OCALA, Fla. (Dec. 2, 2021) – The City of Ocala Recreation and Parks Department is seeking applications from young people ages 14 to 19 for its Developing Recreation Professionals program. Successful completion of the program will better prepare participants for seasonal employment with the City of Ocala Recreation and Parks department while providing valuable hands-on experience.

Applications for the program will open Monday, Dec. 6 and close Friday, Jan. 14, 2022. To apply, candidates should fill out an online form or email JBaker@ocalafl.org for an application packet. Top candidates will be selected and interviewed as part of the process. Selected participants will have the option to enroll in the Recreation Academy or Aquatics Lifeguard Certification camp or both courses.  The training courses will take place on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

The primary goal of this program is to engage talented and driven young people within the  community and enable them to develop the technical and soft skills which are vital to the success of a recreation and parks professional.