Recreation Leader

Community Services Program Specialist

City of La Habra is located at Orange County's northernmost corner. La Habra today is 7.3 square miles, with a population of nearly 62,000. A quiet bedroom community, it is conveniently located within an hour's drive of many beaches, mountains, and desert recreation areas. The City is known for the Tamale Festival, Corn Festival, Citrus Fair, the Children's Museum, and Depot Theatre.

The Recreation Division oversees special events, trips and tours, youth and adult classes, day camp, aquatics, sport facilities, facility reservations, senior programs, teen programs, and supervision of 15 parks, the skateboard park, and two splash pads. We also manage three social media platforms; work very closely with the school districts, business community and non-profit organizations. We pride ourselves by delivering quality programs and great customer service.

Under general supervision, implements a variety of Community Services programs, events, and oversees buildings and parks during rentals; keeps assigned areas of buildings and grounds clean and safe. Additionally, will implement a variety of activities for youth, family, and senior programs, and events. Implements daily schedule or activities and follows all day program/event procedures to create a fun and safe environment. May be assigned to work additional city events at supervisor's discretion. This position will be required to work the City of La Habra's Annual 4th of July Event, Spring Family Eggstravaganza, New Year's Noon, and the La Habra Tamale Festival, including some days post and prior to the event. This position will be required to work a flexible schedule, including mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays.

(Duties may include, but are not limited to the following):

• Provides supervision of users during rentals.
• Performs and inspects facilities for safety and cleanliness.
• Provides information and assistance to customers.
• Identifies damage to floorings, ceilings, tables, and chairs.
• Supervises the actions of all event/program participants.
• Insures that safety precautions are observed.
• Administers emergency First Aid and CPR when needed.
• Provides feedback on participants behavior to parents and supervisors as necessary.
• Uses proper disciplinary techniques and positive reinforcement.
• Maintains cleanliness of the facilities throughout the day.
• Opens and closes facility as scheduled; including but not limited to checking the facility for safety precautions, setting up tables and chairs in the morning, putting tables and chairs away at night and ensuring the facility is locked.
• Oversees the use of equipment, materials, and supplies.
• Serves as a mentor to teen leaders.
• Provides excellent customer service and general information to the public.
• Attends and actively participates in staff meetings/development.
• Reports and files incident reports in a timely manner.
• Opens and closes city facilities and parks.
• Assists with special events including, but not limited to: Kid's Night Out, Concerts In the Park, National Night Out, Cool Cops, Itty Bitty Camp, Love La Habra, KaBOOM!, La Habra Races, Red Ribbon Week, and Veterans Day.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Qualifying Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of: Hazards and safety precautions.
• Methods and techniques used in recreation.
• First aid.
• Excellent customer service skills.
• Safe lifting techniques.
• Safe work practice and procedures.

Ability to:

• Organize, direct, and lead groups of participants.
• Plan and implement recreational activities and generate enthusiasm among participants.
• Maintain good working relations with staff and citizens.
• Resolve minor disciplinary problems and maintain order.
• Give and follow instructions.
• Keep clear and accurate reports.
• Supervise the use of facilities, materials, equipment, and supplies in programs.
• Provide excellent customer service to the Community and maintain effective working relationships with persons of diverse cultural and socio-economic backgrounds.
• Operate a cash register, modern office equipment, including computer equipment, Microsoft Office applications, word processing, spreadsheet and graphics software, fax, and copiers.

Training and Experience: Any combination of education and experience that provides the qualifying knowledge, skills, and abilities. Experience working with the public is required. Experience and/or education working with children are highly desirable. Must be at least 18 years of age in order to apply. Bilingual is highly desirable. College classes in recreation education, recreation leadership and/or child development are highly desirable. Must possess a high school diploma or GED.

Certificates and Licenses: Must possess and maintain a valid California Class C driver's license and proof of insurance.

Physical and Mental Demands: While performing the duties of this class, an employee performs moderately heavy work; regularly required to sit, stand, talk and hear both in person and by telephone; and use hands to operate, finger, handle or feel a variety of equipment; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is required to walk, climb, stoop or bend, push, pull, and lift up to 75 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus. May be required to work with a variety of chemicals needed for cleaning and sanitizing.

Mental Demands: While performing the duties of this class, the employee is regularly required to work on multiple concurrent tasks with constant interruptions, read and interpret documents and information; use oral communication skills; interact with City staff, elected officials, residents, the general public and others encountered in the course of work, some of whom may be dissatisfied and/or abusive individuals.

Work Environment: Work is typically performed at indoor and outdoor program sites in seasonal weather conditions. Work may require exposure to noise, dust and dirt. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet while in the office, and moderately loud when in the field.

Special Conditions: Public Employee Disaster Service Worker: In accordance with Government Code Section3100, all La Habra city employees are required to perform assigned disaster service worker duties in the event of an emergency or a disaster.

The City of La Habra is an Equal Opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, ancestry, national origin, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, religion, age, veteran status or disability.

Interested in applying? To be considered for this opportunity, please submit a City application online through the Human Resources Department webpage at Completed applications will be accepted until 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 20, 2026. Applications will be screened and those applicants deemed best qualified will be invited for an oral interview. The final candidate must successfully complete a medical exam, drug screening, employment history verification, DMV check and will also be fingerprinted.