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How to hire an activity specialist

Activity specialist hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring activity specialists in the United States:

  • In the United States, the median cost per hire an activity specialist is $1,633.
  • It takes between 36 and 42 days to fill the average role in the US.
  • Human Resources use 15% of their expenses on recruitment on average.
  • On average, it takes around 12 weeks for a new activity specialist to become settled and show total productivity levels at work.

How to hire an activity specialist, step by step

To hire an activity specialist, consider the skills and experience you are looking for in a candidate, allocate a budget for the position, and post and promote the job opening to reach potential candidates. Follow these steps to hire an activity specialist:

Here's a step-by-step activity specialist hiring guide:

  • Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
  • Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
  • Step 3: Make a budget
  • Step 4: Write an activity specialist job description
  • Step 5: Post your job
  • Step 6: Interview candidates
  • Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new activity specialist
  • Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does an activity specialist do?

An activity specialist is responsible for organizing events and planning activity outline for a social institution or a group of people. Activity specialists identify the activity requirements and goals, coordinate with suppliers and vendors for resources, and calculate costs and expenses within the budget limitations. They also finalize the participants' lists and pick the best grounds to set up an activity, ensuring the safety and security of the guests. An activity specialist must have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially in writing reports and creating clear expectations to discuss with the management.

Learn more about the specifics of what an activity specialist does
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  1. Identify your hiring needs

    Before you post your activity specialist job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find an activity specialist for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

    Determine employee vs contractor status
    Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

    An activity specialist's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, activity specialists from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

    This list shows salaries for various types of activity specialists.

    Type of Activity SpecialistDescriptionHourly rate
    Activity SpecialistRecreational therapists plan, direct, and coordinate recreation-based treatment programs for people with disabilities, injuries, or illnesses. Recreational therapists use a variety of modalities, including arts and crafts, drama, music, dance, sports, games, and community reintegration field trips to help maintain or improve a patient’s physical, social, and emotional well-being.$11-21
    Treatment CoordinatorA Treatment Coordinator is responsible for assisting the doctors and other medical professionals in performing treatment procedures and administering medications for the patients. Treatment Coordinators manage administrative duties, such as scheduling medical appointments, discussing the treatment plans to the patients, updating medical information on the database, and processing payments for the medical procedures... Show more$14-25
    Recreation TherapistA recreation therapist is responsible for supporting the patients' physical and mental wellness by organizing therapeutic programs and activities, depending on the patients' condition and existing treatment plans. Recreation therapists work with other medical health professionals for advice and medication needs... Show more$17-40
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • Adaptive
    • Patients
    • Mediation
    • Role Model
    • Classroom Management
    • Brand Marketing
    • Rehabilitation
    • Physical Education
    • CPR
    • Developmental Disabilities
    • Outbound Calls
    • PowerPoint
    • Community Services
    • ISP
    Check all skills
    Responsibilities:
    • Design and lead programs, including programs nationally and in Germany, to facilitate software use in mathematics and science instruction.
    • Manage the maintenance of post MWR relate administrative records and submit program status reports in accordance with establish contractual requirements.
    • Provide clinically valid psychiatric rehabilitation services to patients to include assessments and evaluations of patients rehabilitative and recreational leisure enrichment needs.
    • Perform TCI de-escalation techniques and restraints in order to maintain client and environment safety.
    • Develop, refine and coordinate the execution of monthly, quarterly and annual event calendars and NAF budgets.
    • Coordinate and run various activities including, but not limit to, bingo, trivia, pool parties, and cabarets.
    More activity specialist duties
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in your activity specialist job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. An activity specialist can vary based on:

    • Location. For example, activity specialists' average salary in wisconsin is 37% less than in california.
    • Seniority. Entry-level activity specialists 45% less than senior-level activity specialists.
    • Certifications. An activity specialist with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
    • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in an activity specialist's salary.

    Average activity specialist salary

    $15.80hourly

    $32,860 yearly

    Entry-level activity specialist salary
    $24,000 yearly salary
    Updated December 5, 2025

    Average activity specialist salary by state

    RankStateAvg. salaryHourly rate
    1California$42,133$20
    2New York$39,689$19
    3Alaska$38,892$19
    4Maryland$37,491$18
    5New Jersey$37,290$18
    6Connecticut$36,583$18
    7Massachusetts$36,333$17
    8Ohio$32,758$16
    9Nebraska$32,657$16
    10Michigan$31,162$15
    11Colorado$30,132$14
    12Virginia$29,756$14
    13Illinois$29,755$14
    14Louisiana$29,522$14
    15Florida$29,505$14
    16Texas$29,347$14
    17Tennessee$29,069$14
    18Georgia$28,921$14
    19Oklahoma$28,114$14
    20North Carolina$27,313$13

    Average activity specialist salary by company

    RankCompanyAverage salaryHourly rateJob openings
    1Credit Suisse$45,273$21.77
    2NBCUniversal$44,214$21.263
    3Univision Communications$43,260$20.80
    4University Settlement$41,398$19.904
    5SAP$41,166$19.79
    6Spectrum$40,979$19.70
    7L3Harris$40,667$19.5511
    8Keurig Dr Pepper$40,599$19.5213
    9Hoffmann-LA Roche Inc$39,440$18.9610
    10Activision Blizzard$39,104$18.80
    11DuPont$38,536$18.531
    12US Foods$37,968$18.25
    13City of Jacksonville$37,947$18.24
    14Green Mountain Coffee Roasters$37,675$18.11
    15Mediacom Communications$37,117$17.8412
    16Brattleboro Retreat$36,820$17.70
    17Leidos$36,664$17.6310
    18Ericsson$36,622$17.61
    19Erickson Senior Living$36,517$17.568
    20Esf, Inc.$36,433$17.522
  4. Writing an activity specialist job description

    An activity specialist job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of an activity specialist job description:

    Activity specialist job description example

    Date: 7/1/16 FLSA: Non-Exempt ______________________________________________________________________

    Summary The Activity Specialist is responsible for designing and facilitating project-based learning experiences within a specialization. ______________________________________________________________________

    Essential Functions:  Collaborate with site leadership in the planning, development and execution of quality, project-based youth development activities.  Develop and maintain positive and professional relationships with participants, families & school faculty  Coordinate events & functions in specialty area such as: showcases, exhibits, productions, culminating events, etc.  Engage participants in specialty area activities. Provide support through encouragement and delivering resources.  Prepare related paperwork, materials and implementation supplies. Timely submit all program and certification related documents.  Performs other related duties as assigned. Supervisory Responsibilities:  None

    Minimum Qualifications:  College Student or High School Graduate 18 yrs. or older.  2 years’ experience working with children and/or youth in your specialization.  Exemplary supervisory skills at elementary level (middle school or high school aged youth) and aptitude for motivating people.  Proficiency in Microsoft Office.  Ability to plan and carry out assignments independently.  Ability to prioritize, adhere to timelines and multi-task.

    Qualifications Preferred:  Bilingual in one or more of the following: Spanish, Mandarin, Cantonese, Bengali and others based on client needs.

    Job Behavioral Expectations:  Maintain regular consistent and professional attendance, punctuality, personal appearance, and adherence to relevant health & safety procedures.  Safe and successful performance, including meeting productivity standards.  Maintain an understanding of the principles, methods and processes needed to perform the job. Attends staff meetings, seminars and in-service training as assigned.  Displays effective communication skills. Page 2 of 2  Demonstrates the ability to complete work in an acceptable manner by the time and/or date established with accuracy, neatness and thoroughness and minimal amount of errors  Maintain established departmental policies and procedures including maintain strict confidentiality and adherence to all HIPAA guidelines at all times.

    Physical demands and work environment: The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Physical demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to walk, sit for long period of time; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or control; reach with hands and arms; balance; stoop; talk or hear. Employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.

    Work environment:  Work is performed in an office environment with normal heating and cooling.

    This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only job duties to be performed by the incumbent. He or she will be required to follow any other instructions and to perform any other duties requested by his or her supervisor


    Availability
    Monday through Friday
    2pm-6pm

    Hours: 12-15hrs a week
  5. Post your job

    To find the right activity specialist for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

    • Consider internal talent. One of the most important sources of talent for any company is its existing workforce.
    • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and current employees and ask if they know or have worked with activity specialists they would recommend.
    • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit activity specialists who meet your education requirements.
    • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter now have more than 3.5 billion users, and you can use social media to reach potential job candidates.
    Post your job online:
    • Post your activity specialist job on Zippia to find and recruit activity specialist candidates who meet your exact specifications.
    • Use field-specific websites such as healthcarejobsite, health jobs nationwide, hospitalcareers, medreps.com.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    Your first interview with activity specialist candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

    Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.

    The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

  7. Send a job offer and onboard your new activity specialist

    Once you've selected the best activity specialist candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

    You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

    To prepare for the new activity specialist first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

  8. Go through the hiring process checklist

    • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
    • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
    • Define job responsibilities and requirements
    • Establish budget and timeline
    • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
    • Write job description
    • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
    • Promote the job internally
    • Process applications through applicant tracking system
    • Review resumes and cover letters
    • Shortlist candidates for screening
    • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
    • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
    • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
    • Conduct background checks on top candidates
    • Check references of top candidates
    • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
    • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
    • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
    • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
    • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
    • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)
    Sign up to download full list

How much does it cost to hire an activity specialist?

Hiring an activity specialist comes with both the one-time cost per hire and ongoing costs. The cost of recruiting activity specialists involves promoting the job and spending time conducting interviews. Ongoing costs include employee salary, training, benefits, insurance, and equipment. It is essential to consider the cost of activity specialist recruiting as well the ongoing costs of maintaining the new employee.

You can expect to pay around $32,860 per year for an activity specialist, as this is the median yearly salary nationally. This can vary depending on what state or city you're hiring in. If you're hiring for contract work or on a per-project basis, hourly rates for activity specialists in the US typically range between $11 and $21 an hour.

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