Salary: $25.55 - $28.39 Hourly Location : Various Parks Tacoma locations, WA Job Type: Part-time, 29 hrs per week or less Department: Parks and Recreation Opening Date: 08/19/2025 Closing Date: 11/19/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

Job Description Based on our internal equity review process, the starting salary for this position will be $25.55. The current full hourly range for this position is $25.55 - $28.39.

Culinary Instructors with Parks Tacoma share their passion for cooking by teaching community members a variety of culinary skills. Day-to-day responsibilities include creating shopping lists, preparing kitchen spaces, leading engaging classes, and handling cleanup. Instructors may also teach summer camps or support special events by cooking for different Parks Tacoma programs. This role requires flexibility and a willingness to travel between our four community centers, as well as to offsite locations using the Mobile Teaching Kitchen. This is a rewarding opportunity to inspire confidence in the kitchen, help participants gain practical life skills, and strengthen community connections through food.

**Applications are reviewed as they are received. This position will remain open until filled.** Work where you play! Join our team at Parks Tacoma to put your skills to use serving your community and making Tacoma a vibrant, healthy, and welcoming place to live. Who We Are Parks Tacoma is a CAPRA-accredited and AZA-accredited, independent park district that leads efforts to build a healthy, sustainable community. Located in Tacoma, Washington, Parks Tacoma's mission is to create healthy opportunities to play, learn, and grow. The independent park district spans the city providing a wide range of life-enriching destinations and services, including 70+ parks, 80+ miles of trails, 1,000+ acres of urban forest, 66 playgrounds, four community centers, Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, Northwest Trek Wildlife Park, Point Defiance Park, and much more. Our work is guided by eight core values that are the foundation of our actions and goals: innovation, excellence, equity, inclusiveness, sustainability, accountability, safety, and fun.

Why You'll Love it Here Come work with us and work where you play! You will contribute to the overall vitality and well-being of your community when you work for Parks Tacoma, and you'll do so as part of a supportive team of committed, passionate, and mission-driven professionals. The people of Parks Tacoma are the key to its success, and you just might be the next great addition to our team. On top of that, you'll wake each day knowing that you're helping make Tacoma a great place to call home.

Position Information

Provide fun, informative and exciting classes or learning opportunities in assigned program area.

In the performance of their respective tasks and duties all employees are expected to: Perform quality work within deadlines with or without direct supervision. Interact professionally with other employees, customers and suppliers. Work effectively as a team contributor on all assignments. Work independently while understanding the necessity for communicating and coordinating work efforts with other employees and organizations. Observe applicable safety requirements, use safety equipment provided, implement appropriate safety practices at all times and report immediately any unsafe working conditions or hazards. Essential Duties Provide support to, and collaborate with, other department staff to assist with planning, preparing, and implementing programs. Plan and prepare instruction materials or lesson plans or implement already established lesson plans. Instruct, and/or teach participants using excellent citizenship, sportsmanship, and inclusivity. Assess and evaluate student progress and provide feedback. Provide each participant the opportunity to succeed and grow their skills through program opportunities. Maintain a safe and inclusive learning environment. Track attendance reports as required. Provide a positive attitude toward program participants and staff; encourage and serve as a positive role model. Maintain communication with staff, participants, and/or parents/guardians as needed. Stay up to date on trends within assigned program area. Responsible for the designated site location program set-up and general clean-up. Ensure program/facility rules, policies and procedures are followed; maintain and enforce safety standards and expectations. Ensure proper use, care and storage of program equipment and supplies. Plan, prepare and instruct and/or teach programs that require additional certifications, experience and/or education. Perform other duties as assigned. Minimum Qualifications At least 18 years of age. At least 2 years of work or volunteer experience related to the designated or assigned program area required. Valid First Aid and CPR certification required. Valid Food Handlers card required. At least 2 years of instructing experience desired. Certification from a culinary school is desired but not required if field work experience qualifications are met. Additional Information

HOURS/SCHEDULE: Average 10 - 15 hours per week. Classes are offered during daytime, evening, and weekend hours. Weekly schedule will vary depending on assigned classes and programs. COMPETENCY REQUIREMENTS: Demonstrate thorough knowledge of assigned recreation programs, activities, and services. Demonstrate knowledge of safety guidelines and practices. Skill in overseeing and instructing/teaching others. Ability to handle conflict and solve problems using tact, patience, and courtesy. Ability to navigate emergency situations. Work with diverse groups of people in a tactful, effective, and respectful manner. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, the community and program participants. Follow instructions, both written and verbal. Ability to safely perform job tasks in a variety of park and non-park settings. WORK ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Work is performed indoors and outdoors. Driving a district vehicle, and transporting patrons, is required for some positions. Work various schedules including mornings, afternoons, evenings, and weekends. Ability to frequent communication with district employees and customers. Noise level is moderately loud. Standing for long periods of time. Walking, kneeling and/or crouching to demonstrating proper form. Ability to lift up to 30 pounds on occasion. Ability to navigate emergency situations, including performing CPR.

PARKS TACOMA IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, political affiliation, disability or any other merit factor. Members of ethnic minorities, women, special disabled veterans, veterans of the Vietnam-era, recently separated veterans, and other protected veterans, persons of disability and/or persons age 40 and over are encouraged to apply.

Parks Tacoma employs only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized non-U.S. citizens. All new employees must show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

Parks Tacoma is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact Human Resources at .

Employment is subject to a national background check.

This position is an at-will position with no written or implied contractual agreement. Enrollment in the the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) through the Washington State Department of Retirement Services (DRS) may be mandatory.

Sick Leave: 1 hour earned for every 40 hours worked.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP) - SupportLinc provides emotional wellbeing and work-life balance resources to keep you at your best. Administered by CuraLinc Healthcare, the program offers guidance to help you address and resolve everyday issues at no cost to you or your family.

Community Center Fitness Pass - All Parks Tacoma employees get a Staff Pass to use at our community centers.The All Center Pass allows access to all four centers - Center at Norpoint, Eastside Community Center, People's Center and STAR Center.

Note: THIS BENEFIT OVERVIEW IS FOR INFORMATION ONLY AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED CONTRACT. ANY PROVISION CONTAINED HEREIN MAY BE MODIFIED AND/OR REVOKED WITHOUT NOTICE. 01

Are you at least 18 years of age? Yes No

02

Do you have at least 2 years of culinary experience? Yes No

03

Do you have a valid Food Handlers Card? Yes No

04

Do you have a valid CPR/First Aid certification? Yes No

05

Please describe your teaching experience. 06

Please describe your culinary experience. 07

What is your general availability? 08

What is your preferred location to teach at (select all that apply)? STAR Center Center at Norpoint Eastside Community Center Peoples Community Center

Required Question