How to hire a recreation manager

How to hire a recreation manager, step by step

Here's a step-by-step recreation manager hiring guide:

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

What does a recreation manager do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The recreation manager hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A recreation manager's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, recreation managers 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 recreation managers.

   Type of Recreation Manager	Description	Hourly rate
   Recreation Manager	Recreation workers design and lead recreational and leisure activities for groups in volunteer agencies or recreation facilities, such as playgrounds, parks, camps, aquatic centers, and senior centers. They may lead activities such as arts and crafts, dance, sports, adventure programs, music, and camping.	$14-33
   Summer Camp Counselor	Summer camps are programs with different themes organized for children or teenagers during the summer months. Summer camp counselors are responsible for the overall supervision of campers and the planning and implementation of the different programs to give children a memorable experience... Show more	$8-17
   Day Camp Counselor	The job of the camp counselors is to develop recreational plans and oversee camp activities in residential camps. Their duties and responsibilities include organizing camping trips, planning and scheduling group activities, and guiding children and teenagers in various outdoor activities such as swimming and hiking... Show more	$9-21

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • CPR
   • Cleanliness
   • Safety Procedures
   • Guest Satisfaction
   • Recreation Facilities
   • Aquatics
   • Direct Reports
   • Health Club
   • Fitness Classes
   • Front Desk
   • Community Organizations
   • Developmental Disabilities
   • Event Planning
   • Performance Evaluations

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage activity and progress reports including statistical data require by regulators, initial assessments, MDS and IDC documentation.
   • Examine injure persons and administer first aid or cardiopulmonary resuscitation, if necessary, using training and medical supplies and equipment.
   • Attend and present at borough staff and safety meetings.
   • Participate in QA and QIS survey at a facility and corporate level.

   More recreation manager duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your recreation manager job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A recreation manager salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, recreation managers' average salary in louisiana is 49% less than in mississippi.
   • Seniority. Entry-level recreation managers earn 56% less than senior-level recreation managers.
   • Certifications. A recreation manager with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a recreation manager's salary.

   Average recreation manager salary

   $47,007yearly

   $22.60 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level recreation manager salary

   $31,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 19, 2025

   Average recreation manager salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Washington	$58,567	$28
   2	California	$57,301	$28
   3	New York	$51,231	$25
   4	Colorado	$48,981	$24
   5	Nevada	$47,118	$23
   6	Arizona	$44,802	$22
   7	Montana	$44,694	$21
   8	Alabama	$44,231	$21
   9	Hawaii	$44,177	$21
   10	Florida	$39,854	$19
   11	Indiana	$37,432	$18
   12	Tennessee	$36,120	$17
   13	Missouri	$35,963	$17
   14	Ohio	$34,262	$16
   15	Louisiana	$31,773	$15

   Average recreation manager salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	St. John's Episcopal Hospital	$62,433	$30.02	1
   2	Wequassett Resort and Golf Club	$49,101	$23.61
   3	City of Reno	$47,253	$22.72	5
   4	EXOS	$45,088	$21.68
   5	Artesia	$44,668	$21.48
   6	Aimbridge Hospitality	$43,842	$21.08
   7	City of Wentzville	$42,767	$20.56
   8	Grand Sierra Resort	$41,573	$19.99
   9	Pyramid Hotel Group	$41,396	$19.90
   10	Carmel Clay Parks & Recreation	$40,804	$19.62
   11	Hyatt Hotels	$39,389	$18.94	10
   12	Firstservice Residential California, Inc.	$39,004	$18.75
   13	Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts	$38,928	$18.72
   14	PCH Hotels & Resorts	$38,923	$18.71	4
   15	Montage Hotels & Resorts	$38,681	$18.60	2
   16	University of Montana	$37,914	$18.23
   17	Volunteers of America-Greater New York	$37,572	$18.06	4
   18	Marriott International	$37,315	$17.94	29
   19	Job Corps	$36,932	$17.76	2
   20	Delaware North	$36,042	$17.33	2

4. Writing a recreation manager job description

   A good recreation manager job description should include a few things:

   • Summary of the role
   • List of responsibilities
   • Required skills and experience

   Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a recreation manager job description:

   Recreation manager job description example

   PRIMARY PURPOSE:
   
   As an Assistant Manager Recreation Services, you will set the stage for guest experience with your welcoming smile and service. By understanding their unique stories and needs, you will own their experience to create WOW moments and memories they will carry with them far beyond their stay with us.
   
   PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
   
   * Support the Recreation Manager with overseeing the daily operations, including monitoring/meeting safety standards, service delivery, cleanliness, ambiance, work with supporting departments and meet maintenance needs
   * Responsible for hiring, coaching, issuing discipline, training, and accountability of all employees in the operation
   * Respond to and assist with incidents/accidents and involve security for support and completing applicable reporting
   * Ensure departmental compliance in regard to company, state/local and Health District polices, inventory control, loss prevention, Risk Management and security
   * Ensure timely and professional resolution to guest and employee related challenges and/or concerns
   * Participate in on-going training and clearly communicate company policies and objectives and implementation, and ensure employee satisfaction through recognition, career development, and organizational teamwork to uphold positive morale
   * Maintain efficient staffing and supply levels needed to provide superior service and maximize revenue opportunities, develop, implement, and maintain Continuous Improvement initiatives to drive efficiency and growth
   
   KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
   
   * Able to effectively communicate in English, in both written and verbal forms
   * Perception and awareness of individual needs and the ability to handle all situations calmly and professionally
   * Ability to multi-task and work well in a fast paced, team-oriented environment
   * Excellent organizational skills to function effectively under time constraints and within established deadlines, with particular attention to detail
   * Effective listening abilities with strong judgment skills
   * Excellent customer service skills and interpersonal skills to effectively communicate with all business contacts
   * Maintain a professional, neat and well-groomed appearance adhering to company standards
   
   MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
   
   * High school diploma or equivalent
   * Two (2) years of related experience
   
   Location:
   
   Atlantic City, New Jersey

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find recreation managers for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your recreation manager job on Zippia to find and recruit recreation manager candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with recreation manager 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.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   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 recreation manager

   Once you've selected the best recreation manager 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.

   It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new recreation manager. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

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.)

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