Senior Recreation Specialist
City of Garden Grove, Costa Mesa, California, United States, 92626
The City of Garden Grove is now accepting online applications for the position of
SENIOR RECREATION SPECIALIST . Deadline to apply for this recruitment is
Tuesday, March 3, 2026
at 5:00 p.m. PST. Click here to apply online: Join Our Team.
Under general supervision, Senior Recreation Specialists are responsible for the more routine aspects of planning, promoting, organizing, coordinating, and leading community programs and recreation services for customers of all ages. Senior Recreation Specialists can be assigned to the Recreation Services or Human Services divisions of the Community Services Department.
HUMAN SERVICES DIVISION The Human Services Division operates the Buena Clinton Youth & Family Center, the Magnolia Park Family Resource Center, and the H. Louis Lake Senior Center which provide free to low cost programs and services to the residents of Garden Grove. Programs include activities, educational classes, counseling and support groups, volunteer opportunities, and wellness programs.
RECREATION SERVICES DIVISION The Recreation Services Division operates the Atlantis Play Center, Magnolia Park Pool, Gary Hall Pool, Woodbury Park Pool, and the Garden Grove Sports & Recreation Center, providing low cost recreation programs to the local community. Programs include seasonal recreational activities, swim lessons and aquatics programs, day camp, playground amenities and reservations, and sports.
We currently have one (1) part-time benefited opening in the Recreation Services Division. Incumbents work at the Garden Grove Sports & Recreation Center approximately 25 hours per week and assist with the City-operated youth basketball program; train and direct the work of up to 12 part-time staff; coordinate facility scheduling and usage; and provide excellent customer service to all clients and facility users.
This recruitment will establish an eligibility list that may be used to fill this vacancy and future vacancies throughout the City within the next six months. So, we encourage all those who are interested in the Senior Recreation Specialist position to apply.
DUTIES MAY INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO THE FOLLOWING: Develop, coordinate, and lead recreation and community programs; Provide direction to Recreation Specialists and Recreation Leaders; Serve as facility supervisor in absence of a Community Services Coordinator at various sites; Coordinate facility scheduling and usage; Train part-time and volunteer staff; Assist customers by answering questions (including providing information and assistance to the general public regarding Center programs and activities, resolving scheduling issues, planning facility set-up for events, and coordinating vendors); Maintain confidential records and prepare written and oral reports; Assist with and make recommendations regarding program development and administration; Monitor and inspect facilities and recreational areas for safety hazards and adherence to safety standards; Issue and maintain playground, athletic, and arts and crafts equipment and supplies, including conducting inventory and ordering replacements, as needed; Administer first aid when required; Collect and track payments for fee based programs and prepare monetary reports for reconciliation; Prepare and distribute informational, marketing, and registration materials for programs and events and collect participant data; Ensure compliance with grant-funded programs through data collection and correspondence with City staff and program partners; Work with City staff to provide support for community special events; Conduct community and staff meetings related to assigned programs; Perform other related duties as assigned.
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE: Graduation from an accredited high school or successful completion of the General Education Development (G.E.D.) and one (1) year of experience planning, organizing and leading recreational, social, educational and community programs and events is required. A Bachelor's degree in human services, psychology, social work or a related field from an accredited university is considered highly desirable.
KNOWLEDGE OF: Recreational, educational and health-related programs and activities for diverse age groups; rules and regulations governing competitive games and athletic activities; first-aid practices and techniques; basic facility management and building safety practices; gang dynamics and juvenile delinquency prevention techniques; and the operation of general office equipment including MS Office.
ABILITY TO: Relate well to individuals from diverse backgrounds, cultures, incomes, and educational levels; meet and deal tactfully and effectively with City staff, program participants, community partners, and the public; maintain confidentiality in matters of agency operations, personnel, and clients; gather and maintain adequate operating records and other documentation; understand and follow written and oral instructions; work quickly and effectively under minimal supervision; exercise sound judgement within established guidelines; communicate in a clear, concise and effective manner both verbally and in writing; and perform general office duties including operate a computer.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Incumbents in this classification speak clearly, hear normal conversation, stand, walk, sit and see small details. For some assignments, incumbents must be able to lift items weighing up to 50 lb.
WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment described here is representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Incumbents in this classification work both inside and outside, in direct contact with public and in vast temperature changes. This classification may regularly and frequently work evenings, nights, weekends and holidays.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS: Bilingual Spanish, Vietnamese, or Korean is highly desirable Willingness and ability to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed Possession and retention of a valid California Class C driver's license
HOW TO APPLY Online applications can be completed by visiting: www.ggcity.org/hr. Questions regarding this position may be sent via email to ggjobs@ggcity.org. City Hall is open Monday through Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and every other Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Online application packet must include: a completed online application; a supplemental questionnaire. Job applications must be completely filled out; a resume cannot substitute for some of the information. Be sure to include any education, training or other relevant course work that would make you a particularly strong candidate. Your application will be reviewed very carefully, and only those who appear to have the best qualifications will be invited to continue in the selection process. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee an invitation to further testing.
THE SELECTION PROCESS The selection process may consist of: Oral panel interview - tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, March 18, 2026. Candidates who may need accommodations during the selection process must contact the Human Resources Department at ggjobs@ggcity.org at least one week prior to any test dates.
APPLICANTS WILL RECEIVE COMMUNICATION THROUGH EMAIL ONLY.
Applicants should check their email and spam mail for all notices.
If there are any questions regarding this recruitment, please contact the Human Resources Department at ggjobs@ggcity.org.
NEPOTISM POLICY The City has adopted a Nepotism Policy that may affect the status of a candidate’s application. Please refer to the Garden Grove Municipal Code 2.44.440 Nepotism Policy for more information.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER The City of Garden Grove is an Equal Opportunity Employer that does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, marital status, religion, ancestry, national origin, medical condition, non-disqualifying disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identify/expression, genetic information, military/veteran status, or other protected class covered by appropriate law.
DISASTER SERVICE WORKER Per Government Code 3100, in the event of a disaster, employees of the City of Garden Grove are considered disaster service workers and may be asked to respond accordingly.
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SENIOR RECREATION SPECIALIST . Deadline to apply for this recruitment is
Tuesday, March 3, 2026
at 5:00 p.m. PST. Click here to apply online: Join Our Team.
Under general supervision, Senior Recreation Specialists are responsible for the more routine aspects of planning, promoting, organizing, coordinating, and leading community programs and recreation services for customers of all ages. Senior Recreation Specialists can be assigned to the Recreation Services or Human Services divisions of the Community Services Department.
HUMAN SERVICES DIVISION The Human Services Division operates the Buena Clinton Youth & Family Center, the Magnolia Park Family Resource Center, and the H. Louis Lake Senior Center which provide free to low cost programs and services to the residents of Garden Grove. Programs include activities, educational classes, counseling and support groups, volunteer opportunities, and wellness programs.
RECREATION SERVICES DIVISION The Recreation Services Division operates the Atlantis Play Center, Magnolia Park Pool, Gary Hall Pool, Woodbury Park Pool, and the Garden Grove Sports & Recreation Center, providing low cost recreation programs to the local community. Programs include seasonal recreational activities, swim lessons and aquatics programs, day camp, playground amenities and reservations, and sports.
We currently have one (1) part-time benefited opening in the Recreation Services Division. Incumbents work at the Garden Grove Sports & Recreation Center approximately 25 hours per week and assist with the City-operated youth basketball program; train and direct the work of up to 12 part-time staff; coordinate facility scheduling and usage; and provide excellent customer service to all clients and facility users.
This recruitment will establish an eligibility list that may be used to fill this vacancy and future vacancies throughout the City within the next six months. So, we encourage all those who are interested in the Senior Recreation Specialist position to apply.
DUTIES MAY INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO THE FOLLOWING: Develop, coordinate, and lead recreation and community programs; Provide direction to Recreation Specialists and Recreation Leaders; Serve as facility supervisor in absence of a Community Services Coordinator at various sites; Coordinate facility scheduling and usage; Train part-time and volunteer staff; Assist customers by answering questions (including providing information and assistance to the general public regarding Center programs and activities, resolving scheduling issues, planning facility set-up for events, and coordinating vendors); Maintain confidential records and prepare written and oral reports; Assist with and make recommendations regarding program development and administration; Monitor and inspect facilities and recreational areas for safety hazards and adherence to safety standards; Issue and maintain playground, athletic, and arts and crafts equipment and supplies, including conducting inventory and ordering replacements, as needed; Administer first aid when required; Collect and track payments for fee based programs and prepare monetary reports for reconciliation; Prepare and distribute informational, marketing, and registration materials for programs and events and collect participant data; Ensure compliance with grant-funded programs through data collection and correspondence with City staff and program partners; Work with City staff to provide support for community special events; Conduct community and staff meetings related to assigned programs; Perform other related duties as assigned.
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE: Graduation from an accredited high school or successful completion of the General Education Development (G.E.D.) and one (1) year of experience planning, organizing and leading recreational, social, educational and community programs and events is required. A Bachelor's degree in human services, psychology, social work or a related field from an accredited university is considered highly desirable.
KNOWLEDGE OF: Recreational, educational and health-related programs and activities for diverse age groups; rules and regulations governing competitive games and athletic activities; first-aid practices and techniques; basic facility management and building safety practices; gang dynamics and juvenile delinquency prevention techniques; and the operation of general office equipment including MS Office.
ABILITY TO: Relate well to individuals from diverse backgrounds, cultures, incomes, and educational levels; meet and deal tactfully and effectively with City staff, program participants, community partners, and the public; maintain confidentiality in matters of agency operations, personnel, and clients; gather and maintain adequate operating records and other documentation; understand and follow written and oral instructions; work quickly and effectively under minimal supervision; exercise sound judgement within established guidelines; communicate in a clear, concise and effective manner both verbally and in writing; and perform general office duties including operate a computer.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Incumbents in this classification speak clearly, hear normal conversation, stand, walk, sit and see small details. For some assignments, incumbents must be able to lift items weighing up to 50 lb.
WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment described here is representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Incumbents in this classification work both inside and outside, in direct contact with public and in vast temperature changes. This classification may regularly and frequently work evenings, nights, weekends and holidays.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS: Bilingual Spanish, Vietnamese, or Korean is highly desirable Willingness and ability to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed Possession and retention of a valid California Class C driver's license
HOW TO APPLY Online applications can be completed by visiting: www.ggcity.org/hr. Questions regarding this position may be sent via email to ggjobs@ggcity.org. City Hall is open Monday through Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and every other Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Online application packet must include: a completed online application; a supplemental questionnaire. Job applications must be completely filled out; a resume cannot substitute for some of the information. Be sure to include any education, training or other relevant course work that would make you a particularly strong candidate. Your application will be reviewed very carefully, and only those who appear to have the best qualifications will be invited to continue in the selection process. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee an invitation to further testing.
THE SELECTION PROCESS The selection process may consist of: Oral panel interview - tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, March 18, 2026. Candidates who may need accommodations during the selection process must contact the Human Resources Department at ggjobs@ggcity.org at least one week prior to any test dates.
APPLICANTS WILL RECEIVE COMMUNICATION THROUGH EMAIL ONLY.
Applicants should check their email and spam mail for all notices.
If there are any questions regarding this recruitment, please contact the Human Resources Department at ggjobs@ggcity.org.
NEPOTISM POLICY The City has adopted a Nepotism Policy that may affect the status of a candidate’s application. Please refer to the Garden Grove Municipal Code 2.44.440 Nepotism Policy for more information.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER The City of Garden Grove is an Equal Opportunity Employer that does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, marital status, religion, ancestry, national origin, medical condition, non-disqualifying disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identify/expression, genetic information, military/veteran status, or other protected class covered by appropriate law.
DISASTER SERVICE WORKER Per Government Code 3100, in the event of a disaster, employees of the City of Garden Grove are considered disaster service workers and may be asked to respond accordingly.
#J-18808-Ljbffr