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.

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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.

Market Intelligence Report

Parks and Recreation Program Assistant is part of the Recreation & Leisure category.Explore our market intelligence report to see how AI and hiring demand are shifting for these roles.

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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

Earn First Aid certification

Earn CPR certification

Build a simple program checklist you can reuse for set up and staffing

Track key metrics such as attendance and satisfaction ratings for one program cycle

Create a small portfolio of flyers, schedules, and post-event summaries

Ask to co-lead a single event element such as check-in, volunteer coordination, or equipment management

Learn the department registration system and practice running basic reports