SENIOR RECREATION SPECIALIST

SENIOR RECREATION SPECIALIST

Salary

$49,856.27 - $63,630.17 Annually

Location

Library/CSD - 1800 E. Hill Street, Signal Hill, CA

Job Type

Full-Time (Non-Exempt)

Job Number

2026-0014

Department

Parks, Recreation, Library Services

Opening Date

08/27/2026

Closing Date

Continuous

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Position Description

The City of Signal Hill is looking for a Senior Recreation Specialist for the Community Services Division to join the Parks, Recreation, Library Services team!

The first review of applications will take place on September 24, 2026.

This recruitment is opened until filled and may close at any time once sufficient qualified applications have been received. Candidates are encouraged to APPLY IMMEDIATELY.

Our City

The City of Signal Hill is a desirable place to live and work because of its safe neighborhoods, abundant business opportunities, inclusive culture, and beautiful green spaces. With its central location, the community takes great pride in its recreational amenities which include 11 City parks and open space area covering over 29 acres, an extensive walking trail system, abundant recreation and library programs, and an array of annual events.

The City of Signal Hill, with a population of 11,500 and covering 2.2 square miles, is located in Los Angeles County within four miles of the Pacific Ocean. Signal Hill was incorporated on April 22, 1924, roughly three years after the discovery of a vast oil field. Known for its beautiful setting, Signal Hill claims the only accessible high ground for miles around with an impressive hilltop park which provides spectacular panoramic views.

The Position

Under the direction of the Recreation Coordinator of the Community Services Division, plans, develops, organizes and oversee programs and events for the senior citizens and supports the city-wide special events.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This position is distinguished from the Recreation Specialist part-time position by its increased responsibility in a broader range of recreation activities and services.

Example of Duties

Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act may include, but are not limited to the following characteristic duties, responsibilities, knowledge, skills and other characteristics. The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.

Depending on assignment, duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Community Services Division (Active Adults, Permits & Special Events)

• Plan, develop, organize programs; promote and implement programs and/or special events within the Parks, Recreation, Library Services Services Department (Community Services Division, Library Division, and Recreation Division).
• Organize and schedule a wide range of recreation programs including assisting excursions (youth/adult). Programs may include, but are not limited to: Animal Control, Park Patrol, Community Garden, Active Adults Programs & Excursions, Food Distribution Program, the City's Transportation Programs, Facility and Permits (facility rentals, film, special events, etc.).
• Perform a wide variety of routine administrative duties to support department operations, including, but not limited to, filing, preparing records and basic reports, submitting documents to accounts payable, and receiving and processing payments.
• Process permits, Facility Rental Applications, and Film Applications in coordination with other City departments.
• Effectively respond to requests and inquiries from the participants, parents, general public and City staff. Foster close working relationships with school officials and City staff.
• Hire, train, schedule, and supervise part-time staff and volunteers.
• Monitor budget expenditures and purchasing. Assist in the budget planning process as necessary.
• Draft promotional materials and correspondence.
• May provide back up for other department or division office administrative support staff as needed.
• Perform various related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Any combination of education, training, and work experience to demonstrate possession of the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform in the position is qualifying. A typical way of obtaining the required qualifications is to possess:

EDUCATION: Associate of Arts degree with 15 completed units in gerontology, recreation, social services, or related field.

EXPERIENCE: Two (2) years increasingly responsible experience in providing recreation programming for Senior Citizens and implementing community-wide special events.

LICENSE/CERTIFICATION: Valid Class C California driver license, acceptable driving record, and evidence of insurance are required. Red Cross First Aid and CPR certificate required.

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities

Knowledge of:

• Essentials, methods, and techniques in providing child care services.

• Methods and techniques of developing, planning and organizing group recreational activities to include special events, excursions and daily program activities.

• Budget, principles and practices.

• Purchasing procedures.

• Skilled in the operations a computer terminal and word processing.

• Ability to assist in effectively recruiting, selecting, training, scheduling, supervising and evaluating the work of recreational staff.

• Ability to identify methods to maximize the effectiveness of services and programs being provided.

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, participants and parents.

• Communicate and ensure adherence with safety standards, practices and requirements.

• Perform community and public relations.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to coordinate, eyes, hands, feet and limbs in performing slightly skilled movements, such as pressing, cutting or mixing.

• Ability to exert moderate physical effort in sedentary to light work, typically involving some combinations of stooping, kneeling, crouching and crawling, carrying, pushing and pulling.

• Ability to maneuver and steer equipment and machinery requiring simple, but continuous adjustments, such as operating a motor vehicle.

• Ability to lift, push and pull 15 pounds.

• Ability to work weekend and evening hours.

Supervisorial Responsibilities:

• Ability to assign, review, plan, and coordinate the work of other employees

• Ability to provide instruction and guidance to staff.

• Ability to assess the work of employees and write performance appraisals.

Mathematical Ability:

• Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide.

• Ability to calculate decimals, ratios, percentages and fractions.

Judgment and Situational Reasoning Ability:

• Ability to use functional reasoning and apply rational judgment in performing diversified work activities.

• Ability to exercise independent judgment, decisiveness and creativity in situations involving the evaluation of information against sensory and/or judgmental data.

• Ability to classify, compute and tabulate data information, following a prescribed plan requiring exercise of some judgement; ability to compare, count, differentiate, measure and sort information; ability to assemble, copy, record and transcribe data and information.

Language Ability and Interpersonal Communication:

• Communicate clearly and precisely with parents, staff and children.

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff and participants.

• Ability to advise and interpret to others how to apply department policies, procedures and services based on community recreational needs and interests.

• Ability to persuade, convince and/or train others including the ability to act in a lead worker capacity.

• Ability to maintain records, prepare reports and schedules.

Environmental Adaptability:

Ability to work under moderately safe and comfortable conditions with exposure to environmental factors may cause discomfort and where there is a risk of injury, requiring minimal recovery.

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS- AVAILABLE TO FULL-TIME CITY EMPLOYEES

• 96 hours of vacation leave annually
• 96 hours of sick leave annually with buy-back program
• 10 paid holidays per year (80 hours)
• 36 hours personal holiday leave per year
• 2% @ 60 retirement formula - Employees contribute 7% of the required employee contribution. Average of final three years retirement calculation. This retirement formula is available to those candidates who currently work for a PERS agency or a PERS reciprocal agency or have worked for a PERS agency or a PERS reciprocal agency within the last six (6) months.
• 2% @ 62 PERS retirement formula - Employees contribute 7.75% of the normal cost of the benefit . There will be no Employer Paid Member Contribution. Average of final three years retirement calculation. This formula is provided for all new PERS members and those who have been separated from a PERS agency or a PERS reciprocal agency for more than six (6) months.
• Medical insurance - The City participates in the CalPERS health benefit program and contributes up to $1,200 per month toward medical premiums. An additional $800 is available for individuals with health, dental and/or vision premiums not fully covered with the $1,200. 75% of any monies remaining (of the $1,200) after medical premiums are paid may be applied toward optional benefits including: vision, dental, or deferred compensation plan. No cash pay-out in lieu of benefits
• Dental - City contribution of $70 per month
• Vision insurance - Employee premium paid by City
• Based on years of City service, qualified retirees may be eligible for City contribution to retiree health premium. Employees contribute 1% of their salary towards their future retiree health benefit.
• $50,000 Life Insurance Policy
• Short & Long Term Disability Plans
• Social Security Participation
• Deferred Compensation Plan
• Flexible Benefits Program
• Tuition Reimbursement Program

City of Signal Hill is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, medical condition, genetic information, national origin, military or veteran status, ancestry, disability, and age (over 40), or any other classification protected by federal, state or local laws.

AN EEO/ADA/VET Employer.

01

Candidates will be evaluated based on the information provided on both the application and the responses to the following supplemental questions. Failure to fully detail all experience or stating experience in response to the supplemental question but not listing the experience in the application, copy/pasting information, or responses referring to your resume may eliminate you from consideration. Do you understand this requirement?

• Yes
• No

02

How many years of experience do you have working for a municipal government agency, if any?

• No experience
• Less than 2 years
• 2 to less than 3
• 3 or more years

03

Which best describes your level of education?

• High School or GED
• Associates Degree
• Bachelors Degree or higher

04

Please describe, in detail, your experience working with older adults.

05

How would you engage with diverse age groups in recreational activities?

06

Describe your experience supervising part- time and full-time staff and the number of staff you have supervised. If you do not have this experience, please indicate N/A.

07

Describe your experience with managing facility reservations.

08

Please describe your experience planning and implementing community special events.

09

Do you have a valid California drivers license?

10

Have you had your drivers license revoked or suspended within the last 3 years?

11

Have you ever been terminated from employment or asked to resign in lieu of termination or discipline?

• Yes
• No

12

If you answered "yes" to question 11 please explain below. If not applicable, indicate N/A

Required Question

Employer City of Signal Hill

Address 2175 Cherry Avenue

Signal Hill, California, 90755

Phone (562) 989-7304

(562) 989-7310

Website http://www.cityofsignalhill.org