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How to hire a recreation supervisor

Recreation supervisor hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring recreation supervisors in the United States:

  • The median cost to hire a recreation supervisor is $1,633.
  • It takes between 36 and 42 days to fill the average role in the US.
  • HR departments typically allocate 15% of their budget towards recruitment efforts.
  • Small businesses spend $1,105 per recreation supervisor on training each year, while large companies spend $658.
  • It takes approximately 12 weeks for a new employee to reach full productivity levels.
  • There are a total of 18,487 recreation supervisors in the US, and there are currently 4,698 job openings in this field.
  • New York, NY, has the highest demand for recreation supervisors, with 5 job openings.

How to hire a recreation supervisor, step by step

To hire a recreation supervisor, 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 a recreation supervisor:

Here's a step-by-step recreation supervisor 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 supervisor job description
  • Step 5: Post your job
  • Step 6: Interview candidates
  • Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new recreation supervisor
  • Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a recreation supervisor do?

Recreation Supervisors are responsible for overseeing the operations and service delivery of a recreation program for an organization. Their duties include facilitating the implementation of the recreations program, assist in staff recruitment, scheduling staff roster, developing training sessions, and track employee performance. They manage contracts, conduct community research, perform marketing outreach activities, and serve as a district representative in engaging external parties. Recreational Supervisors also develop marketing materials, coordinate logistic arrangements, monitor inventory, prepare program budgets, and write grant proposals.

Learn more about the specifics of what a recreation supervisor does
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  1. Identify your hiring needs

    Before you start hiring a recreation supervisor, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

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

    You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a recreation supervisor to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a recreation supervisor that fits the bill.

    This list presents recreation supervisor salaries for various positions.

    Type of Recreation SupervisorDescriptionHourly rate
    Recreation SupervisorRecreation 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.$15-29
    Day Camp CounselorThe 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
    Camp CounselorCamp 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... Show more$7-16
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • CPR
    • Recreational Facilities
    • Payroll
    • Safety Procedures
    • Front Desk
    • Performance Evaluations
    • Community Events
    • Community Organizations
    • Soccer
    • Sports Programs
    • Youth Sports
    • Recreation Services
    • Physical Fitness
    • Press Releases
    Check all skills
    Responsibilities:
    • Manage recreation staff and programming for assist living and rehabilitation and skil nursing facilities.
    • Manage activity and progress reports including statistical data require by regulators, initial assessments, MDS and IDC documentation.
    • Open, close and run swim center.
    • Use of POS system for food and beverage sales
    • Develop plans and provide oversight for detailing and finishing work.
    • Start as a lifeguard, monitoring swimmers and waders for safety reason.
    More recreation supervisor duties
  3. Make a budget

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

    • Location. For example, recreation supervisors' average salary in louisiana is 52% less than in alaska.
    • Seniority. Entry-level recreation supervisors 48% less than senior-level recreation supervisors.
    • Certifications. A recreation supervisor 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 a recreation supervisor's salary.

    Average recreation supervisor salary

    $45,209yearly

    $21.74 hourly rate

    Entry-level recreation supervisor salary
    $32,000 yearly salary
    Updated December 24, 2025

    Average recreation supervisor salary by state

    RankStateAvg. salaryHourly rate
    1Alaska$66,590$32
    2California$66,314$32
    3New York$52,647$25
    4Arizona$51,904$25
    5Colorado$50,961$25
    6North Carolina$47,779$23
    7Florida$45,429$22
    8Illinois$43,986$21
    9Maine$43,039$21
    10Maryland$42,300$20
    11Texas$41,466$20
    12South Carolina$41,296$20
    13New Jersey$41,081$20
    14Wisconsin$40,830$20
    15Michigan$39,308$19
    16Ohio$39,137$19
    17Virginia$39,110$19
    18Missouri$37,163$18
    19Georgia$35,036$17

    Average recreation supervisor salary by company

    RankCompanyAverage salaryHourly rateJob openings
    1Glen Ellyn Park District$54,739$26.32
    2Mayor Ethan Berkowitz$51,529$24.775
    3Howard County Government$49,157$23.63
    4Emerson$49,117$23.61
    5Town of Marana$48,814$23.47
    6City of Ann Arbor$48,566$23.35
    7Catholic Health Care System$48,302$23.222
    8United Service Technologies$48,132$23.14
    9Aleut$48,049$23.101
    10City of Las Vegas$47,912$23.03
    11The GEO Group$47,715$22.942
    12City of Downey$47,466$22.82
    13City of St. Louis$47,376$22.78
    14Continental Pools$47,368$22.77
    15City of Greeley$47,109$22.651
    16MINACT$47,087$22.643
    17City of Patterson$46,852$22.52
    18Minnesota Limited$46,701$22.45
    19Arc-Com$46,532$22.374
    20City of Aurora$46,247$22.23
  4. Writing a recreation supervisor job description

    A good recreation supervisor 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 supervisor job description:

    Recreation supervisor job description example


    Pay-rate for Guest Recreation Supervisor starts at $20.00 / hour! We offer great perks for our eligible Tenaya Lodge associates:

    • Full time benefits available

    • Low-Cost Transitional Employee Housing.

    • FREE meals in our Employee Dining Room.

    • $10/day commuter bonus for 35+ miles, and $20/day for 50+ miles.

    Experience work-life balance and grow your career in an amazing environment!

    At Delaware North, we care about our associates' professional and personal wellbeing. We have a comprehensive benefits program designed to give our associates the comfort, safety, and stability they need to deliver exceptional service to our guests. All associates are eligible for benefits including weekly pay, employee assistance program, training and development, employee discounts, and flexible work schedules. Medical, dental, and vision insurance, 401(k) with company match, paid vacation and holidays, and tuition reimbursement are available for eligible associates.

    Some locations may implement a vaccination requirement in the future if required by federal, state, or local law.

    Responsibilities
    • Provide information about the facilities, local hikes, attractions, and entertainment options to guests at the resort.
    • Guide guests on hikes and activities.
    • Schedule recreation associates to ensure the team is properly staffed to meet guest demand.
    • Lead the recreation attendants; create daily agendas to ensure all work is carried out efficiently.
    • Train and develop guest recreation associates on all relevant company, local, state, and federal policies.
    • Maintain the cleanliness, safety, and sanitation of all recreation equipment and facilities in line with company and local procedures.
    • Inspect equipment for wear and tear; perform minor repairs, adjustments, or maintenance tasks.
    • Maintain inventories of equipment, storing, and retrieving items as necessary; ensure control and accountability of equipment and supplies.
    Qualifications
    • Minimum of 2 years' customer service experience required.
    • At least 1 year of previous supervisory experience required.
    • Ability to lead, problem solve, and operate in a fast-paced environment.
    • Proficiency with Microsoft Office products including Word and Excel.
    • Must be able to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.
    Physical Requirements
    • Must be able to work outside in all weather conditions.
    • Ability to lift or carry 50 lbs.
    • Ability to stand for prolonged periods of time.
    • Must be able to bend and stoop frequently.
    Who We Are

    Tenaya Lodge is a 4-diamond resort located just outside the south entrance to Yosemite National Park. Surrounded by beautiful trees and granite mountains, Tenaya Lodge is the perfect environment for outdoor enthusiasts with great hiking trails, waterfalls, rivers, and creeks to explore in and around Yosemite. We offer a variety of employee housing which includes meals, utilities, internet, and laundry. We also provide free mountain bike rental, weekly trips to Oakhurst, and employee discounts on lodging and services. For local candidates we offer a commute incentive for all commutes over 50 miles one way.

    At Delaware North, you'll love where you work, who you work with, and how your day unfolds. Whether it's in sporting venues, casinos, airports, national parks, iconic hotels, or premier restaurants, there's no telling where your career can ultimately take you. We empower you to do great work in a company with 100 years of success, stability and growth. If you have drive and enjoy the thrill of making things happen - share our vision and grow with us.

    Delaware North Companies, Incorporated and its subsidiaries consider applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital or veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected status. Delaware North is an equal opportunity employer.

  5. Post your job

    To find the right recreation supervisor 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 recreation supervisors they would recommend.
    • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit recreation supervisors 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 recreation supervisor job on Zippia to find and recruit recreation supervisor candidates who meet your exact specifications.
    • Use field-specific websites.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    To successfully recruit recreation supervisors, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up 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 supervisor

    Once you've selected the best recreation supervisor 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 supervisor. 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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How much does it cost to hire a recreation supervisor?

There are different types of costs for hiring recreation supervisors. One-time cost per hire for the recruitment process. Ongoing costs include employee salary, training, onboarding, benefits, insurance, and equipment. It is essential to consider all of these costs when evaluating hiring a new recreation supervisor employee.

The median annual salary for recreation supervisors is $45,209 in the US. However, the cost of recreation supervisor hiring can vary a lot depending on location. Additionally, hiring a recreation supervisor for contract work or on a per-project basis typically costs between $15 and $29 an hour.

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