Recreation Specialist II, PT (Continuous)

City of Oakland; Oakland (CA); On-site; USD 30,000 - 41,000; Part time

Job summary

City of Oakland's Parks, Recreation & Youth Development Department is seeking a part-time Recreation Specialist II to lead and teach advanced programs across Youth Summer offerings. You will design curricula, organize activities, and ensure equipment safety for community recreation.

The role emphasizes teamwork, bilingual opportunities, and active engagement with Oakland residents through diverse programs in nature, fitness, arts, aquatics, and culinary areas.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in recreation or related field required.
• Minimum of two years professional-level experience, paid or volunteer.
• Ability to teach advanced skills in the specified areas.

Responsibilities

• Teaching and/or leading advanced-level programs and classes in the field of expertise; providing staff training in specialized fields as required.
• Designing and planning curriculum and activities that promote citizen participation in community-based recreation settings.
• Obtaining and setting up recreation equipment, supplies, and props for program activities and events.
• Inspecting and maintaining equipment and supplies for safe use.
• Overseeing patron use of recreation equipment facility in compliance with City rules and regulations.
• Coordinating special events and programs.
• Writing descriptions of classes offered.

Skills

Listening

Ownership & accountability

Oral communication

Relationship building

Physical ability

Education

Bachelor's degree in recreation or related field

Job description

Recreation Specialist II, PT

The hiring process takes several months to complete.

Apply by: 10/25/2026 for Spring or Summer 2027 start dates
2/7/2027 for Summer 2027 start dates
8/8/2027 for Fall or Winter 2027 start dates

Why Join the Oakland Parks, Recreation & Youth Development Department?

With an emphasis on Oakland's youth, Oakland Parks, Recreation & Youth Development (OPRYD), and its partners will provide best-in-class, relevant, and equitable programs and services, while meeting the specific needs of people and communities both at the neighborhood level and regionally throughout the City of Oakland. We achieve this mission through intentional engagement and by removing the barriers that prohibit equitable opportunities for all. Reimagine, recreate, and reinvent OPRYD with us!

We are currently hiring for our Youth Summer programs in the following areas:

Nature

• Naturalists and Field Biologists

Fitness

• Personal Trainers
• Water Aerobics Instructors
• Nutritionists
• Yoga Instructors
• Sports Coaches

Visual Arts

• Photography
• Digital Arts
• Jewelry Design
• Glass Arts
• Ceramics

Performing Arts

• Drama
• Dance

Aquatics

• Boat Operators
• Aquatics Specialists

Culinary Arts

• Chefs
• Cooks

We are looking for someone who is:

• A team player.
• Enthusiastic.
• Excited to play an active role in the Oakland community.

What you will typically be responsible for:

• Teaching and/or leading advanced-level programs and classes in the field of expertise; providing staff training in specialized fields as required.
• Designing and planning curriculum and activities that promote citizen participation in community-based recreation settings.
• Obtaining and setting up recreation equipment, supplies, and props for program activities and events.
• Inspecting and maintaining equipment and supplies for safe use.
• Overseeing patron use of recreation equipment facility in compliance with City rules and regulations.
• Coordinating special events and programs.
• Writing descriptions of classes offered.

Competencies Required:

• Listening: Fully comprehending spoken communication.
• Displaying Ownership and Accountability: Holding self and others accountable for measurable high-quality, timely, and cost-effective results.
• Oral Communication: Engaging effectively in dialogue.
• Building and Maintaining Relationships: Establishing rapport and maintaining mutually productive relationships.
• General Physical Ability: Using strength, endurance, flexibility, balance, and coordination.

This is a public contact position. The City highly encourages all bilingual candidates to apply! Some positions may require bilingual skills in Spanish, Cantonese, or Mandarin. Under the authority of Civil Service Rules Section 5.03, if a position requires bilingual language skills, only those candidates who have indicated they are bilingual in the required language(s) will be referred. Bilingual candidates will be required to successfully pass a language proficiency test if selected for hire.

Any combination of education and experience that is equivalent to the following minimum qualifications may be acceptable.

Education

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in recreation or a related field.

Experience

A minimum of two (2) years professional level experience, paid or volunteer, and demonstrated ability to teach advanced skills in the specialized area of interest. Specialized areas can include art, dance, drama, music, nature, and sports.

Candidates must be at least eighteen (18) years old to apply.

Desirable Qualifications

Bilingual skills in Spanish, Cantonese, and Mandarin are highly desirable for certain positions.

Candidates who receive conditional offers of employment will be required to submit fingerprints, undergo a criminal record clearance and a TB screening.

The Selection Process

This is an at-will position, exempt from the provisions of the City of Oakland Civil Service Rules, per Charter Section 902. All applications received will be forwarded to the Oakland Parks, Recreation & Youth Development Department for further consideration. Meeting the minimum qualification requirements may not result in further consideration, only the most qualified candidates will be contacted for interviews. All invitations to interview will be sent through governmentjobs.com, and may be received weeks or months after the initial application date, based on OPRYD seasonal programming. Please ensure that you are routinely checking for emails from governmentjobs.com. Applications received by the dates below will be reviewed for any vacancies open at that time.

Application Timeline

• Round 1: 10/25/2026 - 11/16/2026 to 11/20/2027 (Spring or Summer 2027)
• Round 2: 2/7/2027 - 3/1/2027 to 3/12/2027 (Summer 2027)
• Round 3: 8/8/2027 - 9/6/2027 to 9/13/2027 (Fall or Winter 2027)

Disaster Service Workers

All employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.