Recreation Coordinator

City of Arcadia; Arcadia (CA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

CalPERS retirement plan

Vision Plan for employee and family

Life Insurance

AD&D

Long-Term Disability

Bilingual pay

Longevity pay

Tuition reimbursement/advancement

Job summary

The City of Arcadia's Recreation and Community Services Department seeks a team-oriented coordinator to oversee a variety of youth and adult recreation programs, events, and classes. The role involves supervising part-time staff and contract workers, coordinating schedules, and ensuring high-quality program delivery.

The successful candidate will work evenings and weekends as needed and collaborate with schools, community groups, and vendors.

Qualifications

• Two years experience in the field of recreation including experience working with youth and/or coordinating and facilitating programs and special events.
• Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade. An Associate's degree with an emphasis in recreation, child development, physical education or a related field is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Supervise, promote and provide direction in recreation programs.
• Coordinate, promote, implement and evaluate recreation activities, including youth and adult excursions, community-wide special events, after school and summer playgrounds, youth and adult sports leagues.
• Recruit, select, train, supervise, and evaluate part‑time and contract employees.
• Coordinate payroll information for assigned personnel.
• Prepare work schedules for part‑time recreation staff.

Education

High school diploma

Associate degree in recreation/related field

Job description

ABOUT ARCADIA

Arcadia is a charming, family-oriented community with a population of just over 57,000. Located 13 miles east of downtown Los Angeles, regional transportation networks like the Metro A Line connect Arcadia as a premier residential, shopping, and entertainment destination in the San Gabriel Valley. Arcadia is known for its top-rated schools, iconic landmarks, and serene neighborhoods. Arcadia is an award-winning community having been twice named as the best City in California in which to raise kids and has been recognized as a premiere business friendly City in Los Angeles County.

WHO WE ARE

The Arcadia Recreation and Community Services Department provides programs, classes, and events for the community. Through diverse programming and parks, Recreation and Community Services not only improves the lives of individuals, but the public as well. Recreation promotes health and wellness, provides lifelong learning, drives economic opportunity, and generates community empowerment.

ABOUT THE POSITION

The City of Arcadia has an outstanding opportunity for a team player with independent drive, customer service skills, and creativity that go above and beyond to join the Recreation and Community Services Department. The ideal candidate will be a self-starter, organized, creative, and have the ability to oversee a diverse group of part‑time employees and volunteers. Availability to regularly work some nights and weekends are crucial to our success. This position will coordinate, promote, implement, and evaluate recreation activities, which may include senior programs, community-wide special events, after school and summer programs, contract classes, and youth and adult sports.

DESIRED QUALITIES

• Self-motivated and creative
• Reliable and a team player
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Detail-oriented and organized

WHAT WE OFFER

• CalPERS retirement plan
• Three tier monthly benefit allowance of up to:
  • $866 Employee only coverage
  • $1,400 Employee +1 coverage
  • $1,800 Family Coverage
• City paid Vision Plan for employee and family
• City paid Life Insurance, Accidental Death & Dismemberment, and Long-Term Disability
• Bilingual pay
• Longevity pay
• Tuition reimbursement/advancement upon the completion of probationary period

Note Regarding Salary: Newly hired candidates typically start at the first step of the salary range (Step A); however, a higher step within the salary range may be negotiated based on the candidate’s qualifications, experience, and skillset.

RECRUITMENT PROCESS AND IMPORTANT DATES

Application Submission Deadline: Application filing period will close at 11:59 PM on Monday, November 30, 2026 (priority review will be given to the first 150 applications submitted within the application filing period).

Qualifications Appraisal Interviews (100%): Wednesday, December 16, 2026. (Tentative)

DEFINITION

Under general direction, to plan, organize and coordinate various community youth programs, special events and other recreation programs.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

May exercise technical and functional supervision over part‑time recreation staff.

EXAMPLES OF IMPORTANT AND ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Supervise, promote and provide direction in recreation programs.
• Requisition and inventory craft and sport supplies.
• Evaluate and prepare written reports on assigned activities.
• Assist with the operation, supervision and maintenance of recreation facilities.
• Coordinate, promote, implement and evaluate recreation activities, including youth and adult excursions, community-wide special events, after school and summer playgrounds, youth and adult sports leagues.
• Organize and schedule leisure time activities such as excursions, special events, playgrounds, and sports leagues.
• Recruit, select, train, supervise, and evaluate part‑time and contract employees.
• Coordinate event publicity, including news releases, pamphlets, and brochures.
• Maintain close contact with school officials, parents, and community groups having related responsibilities for program implementation.
• Prepare work schedules for part‑time recreation staff.
• Coordinate payroll information for assigned personnel.
• Maintain records and prepare reports concerning new and on‑going programs.
• Recommend the purchase of necessary equipment and supplies.

OTHER JOB RELATED DUTIES

Perform related duties and responsibilities as assigned.

JOB RELATED AND ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:

• Procedures for implementing recreational activities and programs through community participation.
• Program content for specialized community recreation activities.
• Personnel management principles, practices, and techniques including methods for employee selection, supervision, evaluation, and training.
• Common recreational, cultural, and social needs of the community.
• Modern office practices, methods, and computer equipment.

Skill to:

• Operate modern office equipment including computer equipment.
• Operate a motor vehicle safely.

Ability to:

• Coordinate, organize, and implement recreation and leisure time activities and specialized events.
• Prepare and distribute publicity concerning new and on‑going recreation offerings.
• Select, train, supervise, and evaluate part‑time and contract employees.
• Understand community needs in a variety of recreation areas and to evaluate activities according to those needs.
• Identify methods to maximize service effectiveness and efficiency.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Interact with people of all ages and retain their interest in scheduled activities.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees and the public.
• Understand cultural diversity and how it is pertinent to working with youth and their families.
• Handle competing priorities and multiple demands.

Experience:

Two years experience in the field of recreation including experience working with youth and/or coordinating and facilitating programs and special events.

Training:

Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade. An Associate's degree with an emphasis in recreation, child development, physical education or a related field is highly desirable.

License or Certificate:

Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid driver's license.

Special Requirements:

Essential duties require the following physical skills and work environment: Ability to sit, stand, walk, run, kneel, crouch, stoop, squat, and lift 50 lbs.; exposure to outdoors; ability to travel to different sites and locations.