Parks and Recreation Program Assistant

Career Guide
A Parks and Recreation Program Assistant supports the planning and delivery of community programs such as sports leagues, fitness classes, youth activities, camps, and special events. The role is hands-on and people-focused, combining customer service, logistics, and administrative support to help programs run safely, smoothly, and on schedule.

Key Responsibilities

  • Assist with program planning, scheduling, and day-of execution
  • Support participant registration and respond to customer questions
  • Prepare program materials such as rosters, waivers, and supply lists
  • Set up and break down spaces, equipment, and signage
  • Coordinate with instructors, volunteers, and vendors
  • Support budget tracking through receipts, purchase requests, and basic reporting
  • Help promote programs through flyers, calendars, and social posts
  • Monitor attendance and collect participant feedback
  • Follow safety procedures and report incidents when needed
  • Provide on-site support at events and handle basic problem solving in real time

Top Skills for Success

Customer Service
Communication
Organization
Time Management
Problem Solving
Teamwork
Program Coordination
Event Support
Registration Systems
Budget Tracking
Safety Awareness
Inclusive Programming

Career Progression

Can Lead To
Recreation Program Coordinator
Recreation Specialist
Aquatics Coordinator
Youth Program Coordinator
Event Coordinator
Transition Opportunities
Community Outreach Coordinator
Office Administrator
Volunteer Coordinator
Facilities Scheduler
Nonprofit Program Assistant

Common Skill Gaps

Often Missing Skills
First AidCPRRisk ManagementConflict ResolutionData Entry AccuracyBasic ReportingVendor Coordination
Development SuggestionsComplete First Aid and CPR training, ask to shadow event leads during set up and closeout, practice writing short post-event summaries, and request ownership of a small program task such as managing rosters or coordinating supplies to build confidence and repeatable routines.

Salary & Demand

Median Salary Range
Entry Level$32,000 to $40,000
Mid Level$40,000 to $52,000
Senior Level$52,000 to $65,000
Growth Trend
Stable demand, with seasonal hiring spikes. Hiring increases with community growth, expansion of youth programming, and demand for wellness and inclusive recreation offerings.

Companies Hiring

Major Employers
City Parks and Recreation DepartmentsCounty Parks and Recreation DepartmentsPark DistrictsSchool District Community Education ProgramsYMCA AssociationsBoys and Girls ClubsCommunity CentersMunicipal Recreation Facilities
Industry Sectors
Local GovernmentEducationNonprofitCommunity ServicesSports and FitnessOutdoor Recreation

Recommended Next Steps

1
Earn First Aid certification
2
Earn CPR certification
3
Build a simple program checklist you can reuse for set up and staffing
4
Track key metrics such as attendance and satisfaction ratings for one program cycle
5
Create a small portfolio of flyers, schedules, and post-event summaries
6
Ask to co-lead a single event element such as check-in, volunteer coordination, or equipment management
7
Learn the department registration system and practice running basic reports