Entry Level Recreation Leader Jobs
New grad recreation leader jobs welcome recent graduates and entry level candidates with zero to two years of experience, where a strong portfolio of program planning or internship work can matter more than a long resume. Most openings are on-site roles across Healthcare & Medical Services, Education, and Technology & Software, with employers like New York State Office of Mental Health, Youth Villages, and California State University, Long Beach hiring at this level now.
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Showing 5 of 28+ Entry Level Recreation Leader jobs
Recreational Therapist (RECT)-Correctional Facility
Location: Ione, CA
Schedule: Tuesday–Friday, 7:00 AM–5:00 PM
Pay Rate: $70/hr (Negotiable)
Job Overview
We are seeking a qualified and dedicated Recreational Therapist (RECT) to provide therapeutic recreation services in a correctional facility setting. The ideal candidate will help individuals improve social functioning, develop healthy leisure skills, and achieve their rehabilitation and treatment goals.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and implement therapeutic recreation programs and activities.
- Assess and evaluate patients' recreational therapy needs.
- Participate in Interdisciplinary Treatment Team (IDTT) meetings.
- Coordinate care with clinicians, counselors, and custody staff.
- Promote positive social interactions and appropriate leisure activities.
- Help patients develop coping, communication, and life skills.
- Monitor patient progress and document treatment outcomes.
- Maintain accurate clinical records and reports.
- Support rehabilitation and successful reintegration goals.
Minimum Qualifications
- Minimum 12 months of recent experience within the last three years performing similar duties.
- Bachelor's degree in Therapeutic Recreation or Recreation with an emphasis in Therapeutic Recreation.
- Completion of supervised fieldwork approved by NCTRC or CBRPC.
- Strong verbal and written English communication skills.
Pay: Up to $70.00 per hour
Expected hours: 40.0 per week
License/Certification:
- CTRS (Required)
Work Location: In person
Recreational Therapist (RECT)-Correctional Facility
Location: Ione, CA
Schedule: Tuesday–Friday, 7:00 AM–5:00 PM
Pay Rate: $70/hr (Negotiable)
Job Overview
We are seeking a qualified and dedicated Recreational Therapist (RECT) to provide therapeutic recreation services in a correctional facility setting. The ideal candidate will help individuals improve social functioning, develop healthy leisure skills, and achieve their rehabilitation and treatment goals.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and implement therapeutic recreation programs and activities.
- Assess and evaluate patients' recreational therapy needs.
- Participate in Interdisciplinary Treatment Team (IDTT) meetings.
- Coordinate care with clinicians, counselors, and custody staff.
- Promote positive social interactions and appropriate leisure activities.
- Help patients develop coping, communication, and life skills.
- Monitor patient progress and document treatment outcomes.
- Maintain accurate clinical records and reports.
- Support rehabilitation and successful reintegration goals.
Minimum Qualifications
- Minimum 12 months of recent experience within the last three years performing similar duties.
- Bachelor's degree in Therapeutic Recreation or Recreation with an emphasis in Therapeutic Recreation.
- Completion of supervised fieldwork approved by NCTRC or CBRPC.
- Strong verbal and written English communication skills.
Pay: Up to $70.00 per hour
Expected hours: 40.0 per week
License/Certification:
- CTRS (Required)
Work Location: In person
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Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services16
- Education6
- Technology & Software2
- Government & Public Sector2
- Hospitality & Tourism1
Entry Level Recreation Leader Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get an entry level recreation leader job?
Entry level recreation leader roles typically look for candidates who can demonstrate hands-on experience leading activities, even from volunteer work, internships, or campus programs. First aid and CPR certification gives you a real edge at this stage. Highlight any experience organizing group activities, working with youth or seniors, or coordinating community events, since employers at this level hire for enthusiasm and foundational skills over a long work history.
Which companies hire entry level recreation leaders?
Companies hiring entry level recreation leaders right now include New York State Office of Mental Health, Youth Villages, and California State University, Long Beach, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. At this level, hiring tends to come from parks and recreation departments, community centers, summer camps, fitness facilities, and nonprofit youth organizations that regularly bring on new and junior staff.
Are there remote entry level recreation leader jobs?
Yes, though the majority of recreation leader roles are on-site given the hands-on nature of the work. About 0% of entry level recreation leader openings are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, and those tend to involve program coordination, scheduling, or administrative support rather than direct activity facilitation. Searching by location flexibility on Migrate Mate helps you find those openings quickly.
Are these new grad recreation leader jobs?
Yes, the listings here include new grad, recent graduate, and junior recreation leader roles. A posting is new-grad friendly when it welcomes zero to two years of experience, accepts internships or volunteer work in lieu of full-time history, or calls out a willingness to train. If you're a new grad looking for your first recreation role, these postings are the right place to start your search.
Which industries hire the most entry level recreation leaders?
Entry Level recreation leader roles concentrate in Healthcare & Medical Services, Education, and Technology & Software, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. These sectors drive hiring at this level because they run ongoing programming that requires consistent frontline staff, making them reliable entry points for candidates building their first recreation career.