Recreation Specialist Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Recreation Specialist roles in aquatics, therapeutic recreation, and parks programming can qualify for H-1B visa or TN visa sponsorship when the position requires a bachelor's degree in recreation, kinesiology, or a related field. Municipal agencies, hospital systems, and resort operators are among the most active sponsors.
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Under general direction, performs supervisory work involving planning and coordinating of youth and teen recreational programs at the Recreation Centers. Work involves planning and implementing recreation programs, scheduling and coordinating activities, supervising children in a summer program, processing program registrations, recording and depositing revenues, administering budget, preparing statistical reports, and supervising division personnel. Reports to the Recreation Supervisor at the East Suffolk Recreation Center.
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions herein described. Since every duty associated with this position may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in the job description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties just as though they were actually written out in this job description.
Essential Job Functions
- Supervises, directs, and evaluates assigned staff, processing employee concerns and problems, directing work, counseling, disciplining and completing employee performance appraisals, interviews candidates for employment, conducts new employee orientation, recruits and supervises contracted instructors and volunteers.
- Coordinates daily work activities, organizes, prioritizes, and assigns work, monitors status of work in progress and inspects completed work, consults with assigned staff, assists with complex problem situations, and provides technical expertise.
- Monitors participation and attendance in various programs.
- Ensures division compliance with all applicable codes, laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies and procedures, ensures adherence to established safety procedures, monitors work environment and use of safety equipment to ensure safety of employees, program participants, and other individuals, initiates any actions necessary to correct deviations or violations.
- Plans and implements new and existing recreational programs at Recreation Centers, developing schedules for classes or other activities, scheduling use of facilities, and moving equipment as needed. Coordinating or performing cleaning of facility, scheduling and supervising daily activities for summer recreation and after school programs. Monitors and supervises USDA Summer Food Lunch Program.
- Performs administrative functions, prepares and administers annual budget, monitors and controls expenditures, develops long and short term plans, goals and objectives for assigned area, prepares weekly, monthly and annual statistical reports, records/reports accidents and incidents, prepares press releases and program flyers, prepares weekly work schedules and payroll reports, reviews, approves and forwards invoices for payment.
- Provides information and assistance related to division programs, services, events, activities, fees, procedures, forms, or other issues, responds to routine questions and complaints or requests for service, initiates problem resolution.
- Receives and processes registration forms for program activities and recreation memberships, receives monies in payment of program registration fees or other fees/services, records and deposits program revenues.
- Prepares and completes various forms, reports, correspondence, registration forms, payments, invoices, brochures/flyers, posters, signs or other documents.
- Receives various forms, reports, correspondence, registration forms, payments, invoices, brochures/flyers, handbooks, policies, manuals, reference materials, or other documentation, reviews, completes, processes, forwards or retains as appropriate.
- Operates a computer to enter, retrieve, review or modify data, verifies accuracy of entered data and makes corrections, utilizes word processing, spreadsheet, desktop publishing, or other software programs.
- Monitors inventory of division equipment and supplies, ensures availability of adequate materials to conduct work activities, initiates request for new/replacement materials, inspects equipment for proper operations, performs minor repairs as needed.
- Communicates with supervisor, employees, other division/departments, City officials, volunteers, instructors, program participants, parents, school personnel, community organizations, the public, outside agencies, and other individuals as needed to coordinate work activities, review status of work, exchange information, resolve problems, or give/receive advice and direction.
- Attends department, division and Center staff meetings, attends other meetings as needed.
- Maintains a comprehensive, current knowledge of applicable laws/regulations; maintains an awareness of new trends and advances in the profession, reads professional literature, maintains professional affiliations, attends workshops and training sessions as appropriate.
- Responds to routine questions or complaints from the public.
- Assists with planning/implementation of special events/activities for the City and or other divisions of the department.
- Participates in marketing and advertising for all types of programs; attends community meetings; prepares presentations; develops outreach projects and programs.
- Maintains on-call status as required.
- Performs other related duties as required.
Required Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Recreation, Physical Education, Sports Management, or a closely related field; supplemented by (1) year previous experience and/or training involving recreation program development and management, child care program administration, budget development, supervision, and personal computer operations. Must possess and maintain CPR & First Aid Certifications within six months of employment. Requires a valid driver's license.
Supplemental Information
Responsible for overseeing staff and operations of Youth and Teen Programs in a Recreation Center.
CPR/First Aid/AED Certifications preferred.
Description
Under general direction, performs supervisory work involving planning and coordinating of youth and teen recreational programs at the Recreation Centers. Work involves planning and implementing recreation programs, scheduling and coordinating activities, supervising children in a summer program, processing program registrations, recording and depositing revenues, administering budget, preparing statistical reports, and supervising division personnel. Reports to the Recreation Supervisor at the East Suffolk Recreation Center.
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions herein described. Since every duty associated with this position may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in the job description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties just as though they were actually written out in this job description.
Essential Job Functions
- Supervises, directs, and evaluates assigned staff, processing employee concerns and problems, directing work, counseling, disciplining and completing employee performance appraisals, interviews candidates for employment, conducts new employee orientation, recruits and supervises contracted instructors and volunteers.
- Coordinates daily work activities, organizes, prioritizes, and assigns work, monitors status of work in progress and inspects completed work, consults with assigned staff, assists with complex problem situations, and provides technical expertise.
- Monitors participation and attendance in various programs.
- Ensures division compliance with all applicable codes, laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies and procedures, ensures adherence to established safety procedures, monitors work environment and use of safety equipment to ensure safety of employees, program participants, and other individuals, initiates any actions necessary to correct deviations or violations.
- Plans and implements new and existing recreational programs at Recreation Centers, developing schedules for classes or other activities, scheduling use of facilities, and moving equipment as needed. Coordinating or performing cleaning of facility, scheduling and supervising daily activities for summer recreation and after school programs. Monitors and supervises USDA Summer Food Lunch Program.
- Performs administrative functions, prepares and administers annual budget, monitors and controls expenditures, develops long and short term plans, goals and objectives for assigned area, prepares weekly, monthly and annual statistical reports, records/reports accidents and incidents, prepares press releases and program flyers, prepares weekly work schedules and payroll reports, reviews, approves and forwards invoices for payment.
- Provides information and assistance related to division programs, services, events, activities, fees, procedures, forms, or other issues, responds to routine questions and complaints or requests for service, initiates problem resolution.
- Receives and processes registration forms for program activities and recreation memberships, receives monies in payment of program registration fees or other fees/services, records and deposits program revenues.
- Prepares and completes various forms, reports, correspondence, registration forms, payments, invoices, brochures/flyers, posters, signs or other documents.
- Receives various forms, reports, correspondence, registration forms, payments, invoices, brochures/flyers, handbooks, policies, manuals, reference materials, or other documentation, reviews, completes, processes, forwards or retains as appropriate.
- Operates a computer to enter, retrieve, review or modify data, verifies accuracy of entered data and makes corrections, utilizes word processing, spreadsheet, desktop publishing, or other software programs.
- Monitors inventory of division equipment and supplies, ensures availability of adequate materials to conduct work activities, initiates request for new/replacement materials, inspects equipment for proper operations, performs minor repairs as needed.
- Communicates with supervisor, employees, other division/departments, City officials, volunteers, instructors, program participants, parents, school personnel, community organizations, the public, outside agencies, and other individuals as needed to coordinate work activities, review status of work, exchange information, resolve problems, or give/receive advice and direction.
- Attends department, division and Center staff meetings, attends other meetings as needed.
- Maintains a comprehensive, current knowledge of applicable laws/regulations; maintains an awareness of new trends and advances in the profession, reads professional literature, maintains professional affiliations, attends workshops and training sessions as appropriate.
- Responds to routine questions or complaints from the public.
- Assists with planning/implementation of special events/activities for the City and or other divisions of the department.
- Participates in marketing and advertising for all types of programs; attends community meetings; prepares presentations; develops outreach projects and programs.
- Maintains on-call status as required.
- Performs other related duties as required.
Required Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Recreation, Physical Education, Sports Management, or a closely related field; supplemented by (1) year previous experience and/or training involving recreation program development and management, child care program administration, budget development, supervision, and personal computer operations. Must possess and maintain CPR & First Aid Certifications within six months of employment. Requires a valid driver's license.
Supplemental Information
Responsible for overseeing staff and operations of Youth and Teen Programs in a Recreation Center.
CPR/First Aid/AED Certifications preferred.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Visa Sponsorship as a Recreation Specialist
Match your degree to the role description
H-1B sponsorship requires a specialty occupation, meaning your degree field must directly relate to the Recreation Specialist duties. A kinesiology, therapeutic recreation, or parks administration degree strengthens your case more than a general health sciences credential.
Get your CTRS credential before applying
Therapeutic recreation positions at hospital systems and rehab facilities often require Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist status. Holding the CTRS signals to employers that your role meets specialty occupation standards, making H-1B sponsorship a more straightforward case to build.
Target employers with PERM labor certification history
Municipal parks departments and large healthcare networks are more likely to sponsor green card pathways than small nonprofits. Use DOL's OFLC public disclosure data to identify which organizations have filed PERM certifications for recreation-related roles in your target metro.
Search Migrate Mate to find verified sponsors
Recreation Specialist sponsorship is concentrated in specific employer types. Migrate Mate lists employers with verified LCA sponsorship history for this role, so you can focus your applications on organizations that have already committed to the filing process.
Confirm prevailing wage tier before negotiating
Your employer's LCA must certify a wage at or above the prevailing wage for Recreation Specialist roles in your work location. Run the OFLC Wage Search using your city and O*NET occupation code before entering salary discussions so you understand the minimum DOL will accept.
Ask HR about cap-exempt filing before accepting an offer
Recreation Specialists employed by qualifying nonprofit research organizations or government entities may be cap-exempt, bypassing the H-1B annual lottery entirely. Confirm your prospective employer's cap-exempt status with HR or USCIS guidance before counting on a specific start date.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a Recreation Specialist role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
Yes, but it depends on how the position is defined. USCIS requires that the role normally requires at least a bachelor's degree in a directly related field such as therapeutic recreation, kinesiology, or parks and recreation administration. Generic recreation aide or attendant roles typically don't qualify, but specialized positions in therapeutic recreation, aquatics programming, or adaptive sports often do when the employer documents the degree requirement clearly.
Which employers are most likely to sponsor Recreation Specialists?
Browse Migrate Mate to find Recreation Specialist roles from employers with verified sponsorship history. Hospital systems with therapeutic recreation departments, large municipal parks and recreation departments, resort and hospitality groups, and university campus recreation programs are among the most active sponsors. These organizations tend to have HR infrastructure experienced with the LCA and I-129 filing process.
Does a TN visa work for Recreation Specialists from Canada or Mexico?
TN visas cover a defined list of USMCA professions, and Recreation Specialist is not on that list. Canadian and Mexican nationals in this field would need to pursue H-1B sponsorship if the role qualifies as a specialty occupation, or explore other nonimmigrant categories. TN is not a viable path for this occupation regardless of degree level.
What degree does a sponsoring employer need to list on the LCA?
The employer must specify a minimum degree requirement in the Labor Condition Application that reflects what the position genuinely requires. For Recreation Specialist roles, this is typically a bachelor's degree in therapeutic recreation, kinesiology, sports management, or a closely related field. USCIS scrutinizes whether the degree requirement is consistent with the actual job duties, so the job description and LCA must align precisely.
How does the H-1B annual lottery affect Recreation Specialist hiring timelines?
Most Recreation Specialist positions are with cap-subject employers, meaning the H-1B petition must be selected in the annual lottery before USCIS can approve it. Selection is not guaranteed, and the rules governing the lottery have changed recently. If your target employer is a qualifying nonprofit, government entity, or institution of higher education, they may be cap-exempt, allowing filing at any time without lottery participation. Confirm this with USCIS guidance before planning your start date.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Recreation Specialist jobs?
U.S. employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is what workers in the same role, area, and experience level typically earn. The Department of Labor sets this rate to make sure companies aren't hiring foreign workers simply because they'd accept lower pay than a U.S. worker. It varies by job title, location, and experience. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search page.