Sheriff's Correctional Facility Recreation Specialist

Sheriffs Correctional Facility Recreation Specialist

Salary

$62,640.00 - $76,128.48 Annually

Location

Sacramento, CA

Job Type

Permanent Full-Time

Job Number

28369-C

Department

Sheriff

Opening Date

11/02/2026

Closing Date

1/4/2027 5:00 PM Pacific

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

The Position

This is a continuous filing exam. Next filing cut-offs are at 5:00 pm on:

11/23/26, 12/14/26, 1/4/27 (final)

Under general supervision, the Sheriffs Correctional Facility Recreation Specialist is responsible for planning, promoting, and implementing recreational activities. Incumbents plan, promote, organize, implement, and evaluate inmates recreational activities at an adult correctional facility which include sports, games, handicrafts, videos and reading materials.

Examples of Knowledge and Abilities

Knowledge of

• Principles and practices of organizing, conducting, and evaluating recreational activities
• Behavioral characteristics of incarcerated populations and techniques on dealing with them
• Recreation leadership techniques
• Fundamental rules, strategies, techniques and skills of a variety of individual and team recreational activities for incarcerated populations including athletics, games, arts, crafts, physical fitness, and music
• Recreational and social needs of adult groups
• First aid and safety practices

Ability to

• Plan, organize, promote, and conduct a wide range of recreational programs
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff and inmates from a variety of social, cultural, and economic backgrounds
• Use sound judgement and initiative in applying general policies by adapting activities to the secured environment and interest of the group
• Work under stressful, emotional, and confrontational situations requiring good judgement, self-control, and persuading and motivating people
• Tolerate different values and beliefs
• Motivate inmates to participate in constructive individual activities and in group activities requiring cooperation and teamwork
• Tolerate working in a security setting
• Learn and apply the methods, procedures, techniques and detailed rules and regulations of the inmate recreation and assistance services program, using independent judgment and initiative
• Communicate clearly and concisely orally and in writing
• Maintain records and prepare reports

Employment Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

Any combination of training and experience which would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the requisite knowledge and abilities would be the following:

Either: 1. Three years of full time experience in the class of Sheriffs Correctional Facility Recreation Leader in Sacramento County service.

Or: 2. Completion of all major course work from an accredited college or university required for a Bachelors Degree or higher in general recreation. Paid or volunteer experience in organizing and conducting recreational programs may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.

Or: 3. Completion of all major course work from an accredited college or university required for a Bachelors Degree or higher in physical education.

AND

One year of paid or volunteer experience organizing and conducting recreational programs.

Note: All experience requirements are stated in terms of full-time experience; part-time experience is acceptable and is converted to full-time on the basis of: 173.6 hours = 21.7 days = 1 work month.

Note: If the word "experience" is referenced in the minimum qualifications, it means full-time paid experience unless the minimum qualification states that volunteer experience is acceptable. Part-time paid experience may be accumulated and pro-rated to meet the total experience requirements.

Note: If the minimum qualifications include an educational or certificate/license requirement, applicants must submit proof of requirements with the application. Failure to submit proof of requirements may result in disqualification from the examination. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. For guidelines on submitting acceptable proof of educational requirements, please click here or speak to someone in our office before the cut-off date listed in this notice.

Special Requirements

Criminal History and Background Check:

Appointees must pass a criminal history and background check to assure compliance with the California Penal Code. The conviction of a felony is grounds for disqualification from an appointment except if the individual has been granted a full and unconditional pardon for the felony.

Hours of Work:

Incumbents in these classes must be willing to work irregular hours, holidays and weekends.

Probationary Period

The probationary period for this classification is six (6) months.

Application and Testing Information

APPLICATION

Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply immediately. All applicants must complete and submit an online County of Sacramento employment application by 5:00 PM on the posted cut-off date. Click here to apply.

County of Sacramento

Department of Personnel Services

Employment Services Division

700 H Street, Room 4667

Sacramento, CA 95814

Phone (916) 874-5593; 7-1-1 California Relay Service

Email EmployOffice@Saccounty.net

Inter-Office Mail Code: 09-4667

www.SacCountyJobs.net

• Employment applications and all documentation requested in this announcement must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. on the cut-off date.
• Employment Services is not responsible for any issues or delays caused by an applicants computer or web browser. Applicants will be automatically logged out if they have not submitted their applications and all documentation prior to 5:00 p.m. on the cut-off date.
• Your application should highlight all relevant education, training, and experience, and clearly indicate how you meet the minimum qualifications for the position as of the cut-off date.
• Application information must be current, concise and related to the requirements in this job announcement. You may only apply for this recruitment once. Duplicate and incomplete applications will be disqualified.
• A resume may be included with your application, however it will not substitute for the information requested on the application.

SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE

Applicants are required to provide a full and complete response to each supplemental question. The Supplemental Questionnaire is located in the tab marked "Supplemental Questions". Please be descriptive in your response.

Note: Responses of "See Resume" or "See Application", or copy and paste of work experience are not qualifying responses and will not be considered.

• Supplemental Questionnaires must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. on the cut-off date. Employment Services is not responsible for any issues or delays caused by an applicants computer or web browser. Applicants will be automatically logged out if they have not submitted their applications and all documentation prior to 5:00 p.m. on the cut-off date.
• The supplemental questions are designed to elicit specific information regarding a candidates experience, education, and training. Responses should be consistent with the information on your application and are subject to verification.
• Please provide place of employment, pertinent dates, and concise, descriptive and detailed information for each question.
• If a job included responsibilities applicable to several questions, separate the different functions of the job to answer all the questions completely.
• Resumes or referral to the application or other questionnaire responses will not be accepted in lieu of completing each question.
• If you have no experience, write "no experience" for the appropriate question.
• For many individuals, it is more efficient to develop responses to the supplemental questions in a word processing document and then paste them into the final document to be submitted. Changes or corrections to your Supplemental Questionnaire cannot be made once your application packet has been submitted.
• If the Supplemental Questionnaire is used in the Formula Rate exam, failure to complete all of the questions or incomplete responses will result in a lower score. While scoring the Supplemental Questionnaire, the candidates application and/or attachments will not be reviewed, therefore, a candidates responses to the questions should be accurate, thorough, detailed, and complete.

FORMULA RATE EXAMINATION (Weighted 100%)

All candidates meeting the minimum qualifications by the cut-off date will have their Supplemental Questionnaire scored in the Formula Rate Examination.

This examination will evaluate the relevance, level, recency, progression and quality of candidates education, training and experience. The candidates application or other materials will not be included in this examination. Therefore, the candidates responses to the supplemental questionnaire should be thorough, detailed and complete. The score from the Formula Rate Examination will determine the ranking on the eligible/employment list for this job.

All candidates competing in the testing process will receive written notice of their examination results by email. Notices can also be accessed in their governmentjobs.com inbox. Applicants achieving a passing score will be placed on the eligible list in rank order. The rank is determined by the test score attained from the examination.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Click here for Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

For information regarding County jobs:

www.governmentjobs.com/careers/sacramento

Sacramento County is about enriching communities to thrive. We strive to create inclusive workplaces that reflect the communities we serve. We value and celebrate the unique perspectives, backgrounds, abilities, and diverse dimensions of our employees and residents. Through transparency, courage, innovation, and trust we are committed to advance equity and transformational change.

We are a proud equal opportunity employer. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability for any phase of the hiring process, please contact our Disability Compliance Office at dco@saccounty.gov or 916-874-7642, CA Relay 711. For more information, visit: Reasonable Accommodation Requests - Job Applicant Instructions

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

At Sacramento County, we strive to provide benefit programs designed to meet our employees' current and future needs and help them as they balance their careers and personal life. County of Sacramento employees have a variety of benefits available. These benefits include:

• Dental Insurance
• Vision Benefits
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Health Insurance
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Life Insurance
• Critical Illness
• Retiree Health Savings Plan (RHSP)
• Deferred Compensation

More information can be found on the Benefits website

TEMPORARY POSITIONS:

Most benefits do not apply to temporary positions.

VACATION:

Generally, vacation with pay begins at 10 days annually. With increase over a period of years, the maximum annual vacation with pay is 25 days.

HOLIDAYS:

14.5 holidays per year as recognized by the Board of Supervisors.

SICK LEAVE:

Equivalent to 15 days annually, unlimited accumulation.

TUITION REIMBURSEMENT:

Regular County employees may be eligible to receive Tuition Reimbursement. The costs for course tuition/registration fees and required books/supplies may be eligible for reimbursement. Tuition reimbursement amounts may vary depending upon union agreement.

RETIREMENT:

The County's defined-benefit pension plan is provided by the County Employees' Retirement Law of 1937 and is managed by the Sacramento County Employees Retirement System (SCERS) Board of Retirement. For more information, visit the SCERS website, http://www.scers.org

DENTAL INSURANCE:

For more information, visit the Benefits website

LIFE INSURANCE:

The County of Sacramento provides a basic life insurance benefit to all eligible employees at no cost. Additional coverage may be purchased through payroll deduction.

For more information, visit the Benefits website

DEFERRED COMPENSATION:

A deferred compensation program is available through the County 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan. For more information, visit the Benefits website

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM:

The County of Sacramento provides an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for employees and their eligible dependents. The EAP offers confidential, professional counseling services in areas such as:

• Legal Advice/Difficult Decisions
• Marriage or Family Relationships
• Financial or Credit Worries/Elder Care
• Alcohol and Drug Abuse

More information can be found on the Benefits website

WELLNESS INCENTIVE PROGRAM:

The County will recognize and award time off to eligible employees who maintain an excellent attendance record.

FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNT:

The County offers regular employees two separate Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs). These accounts allow employees to set money aside, on a pre-tax basis via payroll deduction, to pay for medical, dental or dependent care expenses.

DEPENDENT CARE REIMBURSEMENT ACCOUNT:

Employees may set aside pre-tax dollars to pay for qualified childcare or dependent care expenses that are necessary for the employee and/or spouse to continue working.

MEDICAL REIMBURSEMENT ACCOUNT:

The Medical Reimbursement Account allows pre-tax dollars to be set aside to pay for out-of-pocket expenses that are not paid by insurance or reimbursed by any other benefit plan.

WORKERS COMPENSATION:

In case of injury while on the job, each employee is protected under the Workers Compensation laws of California.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT OUR FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS: FAQs

VETERANS PREFERENCE:

Military veterans who have served during wartime shall be given preference in initial appointment to County service. Such preference shall apply, provided the veteran has first achieved a minimum passing score in the examination. The passing score of a veteran shall be annotated to indicate the veterans score shall be regarded as 5 points or higher, OR 10 points higher for disabled veterans, only for the purpose of determining the three ranks along with which the veterans name shall be certified. No score shall actually be changed and no new rank shall be created as a result of application of veterans preference for certification purposes.

"Disabled Veteran" means any veteran who has served during wartime and, who, as of the final filing date for an examination is declared by the United States Veterans Administration or military service department to be 10% or more disabled as a result of his/her military service. Persons claiming eligibility for disabled veterans preference must submit to the employment office, on or before the application deadline date, a certification from the United States Veterans Administration or a military service department, dated within 1 year, which certifies the present existence of a service related disability of 10% or more, or other acceptable proof of such disability as a result of his/her military service.

Persons claiming eligibility for veterans preference must submit a copy of Form DD 214 or other acceptable proof of veterans status on or before the final filing date for the examination. For purpose of this rule "reserve" status does not constitute active duty.

SPECIAL SKILL QUALIFICATIONS (WHEN SPECIFIED ON THE JOB ANNOUNCEMENT):

Persons who have special skills required by some (but not all) positions in a class may be certified ahead of others provided that:

Such special skills are based on the duties and requirements of the positions and are in conformance with merit system and equal opportunity principles, and

The certification of eligibles who possess special skills have been approved by the Civil Service Commission.

01

The following Supplemental Questionnaire is the Civil Service Exam for this position and will be used to determine your exam score. All experience, education, and/or training used to answer the supplemental questions must be included on your application.

In order to receive every consideration in the selection process, you must complete all questions with concise but detailed answers and provide all requested information. Each answer will be scored separately. References such as See Resume as a response will not be scored.

By continuing in the exam process, you are certifying that all information provided in the Supplemental Questionnaire is true to the best of your knowledge.

• I have read and understood the above instructions.

02

Candidates who are selected for hire will be required to successfully pass an extensive law enforcement background investigation in accordance with California Penal Code.

Select the below box to acknowledge your understanding of the background requirements.

• I understand that if I am considered for hire that I will be required to submit the documentation required for the background and that successful passing of the background investigation is required prior to appointment.

03

Incumbents in this class may be required to work irregular hours, to include evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays.

Select the one box that acknowledges your understanding of the scheduling requirements for this position.

• I understand that incumbents in this class may be required to work irregular shifts, to include evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays.

04

I have read the General Requirements and Other Requirements as stated on the job announcement.

• Yes

05

The minimum qualifications for the Sheriff's Correctional Facility Recreation Specialist position are as follows:

EITHER

OPTION ONE (1): Three (3) years of full time experience in the class of Sheriff's Correctional Facility Recreation Leader in Sacramento County Service.

OR

OPTION TWO (2): Completion of all major course work from an accredited college or university required for a Bachelor's Degree or higher in general recreation. Paid or volunteer experience in organizing and conducting recreational programs may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.

OR

OPTION THREE (3): Completion of all major course work from an accredited college or university required for a Bachelor's Degree or higher in physical education AND One (1) year of paid or volunteer experience organizing and conducting recreational programs.

NOTE: All experience requirements are stated in terms of full-time experience; part-time experience is acceptable and is converted to full-time on the basis of: 173.6 hours = 21.7 days = one (1) work month.

Select the one box that best describes how you meet the minimum qualifications for the Sheriff's Correctional Facility Recreation Specialist position. If you do not meet the minimum requirements for this position, select "I do not meet the minimum requirements for this position."

• I meet the experience requirements as detailed above in OPTION ONE (1).
• I meet the education requirements as detailed above in OPTION TWO (2).
• I meet the qualifications as detailed above in OPTION TWO (2), including the full time equivalency requirements as described by the above "NOTE."
• I meet the education and experience requirements as detailed above in OPTION THREE (3).
• I do not meet the minimum requirements for this position.

06

Select the one box that best describes the education you have completed at an accredited college or university. If you have not completed any education at an accredited college or university, select none.

• None.
• I have a Bachelors Degree or higher in physical education, general recreation, or a closely related field (e.g. therapeutic recreation, administrative recreation, etc.).
• I have a Bachelors Degree or higher in a field not closely related to physical education or general recreation.
• I have an Associates degree in physical education, general recreation, or a closely related field (e.g. therapeutic recreation, administrative recreation, etc.).
• I have completed 30 or more semester units or quarter equivalent in physical education, general recreation, or a closely related field (e.g. therapeutic recreation, administrative recreation, etc.).
• I have an Associate's Degree in a field not closely related to physical education or general recreation.
• I have completed 12 or more but less than 30 semester units or quarter equivalent physical education, general recreation, or a closely related field (e.g. therapeutic recreation, administrative recreation, etc.).
• I have completed some college.

07

List the education that you have completed at an accredited college or university. If you have not completed any education at an accredited college or university, write none.

08

Select the one box that best describes your paid and/or volunteer experience planning and developing recreation programs for inmates within a correctional facility. If you have no relevant experience, select none.

• None.
• My experience includes independently planning and developing less than four (4) correctional facility recreation programs.
• My experience includes independently planning and developing four (4) or more correctional facility recreation programs.
• My experience includes assisting others with the planning and development of correctional facility recreation programs.
• My experience includes independently planning and developing less than four (4) recreation programs in a non-correctional environment.
• My experience includes independently planning and developing four (4) or more recreation programs in a non-correctional environment.

09

Select the one box that best represents your paid and/or volunteer experience leading and supervising recreation programs. If you have no experience leading and supervising recreation programs, select none.

• None.
• I have experience leading and/or supervising one (1) program.
• I have experience leading and/or supervising two (2) or three (3) programs.
• I have experience leading and/or supervising three (3) or more but less than seven (7) programs.
• I have experience leading and/or supervising seven (7) or more but less than ten (10) programs.
• I have experience leading and/or supervising ten (10) or more programs.

10

Select all the boxes for which you have paid and/or volunteer experience facilitating group recreation activities. If you have no relevant experience, select none.

• None.
• Programs within a correctional facility (e.g. juvenile hall, jail, prison, etc.).
• Large groups (30 or more attendees).
• Small groups (less than 30 attendees).

11

Select all the boxes for which you have paid and/or volunteer experience specific to recreation programs. If you have no relevant experience, select none.

• None.
• Acting as a lead over seasonal/part-time/volunteer staff.
• Screening materials and resources for appropriateness.
• Training and instructing others (e.g. participants, volunteers, staff, etc.) on rules/policies/procedures.
• Researching purchases and ordering equipment for recreation activities.
• Scheduling use of facilities for recreational activities.

12

Select all of the boxes for which you have reporting experience. If you have no relative experience, select none.

• None.
• Program reports (e.g. evaluation reports, violation reports, etc.).
• Research reports (e.g. program effectiveness, best practices, etc.).
• Statistical reports (e.g. participant attendance, etc.).
• Inventory reports (e.g. equipment, request for purchases, etc.).
• Annual, quarterly, and/or monthly reports.

13

Select the one box that best describes your work and/or intern experience interpreting and articulating guidelines and instructions (e.g. policies, rules, regulations etc.) to others. If you have no relative experience, select none.

• None.
• I have less than six (6) months of experience.
• I have six (6) months or more but less than one (1) year of experience.
• I have one (1) year or more of experience.

14

Select all of the boxes for which you have six (6) months or more paid and/or volunteer experience working directly with customers or members of the public. If you have no relative experience, select none.

• None.
• Deescalating hostile/upset customers/members of the public in a face-to-face setting.
• Working directly with customers/members of the public who are upset with you and/or your actions.
• Communicating policies, procedures, laws, and/or actions to upset or hostile customers/members of the public.

15

Select the one box that best describes your paid and/or volunteer experience working directly with individuals who were resistant, disruptive, confrontational, or unwilling to follow established rules or instructions. If you have no relative experience, select none.

• None.
• Handling difficult or confrontational behavior while maintaining safety, program operations, and appropriate boundaries is a regular and significant responsibility of my position.
• I have observed or assisted others in handling these situations.
• I have independently handled these situations on an occasional basis.
• I regularly handle these situations independently while maintaining appropriate boundaries, judgment, and self-control.

16

Select the one box that best describes your paid and/or volunteer experience evaluating recreational or other structured programs after implementation. If you have no relative experience, select none.

• None.
• I have independently evaluated programs or activities using participation information, observations, feedback, or other relevant information.
• I have provided feedback regarding programs or activities evaluated by others.
• I have assisted with reviewing participation, outcomes, feedback, or other program information.
• I have regularly evaluated programs and used the results to modify, expand, discontinue, or develop activities.

17

Select all of the boxes for which you have paid and/or volunteer experience and are proficient. If you have no relative experience, select none. Please note that you may be required to demonstrate your proficiency during the hiring process.

• None.
• Utilizing specialized software systems and modern office equipment.
• Evaluating situations and/or people to develop appropriate courses of action.
• Communicating in writing using correct grammar and proper punctuation and paragraph structure.
• Adhering to and enforcing established safety procedures.

18

Select all of the boxes for which you have experience working for the listed entities. If you have no relative experience, select none.

• None.
• Paid experience working for the Sacramento County Sheriff's Department.
• Volunteer and/or intern experience working for the Sacramento County Sheriff's Department.
• Paid experience working for a law enforcement agency (e.g. police department).
• Volunteer and/or intern experience working for a law enforcement agency (e.g. police department).
• Paid experience working in a recreational setting.
• Volunteer and/or intern experience working in a recreational setting.

19

Select the one box that best describes your paid and/or volunteer experience modifying recreational programs or activities because of safety, security, participant behavior, facility limitations, or other operational restrictions. If you have no relative experience, select none.

• None.
• I regularly make independent decisions regarding whether and how activities can safely proceed in a controlled, secured, or highly regulated environment.
• I have participated in programs where others were responsible for making these modifications.
• I have independently modified activities based on considerations of safety, security, participant behavior, facility limitations, or other operational restrictions.
• I have in modifying activities based on safety, behavioral, facility, or operational assisted considerations.

20

Select the one box that best describes your paid and/or volunteer experience encouraging or motivating individuals to participate in recreational, educational, treatment, or other structured activities. If you have no relative experience, select none.

• None.
• I have assisted others with encouraging participation.
• Encouraging and motivating reluctant participants has been a regular responsibility of my position.
• I have occasionally been responsible for encouraging reluctant individuals to participate.
• I regularly adapt activities or my approach to increase participation, cooperation, and teamwork among individuals with differing needs, abilities, behaviors, or levels of motivation.

21

List your employment experience that qualifies you for the position. For all experience listed, provide the following:

• Employer
• Dates of employment
• Position title
• Position level (e.g. leader, supervisory, etc.) Primary duties and responsibilities, to include experience selections from prior questions

If you have no qualifying experience, write none.

22

The County of Sacramento is committed to maintaining a drug and alcohol-free workplace. All persons selected for appointment must pass a drug test administered by the County and at no cost to the applicant. I understand, if offered conditional employment, I will be subject to a drug test administered by the County as described in Sacramento County Personnel Ordinance Section 2.78.030.

• Yes.
• No.

23

Select the one box that best describes whether you have attended a career fair and/or job event where you have interacted with representatives from Sacramento County.

• Attended in the last one (1) - three (3) months.
• Attended in the last four (4) - six (6) months.
• Attended in the last seven (7) months - one (1) year.
• Attended an event more than one (1) year ago.
• Have attended a career fair and/or job event but did not interact with Sacramento County representatives.
• Have not attended a career fair and/or job event.

24

List the following for the career fair and/or job event you attended: Name of event Location of event Month and year of event

If you have not attended an event where you interacted with representatives from Sacramento County, please type "None".

Required Question

Employer County of Sacramento

Address 700 H Street, Room 4667

Sacramento, California, 95814

Phone (916) 874-5593

Website http://www.saccountyjobs.net