Sheriff's Correctional Facility Recreation Specialist

County of Sacramento; Sacramento (CA); On-site; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

County of Sacramento seeks a Sheriff's Correctional Facility Recreation Specialist to plan, promote, and implement a broad spectrum of inmate recreation at an adult facility. Activities include sports, games, arts and crafts, videos, and reading materials.

The role requires coordinating across staff to ensure engaging programs while maintaining security. Strong judgment, communication, and ability to work with diverse inmate populations are essential for success.

Qualifications

• Experience planning, promoting, and evaluating recreational programs.
• Ability to handle diverse inmate populations with professional judgment.
• Knowledge of recreational activities including athletics, crafts, and reading materials.

Responsibilities

• Plan, organize, promote, and conduct a wide range of recreational activities in a secured setting.
• Establish and maintain relationships with staff and inmates from diverse backgrounds.
• Maintain records and prepare reports on recreation programs.
• Ensure safety and first aid practices during activities.

Skills

Organizing activities

Diverse populations

Recreation leadership

First aid

Education

Bachelor's in general recreation

Bachelor's in physical education

Job description

Exam Information

This is a continuous filing exam. Next filing cut-offs are at 5:00 pm on:

11/23/26, 12/14/26, 1/4/27 (final)

Job Summary

Under general supervision, the Sheriff's Correctional Facility Recreation Specialist is responsible for planning, promoting, and implementing recreational activities. Incumbents plan, promote, organize, implement, and evaluate inmates' recreational activities at an adult correctional facility which include sports, games, handicrafts, videos and reading materials.

Knowledge of

• Principles and practices of organizing, conducting, and evaluating recreational activities
• Behavioral characteristics of incarcerated populations and techniques on dealing with them
• Recreation leadership techniques
• Fundamental rules, strategies, techniques and skills of a variety of individual and team recreational activities for incarcerated populations including athletics, games, arts, crafts, physical fitness, and music
• Recreational and social needs of adult groups
• First aid and safety practices

Ability to

• Plan, organize, promote, and conduct a wide range of recreational programs
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff and inmates from a variety of social, cultural, and economic backgrounds
• Use soundjudgementand initiative in applying general policies by adapting activities to the secured environment and interest of the group
• Work under stressful, emotional, and confrontational situations requiring goodjudgement, self-control, and persuading and motivating people
• Tolerate different values and beliefs
• Motivate inmates to participate in constructive individual activities and in group activities requiring cooperation and teamwork
• Tolerate working in a security setting
• Learn and apply the methods, procedures, techniques and detailed rules and regulations of the inmate recreation and assistance services program, using independent judgment and initiative
• Communicate clearly and concisely orally and in writing
• Maintain records and prepare reports

Minimum Qualifications

Any combination of training and experience which would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the requisite knowledge and abilities would be the following:

Either:

1. Three years of full time experience in the class of Sheriff's Correctional Facility Recreation Leader in Sacramento County service.

Or:

2. Completion of all major course work from an accredited college or university required for a Bachelor's Degree or higher in general recreation. Paid or volunteer experience in organizing and conducting recreational programs may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.

Or:

3. Completion of all major course work from an accredited college or university required for a Bachelor's Degree or higher in physical education.

AND: One year of paid or volunteer experience organizing and conducting recreational programs.

Note: All experience requirements are stated in terms of full-time experience; part-time experience is acceptable and is converted to full-time on the basis of: 173.6 hours = 21.7 days = 1 work month.

Note: If the word "experience" is referenced in the minimum qualifications, it means full-time paid experience unless the minimum qualification states that volunteer experience is acceptable. Part-time paid experience may be accumulated and pro-rated to meet the total experience requirements.

Note: If the minimum qualifications include an educational or certificate/license requirement, applicants must submit proof of requirements with the application. Failure to submit proof of requirements may result in disqualification from the examination. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. For guidelines on submitting acceptable proof of educational requirements, please click here or speak to someone in our office before the cut-off date listed in this notice.

Special Requirements

Criminal History and Background Check: Appointees must pass a criminal history and background check to assure compliance with the California Penal Code. The conviction of a felony is grounds for disqualification from an appointment except if the individual has been granted a full and unconditional pardon for the felony.

Hours of Work: Incumbents in these classes must be willing to work irregular hours, holidays and weekends.

Probationary Period

six (6) months.

Company Culture and Diversity

Sacramento County is about enriching communities to thrive. We strive to create inclusive workplaces that reflect the communities we serve. We value and celebrate the unique perspectives, backgrounds, abilities, and diverse dimensions of our employees and residents. Through transparency, courage, innovation, and trust we are committed to advance equity and transformational change.

We are a proud equal opportunity employer. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability for any phase of the hiring process, please contact our Disability Compliance Office at [e-mail] or 916-874-7642, CA Relay 711. For more information, visit Reasonable Accommodation Requests - Job Applicant Instructions.