What does a recreation worker do?
Recreation worker responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real recreation worker resumes:
- Manage funds and resources to include developing the annual NAF budget, which include submission and prioritization of program component requirements.
- Certify and able to perform first aid, CPR, and a.
- Exemplify team work, leadership, and responsibility
- Mow park grounds using industrial and hand mowers.
- Answer phone calls, plan activities for kids, run an after school program for the kids
- Supervise and encourage community youth in neighborhood soccer club during the summer, run 6 and under instructive soccer.
- Provide direct leadership in a recreation program at a facility base summer recreation program or activity.
- Examine injured persons, and administer first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation if necessary, utilizing training and medical supplies and equipment.
- Plan and direct``Olympics"recreation program.
Recreation worker skills and personality traits
We calculated that 18% of Recreation Workers are proficient in Safety Procedures, Mowing, and Math. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Flexibility, and Leadership skills.
We break down the percentage of Recreation Workers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Safety Procedures, 18%
Enforced safety procedures in accordance with facility policies and government regulations.
- Mowing, 15%
Maintained park's buildings and grounds that included cleaning, mowing, gardening, painting, carpentry and other related tasks.
- Math, 14%
Tutored in English and Math Coached sports teams (basketball, football, soccer, track)
- Maintenance Tasks, 12%
Performed maintenance tasks (mopping, cleaning/organizing weight room, washing windows, removing trash).
- Cash Handling, 11%
Cash handling, deposits, membership sales, classes registration, event reservations and scheduled services for groups.
- Facility Rules, 5%
Informed guests about facilities, facility rules and regulations.
Most recreation workers use their skills in "safety procedures," "mowing," and "math" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential recreation worker responsibilities here:
Communication skills. One of the key soft skills for a recreation worker to have is communication skills. You can see how this relates to what recreation workers do because "recreation workers must be able to communicate well." Additionally, a recreation worker resume shows how recreation workers use communication skills: "obtained professional customer service and communication skills by being attentive to guest needs. "
Flexibility. Another essential skill to perform recreation worker duties is flexibility. Recreation workers responsibilities require that "recreation workers must be flexible when planning activities." Recreation workers also use flexibility in their role according to a real resume snippet: "teach fitness classes to improve strength, flexibility, cardiovascular conditioning, or general fitness of participants. "
Leadership skills. recreation workers are also known for leadership skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to recreation worker responsibilities, because "recreation workers should be able to lead both large and small groups." A recreation worker resume example shows how leadership skills is used in the workplace: "provided direct leadership in a recreation program at a facility based summer recreation program or activity. "
Physical strength. recreation worker 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 workers do with physical strength on a typical day: "assisted strength and conditioning coaches in keeping weight room organized and clean. "
Problem-solving skills. A commonly-found skill in recreation worker job descriptions, "problem-solving skills" is essential to what recreation workers do. Recreation worker responsibilities rely on this skill because "recreation workers need strong problem-solving skills." You can also see how recreation worker duties rely on problem-solving skills in this resume example: "skilled at student conflict resolution and crisis management. "
The three companies that hire the most recreation workers are:
- City of Portland2 recreation workers jobs
- City of Louisville2 recreation workers jobs
- Aramark1 recreation workers jobs
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Recreation worker 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.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, recreation worker responsibilities require skills like "mowing," "math," "maintenance tasks," and "cash handling." Meanwhile a typical day camp counselor has skills in areas such as "kids," "cleanliness," "pet," and "direct supervision." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Day camp counselors earn the highest salaries when working in the education industry, with an average yearly salary of $34,530. On the other hand, recreation workers are paid more in the professional industry with an average salary of $33,647.day camp counselors tend to reach similar levels of education than recreation workers. In fact, day camp counselors are 4.5% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.3% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Recreation worker 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.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that recreation worker responsibilities requires skills like "mowing," "math," "maintenance tasks," and "cash handling." But a camp counselor might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "kids," "summer camps," "role model," and "child care."
On average, camp counselors earn a lower salary than recreation workers. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, camp counselors earn the most pay in the education industry with an average salary of $29,249. Whereas recreation workers have higher pay in the professional industry, with an average salary of $33,647.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Camp counselors tend to reach similar levels of education than recreation workers. In fact, they're 1.2% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.3% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Recreation worker 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.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a recreation worker is likely to be skilled in "safety procedures," "mowing," "maintenance tasks," and "cash handling," while a typical program lead is skilled in "project management," "hr," "work ethic," and "customer satisfaction."
When it comes to education, program leads tend to earn higher degree levels compared to recreation workers. In fact, they're 7.3% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.9% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Recreation worker vs. 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. It is their responsibility to create a fun, safe, and rewarding environment for each camper. They provide counsel, support, and monitor each camper's individual development. A good summer camp counselor is reliable, honest, and has strong leadership skills.
Even though a few skill sets overlap between recreation workers and summer camp counselors, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a recreation worker might have more use for skills like "mowing," "math," "maintenance tasks," and "cash handling." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of summer camp counselors require skills like "child care," "kids," "customer service," and "work ethic. "
In general, summer camp counselors earn the most working in the education industry, with an average salary of $30,707. The highest-paying industry for a recreation worker is the professional industry.The average resume of summer camp counselors showed that they earn similar levels of education compared to recreation workers. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 1.0% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 0.1%.Types of recreation worker
Updated January 8, 2025











