Recreation Specialist

Recreation Specialist

NYC Parks serves as the steward for over 30,000 acres of land, which includes 1,000 playgrounds, 36 recreation centers, 66 pools and 14 miles of beach. Our primary responsibility is to build and maintain clean, safe and accessible parks, and to create cultural and educational programs for New Yorkers of all ages to enjoy. The mission of Recreation is to enable all New Yorkers to lead physically active and intellectually stimulating lives through sports, fitness, outdoor adventure, technology, education, and the arts. Recreation programs include specialized exercise classes, youth sports, senior activities, summer camps and free afterschool programs. Recreation programming occurs throughout the City in NYC Parks recreation centers, parks and playgrounds.

Major Responsibilities - Under supervision, conduct dynamic and innovative workshops, sports and specialized recreational programs for the Recreation division. - Develop and facilitate programming to engage New Yorkers in sports, fitness and outdoor adventures. - Lead and coach youth programming, work mobile unit programs and other special events. - Instruct participants in basic fitness skills, including proper fitness equipment use, basic safety precautions and the health benefits of regular exercise. - Lead fitness classes, practice sessions and facilitate sports programs for New Yorkers of all ages. - Maintain equipment and fitness areas daily, including keeping an inventory of necessary materials and supplies. Inspect public spaces and report evidence of unsafe or hazardous conditions. - Establish program objectives, evaluate recreational programs and design cutting-edge curricula. - Supervise, develop and implement afterschool, teen and summer camp curricula that meet all Department of Health (DOH) criteria. - Promote NYC Parks Recreation Center memberships and assist in events and special projects. - Collect and submit accurate data, forms, and reports to meet internal deadlines.

Minimum Qualifications

1. 18 months of participation in an art, craft or other recreational pursuit as a teacher, performer, coach, official, contestant or demonstrator, including at least one year of experience in that art, craft or recreational pursuit to be performed on the job, as described below; or 2. Experience or study in that art, craft or recreational pursuit to be performed on the job as described below, acquired in job training, internships, volunteer service, high school, college or other appropriate institution over at least a three-year period; or "3. A satisfactory equivalent combination of education and experience as described above. However, all candidates must have at least one year of experience or education in that art, craft or recreational pursuit to be performed on the job as described below. Job assignments are limited to the following recreational specialties: woodworking, weight lifting, tennis, aquatics, soccer, fencing, golf, gymnastics, ham radio, horseback riding, hockey, figure skating, martial arts, music, nature study, art, photography, dramatics, dance-roller skating, small crafts, sewing, astronomy, auto mechanics, baton twirling, bridge, chess, modern dance, dog obedience, puppetry, boxing and storytelling."

Preferred Skills

1. Bachelor's or master's degree in physiology, recreation or a sports related field. 2. Experience recruiting, instructing and coaching sports, including girls', women's and nontraditional sports. 3. Experience with fine arts, performing arts and decorative arts. 4. Excellent communication, organizational and customer service skills. 5. Proficiency in computer software including Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint. 6. Valid New York State driver license. 7. Able to work weekends and non-traditional hours. 8. Bilingual a plus.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education's website at

Residency Requirement

Residency in New York City, Nassau, Orange, Rockland, Suffolk, Putnam or Westchester counties required for employees with over two years of city service. New York City residency is required within 90 days of hire for all other candidates.

Additional Information

The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.