Job Descriptions from Job/Career Fairs
· This list of jobs is not the ultimate job list for roles in parks and recreation.
· There are hundreds of different jobs available in the parks and recreation area, with different job descriptions for each.
· Each job and its description can vary from park to park, city to city, state to state, etc.
· Some roles can and will be combinations of a variety of roles.
· Some roles might not exist in one city or town but play a huge part in another.
· Some roles only exist in the non-profit world, while others can exist only in the for-profit world, and yet, some will exist no matter what type of entity you’re working for.
· For more information about parks and recreation jobs or salaries available, please visit https://www.nrpa.org/careers-education/careers/.
Sports Turf Manager - Oversees the use of sports fields and artificial and natural grass. At high levels, games will not happen without proper care of facilities.
Recreation Programmer - Builds programs for youth, adults, and seniors. Engages in activities promoting engagement in the community, creating exciting experiences.
Park Planner - Research, develop, and implement plans for parks, park facilities, public lands, playgrounds, athletic fields, recreation centers, shelter houses, bikeways, nature trails, art installations, storm water infrastructure, and specialized facilities.
Marketing & Digital Content Specialist - This role involves managing and creating engaging content for digital platforms, including the official website and various social media accounts, as well as print and copy.
Arborist - This role conducts tree assessments, makes recommendations, coordinates tree service requests, supervises contractors, responds to emergency and storm-related events, and monitors pest and disease issues.
Park Ranger - Positions in this job family are assigned responsibilities involving patrolling park/resort grounds and property and the enforcement of laws, rules, and regulations within the assigned area of responsibility. This includes ensuring the safety and welfare of park/resort visitors and assigned staff.
Park Maintenance Worker - This role maintains the appearance, health, and safety of landscapes and features in public parks. They maintain jogging and biking paths, hiking trails, athletic fields, playgrounds, picnic tables, benches, lawns, flower beds, and gardens.
Sports Programming - Develops, organizes, and implements high-quality youth sports programs.
Aquatics Manager - Planning and implementing recreational activities, events, and classes for all water features. Additionally, the position is responsible for pool maintenance related to water clarity and chemical balancing, backwashing, and monitoring pool safety.
Recreation Director - Responsibilities not only include program development but also the seamless coordination of parks and recreation facilities. They guide the strategic planning for short- and long-term recreational goals, ensuring the facilities and offerings evolve to meet the community's needs.
Park Director - This job oversees the operations and management of a park or recreational area. This role involves coordinating activities, ensuring visitor satisfaction, managing staff, and maintaining the park's facilities and natural resources.
Special Event Manager - This role is responsible for planning, organizing, and executing events like corporate functions, weddings, and festivals, ensuring smooth operations, coordination with vendors, and a memorable experience for attendees.
Life Guard - This role is responsible for ensuring the safety of park visitors by monitoring designated swimming areas, responding to emergencies, and enforcing water safety rules. They play a crucial role in preventing accidents and assisting individuals in distress in aquatic environments within the park.
Community Service Coordinator - This person is responsible for organizing and overseeing community service programs and initiatives. They collaborate with local organizations, recruit volunteers, and coordinate service projects to address specific needs within the community, fostering a sense of social responsibility and community engagement.
Senior Center Manager - This role is responsible for the overall administration and coordination of services and activities at a senior center. They ensure the well-being and engagement of older adults by overseeing programs, managing staff, and creating a supportive and enriching environment that caters to the unique needs of seniors.
Naturalist - This person is an expert in studying and interpreting natural history, ecology, and the environment, often working in parks, nature reserves, or environmental education centers to promote conservation awareness.
Trail Crew - These people in parks maintain and enhance hiking trails, ensuring safe experiences for visitors. They also participate in environmental conservation, erosion control, and habitat restoration.
Lake Manager - This role oversees the maintenance and operation of a lake or aquatic facility, ensuring water quality, safety protocols, recreational activities, and ecological balance.
Event Rep - This person organizes and promotes events while ensuring compliance with regulations and providing excellent customer service.
Event Coordinator - This role plans and coordinates events, selects venues, adheres to a budget, arranges vendors, and ensures client satisfaction.
Park Patrol - This position is responsible for the day-to-day security of specific parks in a region or bundle area.
Community Relations Specialist - Participate in community events, fundraisers, and volunteer activities to promote the organization's mission and values and act as a point of contact for community members.
Community Relations Director - This role is responsible for directing River Parks Authority’s public relations and promotions activities and for planning and implementing fund-raising efforts to promote public awareness and interest in the River Parks, generate income, and secure funding for River Parks’ events.
Executive Director - The role involves managing recreation programs, staff management, budget management, and coordination with other departments and the public while providing administrative support to the City Manager. For the River Parks Authority, this person oversees the development, operation, and management of public and quasi-public parks and recreation facilities along the Arkansas River in Tulsa County.
Accountant - The individual performs limited-scope professional accounting work, including auditing financial transactions, budget administration, and fiscal operations, analyzing, maintaining, reconciling, and verifying complex financial records.
Manager of Administration - This person is responsible for financial planning and management and various operations management support for the River Parks Authority.
Office Manager - This role is responsible for providing administrative support to River Parks’ personnel and ensuring the office operates efficiently and smoothly daily.
Project Manager - To plan, coordinate, design, direct, evaluate, and manage projects for the development and modification of River Parks, Turkey Mountain, and recreational facilities(including buildings) and to perform related work as required.
Executive Assistant - This role, under the Park Director's supervision, performs complex administrative duties, acts as a liaison, and independently handles various high-level administrative support assignments.
Contract Labor - This position is where a worker is hired to complete a specific job over a predetermined period and for a set amount of money. Businesses can use contractors for a variety of purposes.
Park Superintendent - This role is responsible for planning and managing the physical maintenance of River Parks’ grounds, buildings, facilities, and equipment to ensure the safety of park users and the cost-effective operation of the parklands and facilities operated by the River Parks Authority. Assists engineers and designers in the redevelopment of the River Parks system.
Programming Manager - They develop, maintain, and enhance programs and/or events and provide guidance and direction to staff. They are responsible for creating, tracking, and monitoring the location's budget.
Park Lawyer - This person advises and counsels on environmental and conservation law, regulatory matters, tort claims, and real estate, collaborating with conservation professionals and law enforcement.
Education Specialist - The role involves developing and executing various outdoor recreation and educational programs, including kayaking, fishing, camping, archery, fieldtrips, summer camps, preschools, homeschools, scout programs, and garden maintenance.
Volunteers - They are the backbone of all parks and recreation departments. They support habitat restoration, nursery activities, gardening, landscape maintenance, and trail maintenance projects by performing related tasks using tools, including planting, weed removal, composting, pruning, clearing trails, repairing fences, etc.
Historian - They research, analyze, and develop historical reports, advising cultural resource management and collaborating with parks and recreation service employees to preserve and protect valuable cultural resources.