What does a recreation specialist do?
A recreation specialist is responsible for planning and organizing engaging activities according to the event's purpose and community theme. Recreation specialists handle the event's outline from conceptualization to the actual execution, including the location, resources, participants, and budget limitations. They consider the needs of the participants and develop strategic plans that would cater to their lifestyle, growth, and development. A recreation specialist may also conduct outreach operations to gain sponsors and fundraising to enhance community events.
Recreation specialist responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real recreation specialist resumes:
- Provide evidence base intervention to help manage behavior in children diagnose with ADHD.
- Organize, lead, and promote interest in recreational activities such as bingo cards, machines, and markers.
- Manage funds and resources to include developing the annual NAF budget, which include submission and prioritization of program component requirements.
- Manage the maintenance of post MWR relate administrative records and submit program status reports in accordance with establish contractual requirements.
- Register customers for programs and take facility reservations.
- Base leadership recognize program for triple increase in membership and decrease in teen relate incidents requiring military police involvement.
- Provide recreational therapy to patients being treat for mild to severe psychiatric illnesses and complete extensive training on HIPAA and investigative services
- Conduct observations to ensure staff and program activities run properly.
- Experience leading diverse groups in technical high adventure outdoor activities.
- Oversee operations of concessions at pool, baseball fields, and soccer fields
- Plan, organize, set up and run themed children's parties.
- Perform basic math calculations while handling currency, and quantities of supplies.
- Provide assistance with ADL's, take vitals, and memory care.
- Officiate and coach flag football, basketball, soccer, and volleyball teams.
- Used hand tools such as shovels, rakes, trimmers and hedge clippers.
Recreation specialist skills and personality traits
We calculated that 22% of Recreation Specialists are proficient in CPR, Customer Service, and Recreation Programs. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Flexibility, and Leadership skills.
We break down the percentage of Recreation Specialists that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- CPR, 22%
Be ready for a medical emergency with CPR and First Aid training and knowing when to call 911.
- Customer Service, 18%
Maintained recreational facilities for Chickasaw Headquarters* Customer Service activities for clients that used the facilities* Host weekend events, tournaments
- Recreation Programs, 7%
Created and implemented recreation programs, assisted recreation supervisor in planning and execution of the Physical Education and Recreation curriculum.
- Rehabilitation, 6%
Conducted individual rehabilitation plans in accordance with interdisciplinary treatment goals, inpatient and acute care units.
- Social Work, 5%
Recorded daily progress notes on youths' in a log book and submitted report to social worker and supervisor.
- Safety Procedures, 4%
Developed and maintained Equipment Safety Procedures and Policies.
Most recreation specialists use their skills in "cpr," "customer service," and "recreation programs" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential recreation specialist responsibilities here:
Communication skills. One of the key soft skills for a recreation specialist to have is communication skills. You can see how this relates to what recreation specialists do because "recreation workers must be able to communicate well." Additionally, a recreation specialist resume shows how recreation specialists use communication skills: "maintain(ed) communications between the fleet commands and the mwr department. "
Flexibility. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling recreation specialist duties is flexibility. The role rewards competence in this skill because "recreation workers must be flexible when planning activities." According to a recreation specialist resume, here's how recreation specialists can utilize flexibility in their job responsibilities: "teach fitness classes to improve strength, flexibility, cardiovascular conditioning, or general fitness of participants. "
Leadership skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of recreation specialists is leadership skills. This skill is critical to many everyday recreation specialist duties, as "recreation workers should be able to lead both large and small groups." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "designed and disseminated survey instruments to assess and provide analysis of sporting initiatives and programs for regional management and corporate leadership. "
Physical strength. recreation specialist responsibilities often require "physical strength." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "most recreation workers should be physically fit." This resume example shows what recreation specialists do with physical strength on a typical day: "supervised mentally and physically disabled adults on daily community outings. "
Problem-solving skills. Another common skill required for recreation specialist responsibilities is "problem-solving skills." This skill comes up in the duties of recreation specialists all the time, as "recreation workers need strong problem-solving skills." An excerpt from a real recreation specialist resume shows how this skill is central to what a recreation specialist does: "directed workshops on conflict resolution, anger management, leadership skills, life skills and health information. "
The three companies that hire the most recreation specialists are:
- INSTITUTE OF COMMUNITY SERVICES14 recreation specialists jobs
- Nyc Parks
13 recreation specialists jobs
- City of Cincinnati11 recreation specialists jobs
Choose from 10+ customizable recreation specialist resume templates
Build a professional recreation specialist resume in minutes. Our AI resume writing assistant will guide you through every step of the process, and you can choose from 10+ resume templates to create your recreation specialist resume.
Compare different recreation specialists
Recreation specialist vs. 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. They are expected to lead campers in emergency procedures and fire drills, explain safety rules and procedures, and provide emotional support to campers. Camp counselors are also responsible for assessing and responding to emergencies when they arise.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between recreation specialists and day camp counselor. For instance, recreation specialist responsibilities require skills such as "customer service," "recreation programs," "rehabilitation," and "recreational facilities." Whereas a day camp counselor is skilled in "kids," "cleanliness," "pet," and "direct supervision." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Day camp counselors tend to make the most money working in the education industry, where they earn an average salary of $34,530. In contrast, recreation specialists make the biggest average salary, $35,035, in the hospitality industry.day camp counselors tend to reach similar levels of education than recreation specialists. In fact, day camp counselors are 0.2% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.3% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Recreation specialist vs. Camp counselor
Camp counselors' general responsibility is the supervision of a camping event. Camp counselors' duties include reiterating the rules and regulations, emergency drills and procedures, and related standard protocols to ensure that the campers maintain a safe camping environment. A camp counselor should possess strong leadership and decision-making skills to develop recreational programs and immediately resolve concerns that might affect everyone's overall camping experience. Camp counselors also help develop social interaction, promote teamwork, and monitor participation among campers.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real recreation specialist resumes. While recreation specialist responsibilities can utilize skills like "customer service," "recreation programs," "rehabilitation," and "social work," camp counselors use skills like "kids," "role model," "child care," and "core values."
Camp counselors earn a lower average salary than recreation specialists. But camp counselors earn the highest pay in the education industry, with an average salary of $29,249. Additionally, recreation specialists earn the highest salaries in the hospitality with average pay of $35,035 annually.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Camp counselors tend to reach similar levels of education than recreation specialists. In fact, they're 3.6% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.3% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for recreation specialists in the next 3-5 years?
Dr. Samuel Lankford Ph.D.
Chair, Professor, California State University
Recreation specialist vs. Activities director
An activities director is responsible for planning engaging events for the participants, considering individual interests and the safety of procedures and resources. Activities directors guide the activity staff on assisting the participants, ensuring that they are comfortable with joining the activities. Since most activities directors work at a healthcare facility or elderly institution, they must also monitor the health of the participants by conducting therapeutic activities and evaluate the participants' progress for every program. The activities director must be a critical-thinker, as well as have excellent communication skills to coordinate with facilities personnel for successful activity completion.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, recreation specialists are more likely to have skills like "recreation programs," "social work," "safety procedures," and "recreational facilities." But a activities director is more likely to have skills like "patients," "resident care," "home health," and "mds."
Activities directors earn the highest salary when working in the health care industry, where they receive an average salary of $41,547. Comparatively, recreation specialists have the highest earning potential in the hospitality industry, with an average salary of $35,035.activities directors typically earn similar educational levels compared to recreation specialists. Specifically, they're 0.8% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Recreation specialist vs. Program lead
A program lead is responsible for managing a business program's operation from its conceptualization to implementation. Program leads must have excellent communication and researching skills to monitor current industry trends, adjusting program techniques and strategies to meet society's demands. They have a clear understanding of the organization's long-term goals and outline plans to define those objectives, bringing new programs to light following clients' specifications that would help the business grow revenues, maintain customer satisfaction, and keep its good reputation, and achieve profitability goals.
Even though a few skill sets overlap between recreation specialists and program leads, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a recreation specialist might have more use for skills like "recreation programs," "rehabilitation," "social work," and "safety procedures." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of program leads require skills like "project management," "hr," "work ethic," and "customer satisfaction. "
The average resume of program leads showed that they earn similar levels of education compared to recreation specialists. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 2.5% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 0.9%.Types of recreation specialist
Updated January 8, 2025
