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Recreation Program Director Jobs (NOW HIRING)

City of Boston

Summer Program Assistant

Boston, MA · On-site

$17/hr

The Recreation Summer Program Assistant will support the Recreation Program Director, Manager and Staff Assistant(s) with summer programs, including educational activities, games and drop-in ...

City of Boston

Summer Program Assistant

Boston, MA

$17/hr

The Recreation Summer Program Assistant will support the Recreation Program Director, Manager and Staff Assistant(s) with summer programs, including educational activities, games and drop-in ...

City of Boston

Summer Program Assistant

Boston, MA · On-site

$17/hr

The Recreation Summer Program Assistant will support the Recreation Program Director, Manager and Staff Assistant(s) with summer programs, including educational activities, games and drop-in ...

The Salvation Army

Program Director

Chicago, IL

$72K/yr

JOB SUMMARY The Program Director will work with a team to provide coordination of services in the areas of recreation, education, community networking, and program marketing. This individual is ...

YMCA

Program Director

Winter Park, CO · On-site

$70K - $83K/yr

Lead year-round recreation, adventure, and guest programs in the Rockies while inspiring teams and ... The Program Director oversees the planning, development, and administration of year-round programs ...

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Recreation Program Director information

See salary details

$29.5K

$71.4K

$139K

How much do recreation program director jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 1, 2026, the average yearly pay for recreation program director in the United States is $71,372.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $47,000.00 and $91,500.00 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 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 key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Recreation Program Director, and why are they important?

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.
More about Recreation Program Director jobs
What cities are hiring for Recreation Program Director jobs? Cities with the most Recreation Program Director job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Recreation Program jobs? The most popular types of Recreation Program jobs are:
What states have the most Recreation Program Director jobs? States with the most job openings for Recreation Program Director jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Recreation Program Director jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Recreation Program Director jobs are:
Recreation Program Director jobs near you
Infographic showing various Recreation Program Director job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 71% Full Time, 5% Part Time, and 24% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $71,372 per year, or $34.3 per hour.

Recreation Program Supervisor II

City of Kinston, NC

Kinston, NC • On-site

$54K - $75K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, PTO

Posted 29 days ago

Job description

Salary: $54,059.20 - $75,129.00 Annually
Location : Kinston Community Center, Kinston, NC
Job Type: Full-Time Regular
Job Number: 01441
Department: Parks & Recreation
Division: Parks & Rec. (County)
Opening Date: 06/02/2026
Closing Date: 6/30/2026 5:00 PM Eastern
Description
Performs difficult skilled technical and basic professional work planning, developing, implementing, coordinating and supervising specialized recreational activities and/or programs, and related work as required. Work is performed under the limited supervision of the Recreation Superintendent or Director of Parks and Recreation. Full supervision is exercised over assigned program personnel.
Essential Functions
  • Plans, directs and coordinates recreation programs, classes and/or group activities.
  • Plans and coordinates community activities and special events.
  • Plans, organizes, supervises and evaluates indoor and outdoor public recreational and social activities for all ages and interest levels.
  • Registers participants for programs; receives, receipts and accounts for various program revenues.
  • Coordinates program and/or facility publicity and marketing efforts including publishing program brochures, designing posters, flyers and other publicity tools; coordinates contact with local media.
  • Assists in the development of the department budget; prepares and submits assigned program budgets; monitors expenditures.
  • Assists in the recruitment and selection of program staff; recommends candidates for hire; trains assigned staff and volunteers; recommends salary increases, disciplinary action and termination as warranted.
  • Orders and maintains an inventory of various program supplies and equipment.
  • Conducts research surveys and studies needed in considering new programs and facilities; prepares a variety of program and activity related reports.
  • Performs related tasks as required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities/Minimum Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree with coursework in recreation, physical education, or related field and moderate experience in professional recreation work, group activities and/or specialized area, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
  • Minimum 5 years' experience preferred.
  • Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of professional recreation programming work.
  • Thorough knowledge of one or more specialty areas of community recreation work.
  • Ability to schedule and coordinate a recreation program on a City-wide basis.
  • Ability to provide working leadership to a group of recreation personnel.
  • Ability to communicate effectively in both oral and written formats.
  • Skill in the use of instruments, tools and other equipment used in the assigned specialty area.
  • Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, program participants and the general public.
  • Possession of first aid and CPR certifications.
  • May require certification as a Pool Operator depending on departmental assignment.
  • Possession of an appropriate driver's license valid in the State of North Carolina.

Physical Requirements
This work requires the occasional exertion of up to 10 pounds of force; work regularly requires speaking or hearing, frequently standing, walking and using hands to finger, handle or feel and occasionally requires climbing or balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling, pushing or pulling and lifting; work requires depth perception and color perception; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels; work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data and observing general surroundings and activities; work occasionally requires exposure to outdoor weather conditions and exposure to blood-borne pathogens and may be required to wear specialized personal protective equipment; work is generally in a moderately noisy location (e.g. business office with typewriters and/or computer printers, light traffic).
All full-time regular employees are offered a comprehensive benefits package which includes, vacation, and sick leave and twelve holidays. Also available are medical, dental, vision, and life insurance. For an overview of the City of Kinston's benefits package offered please click here: .

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