Recreation Leader (Part Time)

Salary: $17.61 - $21.26 Hourly
Location : Carlsbad, CA
Job Type: Part-Time Hourly
Job Number: 013226
Department: Parks & Recreation
Opening Date: 01/12/2026


The Position

Carlsbad - The Community:

The City of Carlsbad is ideally situated in north San Diego County where a great climate, beautiful beaches and lagoons, and abundant natural open space combine with world-class resorts, family attractions, well planned neighborhoods, excellent schools, and a charming village atmosphere to create the ideal California experience. Covering nearly 40 square miles, the City of Carlsbad is currently home to about 115,000 residents. The city sets the standard for high-quality local government services and is home to corporate headquarters in technology, life sciences and action sports, supported by a thriving tourism market and nearly 40 percent preserved open space. Thanks to an award-winning growth management plan, the city's infrastructure and services keep pace with development and promote an excellent quality of life.

You belong in Carlsbad:
The City of Carlsbad embraces and recognizes the vital relationship of an inclusive, engaged work environment and innovative excellence. An equitable and inclusive work climate comprises personal experiences, values, and views shaped from differences of culture and circumstance. Our organization appreciates belonging, creativity, recognition and retention of its employees and is committed to hiring and developing motivated, productive and talented employees who provide services and enhance our quality of life. We work to embrace open and equitable access to opportunities for learning and development as our responsibility and goal.


The Department:

You will join a nationally accredited agency (one of only five agencies in the State of California) by the Commission for the Accreditation of Parks & Recreation Agencies (CAPRA); a team dedicated to upholding the department's mission to promote community health and wellness while building a diverse culture that embraces change and continuous improvement.

The Position:

The Recreation Leader requires an ability to perform a full range of duties as assigned, working independently and exercising judgment and initiative. Recreation Leaders receive instruction and/or assistance during the day from the Senior Recreation Leaders. Recreation Leaders are able to adjust when new or unusual situations arise and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies of the work. Independent judgment is required to identify, select, and apply the most appropriate of available guidelines and procedures, interpret precedents, and adopt standard methods or practices to meet variations in facts and/or conditions.

The Recreation Leader is utilized in various ways throughout the city:

• Camp Supervisors
• Event Staff
• Front Office Staff at our recreation buildings
• Concessions Aides at our concerts and recreation buildings
• Other locations and responsibilities as needed

More information regarding our Parks & Recreation Department and programs can be found on our

Key Responsibilities

Daily responsibilities of a Recreation Leader include, but aren't limited to the following:

• Directing and supervising participants of the programs
• Maintaining records pertinent to programs
• Implementing age-appropriate activities and events (including field trips)
• Ensuring the health, welfare, and safety of the participants of the program
• Working closely with the Senior Recreation Leaders to ensure the success of programs through the preparation, execution, and evaluation of the program
• Assisting other staff in organizing and cleaning facility areas and equipment
• Establishing and maintaining relationships with parents, community center staff and other key individuals
• Maintaining a fun and positive attitude daily to create a happy environment for participants
• Other duties as assigned

Periodic responsibilities include:

• Attending monthly staff meetings as well as other meetings and training pertinent to program areas
• Supervising participants during scheduled field trips

Qualifications

• Knowledge of youth and camp programs
• Possess excellent customer service and communication skills
• Ability to demonstrate exceptional attention to detail
• Ability to provide the necessary support to ensure the health and well-being of all participants and staff
• Must be able to take direction as well as have the ability to take initiative
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work
• Requires a flexible work schedule that may require morning and evening hours
• Understand and follow oral and written instructions
• Ability to evaluate emergency situations and act decisively and effectively to resolve them
• Communicate clearly, concisely, both orally and in writing; must be able to lift a minimum of 25 lbs
• May be required to use personal vehicle during assigned shifts

Experience & Education

Education:

• High school diploma or G.E.D. is desirable
• College-level courses in recreation, education, physical education, or related field is desirable

Experience:

• One year of experience and/or training performing duties comparable to a Recreation Leader is desirable

Special Requirements/License or Certificate:

• Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid Class C California Driver's License
• Possession of, or ability to obtain, CPR and first aid certification
• Required to attend mandatory meeting/training sessions
• Must provide own transportation
• Must meet the state of California tuberculosis test requirements
• Must wear standard apparel as prescribed by the Recreation Department

Physical/Mental Requirements:

• Ability to sit, stand, walk, kneel, crouch, squat, stoop, reach
• Ability to lift 25 lbs
• Exposure to outdoors
• Ability to travel to different sites and locations

* Part-time employee cannot exceed 980 total hours worked within one fiscal year.

**Qualified applicants will be notified only if they are selected for the interview process.

We encourage you to fill out a to be notified of new positions in your area of interest as soon as they post.

• APPLE Savings Plan
• Employee Assistance Program:
• 40 hours of sick leave per fiscal year (July 1- June 30)
  • Eligible to use after the first 90 days of work

Part time positions do not have benefits, and cannot exceed 980 hours in a fiscal year (July 1- June 30).
01


Initial in the box below that you acknowledge "see application" and "see resume" are not valid responses to the questions below.
02


What is your highest level of education?

• Attending High School
• High School / GED
• Trade or Technical School
• Some College
• Associates
• Bachelors
• Masters or Higher
• None of the above

03


Regarding your education, indicate your area(s) of study in the space below. If you answered "None of the above," type NA in the space below.
04


Are you available to work in both indoor and outdoor work environments, and in inclement weather?

• Yes
• No

05


How many years of experience do you have working with the public and/or in the field of parks and recreation, hospitality, front office or related field?

• None
• Less than 1 year
• 1 but less than 2 years
• 2 but less than 3 years
• 3 but less than 4 years
• 4 or more years

06


Do you possess, or have the ability to obtain, a valid California Driver License?

• Yes
• No

07


Do you possess, or have the ability to obtain, a CPR and first aid certification?

• Yes
• No

08


Recreation Leaders and Senior Recreation Leaders for the City of Carlsbad may serve in many divisions/sections of the Parks and Recreation Department. Please check ALL the areas that you would be interested in working. The city will do its best to assign you to an area in your interest, but you may be assigned to areas outside of your selection(s).

• Special Events
• Historical Programing
• Customer Service
• Cash Handling
• Outdoor Recreation
• Teen Recreation
• Children Programing
• Facility Operations
• Aquatics
• Youth Sports
• Food Prep

09


Do you have experience in any of the following? Mark the box(es) that best describe your experience. Check all that apply.

• Customer Service
• Keeping records according to established policies
• Writing reports on a regular basis
• Using computer software such as Word, Excel, Etc.
• Working under the pressure of deadlines to complete job tasks
• Providing administrative office support in a dynamic work environment
• Working with the public, such as explaining rules and policies, promoting programs and handling complaints
• Providing training and leadership to others
• Supervising other recreation leaders and/or activity directors
• Organizing and distributing publicity materials related to recreational activities
• Working with the public, such as explaining rules and policies, promoting programs, and handling complaints
• None apply

Required Question