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Recreation Program Director Jobs in Berkeley, CA

Recreation Leader

Pinole, CA · On-site

$16.90/hr

Join the City of Pinole as a Recreation Leader ! Help create memorable experiences for children ... programs; directing summer camps for children, youth and teens, and Senior Center for Seniors ...

Join the City of Pinole as a Recreation Leader. Help create memorable experiences for children ... programs; directing summer camps for children, youth and teens, and Senior Center for Seniors ...

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Recreation Program Director information

See Berkeley, CA salary details

$36.1K

$87.4K

$170.2K

How much do recreation program director jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 26, 2026, the average yearly pay for recreation program director in Berkeley, CA is $87,391.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $57,500.00 and $112,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a recreation program director do?

A Recreation Program Director is responsible for planning, organizing, and overseeing recreational programs and activities for community centers, parks, schools, or other organizations. They manage staff, create schedules, budget for resources, and ensure that programs meet the needs and interests of participants. Additionally, they may collaborate with local agencies, promote events, and evaluate program effectiveness to enhance community engagement and well-being.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a recreation program director?

To thrive as a Recreation Program Director, you need expertise in program planning, budgeting, and a background in recreation management or a related field, often supported by a bachelor’s degree. Familiarity with scheduling software, facility management systems, and, in some cases, CPR/First Aid certification is typically required. Strong leadership, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills help you work effectively with staff, participants, and community partners. These abilities are vital for creating engaging programs, ensuring safety, and meeting the diverse needs of the community.

What are some common challenges faced by recreation program directors when managing multiple programs simultaneously?

Recreation Program Directors often juggle several programs at once, which requires strong organizational and time-management skills. Common challenges include balancing limited resources, ensuring programs meet community needs, and adapting to last-minute changes such as staff shortages or facility issues. Directors must also coordinate with various stakeholders, including instructors, vendors, and community members, to keep programs running smoothly. Effective communication and flexibility are key to overcoming these challenges.

What is the difference between Recreation Program Director vs Recreation Coordinator?

AspectRecreation Program DirectorRecreation Coordinator
CredentialsTypically requires a bachelor's degree in recreation, leisure studies, or related field; certifications like CPR, First AidOften requires a high school diploma or associate degree; certifications like CPR, First Aid
Work EnvironmentLeads multiple programs, manages staff, oversees budgets in community centers, parks, or recreation departmentsAssists with program implementation, interacts directly with participants, supports program staff
ResponsibilitiesDevelops and manages recreation programs, supervises staff, plans budgets, evaluates program successCoordinates activities, assists with event setup, provides customer service, supports program delivery

The Recreation Program Director and Recreation Coordinator roles share some credentials and work environments, but the director typically has broader responsibilities, manages staff, and oversees multiple programs, while the coordinator focuses on supporting specific activities and participant engagement.

What are the most commonly searched types of Recreation Program jobs in Berkeley, CA?

The most popular types of Recreation Program jobs in Berkeley, CA are:

What are popular job titles related to Recreation Program Director jobs in Berkeley, CA?

For Recreation Program Director jobs in Berkeley, CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Recreation Program Director jobs in Berkeley, CA look for?

The top searched job categories for Recreation Program Director jobs in Berkeley, CA are:

What cities near Berkeley, CA are hiring for Recreation Program Director jobs?

Cities near Berkeley, CA with the most Recreation Program Director job openings:

Infographic showing various Recreation Program Director job openings in Berkeley, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 74% Full Time, 21% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $87,391 per year, or $42 per hour.

Recreation Program Specialist (Part-Time)

City of Richmond (CA)

Richmond, CA • On-site

$25.09 - $30.49/hr

Full-time, Part-time

Re-posted yesterday


Job description

Introduction Part-Time/Hourly Seasonal Opportunity Are you interested in engaging with communities and empowering residents. If so, we invite you to apply for the position of Recreation Program Specialist with the Community Services-Recreation Department of the City of Richmond. This part-time position offers exciting opportunities to lead and teach recreation and sports activities.

You can specialize in areas such as modern dance, puppetry, or tennis. Alternatively, you can become an integral part of a unique initiative that provides essential tool-lending services to residents and groups. As a Recreation Program Specialist with the Richmond Tool Library and Mobile Tool Library, your responsibilities will include staffing both libraries, operating the Mobile Tool Library vehicle, maintaining an updated online tool catalog, creating and distributing marketing materials, and engaging with the community.

The position includes weekend and evening shifts. If you are passionate about making a meaningful impact and supporting our mission of providing valuable resources to the community, we encourage you to apply today. Hourly salary for this classification is as high as $30.49

Additionally, City-paid benefits include sick leave in accordance with state law. Position Description and Duties Under supervision, leads and teaches recreation and sports activities in a specialized area (e.g., drama, modern dance, folk dance, social dance, puppetry, major sports, tennis, archery, and special interest groups); and does related work as required. Class Characteristics The Recreation Program Specialist is distinguished from the Recreation Program Leader in its responsibility for planning, organizing, scheduling, and giving direct leadership to classes in a specialized phase of the recreation program

This classification is further distinguished from Recreation Program Leader as the latter is responsible for a broader range of recreation activities and services. The City of Richmond is the City of Pride and Purpose, and we value those traits in our employees. The intent of this job specification is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by employees in this job.

Employees perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description. Assists in planning, organizing, scheduling and gives direct leadership to classes in a specialized phase of the recreation program, such as athletics, aquatics, drama, puppetry and storytelling, music, dance, senior citizen's programs and the like. Assists general recreation staff in the conduct of the activities comprising the specialty.

Develops and maintains necessary specialized facilities and materials. Coordinates the specialized activity program with other recreation programs. Maintains group and individual discipline.

Plans a logical sequence of activities to fit the abilities and interest of the participants. Keeps records of attendance and participation; promotes participation. Please click here to view the complete job description Minimum Qualifications Required Education and Experience Any combination of training and experience equivalent to completion of two (2) years of college with specialized training in a particular field of recreation activity One (1) year of experience as an instructor or leader in the recreation specialty to which assigned Required Licenses or Certifications Current First Aid and CPR for Public Safety Personnel in accordance with Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations by date of hire.

COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement: The City's policy is that all persons hired on or after October 18, 2021, must be fully vaccinated, including the booster, for COVID-19. New employees will be required to provide proof of complete vaccination or have an approved medical or religious accommodation before employment may commence. If you have any questions regarding this policy, please contact Human Resources.

Required KSAs for Successful Performance of Job Duties Knowledge of: Basic principles and purposes of recreational activity Methods, equipment, and terminology in the particular recreation specialty Ability to: Develop interest and encourage participants Establish and maintain effective relationships with participants Establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees Additional Information Application and Selection Process To Apply: Interested individuals must apply online by fully completing the City of Richmond Employment Application, including answers to supplemental questions. Incomplete applications or those lacking in sufficiently detailed information will be rejected. Resumes or prior applications will not be accepted in lieu of a thoroughly completed application.

All communication regarding this recruitment will be via email. Each applicant must apply with a monitored email address. Qualifying Phase: All completed applications will be evaluated based on job-related qualifications criteria, which could include desirable qualifications and the specific needs of the hiring department(s).

Candidates may be screened for better qualified. Selection Process: The applications of those candidates who meet the minimum qualifications will be submitted to the Community Services Department hiring manager for further consideration. The better-qualified candidates may be invited to continue in the selection process, which will include an interview.

Applications will remain on file for six (6) months. Background Check and Tuberculosis Testing: Candidates will be required to complete a background check and Tuberculosis testing as a condition of employment. About the City of Richmond The City of Richmond lies on the eastern shore of San Francisco Bay, five miles north of Berkeley and seven miles northeast across the Bay from downtown San Francisco.

A hub of multimodal transportation, many of our residents and businesses are located in Richmond because of its central location and easy access to the Amtrak/Capitol Corridor, BART, AC Transit, the ferry, and two freeways (I-80 & I-580). Residents, visitors, and employees enjoy Richmond's numerous recreational opportunities, which include 32 miles of shoreline and over 3,000 acres of shoreline parks, more segments of the Bay Trail completed than any other city, several recreational boat harbors and yacht clubs, and thousands of acres of contiguous inland regional parks and open space. The City has substantial economic resources, but is still affordable compared to other Bay Area cities.

Our community is welcoming, diverse, and actively engaged. Richmond is truly the City of Pride and Purpose. Immigration Reform Control Act In compliance with the Immigration Reform Control Act of 1986, individuals offered employment by the City of Richmond will be required to show documentation of eligibility to work in the United States as a condition of employment.

Non-Discrimination Policy The City of Richmond is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and prohibits discrimination against any applicant on the basis of race, religion, citizenship, color, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability or medical condition, genetic information, marital status, reproductive health decision-making, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age (40 and over), sexual orientation, or military or veteran status or any other basis protected by law. Disaster Service Workers California Government Code Title I, Sections 3100 - 3109, declares all public employees to be Disaster Service Workers subject to such disaster service activities as may be assigned to them by their superiors or by law. More information can be found here.

EEO/ADA/DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE WEBSITE: www.ci.richmond.ca.us Analyst: N. Williams 01/2026