Grand Rapids Salvation Army Kroc Center fills first of 65 jobs, announces others

Deborah Johnson Wood

The Salvation Army has filled the first handful of the 65 new jobs expected at its new multi-million dollar Ray & Joan Kroc Corps Community Center, and has announced that several more positions are ready to be filled.

The $26 million Kroc center, 2500 S. Division Ave., Grand Rapids, has a public open house planned for Saturday, October 23 and hopes to have most of the new employees in place soon.

The center, located on 20 acres, will offer dozens of activities for children and adults, including performing arts, aquatics, worship opportunities, cooking classes and a number of outdoor activities ranging from a summertime ropes course to a water slide that becomes a sledding hill in winter.

"We're posting (new positions) on our web site every week until they are filled," says Stephanie Denton, who is a new hire herself, filling the marketing, membership and public relations director slot. Other management, including program director, facilities director and operations director, has also been hired.

"Some positions will require special certification," Denton adds. "For example, the aquatics manager would need CPR and lifeguarding certification, and we're looking for some degreed individuals."

The center is filling management positions first, says Denton. Those jobs include recreation manager, aquatics manager, assistant facility director, education manager and health and wellness manager.

One fun job requires a candidate with a knack for schmoozing: that of R.J. Kroc, the Kroc Center's mascot performer.

"The mascot performer wears the R.J. Kroc costume, which is a giant crocodile," Denton says. "We want them to be out and about in the community, to be the walking logo of the Kroc Center at special events, birthday parties and Whitecaps games."

Hiring for a variety of part-time positions – front desk coordinators, food service, janitorial and worship staff – will take place closer to the center's opening.

Source: Stephanie Denton, Ray & Joan Kroc Corps Community Center

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Deborah Johnson Wood is development news editor for Rapid Growth Media. She can be contacted at [email protected]. Development News tips can be sent to [email protected].