Recreation Workers

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Also known as:
Activities Aide, Activities Assistant, Activities Coordinator, Activities Leader, Camp Counselor, Playground Worker, Recreation Activities Coordinator, Recreation Assistant, Recreational Aide

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ABOUT RECREATION WORKER CAREERS

Video transcript

If you've ever played on a community softball team, or taken an aerobics class, you've probably met recreation workers who planned, organized, and directed these activities. Their job is to make it possible for you to enjoy leisure activities like water sports or arts and crafts, in a safe and fun environment.

Recreation workers supervise the facilities and equipment at local playgrounds, recreation parks, community centers, health clubs, camps, and most tourist attractions. The job can be diverse and enjoyable, because the types of programs offered are only limited by the creativity of the recreation worker and the interest of the public.

If you like to work with the public, lead programs, and get joy from enabling other people to share common interests and learn new activities, then this could be a gratifying career choice for you.

SNAPSHOT

Conduct recreation activities with groups in public, private, or volunteer agencies or recreation facilities. Organize and promote activities, such as arts and crafts, sports, games, music, dramatics, social recreation, camping, and hobbies, taking into account the needs and interests of individual members.

Leadership	HIGH
Critical decision making	HIGH
Level of responsibilities	HIGH
Job challenge and pressure to meet deadlines	LOW
Dealing and handling conflict	LOW

Competition for this position	LOW
Communication with others	HIGH
Work closely with team members, clients etc.	HIGH
Comfort of the work setting	HIGH
Exposure to extreme environmental conditions	LOW
Exposure to job hazards	LOW
Physical demands	LOW

Daily tasks

Administer first aid according to prescribed procedures and notify emergency medical personnel when necessary.

Oversee the purchase, planning, design, construction, and upkeep of recreation facilities and areas.

Meet with staff to discuss rules, regulations, and work-related problems.

Provide for entertainment and set up related decorations and equipment.

Complete and maintain time and attendance forms and inventory lists.

Document individuals' progress toward meeting their treatment goals.

Meet and collaborate with agency personnel, community organizations, and other professional personnel to plan balanced recreational programs for participants.

Confer with management to discuss and resolve participant complaints.

Supervise and coordinate the work activities of personnel, such as training staff members and assigning work duties.

Encourage participants to develop their own activities and leadership skills through group discussions.

Organize, lead, and promote interest in recreational activities, such as arts, crafts, sports, games, camping, and hobbies.

MAIN ACTIVITIES

Getting Information	Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Thinking Creatively	Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates	Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Scheduling Work and Activities	Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.

Making Decisions and Solving Problems	Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships	Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work	Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings	Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

AREAS OF KNOWLEDGE

English Language	Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Public Safety and Security	Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
Customer and Personal Service	Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Education and Training	Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

Law and Government	Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.

Psychology	Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.

Clerical	Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.

Computers and Electronics	Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

TOP SKILLS

Active Listening	Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking	Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Service Orientation	Actively looking for ways to help people.

Social Perceptiveness	Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

Coordination	Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

Monitoring	Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Instructing	Teaching others how to do something.

Time Management	Managing one's own time and the time of others.