Recreation Specialist I, PT (Continuous)

Recreation Specialist I, PT (Continuous) Salary $23.54 - $28.90 Hourly

Location: Oakland, CA Job Type: Part Time (include Trainee) Job Number: 25-PP137-11 Department: Oakland Parks, Recreation & Youth Development Opening Date: 11/21/2025 FLSA: Non-Exempt Bargaining Unit: SI1

Benefits: The City of Oakland is an equal opportunity employer that values workforce diversity, inclusion, and equity. Oakland has a long history of activism around issues of justice and equity. Both oppression and this resistance to oppression have shaped the city's historical roots and the lives of its residents to this day. As public servants in one of the most diverse cities in the nation, we strive to develop employees who understand the harm and impacts of systemic inequity to create lasting, meaningful outcomes for everyone. Oakland strives to establish an environment that embraces the richness of culture, community, and individualism of employees.

Why Join the Oakland Parks, Recreation & Youth Development Department?

With an emphasis on Oakland's youth, Oakland Parks, Recreation & Youth Development, and its partners will provide best-in-class, relevant, and equitable programs and services, while meeting the specific needs of people and communities both at the neighborhood level and regionally throughout the City of Oakland. We achieve this mission through intentional engagement and by removing the barriers that prohibit equitable opportunities for all. Oakland's Parks, Recreation, and Youth Development (OPRYD) Department believes that communities thrive when they play with a purpose. Our purpose is to Expose, Enlighten, Empower, and Encourage Educational Excellence through recreational experiences.

Available Positions:

We are currently hiring for our Youth Summer programs in the following areas:

• Nature:
• Naturalists and Field Biologists
• Fitness:
• Personal Trainers
• Water Aerobics Instructors
• Nutritionists
• Yoga Instructors
• Sports Coaches
• Visual Arts:
• Photography
• Digital Arts
• Jewelry Design
• Glass Arts
• Ceramics
• Performing Arts:
• Drama and Dance
• Aquatics:
• Boat Operators
• Aquatics Specialists
• Culinary Arts:
• Chefs
• Cooks

Responsibilities:

We are looking for someone who is:

• A team player
• Enthusiastic
• Excited to play an active role in the Oakland community

Responsibilities:

As a Recreation Specialist I, you will be responsible for:

• Teaching and/or leading programs and classes in the field of expertise
• Providing staff training in specialized fields as required
• Designing and planning curriculum and activities that promote citizen participation in community-based recreation settings
• Asscertaining and interpreting group interests, evaluating equipment and facilities, and adapting activities to meet participant needs
• Obtaining and setting up recreation equipment, supplies, and props for program activities and events
• Explaining principles, techniques, and safety procedures to participants, and demonstrating the use of materials and equipment
• Inspecting and maintaining equipment and supplies for safe use
• Overseeing patron use of recreation equipment/facility in compliance with City rules and regulations
• Performing routine administrative duties utilizing a variety of office equipment
• Scheduling and coordinating leisure education programs and activities
• Coordinating special events, programs, and field trips
• Completing and maintaining time and attendance forms and inventory lists
• Conferring with management to discuss and resolve participant complaints
• Writing descriptions of classes offered
• Administering first aid according to prescribed procedures and notifying emergency medical personnel when necessary

Competencies:

The competencies required to be a successful Recreation Specialist I are:

• Safety Focus: Showing vigilance and care in identifying and addressing health risks and safety hazards
• Listening: Fully comprehending spoken communication
• Oral Communication: Engaging effectively in dialogue
• Building and Maintaining Relationships: Establishing rapport and maintaining mutually productive relationships
• General Physical Ability: Using strength, endurance, flexibility, balance, and coordination

Minimum Requirements for Application:

This is a public contact position. The City highly encourages all bilingual candidates to apply! Some positions may require bilingual skills in Spanish, Cantonese, or Mandarin. Under the authority of Civil Service Rules Section 5.03, if a position requires bilingual language skills, only those candidates who have indicated they are bilingual in the required language(s) will be referred. Bilingual candidates will be required to successfully pass a language proficiency test if selected for hire.

Additional Qualifications:

• Bilingual skills in Spanish, Cantonese, and Mandarin are highly desirable for certain positions
• License/Other Requirements: Depending on the nature of the assignment, candidates who receive conditional offers of employment will be required to submit fingerprints, undergo a criminal record clearance, and have a physical examination including a TB screening

Selection Process:

This is an at-will position, exempt from the provisions of the City of Oakland Civil Service Rules, per Charter Section 902. All applications received will be forwarded to the Oakland Parks, Recreation & Youth Development Department for further consideration. Applications received by the dates below will be reviewed for any vacancies open at that time. Meeting the minimum qualifications does not guarantee further consideration, only the candidates whose skills and experience match the needs of the department will be contacted for interviews.

Application Instructions:

Applications are accepted online only. You may apply and view current openings by visiting our employment opportunities webpage at: http://agency.governmentjobs.com/oaklandca/default.cfm. If you do not have access to a computer, there are computer stations available at any City of Oakland Public Library. There are also workstations at the Human Resources Management Department, 150 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, 2nd Floor, Oakland, CA 94612. Workstations are available during regular business hours (normally 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).