Recreation Specialist I ($18.63/hour - $25.14/hour)

The Recreation Specialist I for Arts provides essential support through routine administrative tasks such as filing, data entry, answering phones, preparing materials, and assisting with program registration and scheduling. This position helps keep the Arts office organized and ensures day-to-day operations run smoothly.

In addition, the Recreation Specialist I may assist with arts events, exhibitions, and outreach activities by setting up spaces, greeting participants, distributing information, and providing basic customer service. Other duties as assigned will support the overall success of arts programming and give this role a chance to contribute across a wide range of community arts activities.

The ideal candidate will bring prior experience or a background in exhibitions and community art outreach events, with an enthusiasm for supporting the arts and engaging with the public.

Definition

Under general supervision, on an hourly seasonal basis, to organize and lead youth, teens, or adult recreation activities at a designated recreation area, and to do related work as required.

Distinguishing Features

This is the first level of a series of classes of hourly positions whose incumbents lead recreational activities on playgrounds, in workshops or common rooms of various schools and community centers in the Hayward Area Recreation and Park District.

The typical assignment would be the responsibility for conduction of recreational activities where large groups of youth, teens or adults are participating in programs either on playgrounds, parks, or in community centers. They may have assistance from a Recreation Leader whom they informally supervise and train.

The main difference between Recreation Specialist I and Recreation Specialist II is that the latter may be in complete charge of several paid subordinates engaged in a wide variety of activities, which may be planned in advance and coordinated when in action.

Examples of Duties

• Opens and closes facility, sets up equipment for games or other activities and makes necessary preparations for the conducting of the activities.
• Plans, under supervision, recreational activities and directs large numbers of youth or teens in sports and games, such as tetherball, baseball, races, aquatics, tournaments and contests, refereeing organized games.
• Organizes indoor games and teaches rules and methods of play.
• Plans, under supervision, activities for adults and directs these activities, such as volleyball, softball and basketball.
• Lays out materials, organizes and instructs in handicrafts, conducts shows; may lead or informally instruct in art or creative dramatics, acts as chaperon at dances, or read and tell stories.
• Checks facility and equipment to determine that it is in proper condition and used correctly; maintains good public relations by explaining the recreation program enlisting support in planning of activities; and keeps up bulletin board showing coming events.
• Where attendance warrants, informally supervises and helps train Recreation Leaders assigned as assistants; makes necessary written reports to Supervisor on attendance, activities accidents and property damage or loss.
• When assigned as a camp counselor, conducts most of the above activities when related, and lead in typical camping activities such as hiking, outdoor cooking and nature study.
• May receive assignment to direct a Senior Adults program where typical duties are to help members get acquainted and help set up facilities.
• May act as leader for handicapped youth, teens and adults, helping them in games, sports and crafts especially suited to the group.