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Recreation Workers plan, organize, teach, and administer a broad range of leisure activities for the general public or for individuals with specific needs. Recreational activities include arts and crafts, athletics and games, dancing, drama, music, water sports, winter sports, and other activities.

JOB DUTIES

Recreation Workers may:

Give instruction in specialties such as arts and crafts, sports, dramatics, and camping

Organize, promote and develop interest in recreational activities

Cooperate with other staff members in conducting community-wide events

Work with individuals and neighborhood groups to determine the recreational interests and needs of all ages

Cooperate with recreation and non-recreation personnel in settlement houses, hospitals, prisons, armed services, and institutions for children and the elderly

Recreation Superintendents may:

Select, train, and supervise paid staff and volunteers

Oversee the purchase, planning, design, construction, and upkeep of recreation facilities and areas

Evaluate recreation areas, facilities, and services

Study local conditions and develop present and long-range plans to meet recreational needs of all age groups

Prepare budgets, keep records, and direct the spending of department funds

Serve as an advisor to the managing authority and as recreation consultant to the community

The equipment and materials used may include:

OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTIES

Recreation Workers may specialize in these areas:

195.227-014 RECREATION LEADERS conduct recreational activities with assigned groups in public departments and in private or voluntary agencies.

195.167-026 RECREATION CENTER DIRECTORS, under the direction of Recreation Supervisors, plan, organize, and direct public and voluntary recreation programs at recreation buildings, indoor centers, playgrounds, playfields, or day camps.

187.167-238 RECREATION SUPERVISORS, also called District Directors, direct paid and volunteer recreation service personnel in public departments, voluntary agencies, or similar facilities. They work to set up well-rounded recreational programs and adapt activity programs to meet the special needs of the places where they work.

187.117-054 RECREATION SUPERINTENDENTS plan, promote, organize, and administer the public recreation service for an entire community or regions.

159.124-010 CAMP COUNSELORS lead and instruct the recreational activities and various hobbies of children or adults at vacation or summer camps. In resident camps, they make sure campers have adequate living conditions.

195.227-010 GROUP WORK PROGRAM AIDES lead informal group activities following the instructions of the Group Worker or program director of a social service agency.

Recreational Workers should not be confused with Recreational Therapists, also known as Therapeutic Recreation Specialists. These health professionals use recreational and leisure activities as a form of treatment to help individuals recover or adjust to illness, disability, or specific social problems. For additional information on this occupation see MOISCRIPT #321-ACTIVITIES THERAPIST.

In addition to learning about these specialties, you may also find it helpful to explore the following MOISCRIPTS:

WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

Depending on the job specialty, Recreation Workers may work under either close or general supervision. Some Workers direct and control the recreational activities of a group or individuals on a face-to-face basis. Recreation superintendents may be involved only in administrative functions.

Work areas vary greatly. However, they are usually pleasant. Recreation Workers may work in outdoor parks or if they have administrative duties, in air-conditioned offices. Outdoor recreational activities expose Workers to all kinds of weather conditions. Most indoor areas such as swimming pools and basketball, handball, or tennis courts, are normally comfortable and have adequate facilities.

Overall, most Workers work about 40 hours per week. However, the number of actual work hours depends on the job specialty and place of employment. Camp counselors often are responsible for children 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Recreation Workers should expect some night work and irregular hours since they often work while others are enjoying leisure time. Some recreation jobs may be seasonal or part time, such as after school or weekend recreation leader, summer camp counselor and playground leader. Some Workers might travel to meetings and give talks.

You Should Prefer:

• Working with people

• Working both outdoors and indoors

• Participating in sports and other physical activities

• Performing a variety of duties

• Doing activities which bring recognition or esteem from others

You Should Be Able to:

• Communicate ideas and relate to people

• Direct, plan, and control the activities of others

• Lead and motivate people

• Work patiently with people

• Deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions

Physically You Must Be Able To:

• Maintain good health

• Have good vision (either naturally or with correction)

• Use arms and legs fully

• Coordinate eyes, hands, and feet when joining in activities

• Reach for and handle objects

• Lift and carry objects weighing up to 25 lbs. or more

Individuals may be required to take civil service tests, pass physical examinations, or have basic first-aid certificates and be free of communicable diseases. Professional registration or certification may or may not be required for employment. Professional credentials for this field are offered by the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), the American Camping Association and the National Employees Services and Recreation Association. Some positions require talent and training or experience in a particular field, such as art, music, or athletics. In industrial recreation, or "employee services", companies prefer applicants with a bachelors' degree in recreation and a strong background in business administration.

Math Problem You Should Be Able to Solve:

The cost of a summer baseball/softball team is $600. The recreation department will cover half of the cost. What amount is to be paid by the 15 people who sign up for the team.

Reading Example You Should Be Able to Read and Comprehend:

You are to give instructions to a group of individuals on playing a game that you are not familiar with. You must be able to read and understand the directions, so the game can be explained to others.

Writing Example You Should Be Able to Produce:

You may be asked to write an article for the local newspaper discussing the details of a recent event explaining what was done and who participated.

Thinking Skill You Should Be Able to Demonstrate:

A group of children are participating in an organized even. You need to observe their various skill levels and place them in appropriate positions to play the game while respecting their feelings.

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EDUCATION AND PREPARATION OPPORTUNITIES

NOTE: On-The-Job Training provided by the employer or a High School Diploma or a Certificate (program of up to one year of study beyond high school) or an Associate Degree (two years of study beyond high school) or a Bachelor's Degree (four years of study beyond high school) or a Master's Degree (five to six years of study beyond high school) may qualify a person for this occupation.

The following education and preparation opportunities are helpful in preparing for occupations in the MOISCRIPT:

***SCHOOL SUBJECTS***

/careers/0,1607,7-170-22526_23422-64454--,00.html0 ART , 0700 CAREERS , 0900 COMMUNICATIONS , 2200 MATH , 2700 PHYSICAL EDUCATION

***VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS***

There are no Vocational Education Programs related to this MOIScript

***POSTSECONDARY PROGRAMS***

152 RECREATION & PARK MANAGEMENT

Programs in Recreation and Park Management provide opportunities to gain the knowledge and skills needed for employment in planning and administering a broad range of leisure activities. Graduates of this program may find employment as recreation leaders and supervisors in various institutional, park, or forest settings.

Courses will vary from school to school but may include:

Search for a College and/or Instructional Program

***APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES***

There are no Apprenticeships related to this MOIScript

***MILITARY TRAINING PROGRAMS***

There are no Military Training Programs related to this MOIScript  

E-Learning Courses and Programs  

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OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPERIENCE AND METHODS OF ENTRY

Students may find summer or part-time work as leaders or camp counselors in recreation departments, camps, and other organizations. Postsecondary programs in recreation and park management may offer co-op or work experience opportunities through internships. The military services offer training in related fields also.

School-to-Work opportunities include:

informal apprenticeships

mentorships

job shadowing experiences

touring a local Recreation Worker employer

internships

volunteer work with a Recreation Worker employer

community service work with an agency

Recreation Workers may find jobs by applying directly to employers, and contacting civil service offices (federal, state, county, and city). Professional journals, such as the bimonthly NRPA Bulletin, list job openings. In addition, you should access and search the Internet's on-line employment services sites such as:  

Michigan Talent Bank  

Michigan Jobs & Career Portal

Yahoo! Careers

MONSTER.COM

You should also enter an electronic resume on these on-line services.

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EARNINGS AND ADVANCEMENT

Earnings vary according to the job, employer, geographic location, individual abilities, education, and experience.

Nationally, salaries offered by employers to new graduates of Recreation Workers with a bachelor's degree averaged $27,149 per year (late 1998). Recreation professionals in the federal government earned salaries of between $20,588 (GS-5) and $49,066 (GS-11) per year, depending on experience and education (1999). The salaries of these federal government workers may be higher in some urban areas. Earnings of Recreation Workers in private clubs or industry may be $1,000 or $2,000 higher per year. College and university campus recreational directors earned median annual salaries of $40,269 per year (1997-98). Camp counselors may earn up to $1,200 or more per month.

Annual salary ranges for Recreation Workers employed by various government units in Michigan in early 1998 were:

Depending on the employer, Recreation Workers usually receive paid vacations and holidays; sick leave; life, health, and disability insurance; and a pension. Some also receive travel expenses, room and board, and laundry services.

Some Recreation Workers advance to supervisory or administrative jobs with experience.

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EMPLOYMENT AND OUTLOOK

Nationally, in 1996, the employment of Recreation Workers was about 232,900. This number does not include many summer Workers and recreation program administrators. Employment of Recreation Workers is projected to grow faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2006. Opportunities will be best for those with at least a bachelor's degree in recreation and professional credentials. Those with graduate degrees should have the best opportunities for supervisory or administrative positions. Keen competition for jobs is expected. The industry distribution for Recreation Workers looked like this:

Approximately 8,850 Recreation Workers were employed in Michigan. Local government agencies employ most Recreation Workers in Michigan. They worked for schools, institutions, summer playgrounds, community centers, and non-profit voluntary organizations. Others worked for nursing homes, senior centers, and adult day care programs. A few worked for large businesses with recreational programs for their employees and commercial recreation establishments such as health spas. Most worked in urban areas.

Employment of Recreation Workers in Michigan is expected to increase about as fast as the average for all occupations through the year 2005. An average of 220 annual job openings is expected with 50 due to growth and 170 due to replacement of those who retire, die, or leave the labor force for other reasons. Additional openings will occur as Workers transfer to other jobs and occupations.

Opportunities for employment of Recreation Workers are expected to increase because of the recognized importance of recreation, growing interest in joining organized recreational activities, increased attention to physical fitness, expanded programs to aid the emotionally disturbed and learning disabled, and increased spending on recreation for older persons. Other factors contributing to the need for recreational services are increased income levels and leisure time, longer life spans, and a trend toward early retirement.

Growth in this field depends primarily on future government spending for recreation programs. During periods of budgetary constraints, park and recreation programs are often among the first to be cut. Camping and commercial recreation programs are not as vulnerable to budget cuts and, therefore, are likely to offer the best opportunities for employment.

Continued employment growth in industry-sponsored recreation and fitness programs is also expected as more employers realize their value in holding down employee health care costs.

MICHIGAN'S EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK TO 2005

SOURCES OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION