Careers
The Rockford Park District is a place where everyone is invited and belongs.
We want to find the right people with the right attitude, skills, and knowledge from a variety of cultures, experiences, and backgrounds who reflect the composition of those we serve!
We are looking for committed and service-oriented individuals who want to impact the Rockford community by:
Providing programs for youth: that reduces juvenile crime
Beautifying parks, which increases property values
Providing recreation for all, which improves health and wellness, and stimulates the economy
Helping people enjoy life!
The Rockford Park District is an EEOC Employer.
Current Opportunities
Youth Employment Summer Program
The Illinois Youth Investment Program accounts for youth's employment barriers as well as their physical, emotional, social, and mental health needs while helping them to secure and sustain long-term and/or career employment thereby ensuring a greater likelihood of success and self-sufficiency.
Click the program application for more details, eligibility requirements, and to apply for the program.
2024 program application coming soon!
What to Expect When You Apply
You will need an email account; regularly check your emails as all communication will be through email
When you submit an application, you will receive an email confirmation that your application was successfully received
Application will be reviewed by our hiring managers
If your application is accepted, you will be contacted to setup an interview
If you are not contacted for an interview, continue to visit our Careers page and apply for other positions that interest you
Due to the volume of applications we receive daily, we are unable to call every candidate back that calls to check on their application, so PLEASE NO PHONE CALLS. We will contact you directly if your work experience matches the qualifications of the job(s) you have applied for.
Verification of Employment
Please fax requests to 815.987.1678 or email HR@rockfordparkdistrict.org.
For questions regarding Verification of Employment requests, please call 815.987.8813. There is a 3-5 business day turnaround for a submitted Verification of Employment form to be completed and returned.
EMPLOYMENT EXPERIENCES
General
CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE
Friendly and knowledgeable staff who maintain familiarity with Rockford Park District systems, programs, and facilities, and help process customer registration needs, refunds, and customer inquiries. Locations are UW Health Sports Factory and Carlson Ice Arena.
FOOD & BEVERAGE
Responsible for maintaining standards in food preparation, safety, cleanliness, and customer service. Regularly interacts with guests in a professional, courteous manner while providing high-quality food and beverages at various Rockford Park District facilities.
MAINTENANCE
Fulfills daily work orders for buildings, grounds, and equipment to ensure high quality appearance and safety of our parks and facilities. Staff utilize a wide variety of tools, equipment, and vehicles.
POLICE
Rockford Park District Police Department will help people enjoy life by deterring crime and maintaining safe parks. The police department patrols all parks and facilities, along with providing security and police protection at more than 500 events a year.
Recreation
COMMUNITY RECREATION
Provides high-quality recreation and camp programs for youth and teens throughout the community. Staff help lead group activities, facilitate positive social interactions, and foster the development of youth.
OUTDOOR RECREATION AND EDUCATION
Staff provide outdoor lifelong leisure skills and appreciation for natural environments, and care for a variety of animals and birds. Activities include archery, hiking, field science, outdoor living skills, river study, and trail related activities at Atwood Center and Alpine Hills Adventure Center.
RPS 205 AFTERSCHOOL/CAMPS
Staff create and organize specialty recreational programs at various locations for participants with and without disabilities. Team members should like to have fun and be able to lead a variety of arts, games, and sports to help youth learn lifelong skills.
THERAPEUTIC RECREATION
Provides community-based recreation to promote the development, maintenance, and expression of a meaningful leisure lifestyle to people with disabilities. Services provide access, inclusion, and specialty recreation.
WASHINGTON PARK COMMUNITY CENTER
Staff provide a wide range of activities for all ages. Facility includes multi-purpose room, weight room, computer lab, gymnasium, and teen center.
YOUTH SPORTS
Team members initiate and execute specialty recreational sports programs, make decisions regarding skill curriculum, and assess participants’ progress. The team also provides outreach sports services to multiple neighborhood parks, community centers, and partners.
Facilities
LOCKWOOD PARK
Must love animals, especially horses. Staff perform horse and animal chores as well as lead educational field trips, summer camps, special events, and other programs.
NICHOLAS CONSERVATORY & GARDENS
Maintenance team performs general landscaping duties relating to the upkeep of the buildings, grounds, and water features. Operations team manages events, exhibits, activities, and more.
POOLS
Positions include lifeguards, concessions, and guest relations. Aquatics team assists with operations at three pools, and serves our communities’ aquatics needs by offering swim lessons and open swim opportunities for families.
GOLF COURSES
Aldeen Golf Club - Positions include golf course maintenance, customer service, golf instructors, and concessions. Quality public championship 18-hole course with country club amenities at affordable rates.
Ingersoll Golf Course - Positions include golf course maintenance, customer service, golf instructors, and concessions. Wooded 18-hole par 71 course.
Sandy Hollow Golf Course - Positions include golf course maintenance, customer service, golf instructors, and concessions. 18-hole par 71 tree-lined-fairway course.
Sinnissippi Golf Course - Positions include golf course maintenance, customer service, golf instructors, and concessions. 9-hole par 37 very hilly course in Sinnissippi Park.
ICE FACILITIES
Carlson Ice Arena - Positions include skate instructor, hockey instructor, maintenance, and concessions. Located near the I-90 tollway. Features public skating sessions, lesson programs, and hockey leagues.
Riverview Ice House - Positions include skate instructor, hockey instructor, maintenance, and concessions. Located in downtown Rockford. Features an 185x80-ft. regulation-size main rink and a 60x80-ft. studio rink; has a spacious lobby, concession counter, and community meeting room.
MERCYHEALTH SPORTSCORE COMPLEXES
Mercyhealth Sportscore One - Positions include field maintenance and operational support. Sports facility is located on 147 acres in northwest Rockford, and features 18 soccer fields, 8 lighted softball/baseball diamonds, boat ramp, fishing pond, two playgrounds, recreation path, indoor soccer center, and concessions.
Mercyhealth Sportscore Two - Positions include field maintenance and operational support. Sports facility is located on 180 acres, and features 5 lighted softball/baseball diamonds, 3 sand volleyball courts, 26 outdoor soccer fields, and 6 indoor synthetic fields, including an indoor driving range. Indoor Sports Center is also within the complex, and hosts a variety of unique tournaments and events.
UW HEALTH SPORTS FACTORY
Positions include maintenance and operational support. Sports facility is one of the largest in the Midwest, and is located along the Rock River in downtown Rockford. The facility runs volleyball, basketball, and pickleball programs and tournaments throughout the year. It also hosts a variety of unique tournaments and events such as wheelchair basketball, ping-pong, and gymnastics.
Why Work For Us?
The Rockford Park District is composed of a diverse workforce and fosters an open, inclusive and progressive work environment. Careers at the Rockford Park District are a way of life as our job and mission is to "Help people Enjoy Life". We encourage staff to tap into their passion, creativity, and enthusiasm. Our Culture of "One Team One Goal" is truly apparent among staff, customers, partners, and community organizations in helping to make the Rockford Region a better place to live, work and play.
The Rockford Park District has received the National Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Park and Recreation from the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA). This means that the Rockford Park District is known as the best park district in the nation!
The Rockford Park District offers competitive compensation plus a comprehensive benefit package. Highlights include:
Health Insurance (average of 30 hours per week)
IMRF retirement (1,000 hours or more per year)
20% employee discount
Pursuant to the Transparency in Coverage final rule, the Rockford Park District must begin positing pricing information for covered items and services on its medical insurance plan. This pricing information can be used by third parties, such as researchers and app developers to help consumers better understand the costs associated with their health care. This information can be accessed at the link below.
Professional development is encouraged with a variety of options to enhance your career success. We value all of the components of the work experience and provide a positive and healthy work environment that includes an award winning wellness program.
Invest in your future now by joining our team of dedicated professionals! Help us be the "best" urban park and recreation system in North America, as judged by those we serve! The Rockford Park District is a world-class employer, with progressive job opportunities for growth during all stages of your career.