SENIOR RECREATION ASSISTANT

City of Stockton; Stockton (CA); On-site; USD 28,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Stockton Recreation Services is seeking a lead Recreation Assistant to provide direction to paid and volunteer staff across city recreation sites. The role emphasizes developing new programs, supervising staff, coaching participants, and coordinating youth advisory boards while enforcing safety and quality standards.

Under general supervision, you will recruit and train staff, plan activities at the ice arena, parks, and community centers, and work evenings and weekends as needed.

Qualifications

• Associate degree or 60 semester units in recreation, physical education, or a closely related field.
• One year of paid or volunteer experience in recreation, community events, sports programming, or a related area.
• Willingness to work evenings, weekends, and travel as needed; fingerprinting may be required.

Responsibilities

• Recruit, train, coordinate, and review the work of assigned recreation staff and volunteers.
• Assist in the development and review of recreation programs for effectiveness and interest.
• Perform the more difficult and complex work related to city recreation programs and activities.
• Instruct participants in recreational games, sports, drama, crafts, and various social activities; coach teams and assist in intramural leagues.
• Coordinate Youth Teen Advisory Boards and extended hours programs.

Skills

Supervisory experience

Recreation program planning

Coaching and instruction

Volunteer coordination

Budget basics

Education

Associate degree or 60 semester units in recreation/physical education

Tools

Computers

Job description

OPEN/PROMOTIONAL

FLSA STATUS: Non-Exempt

EXAMINATION DATE: TBD - Oral Examination will be assigned to passing applicants following the final closing date of this recruitment (in-person attendance not required)

THE COMMUNITY

Located in California’s great Central Valley, Stockton has grown from a community with rich agricultural roots to an urban destination with a rich arts and culture scene, fine dining, shopping, sports, recreation, and family activities. With a multi-ethnic, multicultural population of over 320,000 residents, Stockton is the 11th-largest city in California. It is centrally located, 60 miles east of the San Francisco Bay Area and 45 miles south of Sacramento, offering an easy and scenic drive to numerous world-famous attractions such as Lake Tahoe, Yosemite National Park, and the California Coast. In addition, Stockton has many local natural resources, including the San Joaquin Delta. The community has a long tradition of established families who have called Stockton home for generations and many new residents have chosen Stockton as the community in which to live and raise their families. The City has a number of beautiful residential neighborhoods along waterways and tree-lined streets, and it offers an affordable cost of living with home prices about one-third the price of Bay Area homes. With its comfortable California lifestyle, Stockton is enriched by the pleasures of metropolitan living without the congestion, overcrowding, and expense. Stockton is the seat of San Joaquin County, where wine grapes have recently become one of the leading crops, transforming the region into one of California’s premium wine districts. The robust and thriving Port of Stockton has direct waterway access to the San Francisco Bay and provides domestic and international distribution of dry and bulk cargo, containerized cargo, and steel, handling ships from all over the world. Home to several well-known higher education institutions, including the University of the Pacific, California State University – Stanislaus, Stockton Center, and San Joaquin Delta Community College, Stockton offers a variety of private and vocational schools. Year-round events and activities make Stockton a destination for venues and attractions such as the award-winning Stockton Flavor Fest, Annual Jazz Brubeck Festival, the Haggin Museum, Bob Hope(Fox California) Theatre, Children’s Museum, and the Stockton Symphony. The 10,000-seatmulti-purpose, waterfront Stockton Arena is home to the Stockton Kings – the G-League affiliate of the NBA Sacramento Kings. The adjacent 5,000-seat Stockton Banner Island Ballpark, frequently ranked as one of the nation’s top minor league ballparks, is home to the Stockton Ports single-A minor league baseball team - affiliate to the major league Oakland Athletics.

THE ORGANIZATION

The City of Stockton is a full-service, Charter city with a Council/Manager form of government. The Mayor is elected citywide, and the six Councilmembers are nominated and elected within their respective districts. The City is one of the largest employers in Stockton, with 1,790 full-time employees and has a FY 2024-2025 annual budget of $955 million. The City Council directly appoints the positions of City Manager, City Attorney, City Auditor, and City Clerk. All other departments report to the City Manager, including Administrative Services, Human Resources, Community Services (Library and Recreation), Economic Development, Public Works, Information Technology, Municipal Utilities, Fire, Police, and Community Development. Stockton’s organizational culture is based on high performance, trust, and collaboration, and the executive management team is characterized by highly skilled, experienced leaders.

THE DEPARTMENT

The Community Services Department provides programs and services that support healthy, educated, and connected communities across all age groups. Services are designed to meet diverse community needs, including services for youth, seniors, at-risk populations, and residents with limited resources or language barriers.

Recreation

The Recreation Services Division provides programs, facilities, and services that enhance the health, wellness, and quality of life of Stockton residents. Through youth and adult sports, senior services, after-school programs, camps, nutrition programs, and community events, Recreation promotes physical activity, social equity, and community engagement. The division operates community centers, sports fields, pools, and specialty facilities while working with community partners and volunteers to strengthen neighborhoods and expand access to recreational opportunities citywide.

Incumbents in this position are included in the Civil Service system, in a "for-cause" employment status, and are represented by Stockton City Employees' Association. (Classified/Represented)

This recruitment is being conducted as an Open/Promotional recruitment. Current full‑time regular status, at time of application, City of Stockton employees may apply for this position as a promotional opportunity, and successful candidates will be placed on a promotional list. All other candidates may apply for this position as an open competitive opportunity, and successful candidates will be placed on an open list. The appointing authority will have the option of requesting names from the promotional list, the open list, or a combination of both. This list may be used to fill future vacancies.

Prior to appointment, eligible candidates will be required to submit to and successfully pass a background investigation, which will include fingerprinting.

Under general supervision, provides direction to paid and volunteer staff, assists in and performs complex work related to the development of City recreational programs to meet community needs; performs related work as assigned.

This is the lead level class in the Recreation Assistant series. Incumbents provide direction to and work review of assigned part‑time recreation staff and/or volunteers. This position performs the more difficult and complex work assignments. Work is performed at a variety of recreation sites, including the ice arena, playgrounds, parks and community centers. This class is distinguished from the Recreation Program Coordinator in that the latter has full first‑line supervisory responsibility for the operational direction and coordination of assigned programs, activities, full‑time and part‑time recreation staff, and/or volunteers.

• Recruits, trains, coordinates, and reviews the work of assigned recreation, support staff and volunteers.
• Assists in the development of new recreation programs and the review of current programs for effectiveness and interest.
• Performs the more difficult and complex work related to City recreation programs and activities.
• Assists in conducting, scheduling and supervising recreational activities and programs for all age groups at a variety of recreation sites, including the ice arena, middle schools, playgrounds and community centers.
• Assists in planning and coordinating competitive, and non-competitive, traditional and non-traditional events including games, athletics, and group recreational social activities, performing arts and creative dramatics.
• Works closely with school personnel, School Resource Officers and community agencies serving youth to assist in implementing recreational and social activities.
• Travels to various offsite locations to attend meetings, trainings, and/or provide leadership and facility coverage as needed.
• Supervises arts and crafts, dance and drama at centers, parks, and playgrounds and other recreational sites.
• Enforces safety procedures; interprets, enforces and teaches rules of play; maintains order and discipline at parks, playgrounds, the ice arena and recreation sites.
• Issues, collects, and maintains an inventory of supplies and equipment.
• Instructs participants in recreational games, sports, drama, crafts and various social activities; coaches teams and assists in intramural leagues.
• Utilizes computers to prepare and maintain reports and records of recreation program activities; performs related clerical duties as assigned.
• Attends meetings and assists in promoting interest and support for City recreation programs.
• May act for the Recreation Program Coordinator on a relief basis.
• May serve as cashier, operate a Zamboni, or perform maintenance on recreation equipment.
• Coordinates and facilitates Youth Teen Advisory Boards; establishes study centers; assists in the development of the extended hours programs.

Knowledge of:

• Basic supervisory principles and practices;
• Recreation programs for all age groups, including sports, arts, crafts, games, dramatics, and music, socials and special events;
• Rules and equipment utilized in recreation programs and activities;
• Basic business mathematics, record keeping and budget practices.

Skill in:

• Planning, assigning, scheduling, directing and reviewing the work of assigned staff;
• Training staff in work procedures;
• Providing supervision and coordination for recreation programs and activities;
• Effectively utilizing volunteers to assist in instructing, coaching and directing varied recreational activities;
• Recruiting volunteers for and directing the activities of Youth Teen Boards;
• Inspiring enthusiasm for and interest in recreational program activities;
• Performing basic mathematical calculations;
• Utilizing computers to prepare and maintain accurate reports and records of work performed;
• Following oral and written directions;
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships withotherscontacted in the course of the work.

Education:

Possession of an Associate degree or completion of 60 semester units or equivalent quarter hours from an accredited college or university with major course work in recreation, physical education, or a closely related field.

Experience:

One year of paid or volunteer work experience in recreation, community events, sports programming, or a related specialized area of recreation.

Qualifying Substitution Patterns:

• Education: Associate degree/60 units (2 years) – Experience: 1 year
• Education: 30 semester units (1 year) – Experience: 2 years
• Education: High School Diploma/GED – Experience: 3 years

Additional Notes:

• Experience MUST be directly related to the role’s responsibilities.
• Relevant education and professional experience will be evaluated on a case‑by‑case basis.
• Candidates must demonstrate equivalent competencies and skills through a combination of their documented education and/or work history.

Other Requirements:

• Must possess the physical characteristics to perform the critical and important duties of the job.
• Must be willing to work evenings, weekends, and/or other hours as needed.
• Must be able to travel to various offsite locations for meetings, trainings, and to provide leadership and facility coverage as required.
• Must be willing to submit fingerprinting as mandated by state law.

Physical/Mental Abilities:

• Mobility– Occasional sitting, walking, bending, squatting, climbing, kneeling, crawling, and twisting;
• Lifting– Occasional lifting and carrying of 40 pounds or less;
• Vision–Ability to read fine and standard font size and detect color; ability to read and see visual display terminals; ability to read and produce printed material and information displayed on a visual display terminal;
• Hearing/Talking – Ability to detect specific noises, proper equipment operation; ability to understand what people are saying in general conversation in person, over the telephone, and frequently over noise;
• Dexterity – Frequent holding, grasping, typing, repetitive motion, and writing;
• Special Requirements– Must be able to work occasional evening, nights, and weekends; must be able to travel as needed to various offsite locations;
• Emotional/Psychological – Must be able to concentrate, make decisions, work with the public, exercise sound judgment, handle stressful situations, and work independently and in group settings;
• Environmental Conditions– Must be able to work in outdoor conditions, and walk on uneven ground; and
• Working Conditions – Must be able to work in an office environment and out of doors.

This class specification should not be interpreted as all inclusive. It is intended to identify the essential functions and requirement of this job. Incumbents may be requested to perform job-related responsibilities and tasks other than those stated in this specification. Any essential function or requirement of this class will be evaluated as necessary should an incumbent/applicant be unable to perform the function or requirement due to a disability as defined by the American with Disabilities Act (ADA). Reasonable accommodation for the specific disability will be made for the incumbent/applicant when possible.

In accordance with California Government Code section 3100, et seq., all City of Stockton employees are considered disaster service workers who may be required to report for duty, or remain on duty to address disaster service activities in the event of an emergency or disaster and are required to undertake an applicable loyalty oath.