Recreation Leader job description.
A recreation leader plans and leads recreational activities, games, and programs for participants at community centers, camps, or parks and recreation departments. They ensure activities are safe, age-appropriate, and engaging while supervising participants throughout each session. Recreation leaders often assist with event setup, equipment maintenance, and basic administrative tasks supporting program operations.
The Recreation Leader 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 Leader Reports to: Recreation Supervisor or Program Coordinator
A recreation leader plans and leads recreational activities, games, and programs for participants at community centers, camps, or parks and recreation departments. They ensure activities are safe, age-appropriate, and engaging while supervising participants throughout each session. Recreation leaders often assist with event setup, equipment maintenance, and basic administrative tasks supporting program operations.
- Plan and lead recreational activities, games, and programs for participants of varying ages
- Supervise participants to ensure safety during activities, sports, and free play
- Set up and take down equipment, supplies, and activity areas before and after sessions
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.
3 qualifications that would make a candidate excellent in year two.
6 skill chips you can copy directly into your ATS.
Recreation Supervisor or Program 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.
- Plan and lead recreational activities, games, and programs for participants of varying ages
- Supervise participants to ensure safety during activities, sports, and free play
- Set up and take down equipment, supplies, and activity areas before and after sessions
- Enforce facility rules and behavioral guidelines to maintain a safe environment
- Respond to minor injuries or incidents and follow emergency procedures as needed
- Assist with registration, attendance tracking, and basic program administration
- Communicate with parents, participants, and staff regarding program schedules and updates
- Adapt activities to accommodate different skill levels, ages, and abilities
- Maintain recreational equipment and report damaged or unsafe items
Required — and what would make a candidate excellent.
- High school diploma or equivalent; coursework in recreation or education a plus
- Experience working with children, youth, or community groups preferred
- Current CPR and First Aid certification, or willingness to obtain
- Strong communication and group leadership skills
- Ability to stand, move, and actively supervise participants for extended periods
- Prior experience in camp counseling, coaching, or youth programming
- Certification in specific activities such as lifeguarding or sports officiating
- Bilingual communication skills for diverse community populations
Eight steps from download to publish.
- 01Open the Recreation Leader 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 Leader 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 Supervisor or Program 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 certifications does a recreation leader typically need?
- CPR and First Aid certification are commonly required or expected within a short period after hire; specific activity certifications may be needed depending on the program.
- Is this usually a part-time or seasonal role?
- Many recreation leader positions are part-time or seasonal, especially at camps and community centers with peak summer programming.
Other documents in this neighbourhood.
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.
Lifeguard
A Lifeguard supervises swimmers and enforces safety rules at pools, beaches, or water parks to prevent accidents and drownings.
Recreational Therapist
A Recreational Therapist uses activity-based interventions such as sports, art, and music to help patients recover from illness, injury, or disability.
This Recreation Leader 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.