Senior Recreation Specialist

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

Job summary

The City of Garden Grove is seeking a Senior Recreation Specialist to oversee teen leadership programs and provide office support at Buena Clinton Youth & Family Center.

The role requires recreation experience with youth, strong interpersonal and communication skills, and the ability to work with city staff, partners and the public. This is a part-time, non-benefited position about 20 hours/week.

Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited high school or successful completion of the GED and one year of experience planning, organizing and leading recreational, social, educational and community programs and events is required.
• A Bachelor's degree in human services, psychology, social work, recreation or a related field from an accredited university is considered highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Develop, coordinate, and lead recreation and community programs.
• Provide direction to Recreation Specialists and Recreation Leaders.
• Train part-time and volunteer staff.
• Assist customers by answering questions and coordinating vendors.
• Prepare and distribute informational, marketing, and registration materials for programs and events.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication

Customer service

Youth program experience

Education

HS Diploma or GED

Bachelor's degree in human services, psychology, social work, recreation

Job description

City And Job Overview

The City of Garden Grove is now accepting online applications for:

SENIOR RECREATION SPECIALIST

Deadline to apply for this recruitment is Monday, October 19, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. PST

Under general supervision, Senior Recreation Specialists are responsible for the more routine aspects of planning, promoting, organizing, coordinating, and leading community programs and recreation services for customers of all ages. Senior Recreation Specialists can be assigned to the Recreation Services or Human Services divisions of the Community Services Department.

Human Services Division

The Human Services Division operates the Buena Clinton Youth & Family Center, the Magnolia Park Family Resource Center, and the H. Louis Lake Senior Center which provide free to low cost programs and services to the residents of Garden Grove. Programs include activities, educational classes, linkages to community resources, volunteer opportunities, wellness programs, and special events.

Recreation Services Division

The Recreation Services Division operates the Atlantis Play Center, Magnolia Park Pool, Gary Hall Pool, Woodbury Park Pool, and the Garden Grove Sports & Recreation Center, providing low cost recreation programs to the local community. Programs include seasonal recreational activities, swim lessons and aquatics programs, day camp, playground amenities and reservations, and sports.

We currently have one (1) part‑time, non‑benefited opening with Buena Clinton Youth & Family Center. This position work approximately 20 hours per week, not to exceed 1,000 hours per fiscal year overseeing the Center’s teen leadership program and providing office support. The ideal candidate for this position will possess recreation experience working with youth particularly with teens; take initiative, sound judgement, outstanding interpersonal skills, ability to build positive relationships with city staff, community partners and volunteers and patrons; have exceptional attention to detail; communicate clearly and effectively orally and in writing; possess excellent interpersonal and conflict resolution skills; and be customer service oriented.

This recruitment will establish an eligibility list that can be used to fill current and future vacancies throughout the City within the next six months, so we encourage all those who are interested in the Senior Recreation Specialist position to apply!

Essential Duties

• Develop, coordinate, and lead recreation and community programs;


• Provide direction to Recreation Specialists and Recreation Leaders;


• Serve as facility supervisor in absence of a Community Services Coordinator at various sites;


• Coordinate facility scheduling and usage;


• Train part‑time and volunteer staff;


• Assist customers by answering questions (including providing information and assistance to the general public regarding Center programs and activities, resolving scheduling issues, planning facility set‑up for events, and coordinating vendors);


• Maintain confidential records and prepare written and oral reports;


• Assist with and make recommendations regarding program development and administration;


• Monitor and inspect facilities and recreational areas for safety hazards and adherence to safety standards;


• Issue and maintain playground, athletic, and arts and crafts equipment and supplies, including conducting inventory and ordering replacements, as needed;


• Administer first aid when required;


• Collect and track payments for fee based programs and prepare monetary reports for reconciliation;


• Prepare and distribute informational, marketing, and registration materials for programs and events and collect participant data;


• Ensure compliance with grant‑funded programs through data collection and correspondence with City staff and program partners ;


• Work with City staff to provide support for community special events;


• Conduct community and staff meetings related to assigned programs;


• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE: Graduation from an accredited high school or successful completion of the General Education Development (G.E.D.) and one (1) year of experience planning, organizing and leading recreational, social, educational and community programs and events is required.

A Bachelor's degree in human services, psychology, social work, recreation or a related field from an accredited university is considered highly desirable.

Knowledge Of

Recreational, educational and health‑related programs and activities for diverse age groups; rules and regulations governing competitive games and athletic activities; first‑aid practices and techniques; basic facility management and building safety practices; gang dynamics and juvenile delinquency prevention techniques; and the operation of general office equipment including MS Office.

Ability To

Relate well to individuals from diverse backgrounds, cultures, incomes, and educational levels; meet and deal tactfully and effectively with City staff, program participants, community partners, and the public; maintain confidentiality in matters of agency operations, personnel, and clients; gather and maintain adequate operating records and other documentation; understand and follow written and oral instructions; work quickly and effectively under minimal supervision; exercise sound judgement within established guidelines; communicate in a clear, concise and effective manner both verbally and in writing; and perform general office duties including operate a computer.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Incumbents in this classification speak clearly, hear normal conversation, stand, walk, sit and see small details. For some assignments, incumbents must be able to lift items weighing up to 50 lb.

Work Environment

The work environment described here is representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Incumbents in this classification work both inside and outside, in direct contact with public and in vast temperature changes. This classification may regularly and frequently work evenings, nights, weekends and holidays.

Other Requirements

• Bilingual Spanish, Vietnamese, or Korean is highly desirable


• Willingness and ability to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed


• Possession and retention of a valid California Class C driver's license

Other Important Information

THE SELECTION PROCESS

• Oral panel interview - tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, November 3, 2026

Candidates who may need accommodations during the selection process must contact the Human Resources Department at [e-mail] at least one week prior to any test dates. Candidates must pass a Department of Justice Livescan, a pre-employment physical, and drug screen prior to employment.

CANDIDATES WILL ONLY RECEIVE COMMUNICATION THROUGH EMAIL. Applicants should check their email and spam mail for notices regarding their status in the recruitment process.

NEPOTISM POLICY

The City has adopted a Nepotism Policy that may affect the status of a candidate’s application. Please refer to the Garden Grove Municipal Code 2.44.440 Nepotism Policy for more information.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The City of Garden Grove is an Equal Opportunity Employer that does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, marital status, religion, ancestry, national origin, medical condition, non‑disqualifying disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identify/expression, genetic information, military/veteran status, or other protected class covered by appropriate law.

DISASTER SERVICE WORKER

Per Government Code 3100, in the event of a disaster, employees of the City of Garden Grove are considered disaster service workers and may be asked to respond accordingly.

FOR PART‑TIME BENEFITED EMPLOYEES

HOLIDAYS: Up to 62.5 hrs. per year, 1/2 of each holiday

Vacation

• 40 hours upon completion of one (1) year


• 60 hours after one (1) year - 5 hours per month


• 66 hours after four (4) years - 5.5 hours per month


• 72 hours after nine (9) years - 6 hours per month


• 78 hours after eleven (11) years - 6.5 hours per month


• 84 hours after fourteen (14) years - 7 hours per month


• 93 hours after sixteen (16) years - 7.75 hours per month


• 105 hours after nineteen (19) years - 8.75 per month


• 123 hours after twenty-four (24) years - 10.25

HOLIDAYS

Up to 62.5 hrs. per year, 1/2 of each holiday.

SICK LEAVE:

Accrues at the rate of four (4) hours with pay for each full calendar month of service.

INSURANCE:

The City provides each eligible employee a monthly allocation that can be applied to the cost of medical insurance. All employee deductions for medical in excess of the City’s allocation are done on a pre-tax basis. Part‑time benefited employees may elect to enroll in a dental or vision plan.

Retirement

Tier I - Employees hired prior to January 1, 2013 are covered by the \"2.5% at 55\" single highest year option of the Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS) plan. Employees contribute eight percent (8%) of salary to PERS on a tax‑deferred basis.

Tier II - Employees hired and enrolled into PERS after January 1, 2013 are covered by the \"2% at 62\" 3‑year average option of the Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS) plan. Employees contribute half the normal cost to PERS on a tax‑deferred basis.

DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN:

Employees may contribute to a 457(b) account up to the maximum as determined by the IRS annually. There is no City contribution except for any remaining fringe benefit allocation monies.

FOR PART‑TIME NON‑BENEFITTED EMPLOYEES

Part‑time employees participate in a deferred compensation package, which means that payroll retirement payments of 7 1/2% will be deducted from their pay and placed in a deferred compensation account, to be available after the employee leaves or retires. If the employee works in excess of 1,000 hours within a single fiscal year, the employee must then enroll in the Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS), instead of continuing in the deferred compensation program, as above. If this occurs, employees contribute half of the normal cost into PERS.

RETIREMENT:

Employees receive sick leave time in accordance with the California Health Workplace Healthy Family Act (AB1522).

SICK LEAVE

Employees receive sick leave time in accordance with the California Health Workplace Healthy Family Act (AB1522).

FOR BOTH PART‑TIME NON‑BENEFITED AND BENEFITED EMPLOYEES

BILINGUAL PAY: Employees may receive $2.50 per translation up to a maximum of $40 per pay period if designated by department head and certified by Human Resources to use bilingual verbal and translation abilities for languages such as Spanish, Korean, Vietnamese, or other designated languages.