Recreation Leader I

APPLICANTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY TO THE FOLLOWING RELATED RECRUITMENT(S):

• Recreation Aide
• Recreation Leader II

• Eligible benefitted employees originally hired on or after July 10, 2021, will be automatically enrolled in the San Diego City Employees Retirement System (SDCERS).
• Recreation Leader I positions are available on a half-time, permanent basis and a part-time/hourly, limited basis. Part-time/hourly average up to 19 hours per week and half-time work 20 hours per week, primarily during afternoon, evening, and weekend hours. Staff working with older adults typically work between 8:00am and 4:00pm. During holidays, school breaks and summer, hours are generally increased.
• Recreation Leader I positions may be utilized at recreation centers and teen centers and programming for older adults. Most positions require that you be available to work between 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. during weekdays and between 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on weekends.
• Recreation Leader I positions may require bilingual skills for which they may receive additional pay.
• In accordance with California Public Resources Code section 5163, all persons holding Recreation Leader I positions must get tested for tuberculosis (TB) when hired and every four years thereafter as a condition of continued employment.
• Recreation Leader Iemployees who obtain and maintain a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) credential or Recreation Therapist Certification (RTC) are eligible for 10% additional pay.

You must meet the following requirements on the date you apply, unless otherwise indicated.

AGE: 16 years of age or older.

NOTES:

• Applicants less than age 18 must obtain a work permit prior to starting work.
• Work permits may be obtained through the school system.
• Applicants who are age 17 and are high school graduates, or have passed the California High School Proficiency Examination (CHSPE) or General Education Development (GED) examination, are not required to have a work permit; however, they must submit a copy of their high school diploma, CHSPE or GED results with their application.
  
  

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE: You must meet ONE of the following options:

1. 150 hours of recreation leadership experience.
2. 12 semester/18 quarter units of college-level course work in recreation management, tourism and hospitality, child and family studies, physical education, and/or a related field.

NOTES:

• Recreation leadership refers to planning, organizing, teaching and/or leading typical recreation center or school activities such as arts and crafts, games, sports, day camps, tiny tots, dance and music. This does NOT include babysitting, working as a personal fitness trainer, weight training, bowling, golf instructor, etc.
• Qualifying physical education courses MUST consist of participation in typical recreation center sports (e.g., football, volleyball, basketball, soccer, baseball, tennis, softball). Physical education "theory" courses will only be accepted if they are part of a completed Bachelor's or other college degree in Physical Education.
• Participation in organized team sports is qualifying, but hours of participation MUST be confirmed and documented by the coach of the team or athletic director where you participated. Organized team sports refer to those typically played at a recreation center (e.g., football, volleyball, basketball, soccer, baseball, tennis, softball). NOTE: Qualifying organized team sports participation MUST be at or above the high school level.
• Volunteer hours are qualifying, but MUST be confirmed and documented by the agency where you acted as a volunteer.
• City of San Diego employees using Out-of-Class Assignment (OCA) experience to qualify must submit written documentation signed by their appointing authority or payroll specialist, detailing the work performed, dates, and total number of qualifying OCA hours. OCA experience without the required documentation will NOT be considered.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS (MUST SUBMIT WITH APPLICATION):

• Proof of degree/transcripts showing completion of the required course work, if utilized to meet the minimum requirements.
• Proof of documented organized team sports participation hours, if utilized to meet the minimum requirements.
• Proof of documented volunteer hours, if utilized to meet the minimum requirements.
• For City of San Diego employees, proof of Out-of-Class Assignment (OCA), if utilized to meet the minimum requirements.

Rev. 4 - April 3, 2026 (New Recruitment Date)