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Recreation Jobs
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Now Hiring Lifeguards and Swim Instructors
Apply Today!
Are you looking for a fun new job? Land one of the best jobs in Markham and get paid doing something you love, while staying fit. Make new friends and build valuable skills that will set you apart in the workforce.
We're looking for enthusiastic, responsible youth and adults to join our team as lifeguards, swim instructors, and deck assistants with our Recreation Services department. You will benefit from many opportunities for growth and development, while building your leadership and customer service skills. Gain valuable experience you need to jumpstart a successful career in the social services, the business sector and beyond.
The Perks of Working with the Aquatics Team!
Take advantage of perks and discounts offered to our aquatic staff:
- Flexible Work Schedule
- Free Recreation Activity Pass — Access to most pay-per-play activities, public swims and skates
- Free Markham Fitnes membership — Access to fitness centres, indoor tracks, group fitness classes and more
- Exclusive discounts on YRT passes and certifications
Aquatic Staff Requirements and Certifications
Volunteer with us! Successfully complete Bronze Medallion, Emergency or Standard First Aid and are 14 years or older, you can volunteer with us. You can redeem volunteer hours to pay for select leadership courses.
Work as a Deck Attendant! Successfully complete Bronze Cross, Standard First Aid and are 15 years or older, you can become a Deck Attendant. By working with us through the leadership pathway, you can save money on select leadership courses. Plus there are great perks!
Work as a Lifeguard and Swim Instructor! Once you successfully complete Instructors: Swim and Lifesaving, National Lifeguard and are 16 years or older, you can become a lifeguard and swim instructor. Work with us for 50 hours and get a credit for the Instructors and National Lifeguard course fees (Courses must have been taken with the City of Markham within the past 12 months).
Hiring Throughout of the Year
Instructors and lifeguard positions are available year-round, and are posted seasonally to ensure new applicants are on board to meet training deadlines prior to beginning work.
| Season | Posting Period | Interviews | Job Offers | Training Dates | Season Dates |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | January to late February | Monthly | Monthly | March | Last week of March until end of June |
| Summer | March to May | Completed by May | May | June | First week of July until end of August |
| Fall | June to September | Monthly | Monthly | August or first two weeks of September | September until December |
| Winter | September to December | Monthly | Monthly | December | January until end of March |
Our Flexible Schedule & Shifts
The City of Markham’s pools operate from early morning to late evening, 7 days a week, 52 weeks a year.
Whether you’re a student, stay-at-home parent or an adult looking for part-time hours, the City of Markham offers the flexibility to work around your schedule at one or multiple pools. Part-time staff can work up to 24 hours/week, with some positions offering up to 35 hours/week. Choose from early, daytime or evening shifts.
Volunteering in Recreation? Redeem your hours for certification courses!
Volunteering is a great way to get involved with the Aquatics Program, while earning valuable experience and volunteer hours. Play an important role in the success of our programs by providing encouragement, assisting instructors, and providing a safe environment for all participants. You’ll have a standard schedule throughout the season and be eligible for discounts on aquatics leadership courses. Come experience the fun, friendly, team-oriented atmosphere at our community pools!
If you are currently a volunteer with Markham Recreation or Aquatics, turn your hours into free leadership and lifesaving courses to land a great job with our aquatics team. Redeem your volunteer hours and enroll in a lifesaving and leadership course of your choice.
30 Hours:
- Bronze Cross
- Airway Management
- High Five
- Emergency First Aid w/ CPR-B
- Babysitting Course
- Bronze Cross Recert
- National Lifeguard Recert
- Standard First Aid Recert
- Airway Management Recert
50 Hours:
- Standard First Aid w/ CPR-C
- National Lifeguard
- Assistant Instructors
- Swim and Lifesaving Instructors
Our volunteer program allows you to use your hours and apply the skills you’ve gained from us and use them in the workforce!
Qualifications and How to Become an Aquatic Volunteer:
To be an aquatic volunteer, you must be at least 14 years of age, have completed Bronze Medallion certification and a Volunteer Orientation Workshop. Once the orientation is completed, you may submit your volunteer application to your supervisor at your local community centre. To complete a Volunteer Orientation Workshop, register now with EZ Reg.
Now hiring for various positions!
Recreation is now hiring!
The City of Markham's Recreation Department operates over 20 recreation facilities that act as a public gathering spaces and allow participants of all ages and abilities to stay active.
A variety of positions available:
- Summer Camp Counsellor
- Summer Camp Inclusion Counsellor
- Front Desk Information Services Attendant
- Lifeguard, Swim Instructor, Deck Attendant
- Facility Operations and Maintenance
- Program Instructor
Various application deadlines, check listing now!
Summer Camp Staff Training Schedule & Requirements
| Position |
Posting Period |
Interviews |
Job Offers |
Training/Orientation** |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Camp Director and Camp Inclusion Director |
Late October to early November |
Completed December |
January |
February/March, May and June (various dates) |
| Camp Supervisor and Camp Inclusion Supervisor |
Early November to Early December |
Completed January |
February |
February/March, May and June (various dates) |
| Camp Counsellor and Camp Inclusion Counsellor | February |
April | May | Last week of June Monday to Friday 9 AM to 4 PM, plus additional training in the evenings and/or weekends in June. |
| Camp Counsellor and Camp Inclusion Counsellor (Re-posted for additional Counsellors if needed) |
April | End of May |
June |
Last week of June Monday to Friday 9 AM to 4 PM, plus additional training in the evenings and/or weekends in June. |
| Camp Specialist |
End of January to End of March |
April | May | Last week of June Monday to Friday 9 AM to 4 PM, plus additional training in the evenings and/or weekends in June. |
Summer Camp Staff Requirements & Certifications
We encourage everyone to apply even if they don't meet all of the requirements because we offer training opportunities before the program and camp season begin.
In addition to enthusiasm, leadership and interest in children's programs, all staff must be a minimum of 16 years, provide proof of successful vulnerable sector check, have a current Standard First Aid and CPR - C certification and be trained in the HIGH FIVE Principles of Healthy Child Development. All staff will need to demostrate good judgement and strong attention to safety.
Camp staff must have the following certifications by June 1, 2023:
- Standard First Aid and CPR - C: The City of Markham offers The Lifesaving Society – Standard First Aid with CPR - C courses at the local community centres. Other organizations that provide this training: St. John Ambulance and Red Cross. Please visit their websites for the date, times and locations of the training.
- HIGH FIVE® Healthy Child Development: The City of Markham provides a one day Principles of Healthy Child Development (PHCD) course for candidates looking to obtain certification in HIGH FIVE® Healthy Child Development.
Visit HIGH FIVE website view available courses in other municipalities.
Register online today using Ez Reg.
Core Competencies of Camp Staff
We are seeking candidates who can demonstrate the following key skills (or core competencies):
- Leadership: the ability to influence and motivate others while maintaining an overall commitment to excellence
- Safety & Risk Management: the mindset of actively anticipating and mitigating all aspects of risk
- Teambuilding: the ability to foster a strong team environment within the camp
- Judgment: the capacity to assess situations, draw appropriate conclusions and make sound decisions
- Customer Service: the ability to focus individual and group efforts toward identifying and meeting community needs
- Organization: the capability to plan and implement complex programs
- Problem Solving: the ability to effectively manage and resolve day-to-day issues as they arise
Camp Positions
The City of Markham provides a variety of employment opportunities to students on a temporary basis to fill various camp positions. Brief descriptions of the different kinds of camp positions are outlined below. All positions except for Camp Directors require the successful candidate to be a student. To be eligible as student you must be in school full time prior to the summer employment term and returning to school full time in September.
- Camp Director: The Camp Director manages the City of Markham Summer Day Camps within a designated recreation area and has oversight responsibilities for program planning, program delivery and administration. The Camp Director also oversees up to approximately 350 campers ranging from 3 to 16 years of age, while supervising and coaching 40 to 50 staff including supervisors, counsellors, specialists, and volunteers.
- Camp Inclusion Director: The Camp Inclusion Director manages all program planning, program delivery and administration for the special needs services within the City of Markham’s Summer Day Camps and oversees approximately 60 to 100 campers with special needs ranging primarily from 3 to 16 years of age, while supervising and coaching 15 to 20 staff including inclusion supervisors and inclusion counsellors. The Camp Inclusion Director also provides support to staff in day camps via Integration services.
- Camp Supervisor: The Camp Supervisor manages one of the City of Markham’s Summer and Holiday Day Camps with responsibilities including program planning, program delivery and administration. The Camp Supervisor oversees up to 120 campers ranging from 3 to 12 years of age, while supervising and coaching up to 15 staff including counsellors, specialists, and volunteers.
- Camp Inclusion Supervisor: The Camp Inclusion Supervisor manages program delivery and administration for the special needs services within the City of Markham’s Summer Day Camps. The Camp Inclusion Supervisor oversees up to 60 campers with special needs ranging primarily from 3 to 16 years of age, while supervising and coaching up to 25 staff. The Supervisor also provides support to staff in day camps via Integration services.
- Camp Specialist: The Camp Specialist manages a group of campers in one of the City of Markham’s Summer Camps with responsibilities including program planning, program delivery and administration. The program planning has a focus on either canoeing or high/low ropes. The Camp Specialist supervises a group of 6 to 10 campers (pre-schoolers, children or youth) and volunteers.
- Camp Counsellor: The Camp Counsellor manages a group of campers in one of the City of Markham’s Summer and Holiday Day Camps with responsibilities including program planning, program delivery and administration. The Camp Counsellor supervises a group of 6 to 10 campers (pre-schoolers, children or youth) and coaches and volunteers.
- Camp Inclusion Counsellor: The Camp Inclusion Counsellor supports a camper that may be a pre-schooler, child or youth with special needs in a City of Markham Summer Day Camp. Responsibilities include inclusive program planning, delivery and administration. The Camp Inclusion Counsellor primarily supports campers on a one-on-one basis and also provides support to camp counsellors, and volunteers.
Camp Programs
The City of Markham offers full day and half day summer camps to approximately 9,500 children between the ages of 3 and 16 each year. Employment opportunities for youth are available in a diverse variety of camps, including but not limited to, sports (such as badminton, skateboarding, tennis, soccer, volleyball, golf, hockey), variety camps, dance, leadership (Counsellor In Training), Eco Camp @ Chimo, drama, preschool half day camps, chess, science, magic, computers, animation, rocketry and many more.