Sample Cover Letters For Jobs in Portland, OR (NOW HIRING)

This recruitment will remain open until filled, with first review of applications beginning July 28. Early submission is encouraged as applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Make a splash with the Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District! We are seeking enthusiastic Aquatic Program Assistant II's to support high-quality aquatic programs and services that help our community learn, play, and thrive. In this role, you will combine customer service, program coordination, clerical accuracy, and hands-on aquatics support to keep our pools safe, welcoming, and running smoothly.

This position offers variety—no two days look the same. You may be assisting guests at the front desk, supporting a special event, training lifeguards, monitoring pool operations, preparing program materials, or guiding part-time staff. If you enjoy working with people, multitasking in a dynamic environment, and making a difference in your community, we'd love to meet you.

This position follows a three-year rotation across aquatic centers, providing you the chance to build broad operational knowledge and strengthen your leadership experience in aquatic settings. The district currently has three (3) vacancies at the following locations; schedules may vary by term depending on center need.

• Conestoga Recreation & Aquatic Center: Tuesday – Friday 12:45 pm – 9:45 pm, and Saturday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
• Harman Swim Center: Monday – Friday 7:45 am – 4:30 pm
• Sunset Swim Center: Tuesday – Friday 1:00 pm – 9:45 pm, and Saturday 8:30 am – 2:30 pm

This is an abbreviated list. For a full list of job functions and qualifications, please view the full job description.

• Support day-to-day aquatic operations, including providing lifeguarding, instruction, and training as assigned.
• Offer excellent customer service in person and over the phone—answer inquiries, help patrons register for programs, and share information about THPRD services.
• Lead or assist in the coordination of programs, events, meetings, facility rentals, and community activities.
• Keep operations flowing—prepare materials, manage supplies, maintain records, and handle daily cash reconciliation.
• Support safety by responding to incidents, completing reports, and monitoring pool operations.
• Lead and support part-time aquatics staff, including contributing to training and scheduling activities.
• Pitch in with light custodial tasks, filing, data entry, and other essentials.
• This role is primarily performed indoors in a busy, high-energy aquatic environment. You may spend extended time in the water and will be exposed to typical pool-area elements such as noise, humidity, chemicals, dust, and other irritants. The job involves frequent walking, climbing, bending, lifting, and repetitive movements—especially when teaching swim lessons. Expect an active, fast-paced workplace where you're constantly on the move and engaged with patrons and staff. Please review the full job description for detailed working conditions.

What You Bring

• Strong communication and customer service skills.
• Experience juggling clerical tasks, public contact, and basic supervision.
• Ability to work with diverse community members and contribute to an inclusive, positive team environment.
• Competence in modern office software, communication tools, and standard business equipment.
• CPR and First Aid skills; ability to perform related duties in both office and aquatic environments.
• Familiarity with daily pool operations, chemical monitoring, and aquatic safety protocols.

We are committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, THPRD will ensure that people experiencing disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact Human Resources at HR@thprd.org.

To reduce barriers to entry, THPRD evaluates an applicant's work history and responses to supplemental questions and does not consider cover letters and resumes in the screening process. Please answer the supplemental questions thoroughly to ensure our subject matter experts can appropriately evaluate your experience.

This recruitment will establish an eligibility list for current and future vacancies for Program Assistant positions in the Aquatics Department. The eligibility list will be active for one year.

Any equivalent combination of education, experience, and training that would likely provide the applicant with the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade and three (3) years of general clerical experience, including public contact and lead work experience. Familiarity with aquatic programming, preferred.

Licenses and Certifications:

• Valid Oregon Driver License and good driving record, depending on functional area.
• Current CPR and first aid certifications.
• Current American Red Cross Lifeguarding certification or equivalent.
• American Red Cross Lifeguarding Instructor certification, preferred.
• Bilingual and multilingual skills are preferred.