Entry Level Recreation Assistant Jobs
New grad recreation assistant jobs open the door for recent graduates and entry level candidates with zero to two years of experience, where a strong internship or volunteer background in recreation programming can matter more than a long resume. Most openings are on-site roles across Healthcare & Medical Services, Education, and Government & Public Sector, with employers like California State University, Long Beach, Novant Health, and Youth Villages hiring at this level now.
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Showing 5 of 22+ Entry Level Recreation Assistant jobs
Position Summary: The recreational therapist accurately assesses and identifies deficits in a patient’s ability to perform recreational and social activities in their daily lives. They develop an individualized treatment plan with patient-centered goals to strengthen recreational, social, emotional, physical, and communication skills.
Essential Functions and Responsibilities:
Performs patient evaluations through the process of obtaining history, performing relevant systems review to obtain data.
Establishes an individualized plan of care and selects treatment techniques that addresses the specific impairments identified in the evaluation and in accordance with physician orders.
Conducts ongoing reassessment of the patient and their response to treatment.
Initiates and manages the discharge plan beginning at the first visit and continuing throughout treatment.
Supervises and delegates to ancillary staff and students consistent with state laws and department policy.
Completes legible, accurate, and clear documentation within the established timeframe identified in the department policy and procedure and in accordance with accreditation requirements and insurance regulations.
Communicates with the patient, family, caregivers, significant others, and members of the health care team to promote maximum benefit of care utilizing AIDET.
Assesses educational needs of the patient, family, caregiver, or significant other and provides education to meet those needs.
Participates in professional growth and development through participation in educational programs, including in-service meetings, workshops, and by reading current literature concerning scope of practice.
Actively participates in quality improvement activities.
Provides an environment conducive to safety for patients, visitors, and staff. Complies with appropriate and approved safety standards.
Functions within scope of practice as defined by the state’s practice act.
Performs other related duties as required and directed.
Qualifications:
Required:
Bachelor’s degree in therapeutic recreation.
Current certification by the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification Board as a Therapeutic Recreation Specialist.
Must have a valid state driver’s license and a driver’s record approved by the medical center.
BLS certification.
Preferred:
One year of clinical experience as a recreational therapistEqual Opportunity Employer of Minorities/Females/Disabled/Veterans
- Schedule: Full-time
- Requisition ID: 26003748
- Daily Work Times: 7am - 7:30pm
- Hours Per Pay Period: 80
- On Call: No
- Weekends: No
- Schedule: Full-time
- Requisition ID: 26003748
- Daily Work Times: 7am - 7:30pm
- Hours Per Pay Period: 80
- On Call: No
- Weekends: No
Position Summary: The recreational therapist accurately assesses and identifies deficits in a patient’s ability to perform recreational and social activities in their daily lives. They develop an individualized treatment plan with patient-centered goals to strengthen recreational, social, emotional, physical, and communication skills.
Essential Functions and Responsibilities:
Performs patient evaluations through the process of obtaining history, performing relevant systems review to obtain data.
Establishes an individualized plan of care and selects treatment techniques that addresses the specific impairments identified in the evaluation and in accordance with physician orders.
Conducts ongoing reassessment of the patient and their response to treatment.
Initiates and manages the discharge plan beginning at the first visit and continuing throughout treatment.
Supervises and delegates to ancillary staff and students consistent with state laws and department policy.
Completes legible, accurate, and clear documentation within the established timeframe identified in the department policy and procedure and in accordance with accreditation requirements and insurance regulations.
Communicates with the patient, family, caregivers, significant others, and members of the health care team to promote maximum benefit of care utilizing AIDET.
Assesses educational needs of the patient, family, caregiver, or significant other and provides education to meet those needs.
Participates in professional growth and development through participation in educational programs, including in-service meetings, workshops, and by reading current literature concerning scope of practice.
Actively participates in quality improvement activities.
Provides an environment conducive to safety for patients, visitors, and staff. Complies with appropriate and approved safety standards.
Functions within scope of practice as defined by the state’s practice act.
Performs other related duties as required and directed.
Qualifications:
Required:
Bachelor’s degree in therapeutic recreation.
Current certification by the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification Board as a Therapeutic Recreation Specialist.
Must have a valid state driver’s license and a driver’s record approved by the medical center.
BLS certification.
Preferred:
One year of clinical experience as a recreational therapistEqual Opportunity Employer of Minorities/Females/Disabled/Veterans
- Schedule: Full-time
- Requisition ID: 26003748
- Daily Work Times: 7am - 7:30pm
- Hours Per Pay Period: 80
- On Call: No
- Weekends: No
- Schedule: Full-time
- Requisition ID: 26003748
- Daily Work Times: 7am - 7:30pm
- Hours Per Pay Period: 80
- On Call: No
- Weekends: No
See All 22 Entry Level Recreation Assistant Jobs
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Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services12
- Education6
- Government & Public Sector4
- Technology & Software1
- Non-Profit & Social Services1
Entry Level Recreation Assistant Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get an entry level recreation assistant job?
Employers at this level look for candidates who have hands-on experience with people, even if it came from volunteering, camp counseling, or a college internship in parks and recreation. Highlight any CPR or first aid certification, experience planning activities or events, and comfort working with diverse age groups. A cover letter that shows genuine enthusiasm for community programming gives entry level applicants a real edge.
Which companies hire entry level recreation assistants?
Companies hiring entry level recreation assistants right now include California State University, Long Beach, Novant Health, and Youth Villages, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of July 2026. Hiring at this level comes from a wide range of employers, including municipal parks and recreation departments, nonprofit community centers, residential care facilities, and fitness and wellness organizations.
Are there remote entry level recreation assistant jobs?
Yes, though most recreation assistant work is in-person by nature. About 0% of entry level recreation assistant openings are remote or hybrid as of July 2026, and those roles typically involve program coordination, scheduling, or administrative support rather than direct activity facilitation. On-site positions remain the majority at this experience level.
Are these new grad recreation assistant jobs?
Yes, many of these openings are new grad friendly and welcome recent graduates, junior candidates, and applicants with little or no formal work history in the field. A new grad posting typically notes that zero to two years of experience is acceptable and may treat internships, student practicums, or a portfolio of recreation programs as equivalent to paid work experience.
Which industries hire the most entry level recreation assistants?
Entry Level recreation assistant roles concentrate in Healthcare & Medical Services, Education, and Government & Public Sector, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of July 2026. Those sectors drive entry level hiring because they operate ongoing programming for community members, residents, or clients and consistently need assistants who can support activities without requiring years of specialized experience.