Recreation Specialist

Carlsbad, City of (CA); Carlsbad (CA); On-site; USD 48,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Carlsbad seeks a Recreation Specialist to manage and supervise citywide recreation programs, including senior and community center activities, while coordinating facilities, staff, and schedules. The ideal candidate works independently with strong customer service and problem-solving skills.

This entry-level position requires an Associate degree in recreation or related field and may involve evening, weekend, or holiday hours as assigned. Driver's license is required.

Qualifications

• Associate degree in recreation, physical education, or related field.
• 1 year of experience implementing a recreation, specialized leisure activity, or community service program.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate a recreation program area by planning, organizing, and administering all aspects of the program, including supervising hourly staff.
• Provide skilled recreation leadership or instruction at recreation facilities.
• Maintain inventory control, activity, and progress records.
• Develop and organize specialized recreation programs, including instructional classes, events, excursions, and facility reservations.
• Respond to citizen complaints and requests for information.
• Supervise and train staff assigned to recreation programs.

Skills

Customer service

Communication

Staff supervision

Program coordination

Public speaking

Education

Associate degree in recreation or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Carlsbad – The Community

The City of Carlsbad is ideally situated in north San Diego County where a great climate, beautiful beaches and lagoons, and abundant natural open space combine with world-class resorts, family attractions, well planned neighborhoods, excellent schools, and a charming village atmosphere to create the ideal California experience. Covering nearly 40 square miles, the City of Carlsbad is currently home to about 115,000 residents. The city sets the standard for high-quality local government services and is home to corporate headquarters in technology, life sciences and action sports, supported by a thriving tourism market and nearly 40 percent preserved open space. Thanks to an award-winning growth management plan, the city's infrastructure and services keep pace with development and promote an excellent quality of life.

You belong in Carlsbad:

The City of Carlsbad embraces and recognizes the vital relationship of an inclusive, engaged work environment and innovative excellence. An equitable and inclusive work climate comprises personal experiences, values, and views shaped from differences of culture and circumstance. Our organization appreciates belonging, creativity, recognition and retention of its employees and is committed to hiring and developing motivated, productive and talented employees who provide services and enhance our quality of life. We work to embrace open and equitable access to opportunities for learning and development as our responsibility and goal.

The Position:

The Recreation Specialist will perform responsible work in a citywide recreation program, participate and assist in supervising recreation facilities and programs, and perform related work as assigned. The Recreation Specialist is the entry-level classification in the Recreation series. Positions in this classification are responsible for a specific program, including supervising, recruiting and training staff. Work in this classification is distinguished from that of the Recreation Supervisor by the degree of independence and responsibility for more than one citywide program area at a higher level.

This position oversees intergenerational services and splits time between the Senior Center and the adjacent Pine Avenue Community Center. At the Senior Center, responsibilities focus on administering transportation services for older adults while working closely with drivers and participants to ensure safe, reliable service. At the Pine Avenue Community Center, this role supports facility staff and operations. The ideal candidate works independently with strong attention to detail, excels in customer service and communication, and uses sound judgment, effective problem-solving, and a supportive approach when interacting with staff and patrons. The regular work schedule is Tuesday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

*First-round interviews are tentatively scheduled for the week of Nov. 2, 2026.*

Responsibilities

• Coordinate a recreation program area by planning, organizing, and performing administration of all aspects of the program, including supervising hourly staff.
• Provide skilled recreation leadership or instruction at recreation facilities.
• Maintain inventory control, activity, and progress records.
• Develop and organize specialized recreation programs, including instructional classes, special events, excursions, and facility and park reservations.
• Respond to citizen complaints and requests for information.
• Assist Recreation Supervisors in program events and activities as necessary.
• Assist in coordinating recreation activities with other city departments and divisions, and with outside agencies.
• Supervise, train, and evaluate assigned hourly staff and assist in the supervision activities of regular staff as assigned.
• Make public presentations and develop reports regarding assigned program.
• Monitor class activities and evaluations of programs.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

To perform a job in this classification, an individual must be able to perform the essential duties as generally described in the specification. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties in a specific job. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required.

Knowledge of:

• Computer applications and programs.
• Philosophy, principles, and practices of public recreational programs,City of Carlsbad policies and rules related to recreational programs and general administrative practices and procedures.
• First aid methods, practices, and safety precautions related to any recreational program.
• Basic supervisory practices and skills.

Ability to:

• Communicate clearly and concisely, orally and in writing.
• Supervise and coordinate recreation programs.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Supervise and train staff assigned to work in recreation programs.

Any combination equivalent to the experience and education that could likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Equivalent to an Associate of Arts degree from an accredited college or university with major work in recreation, physical education, or a related field.

One year of experience involving the implementation of a recreation, specialized leisure activity or community service program preferably supplemented by experience in public or business administration.

Special Requirements:

• Possession of a valid Class C California Driver's License.
• Must meet State of California Tuberculosis test requirements.
• If assignment involves working with minors, in accordance with the Health and Safety Code section 10911.5 (a), cannot have any convictions related to drugs, sexual misconduct, assault or related offenses involving minors.
• Work weekends, holidays, and evenings as assigned.