Recreation Program Coordinator

Career Guide

A Recreation Program Coordinator plans, promotes, and delivers community or organizational programs such as sports leagues, fitness classes, youth activities, senior programs, and special events. The role focuses on creating safe, engaging experiences while managing schedules, vendors, budgets, and participant needs.

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Key Responsibilities

Plan seasonal recreation programs and special events
Build program schedules, calendars, and staffing plans
Coordinate facility reservations and equipment needs
Register participants and manage waitlists
Communicate program details to participants and the public
Support instructors, coaches, and volunteers
Monitor program quality and participant satisfaction
Track spending, invoices, and basic budget performance
Ensure safety practices and incident reporting
Partner with schools, community groups, and local vendors
Promote programs through flyers, email, and social media
Collect feedback and improve future programming

Top Skills for Success

Program Planning

Event Coordination

Customer Service

Communication

Scheduling

Budget Tracking

Vendor Management

Community Outreach

Volunteer Coordination

Conflict Resolution

Safety Awareness

Data Entry

Career Progression

Can Lead To

Recreation Supervisor

Recreation Manager

Community Services Manager

Parks and Recreation Director

Event Manager

Youth Services Coordinator

Wellness Program Manager

Transition Opportunities

Facility Manager

Membership Manager

Nonprofit Program Manager

School Activities Director

Corporate Wellness Coordinator

Sports League Manager

Common Skill Gaps

Often Missing Skills

Budget BuildingProgram EvaluationGrant WritingMarketing PlanningRisk ManagementContract ReviewStaff Training

Development SuggestionsBuild a simple program budget template, track attendance and satisfaction each season, and create a repeatable promotion plan. Seek supervised exposure to contracts, incident reporting, and partner agreements. Volunteer to lead one program from planning through post program review to demonstrate end to end ownership.

Market Intelligence Report

Recreation Program Coordinator 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 LevelUSD 38,000 to 48,000

Mid LevelUSD 48,000 to 62,000

Senior LevelUSD 62,000 to 80,000

Growth Trend

Steady demand. Hiring is strongest in cities, parks departments, schools, nonprofit community centers, and health and wellness providers. Pay varies widely by region, budget size, and program scope.

Companies Hiring

Major Employers

City and County Parks and Recreation DepartmentsYMCABoys and Girls ClubsCommunity CentersPublic School DistrictsUniversities and CollegesSenior Living CommunitiesHealth Clubs and Fitness CentersResort and Hospitality GroupsNonprofit Service Organizations

Industry Sectors

Local GovernmentNonprofitEducationHealth and WellnessHospitalitySenior Services

Recommended Next Steps

Create a portfolio with two program plans, including goals, schedule, staffing, and budget

Earn CPR Certification and First Aid Certification if not already required by your employer

Learn a registration platform used in recreation programs and practice building a class roster

Set up a basic tracking sheet for attendance, revenue, and participant feedback

Ask to co lead a seasonal program to gain experience with vendors and instructors

Build relationships with local schools and community groups to expand partnerships

Update your resume with measurable outcomes such as enrollment growth and cost savings