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Recreation specialist skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted experts
Marieke Van Puymbroeck Ph.D.,
Robert Barcelona Ph.D.
Below we've compiled a list of the most critical recreation specialist skills. We ranked the top skills for recreation specialists based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 21.9% of recreation specialist resumes contained cpr as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a recreation specialist needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 recreation specialist skills for your resume and career

1. CPR

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation or CPR is a medical procedure that involves chest compression to help a patient breathe. This artificial ventilation helps in keeping the brain function in place and regulates blood throughout the body. CPR is a lifesaving procedure that is used in emergencies.

Here's how recreation specialists use cpr:
  • Be ready for a medical emergency with CPR and First Aid training and knowing when to call 911.
  • Teach Lifeguard Training, AED certification, CPR for the Professional Rescuer, Springboard Diving and Swimming lessons.

2. Customer Service

Customer service is the process of offering assistance to all the current and potential customers -- answering questions, fixing problems, and providing excellent service. The main goal of customer service is to build a strong relationship with the customers so that they keep coming back for more business.

Here's how recreation specialists use customer service:
  • Maintained recreational facilities for Chickasaw Headquarters* Customer Service activities for clients that used the facilities* Host weekend events, tournaments
  • Handle a variety of administrative tasks related to the facility including providing excellent customer service and maintaining electronic records.

3. Recreation Programs

Recreational programs aim at providing recreation and related activities for individuals with disabilities to aid in their mobility, independence, employment, socialization, and community integration. These programs are designed to promote the development of social skills that are necessary to integrate the disabled people into the community. Vocational skills Music, Dancing, Handicrafts, Art, and Homemaking, development, Leisure education, Physical education and sports are few activities that these programs may include.

Here's how recreation specialists use recreation programs:
  • Created and implemented recreation programs, assisted recreation supervisor in planning and execution of the Physical Education and Recreation curriculum.
  • General office work related to administering various recreation programs and assisting with the management of 3 aquatic facilities.

4. Rehabilitation

Here's how recreation specialists use rehabilitation:
  • Conducted individual rehabilitation plans in accordance with interdisciplinary treatment goals, inpatient and acute care units.
  • Provided special programs and activities for patients rehabilitation.

5. Social Work

Here's how recreation specialists use social work:
  • Recorded daily progress notes on youths' in a log book and submitted report to social worker and supervisor.
  • Participated in weekly meetings with staff that included clinicians, social workers, security, and housing.

6. Safety Procedures

Safety procedures are a set of standardized procedures, that ensures minimal to no risk to people, resources, and the work environment. A company follows the step-by-step safety procedures as it they not only keep the customers and the employees safe, but also help in avoiding legal claims.

Here's how recreation specialists use safety procedures:
  • Developed and maintained Equipment Safety Procedures and Policies.
  • Operated rock-climbing wall following all safety procedures.

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7. Recreational Facilities

Recreational facilities aim to provide comfort and relief by providing different recreational activities and services. Some of these recreational facilities may include swimming pools, spas, playgrounds, gyms, and entertainment centers

Here's how recreation specialists use recreational facilities:
  • Manage the daily use/operations and schedule maintenance of recreational facilities.
  • Manage and facilitate daily operations of recreational facilities.

8. Flyers

Here's how recreation specialists use flyers:
  • Edited newsletter, flyers and letters for enhanced professionalism and readability.
  • Developed and performed activities to market and promote youth/adult programs to include development of flyers, brochures and public relation materials.

9. Front Desk

Here's how recreation specialists use front desk:
  • Front Desk/Reception-Advertising and registering new and returning for classes, programs and events-Program Instructor-Special Event Staff
  • Managed staff of 4-6 employees, scheduled work for the front desk personnel, assigned projects and advised staff members.

10. Social Development

Here's how recreation specialists use social development:
  • Design programs promoting physical, creative, and social development of the inmate population.
  • Coordinated recreation activities with the CCP and Social Development to include evening programming.

11. Youth Sports

Youth sports are any sports activity played by individuals under adult age. These sports may be connected to a school or an independent club or organization. Depending on the formality of the organization, coaches may be volunteers or paid. Competitiveness of the sport will also depend on the players' ages, as adolescents may be encouraged to be more competitive than children.

Here's how recreation specialists use youth sports:
  • Coordinate and developed yearly athletics calendar of events with fitness activities, youth sports, captain's cup and intramural sports.
  • Organized youth sports teams, leagues, tournaments, and camps for the specific sport of basketball.

12. Youth Program

Here's how recreation specialists use youth program:
  • Handled administrative responsibilities associated with program areas that included youth programs, teen programs, facility and playground programs.
  • Reviewed program guidelines, resource materials and local community youth programs to obtain ideas to be adapted to fit base requirements.

13. Incident Reports

An Incident Report, in a medical facility such as hospitals and nursing homes, is a type of paperwork filled out immediately after and in the case of an incident of some sort, with the goal of describing the incident and its consequences, as well as the measurements taken after or during the incident, as well as any other information relevant to said incident. Such an incident might be a patient acting out or a patient being injured.

Here's how recreation specialists use incident reports:
  • Prepare accident/incident reports for injured children or youth.
  • Prepared and submitted incident reports as necessary.

14. Soccer

Soccer or also called Football, is considered the world's most famous sport. It is usually played with two teams consisting of 11 players each. Soccer is an outdoor game wherein it needs to have a vast space. This is to put the soccer ball in the other team's goal using the knees and head; holding the ball is prohibited during the game

Here's how recreation specialists use soccer:
  • Plan, Coordinates and leaded all recreational sports for various age groups including Softball, Football, Soccer and Basketball.
  • Implemented adaptive programs: Swimming, Cycling, Canoeing, Golf, Basketball, Soccer, Hockey, and Sailing.

15. Developmental Disabilities

Here's how recreation specialists use developmental disabilities:
  • Provided instruction during the archery program where we assisted individuals with developmental disabilities to safely develop basic archery skills.
  • Provided direct care, programming and community management to adults with developmental disabilities in residential living settings.
top-skills

What skills help Recreation Specialists find jobs?

Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want.

What skills stand out on recreation specialist resumes?

Marieke Van Puymbroeck Ph.D.

Professor, Graduate Coordinator, Clemson University

A variety of skills and certifications always set individuals apart from the crowd. In this day and age, being able to provide virtual programming, offer innovative ideas about programming, and engage people virtually are particularly important.

What soft skills should all recreation specialists possess?

Robert Barcelona Ph.D.

Department Chair and Associate Professor, University of New Hampshire

Collaboration is a really important soft skill - having the ability to work with others to achieve common goals is such a critical skill for recreation professionals to have. Flexibility and adaptability are also important - how do you manage when things don't go according to plan or when you have to improvise? Creativity and outside-the-box thinking are really important, especially in the age of COVID-19. Look at the creative programs and events that have emerged during the pandemic - virtual 5K races and fitness classes, online instructional programs, self-guided nature programs, do-it-yourself summer camp - and many, many others. Finally, understanding the value of diversity and inclusion is critical today - recreation is for everyone, so professionals need to understand how to increase access and reduce barriers to recreation participation for the entire community.

What hard/technical skills are most important for recreation specialists?

Robert Barcelona Ph.D.

Department Chair and Associate Professor, University of New Hampshire

Being comfortable with specific technology applications like facility scheduling and maintenance and point-of-sale software, spreadsheets and databases, desktop publishing, and Photoshop are all really important. In the end, recreation specialists need to have a solid foundation in program and event design, personnel management, organizational leadership, finance and budgeting, risk management, marketing and promotion, program evaluation, facility and equipment management, strategic and master planning, and working in government and policy environments.

What recreation specialist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

Matt Chase Ph.D.Matt Chase Ph.D. LinkedIn profile

Professor, Recreation and Tourism Management, Eastern Washington University

The recreation industry values hands-on, applied experience. That and we are a certification driven industry. Students would be well served to pursue applicable certifications (and there are many) as well as applicable seasonal work. I anticipate opportunities for seasonal work will open up again in late spring and summer. All of the sectors - public, private, and non-profit - have opportunities for seasonal work - spring through fall. And of course, opportunities for winter seasonal work are available in the ski resort industry, as well as resorts and recreation operations that are located in the SE and SW.

What type of skills will young recreation specialists need?

Dr. Jon McChesneyDr. Jon McChesney LinkedIn profile

Department Chair & Graduate Coordinator, Eastern Kentucky University

Recreation is at the core of a social profession, thus demanding the need for social intelligence and a relationship orientation for graduates. The need for connection is perhaps greater than at any time in our history, given the loneliness epidemic, the increase in depression, and suicide. Professionals need to be mindful of the issues facing our country and demonstrate sensitivity and appreciation for diversity and cultural agility. Creativity, innovation, and adaptability to change will continue to be important as recreation is forced to evolve in a Covid-19 world and beyond.

What technical skills for a recreation specialist stand out to employers?

Dr. Stacey KendigDr. Stacey Kendig LinkedIn profile

Director and Associate Professor, Shepherd University

Most definitely one of the technical skills that employers are looking for in a college graduate is their computer/technological skill level. With the current pandemic and so many people working from home, it is critical that employees have the most current technology skills. Another technical skill that I know I would look for is communication skills; both written and oral! Again, with so much of our time being spent using technology, computers, and cell phones, it is important that graduates understand the dynamics of "professionalism" with technology. Another technical skill would be interpersonal and the ability to develop professional and positive working relationships. This has also become a challenge with the increasing use of technology and not having the face to face interaction in a professional work environment.
Do you want to know more?
Read more about what experts have to say about recreation specialist

List of recreation specialist skills to add to your resume

Recreation specialist skills

The most important skills for a recreation specialist resume and required skills for a recreation specialist to have include:

  • CPR
  • Customer Service
  • Recreation Programs
  • Rehabilitation
  • Social Work
  • Safety Procedures
  • Recreational Facilities
  • Flyers
  • Front Desk
  • Social Development
  • Youth Sports
  • Youth Program
  • Incident Reports
  • Soccer
  • Developmental Disabilities
  • Community Events
  • Physical Fitness
  • Facility Rentals
  • Fitness Classes
  • Leadership
  • Teen
  • Mowing
  • Press Releases
  • Recreation Centers
  • Community Organizations
  • Naf
  • Fitness Programs
  • Sports Leagues
  • Fine Arts
  • Morale
  • Community Outings
  • Recreation Equipment
  • Educational Programs
  • Social Recreation
  • MWR
  • Field Maintenance
  • Summer Camps
  • Facility Rules
  • Mentoring Students
  • Athletic Program
  • Fitness Equipment
  • Flag Football
  • Emergency First Aid
  • Rectrac
  • Cash Control
  • Summer Program
  • Swimming Pools

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Updated January 8, 2025

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