Try a Job in Parks and Recreation with Northbrook Park District

Seasonal Positions Now Available

Summer is just around the corner, which means the Northbrook Park District is hiring for a variety of seasonal summer positions! Opportunities are available with postings ranging from lifeguards and pool cashiers at the District’s two pools to camp counselors at one of 17 different camps. Interested in golf or fitness? Then check out the starter, bag drop and golf shop positions at Heritage Oaks Golf Club and Anetsberger Golf Course or take a look at the customer service, facility and fitness positions currently open at the award-winning Techny Prairie Activity Center. If you want to teach, consider one of our athletics, golf, or ice instructor positions. And if you prefer to spend your days outside, you might want to work with our landscape, grounds, athletic field or golf maintenance crews. These opportunities and many more can be found at nbparks.org/jobs.

Career Opportunities

In addition to a variety of seasonal positions, there are many year-round part-time and full-time roles also posted. The Northbrook Park District is a large business and has departments that include Administration, Finance, Human Resources, Marketing, Planning and Operations.

One of the #1 Employers of Young People in Northbrook

Northbrook Park District employs hundreds of high school and college students each year. In addition to providing a welcoming place to start your first job, build your skills, and return year after year to positions with increased responsibilities and scope, opportunities in parks and recreation offer a rewarding place to work while providing important recreation services to the community. These first jobs in a young person’s career also help build resumes and college applications while imparting important life skills such as leadership, accountability, time management, safety and teamwork. Positions include paid training to help ensure the new employee is set up for success from the beginning of their employment with Northbrook Park District.

Parks and Recreation – This is Why

Northbrook Park District employs staff members with a variety of backgrounds and experience. Some of these employees started their careers in parks and recreation while others are new to the field. These team members have made a conscious decision to offer opportunities for play, learning and outdoor spaces while introducing people to new and varied recreation choices all year long.

A few of our staff members share their “Why.”

Recreation Intern Nicholas Horvat started working in parks and recreation at age 16 with his first role as Party Staff at the Glenview Park District. From that start, he elected to pursue a full-time career in this field. “My favorite part of working in parks and rec is having a positive impact on our community,” said Horvat. He went on to note, “We are making people happy and providing beneficial programs to our community.” Nicholas is scheduled to complete his professional internship in Recreation and Park Administration with Northbrook Park District in preparation for his graduation from Illinois State University in May.

Northbrook resident Melanie Alexander started with the Park District as a part-time Membership Customer Service Representative when Techny Prairie Activity Center opened in January 2021. Since her hire, she has been promoted twice – first to full-time Customer Service Coordinator at TPAC in September 2021 and most recently to Leisure Center Facility Supervisor in February 2022 where she oversees customer service at the Leisure Center provides support for scheduling, rentals, parties and events for Leisure Center staff. Melanie’s first role in parks and recreation was at TPAC, and she says her favorite part of working for the Northbrook Park District is “all of the connections that I have made with members of the community, and I also love being able to educate my friends about the wonderful programming we offer for all ages.”

Ken Schroeder is Head Custodian at the Northbrook Sports Center. While most of his role at the District is now indoors, his first job in parks and recreation was as a seasonal landscaper, and according to Ken, “It was hot that summer!” He has been with Northbrook Park District since 2011 and his favorite part of working in parks and recreation is “the joy I see in young kids faces when I see them excel in their sport.”

Staff members also fill a variety of specialty roles. Nicole Wrobel is the District’s Planning Manager. She is a landscape architect by trade and manages the projects included in the District’s Capital Improvement Plan. While she didn’t have prior experience working in parks and recreation, she went to summer camps as a child and is a fan of many sled hills! Nicole’s favorite part of the job is “what we provide to the community, especially children.”

Performing Arts Manager Erin Sweet didn’t start working in parks and rec until she arrived at Northbrook Park District. She received her BA in Theatre from Lock Haven University and an MFA in Applied Drama & Theatre for Young Audiences from Eastern Michigan University. Her experience includes theatre directing, playwriting and teaching puppetry. Erin is a firm believer that “It’s important to give kids a creative outlet.” Her teaching style centers on the belief that every person has a story to share. Erin’s favorite part of this job is that every day is different! “One day I could be directing a play and the next helping at a Senior Center brunch,” said Erin.

Eileen Loftus currently serves as the Director of Recreation. She started her career as an umpire for the Lisle Park District’s girls’ softball league. Eileen remembers, “I made a big mistake on an overthrow call at first base. I changed the call the next time it happened and had to explain it to some angry parents.” The experience was a great life lesson; it was hard, but she did the right thing and was later complimented for her composure and ability to work with the public, skills she continues to use in her current leadership role. Holding two degrees in Recreation Administration including a BS from Eastern Illinois University and a Master’s Degree from Aurora University, Eileen worked for South East Association for Special Parks and Recreation and Downers Grove Park District prior to her tenure here at Northbrook. When asked about her favorite part of working with the Park District, Eileen put into words what many of us feel: “The dedicated staff at the Northbrook Park District are committed to providing great experiences for the community and each other every day.”

And finally, Executive Director Molly Hamer has been with Northbrook Park District since 2016. Her first job was with her local park district as a camp counselor, working with children with special needs and as a gymnastics instructor. After graduating from the University of Illinois with a degree in Parks & Recreation, she began her career in as a Program Supervisor with the Schaumburg Park District in the early '80's and was immediately engaged in her new community. Molly feels “A career in our industry is rewarding on so many levels. Play is an essential component to quality of life for people of every age. We provide countless play opportunities for the residents of Northbrook and it’s the best job in the world as far as I'm concerned!”

If this sounds like the environment for you, visit nbparks.org/jobs to learn more about open positions and apply online.