Recreation Coordinator

Career Guide

A Recreation Coordinator plans, organizes, and runs recreational programs and events for a community, school, workplace, or facility. The role focuses on creating safe, inclusive activities that meet participant needs while coordinating staff, schedules, supplies, and budgets.

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Key Responsibilities

Plan recreational programs and seasonal activities
Coordinate events, leagues, and classes from setup to closeout
Promote programs using flyers, email, and social media
Register participants and manage waitlists and attendance
Communicate with participants, families, and community partners
Support instructor and volunteer scheduling and training
Maintain program calendars, facility reservations, and equipment inventory
Monitor safety practices and handle incident reporting
Track program costs, basic purchasing, and budget needs
Collect feedback and report program results to supervisors

Top Skills for Success

Program Planning

Event Coordination

Customer Service

Communication

Scheduling

Budget Tracking

Stakeholder Management

Safety Management

Conflict Resolution

Data Tracking

Career Progression

Can Lead To

Senior Recreation Coordinator

Recreation Supervisor

Program Manager Aquatics Coordinator

Youth Programs Coordinator

Community Events Manager

Transition Opportunities

Parks and Recreation Manager

Facilities Manager Community Engagement Specialist Wellness Program Manager Nonprofit Program Director

Common Skill Gaps

Often Missing Skills

Budget ManagementVendor ManagementMarketing StrategyGrant WritingAccessibility PlanningRisk AssessmentStaff SupervisionProgram Evaluation

Development SuggestionsBuild confidence by owning one program end to end, including a simple budget, a promotion plan, and a post-event report. Ask to lead a small team or volunteer group to strengthen supervision experience. Take short trainings in safety procedures, accessibility practices, and basic marketing.

Market Intelligence Report

Recreation Coordinator is part of the Corrections 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 LevelUS: $35,000 to $45,000

Mid LevelUS: $45,000 to $60,000

Senior LevelUS: $60,000 to $80,000

Growth Trend

Steady demand, with consistent hiring in local government, community centers, and health-focused organizations. Demand tends to rise in growing communities and in programs supporting youth, older adults, and wellness.

Companies Hiring

Major Employers

City and County Parks DepartmentsYMCABoys and Girls ClubsUniversity Recreation DepartmentsHospital Wellness ProgramsSenior Living CommunitiesCommunity CentersResort and Hotel Recreation Teams

Industry Sectors

Local GovernmentEducationNonprofitHealthcareHospitalitySenior Services

Recommended Next Steps

Create a portfolio with two program plans, an event timeline, and a results summary

Track participation, satisfaction, and cost per program to show impact

Earn relevant certifications such as CPR and First Aid

Volunteer to coordinate a community event to strengthen leadership experience

Practice outreach by building partnerships with schools and local organizations

Update your resume with measurable results such as attendance growth and budget savings