Bend                                                                                                      X       

                        Twist                                                                                                      X       

                        Squat                                                                                                     X       

                        Climb                                                                 X                                                                   

                        Reach                                                                                                   X       

5.         Employee will be required to perform the following work:

             Sedentary Work         Lifting 10 pounds maximum and occasionally lifting and/or carrying such articles as dockets, ledgers and small tools.  Although a sedentary job is defined as one which involves sitting, a certain amount of walking and standing is often necessary in carrying out job duties.  Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and other sedentary criteria are met.

  X         Light Work.                Lifting 20 pounds maximum with frequent lifting and/or carrying of objects weighing up to 10 pounds.  Even though the weight lifted may be only a negligible amount, a job is in this category when it requires walking or standing to a significant degree or when it involves sitting most of the time with a degree of pushing and pulling of arm and/or leg controls.

             Light Medium Work.  Lifting 30 pounds maximum with frequent lifting and/or carrying of objects weighing up to 20 pounds.

             Medium Work.           Lifting 50 pounds maximum with frequent lifting and/or carrying of objects weighing up to 25 pounds.

             Light Heavy Work.     Lifting 75 pounds maximum with frequent lifting and/or carrying of objects weighing up to 40 pounds.

             Heavy Work.              Lifting 100 pounds maximum with frequent lifting and/or carrying of objects weighing up to 50 pounds.

JOB CLASSIFICATION           X         Office/Clerical              X         Non-Office/Clerical