Recreation Specialist Jobs

Recreation Specialist jobs are open across parks and recreation departments, municipal agencies, healthcare systems, and nonprofits, from entry-level to senior program coordinator, with specializations in therapeutic recreation, youth programming, and outdoor education. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.

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Overview

Open roles62
Top stateVirginia
Top employerCity of Akron, OH
Top cityNorfolk, VA
Work type100% On-site
Top industryGovernment

Showing 5 of 62+ Recreation Specialist jobs

Recreation Specialist (Youth and Adult Sports)
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New 19h ago
Recreation Specialist (Youth and Adult Sports)
Isle of Wight County, VA
Carrollton, Virginia
Customer Service
Technical Program Management
$43k - $57k/yr
CPR Certification

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Recreation Program Specialist
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Added 1d ago
Recreation Program Specialist
Citrus County Board of County Commissioners
Citrus County, FL
Business Strategy
Compliance & Risk
Consulting & Professional Services
CPR Certification

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Program Specialist II – Recreation, Community Engagement & Respi
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Added 1d ago
Program Specialist II – Recreation, Community Engagement & Respi
Horizons Residential Care
Rural Hall, North Carolina
Business Operations
Project Management
Quality Assurance & Testing (QA Testing)
High school diploma or GED

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Recreation Specialist Senior - Therapeutic Recreation (Division of Parks and Recreation)
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Added 4d ago
Recreation Specialist Senior - Therapeutic Recreation (Division of Parks and Recreation)
LEXINGTON-FAYETTE URBAN COUNTY GOVERNMENT
Fayette County, KY
Customer Service
Bachelor's degree
1,001-5,000

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Recreation Therapist/Recreation Specialist
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Added 4d ago
Recreation Therapist/Recreation Specialist
ANDRUS
Yonkers, New York
Customer Service
$55k - $65k/yr
High school diploma or GED

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Recreation Specialist Job Market

Who's Hiring

City of Akron, OH2 open roles
Henry Ford Health2 open roles
Town of Brookline2 open roles

Top Industries Hiring

  • Government & Public Sector
  • Healthcare & Medical Services

What Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in recreation specialist jobs.

  • Bachelor's degree in recreation management, kinesiology, or a related field
  • Current CPR and First Aid certification from an accredited organization
  • Experience planning, coordinating, and evaluating community recreation programs
  • Proficiency with scheduling and registration software used in parks and recreation
  • Valid driver's license and ability to travel between program sites
  • Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist credential for clinical or healthcare settings

Tips for Your Recreation Specialist Job Search

Tailor your resume for program types

Recreation specialist roles vary widely between therapeutic recreation, youth sports, and senior programming. Customize your resume for each cluster, highlighting the population you served and the specific programs you designed, not just facility operations or administrative tasks.

List certifications in a prominent section

Certifications like CTRS, CPR, First Aid, and Lifeguard Training are screened early by hiring managers. Put them in a dedicated section near the top of your resume so they're visible before a reviewer reaches your work history.

Apply early to roles that fit

Migrate Mate lists recreation specialist openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.

Target agencies by their program funding cycles

Municipal parks departments and nonprofit recreation programs often hire on seasonal or grant-funded cycles. Search for openings in late winter and early fall, when budgets reset and new programming seasons are staffed, to catch the highest volume of postings.

Bring documentation of participation outcomes

Interviewers for recreation specialist roles frequently ask how you measure program success. Prepare one or two concrete examples of attendance growth, participant feedback, or community impact from programs you ran, stated in plain language without internal jargon.

Negotiate schedule flexibility, not just pay

Recreation specialist roles often include evening and weekend hours. When an offer comes, ask directly about comp time, shift rotation policies, and holiday coverage expectations. These affect daily quality of life far more than a small pay difference.

Recreation Specialist Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions

Which companies are hiring the most recreation specialists?

The most active employers for recreation specialists right now are City of Akron, OH, Henry Ford Health, and Town of Brookline, and the most openings are in Virginia, Michigan, and New York, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Municipal parks departments and large healthcare systems tend to post the highest volume throughout the year.

How many recreation specialist jobs are remote?

About 0% of recreation specialist openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting that most of the role involves in-person programming and facility coordination. Administrative functions like grant writing, program planning, and scheduling coordination are the sub-areas most likely to allow some remote flexibility.

How do you become a recreation specialist?

Start by earning a bachelor's degree in recreation management, therapeutic recreation, kinesiology, or a closely related field. Gain hands-on experience through internships or seasonal positions at parks departments, community centers, or nonprofits. Obtain CPR and First Aid certification, and if you plan to work in healthcare settings, pursue the Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist credential through the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification.

Can you get hired as a recreation specialist with little experience?

Entry-level recreation specialist roles are realistic to land if you've worked in seasonal parks jobs, summer camps, youth sports leagues, or volunteer recreation programs. Hiring managers weight direct experience with specific populations over degree prestige. Apply to part-time or seasonal positions first to build a portfolio of programs you've planned and run, then move to full-time roles.

What does the recreation specialist interview process look like?

Most recreation specialist interviews involve an initial phone screen with HR, followed by a panel interview with a recreation supervisor and sometimes a program coordinator. Expect scenario-based questions about handling participant conflicts, adapting activities for different ability levels, and managing program logistics under budget constraints. Some employers ask candidates to outline a sample program as a practical exercise before or during the final interview.

Where can I find and apply to recreation specialist jobs?

You can find and apply to recreation specialist jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States. Search for roles that match your specialization and experience level, then apply directly to each listing that fits your background and location preferences.

See All 62 Recreation Specialist Jobs

Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

Find Recreation Specialist Jobs