A diverse group of people, including children and adults, enjoy an outdoor event on a grassy field with a playground in the

WORK WITH US

Join a team dedicated to protecting open spaces, enhancing parks, and creating lasting impact for generations to come. Whether you’re working in planning, administration, conservation, recreation, or community engagement, every role contributes to a larger mission of preserving and enhancing the quality of life throughout our district.

Who We Are

The Park District of Oak Park serves the recreational needs of the 53,000+ residents of Oak Park, providing nearly 8,000+ programs and a number of special events annually.

The Park District owns and operates a variety of parks, centers, and special facilities, including 7 neighborhood recreation centers, 18 parks, 3 historic properties, 2 outdoor swimming pools, an ice rink, gymnastics center, community recreation center, and more.

Since 1912, our high-quality programs and well-maintained parks and facilities have dependably met residents’ diverse leisure, wellness, childcare, and other needs and helped to enhance quality of life.

The Park District offers a variety of full-time, part-time, and seasonal positions.

Full-Time

Make a career in a fun, fulfilling industry at the Park District of Oak Park.

  • Insurance benefits

    Medical

    Dental

    Vision

  • Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF)

    457(b) retirement

    plan

  • Insurance benefits
  • Flexible spending account
  • AFLAC
  • Cell phone reimbursement program
  • Employee discounts

    Free fitness center pass
    Free skating pass
    Free pool pass
    20% off programs

Part-Time

Choose from a variety of locations, responsibilities, and hours.

Red arrow pointing right inside a light yellow circle with a red outline.

Part-Time IMRF

benefits

  • Time Off

    Earn up to 12 days or 72 hours of paid

    time off annually

  • Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF)
  • Employee discounts

    Free fitness center pass
    Free skating pass
    Free pool pass
    20% off programs

Red arrow pointing right inside a light yellow circle with a red outline.

Part-Time Non-IMRF

benefits

  • Time Off

    Earn 1 hour of paid time off for every 40 hours of work time, not to exceed 25 hours

  • Employee discounts

    Free fitness center pass
    Free skating pass
    Free pool pass
    20% off programs

Seasonal

Our seasonal positions offer a preset period of employment.

  • Time Off

    Earn 1 hour of paid time off for every 40

    hours of work time, not to exceed 25

    hours

Two participants smiling and posing together during a Park District youth program.

Did you know?

The Park District is the largest employer in the area for youth! We hire approximately 300 summer seasonal employees annually.

Participants posing together during a Park District youth program, with one participant holding a certificate.

Why a Career in Parks & Recreation?

A position with the Park District is a great opportunity to explore your talents and develop leadership skills in a fun, team-oriented atmosphere! Park District jobs offer the opportunity to:

  • Make a lasting impact on communities and improve the quality of life for all people.
  • Enjoy a rewarding, purpose-driven career.
  • Work in a variety of settings from parks to community centers to youth programs and more.
  • Build character, strengthen leadership skills, and create a sense of community pride.

Employee Testimonial

Lifeguard monitoring swimmers from an elevated chair at an outdoor pool.

"My older son has been a PDOP employee for the past two years and he genuinely enjoys working for you.”

The PDOP has trained him well and entrusted him with additional responsibilities and opportunities as he’s progressed. It’s been a meaningful experience for him as a teenager and we’ve been proud of how seriously he’s taken his responsibilities. His younger brother will be starting PDOP employment this summer which we strongly encouraged based on his older brother’s positive experiences. Thank you for being such a great first professional experience for them.

Hiring Process

  • The Park District of Oak Park adheres to an online job application process. If you are interested in applying for employment, you must complete the online job application.
  • Once you submit your online application, it will be available for review by the hiring supervisors.
  • Please note that resumes and cover letters can be uploaded during the online job application process. We keep all applications for one year after completion. After one year, applicants must re-apply.
  • To respect the privacy of our applicants, the Park District cannot discuss applications with individuals other than the applicant.

The Park District of Oak Park is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to a diverse workforce.

Find your dream job!

Inclusion Partner job opportunities

Inclusion Partner job opportunities are available with our affiliate, WSSRA. Inclusion Partners accompany individuals with disabilities who participate in Park District programs. Partners reinforce the recreation leader’s instructions, encourage peer interaction between people with and without disabilities, and emphasize the fun of recreation. Visit wwsra.net to learn more.