AURORA – The digital ads, social posts and website banners might say Job Fair, but the Fox Valley Park District’s flagship recruiting event looks and feels more like a party in the park.
FVPD staff across all departments and facilities will be on hand from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 16 at Prisco Community Center, 150 W. Illinois Ave. in Aurora. Hiring managers will answer questions, help match candidate interests with open positions, and conduct interviews to fill the FVPD’s 350 seasonal vacancies during a lively and festive event.
“We have a table-decorating contest amongst our staff,” says Jesse Kinsland, the FVPD’s director of human resources and risk management. “We’re in the business of fun, so we treat our annual event to kick off ‘hiring season’ as more of a celebration.”
Positions are open to anyone, and attendees are strongly encouraged to pre-register for the event by submitting their application and resume through the FVPD’s Job Fair Pre-Registration Portal. Pre-registered attendees will receive a folder with a printed nametag and $20 Amazon or Chipotle gift card when they arrive.
“Think of pre-registering like a fast pass at your favorite amusement park – it will get you in and out faster.,” said Kinsland, noting that members of FVPD’s information technology team will have a Resource Table/help desk set up for registration and troubleshooting.
Interviews will be conducted onsite, and light refreshments will be served throughout. A family waiting area will also be set up while younger family members meet with staff or partake in interviews. All interviewees will be entered into a drawing for one of three $100 Amazon cards.
Open positions include aquatics personnel, such as lifeguards and slide attendants; parks and grounds maintenance; camp counselors; admissions/guest services attendants; MVP Sports coaches; and so much more. There is also ample employment opportunity at popular facilities such as Blackberry Farm and Red Oak Nature Center.
“We’re looking for upbeat personalities and the ability to be flexible within specific roles,” says Becky Harling, facility manager at Blackberry Farm. “We work with the public every day and all of our jobs are very customer-facing. Our staff has the overall goal of providing quality customer service to everyone who approaches them.
“Blackberry Farm is very unique in the positions that we offer, and there are opportunities to try different skills, to grow within the park. A lot of our staff stays years upon years and grows into different roles.”
Says Kinsland: “Many of us started at the park district as seasonal employees. We were lifeguards, we were daycare directors, we worked in the parks.
“This can be a career path, a place for you later on down the road with a chance to get your foot in the door now. It doesn’t just have to be your summer job.”
