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Recreation Assistant Jobs in Riverside, RI (NOW HIRING)

Activities Assistant

Smithfield, RI

$14.50 - $17.50/hr

Activities Assistant Join our team at Greenville Center, a leading provider of senior living ... Creating and coordinating daily events, such as games, arts, and crafts, and other recreational ...

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Recreation Assistant information

See Riverside, RI salary details

$10

$16

$22

How much do recreation assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 21, 2026, the average hourly pay for recreation assistant in Riverside, RI is $16.94, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.10 and $17.93 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a recreation assistant do?

A Recreation Assistant helps plan, organize, and lead recreational activities for groups and individuals in community centers, parks, camps, or fitness facilities. Their duties often include setting up equipment, assisting with event coordination, supervising participants, and ensuring safety guidelines are followed. They may also help maintain facilities and provide customer service to participants. Recreation Assistants play a key role in creating enjoyable and engaging experiences for people of all ages.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a recreation assistant, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Recreation Assistant, you need knowledge of recreational programming, physical fitness, and safety protocols, often supported by a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with scheduling software, activity planning tools, and CPR/First Aid certification is typically required. Strong interpersonal skills, creativity, and the ability to motivate others help you engage diverse participants and foster a positive environment. These competencies ensure safe, enjoyable, and inclusive recreational experiences for all participants.

How does a recreation assistant typically collaborate with other team members to ensure successful events and activities?

As a Recreation Assistant, collaboration is a key part of the role. You will often work closely with recreation coordinators, instructors, and facility staff to plan, set up, and supervise activities and events. Regular communication is essential to coordinate logistics, share updates, and address any issues that arise during programs. Being proactive, adaptable, and a team player helps ensure that events run smoothly and participants have a positive experience.

What is the difference between Recreation Assistant vs Recreation Coordinator?

AspectRecreation AssistantRecreation Coordinator
CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; CPR/First Aid certifications often requiredSame as Recreation Assistant; additional experience may be preferred
Work EnvironmentCommunity centers, parks, recreational facilitiesSimilar settings, often overseeing programs and staff
Employer & IndustryMunicipalities, community organizations, parks departmentsMunicipalities, nonprofit organizations, recreation departments
Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding entry-level roles, responsibilities, and qualificationsLooking for roles with more responsibility and program oversight

The main difference between a Recreation Assistant and a Recreation Coordinator lies in their level of responsibility. Recreation Assistants typically support recreational programs and activities under supervision, while Recreation Coordinators oversee program planning, staff management, and larger projects. Both roles often require similar certifications and work in comparable environments, but the Coordinator position generally involves more leadership and organizational duties.

What is a recreation assistant?

A recreation assistant is a staff member who helps plan, organize, and supervise recreational activities and programs for community members or facility users. They often work in parks, community centers, or sports facilities and may require knowledge of safety procedures and customer service skills. The role typically involves assisting with event setup, engaging participants, and ensuring a positive experience for all attendees.

What skills do you need to be a recreation assistant?

A recreation assistant needs strong communication and interpersonal skills to interact effectively with the public and team members. Organizational abilities, knowledge of recreational activities, and basic first aid certification are also important for planning programs and ensuring safety. Physical stamina and flexibility are often required to assist with activities and outdoor events.

What cities near Riverside, RI are hiring for Recreation Assistant jobs?

Cities near Riverside, RI with the most Recreation Assistant job openings:

Infographic showing various Recreation Assistant job openings in Riverside, RI as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 76% Full Time, 20% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $35,233 per year, or $16.9 per hour.

Recreational Therapist, South County Academy

FAMILY SERVICE OF RHODE ISLAND INC

Exeter, RI

$26.78 - $33.30/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Life

Re-posted 22 days ago


Job description

FSRI is always looking for candidates that want to make a positive impact on the community! 

Position Summary: South County Academy is an educational and therapeutic community dedicated to helping adolescents learn, grow, heal, and thrive. At South County Academy, you will be part of a team that focuses on promoting and recognizing positive behaviors, while building self-worth. As a member of the dedicated South County Academy team, you will provide guidance, support, and supervision to adolescents aged 13-18 in a school and residential setting. Provide a trauma informed approach implementing and maintaining Trauma Systems Therapy (TST) and other evidence-based practices.  You will assist each student to make decisions about daily life and conduct within the boundaries of the agency, programs policies, and the requirements of the contractual agreement with the Department of Children, Youth and Families.  Whether in the classroom, the residential dorm, or during recreational activities, you will promote safety, well-being, self-expression, learning, and positive decision making.  
The recreational therapist plays a central role in using leisure-based activities to improve social, emotional, cognitive, and physical functioning. The recreational therapist will develop, implement, and facilitate goal-directed, purposeful activities that promote engagement and skill development. The recreational therapist will work collaboratively with team members, teachers, outside providers, families, etc.  The recreational therapist will have the ability to adapt activities to meet the needs of a diverse population with differing needs and capabilities while promoting accessibility and inclusion. The recreation therapist will have the ability to think outside the box and meet each student where they are at. 
 

Qualifications: 

  • Bachelor’s degree in recreational therapy or significant therapeutic recreation experience in a residential setting required.  
  •  Willingness and capability to work flexible hours including evenings, weekends, and holidays as scheduled. 
  •  Knowledge of and sensitivity to cultural, ethnic, racial and socioeconomic issues. 
  •  Excellent communication skills and team-oriented mindset.
  • Capabilities to implement appropriate child management techniques, which may include use of passive physical restraint.   
  • The position requires reliable transportation, valid driver’s license, proof of automobile insurance, registration, inspection and driving record.  
  •  Employees may be scheduled to work shifts less than three hours in any workday, to attend required staff meetings, which are agreed to in advance by the parties.Bilingual/ASL skills are compensated by an additional 6%, above base pay.
  • Multilingual skills are compensated by an additional 8%, above base pay.

Physical Requirements: This position requires community visits, employees in this position must have the ability to: 

•    Travel to and from community locations, FSRI main sites, and the school/residential location which could include using walkways, stairs and/or elevators
•    Ability to lift up to 20 lbs.
•    Ability to push or pull 10 lbs. or more
•    Ability to perform restraint techniques if needed and work with physically aggressive students.

Don’t meet every single requirement?  Here at FSRI, we’re dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. If you’re excited about one of our career opportunities, but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification, we encourage you to apply anyways. You may be the perfect fit for this or another opportunity! 


We offer our employees a comprehensive benefits package that includes health, dental and work life benefits.
Only together can we continue to grow and make a difference in our communities.
Join our FAMILY today!


Family Service of RI (FSRI) is a statewide organization with a 130 year track record of improving the health and well-being of children and families. We are passionate about our mission to advance opportunity and hope. FSRI’s diverse and inclusive teams – working across the Health, Healing, Home and Hope divisions, are experts in their fields, delivering strategies to positively impact lives. We provide services statewide, and currently operate in three locations in Providence; and four locations in East Providence, Smithfield and North Smithfield. 


Family Service of Rhode Island provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws.


FSRI determines pay based on a candidate's relevant and transferable experience, certifications, licenses, degree and language ability.