Recreation Assistant job description.
A recreation assistant supports the planning and delivery of recreational, social, and leisure activities for residents, patients, or program participants in settings such as senior living communities, camps, community centers, or rehabilitation facilities. Working under a recreation director or activities coordinator, they help set up activity spaces, engage participants, and keep programs running smoothly day to day. This entry-level role suits candidates who enjoy working directly with groups and supporting a structured activity calendar.
The Recreation Assistant job description · $29
The full editable .docx — role summary, 9 worked responsibilities, qualifications, and skills, formatted for your letterhead. Delivered to your inbox within 24 hours — usually instantly.
Role: Recreation Assistant Reports to: Recreation Director or Activities Coordinator
A recreation assistant supports the planning and delivery of recreational, social, and leisure activities for residents, patients, or program participants in settings such as senior living communities, camps, community centers, or rehabilitation facilities. Working under a recreation director or activities coordinator, they help set up activity spaces, engage participants, and keep programs running smoothly day to day. This entry-level role suits candidates who enjoy working directly with groups and supporting a structured activity calendar.
- Assist in planning, setting up, and running daily recreational and social activities
- Encourage and support participant engagement during group and individual activities
- Transport, escort, or assist participants to and from activity areas as needed
What's inside the document.
One-paragraph plain-English explanation of the role's outcome and scope.
9 responsibilities phrased the way the work is actually done.
5 qualifications a candidate must have to perform on day 30.
2 qualifications that would make a candidate excellent in year two.
6 skill chips you can copy directly into your ATS.
Recreation Director or Activities Coordinator
A complete document set.
- Word document (.docx) — fully editable
- PDF — signature-ready
- Google Docs — one-click copy to your Drive
- 12 months of updates to this document
- Commercial-use licence for internal and client work
The work, not the title.
- Assist in planning, setting up, and running daily recreational and social activities
- Encourage and support participant engagement during group and individual activities
- Transport, escort, or assist participants to and from activity areas as needed
- Maintain activity supplies, equipment, and spaces in clean, safe, ready-to-use condition
- Document participant attendance, participation levels, and notable observations
- Assist in organizing special events, outings, and seasonal programs
- Support participants with mobility, communication, or sensory needs during activities
- Communicate participant feedback and needs to the recreation director or coordinator
- Follow all safety, health, and facility procedures during activities
Required — and what would make a candidate excellent.
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Prior experience working with the relevant population (seniors, youth, patients) preferred
- Ability to lead or assist small groups in structured activities
- Physical ability to stand, move, and assist participants throughout a shift
- CPR/First Aid certification or willingness to obtain
- Experience in a senior living, camp, or recreational therapy setting
- Certification or coursework in recreation, therapeutic recreation, or a related field
Eight steps from download to publish.
- 01Open the Recreation Assistant job description in Word or your one-click Google Docs copy.
- 02Replace placeholders for company name, reporting line, and location with your specifics.
- 03Tighten the summary to one paragraph that names the team's outcome, not just the role.
- 04Edit the responsibilities to match the actual scope of the seat — aim for 6 to 8 items, not 12.
- 05Separate required qualifications from preferred. Required is what a candidate must have to do the work on day 30; preferred is what would make them excellent in year two.
- 06Add salary range guidance using BLS, Payscale, or your own band data — do not copy generic figures.
- 07Have the hiring manager and one peer read it. Cut anything that wouldn't survive a candidate question.
- 08Publish to your ATS, intranet, and external careers page.
The right document at the right moment.
Use this Recreation Assistant job description any time you are opening or reopening a seat at this level. The entry band sets the calibration — copy the document, tighten it to your specific scope, and circulate to the hiring panel before the first interview.
The reporting line (Recreation Director or Activities Coordinator) and skills list are starting points. Override either if your org structure or stack differs from the norm — the template is a draft, not a contract.
Honest answers before you download.
- What's the difference between a recreation assistant and an activities director?
- A recreation assistant helps execute day-to-day activities under supervision, while an activities director designs the overall program calendar, manages staff, and oversees budget and compliance.
- What settings commonly hire recreation assistants?
- Senior living communities, camps, parks and recreation departments, hospitals, and rehabilitation centers are the most common employers.
Other documents in this neighbourhood.
Activity Assistant
An activity assistant supports the planning and delivery of recreational, social, and therapeutic programs for residents in senior living, assisted living, or rehabilitation settings.
Recreational Therapist
A Recreational Therapist uses activity-based interventions such as sports, art, and music to help patients recover from illness, injury, or disability.
Camp Counselor
A camp counselor supervises and mentors children or teens at day or overnight camps, leading activities, ensuring safety, and fostering a positive group experience.
This Recreation Assistant job description is a professionally drafted starting point for your hiring process and is not legal advice. Hiring practice varies by jurisdiction (e.g. pay-transparency laws differ across US states and AU jurisdictions). Adapt this document for your specific location and have employment counsel review any clauses you add before publishing. Salary varies by region, employer type, and experience. Reference BLS or current industry surveys for ranges. Full disclaimer.