Job Description

About Us

Amid a dynamic and ever-evolving urban landscape, the stewards one of the premier urban park systems in America. In 2017, San Francisco became the first city in the nation where all residents have access to a park within a 10-minute walk, a direct result of the Department’s commitment to increasing and improving parkland in the city  Learn More . Considered by San Franciscans to be one of the City’s most popular and effective public agencies, our Department currently manages more than 230 parks, playgrounds and open spaces throughout San Francisco, including two outside city limits—Sharp Park in Pacifica and Camp Mather in the High Sierras. The system includes full-complex recreation centers, swimming pools, golf courses, sports fields and numerous small-to-medium-sized clubhouses that offer a variety of sports- and arts-related recreation programs for people of all ages. Included in the Department’s responsibilities are Golden Gate Park, Coit Tower, the Marina Yacht Harbor, the San Francisco Zoo and Lake Merced.

More than 2,000 talented individuals are part of our team, from gardeners, foresters, and recreation leaders to park rangers, custodians, electricians, painters and more. Our core mission, as it has been throughout our history, is to provide opportunities for San Francisco residents and visitors alike to gather, play, learn, relax, and enjoy nature in the city.

Job Description

Come join us as we are seeking qualified individuals as Recreation Leaders who will either provide quality programming or assist with events/programs (including seasonal Day Camp programs) at our various facilities throughout the City. You will become a team member of a group of dedicated recreational professionals who seek to  INSPIRE SF residents and visitors to Get Out and Play!  

POSITION DESCRIPTION:  There are three levels of the Recreation Leader position. All levels are under the supervision of Recreation and Park Operation Staff. A description of the levels are summarized below:

Recreation Leader I : Assists with program delivery based upon interest and skills; performs facility monitoring work, etc.

Recreation Leader II : Delivers exciting recreation programs and activities in group settings. Programs may range from arts to sports to expanded learning. 

Recreation Leader III:  Responsible for the delivery of all certified recreation, leisure and sport programs and activities where we believe a certificate/advanced expertise is necessary. 

Distinguishing Feature:  The Recreation Leader I performs program assistance and facility monitoring, while Recreation Leaders II and III are responsible for direct instruction of recreation programs and activities. Recreation Leader IIIs provide program instruction which requires certification. 

Essential job duties across all levels may also include responsibility for the set up and take down of facility tables and chairs, occasional janitorial tasks, and performing other related duties as required.

There are seven (7) areas of available assignments:

• Community Services Programming - Includes Early Childhood Recreation, Out of School Time programs (Afterschool & Summer Camps), Teen programs, programming for Adults 55 and Up, Health and Wellness programming, and Therapeutic Recreation and Inclusion Services.
• Cultural Arts Programming -  Provides programming in the Visual, Performing and Digital Arts.
• Aquatics Programming -  Includes swim lessons for all ages, Water Exercise programs, and Waterfront Sports such as kayaking.
• Sports & Athletic Programming -  Includes the following activities and camps: baseball, softball, basketball, boxing, flag football, golf, soccer, tennis, track & field, volleyball, etc.
• Outdoor Recreation Programming  -Includes skateboarding, archery, rock climbing, ropes courses, and other outdoor and nature-based programming. 
• Peace Parks & Pathways  -  Provides teen-focused programming including safe-space activations, recreation and enrichment, summer camps, employment opportunities, and access to supportive resources. Programming is designed to promote belonging, wellbeing, and positive pathways for teens and transitional-aged youth across the city. 
• Supports Services -  Support Services is the business division of Recreation. Recreation Leaders may be used for office tasks and customer service.
• Permits and Reservations -  Recreation Leaders may be used to provide service and assistance for more complex facility events.

Qualifications

MINIMUM

QUALIFICATIONS

Every candidate must already possess:

• A High School Diploma/GED by the first week of June 2026 (verified by either an official/unofficial institutional transcript or diploma/certificate)

AND  have at least the specific hours of qualifying experience* for each level outlined below:

Recreation Leader I $26.2750/ hr (eff 1/3/26)
* 500 hours of qualifying recreation experience delivering instruction/programs

Recreation Leader II $26.5750/ hr (eff 1/3/26)
* 1,000 hours of direct experience delivering recreation, cultural or athletic instruction/programs.

Recreation Leader III $35.3875/ hr (eff 1/3/26)
* 1,000 hours of direct experience delivering recreation, cultural or athletic instruction/programs* AND hold a certificate in the specific area of expertise issued by a recognized professional organization (substitutions subject to approval) required by our department. Note - due to operational reasons, these are rare assignments, and must be approved by top Recreation Management

*If hired, the Department will determine your level of Recreation Leader based on our operational need, your experience/potential, and your verification of your qualifying experience. The amount of hours that you do obtain will not be the sole measure.

License and Certification: at a future point, all employees must possess a certification for First Aid/CPR.

How to Apply

NOTE: Applicants must complete the  SF Recreation & Park Recreation Leader - Experience Questionnaire found below in Step 2 in addition to  an application. Only applicants who submit both an application AND supplemental questionnaire will be considered for participation in the department's selection process.

Step 1:  Carefully read the announcement then complete your application and attach your resume.

• Be sure to include all relevant training and experience in your application. It is  essential  that you provide complete information. A resume will not substitute for a completed application. If you write "see resume" on your application, your application may be rejected.

Applicants will receive a confirmation email from  notification@careers.sf.gov that their application has been received. Applicants should retain this confirmation email for their records.  Failure to receive this email means that the online application was not submitted or received.

Step 2: Complete the SF Recreation & Park Recreation Leader - Experience Questionnaire to describe your qualifying recreation experience. The link to the questionnaire can be found  here.

• We will accept verified written experience where you either assisted, coordinated, instructed, led, or implemented activities for other people. We will also accept volunteer experience that meets the above definition. This experience does not include being a private instructor/nanny/caretaker for an individual.

Step 3: Provide written verification of your recreation experience.  Written verification can be emailed to shawnda.turner@sfgov.org . Please note that the written documentation must meet the City's written verification requirements: it must include your name, the name of agency/employer, dates and/or approximate hours of involvement (paid hours or volunteer hours) and a brief description of duties. The verification must be signed by an authorized individual with that agency/employer. We will also accept emailed verification from an official agency email address (ex: @sfgov.org or @companyname.com). We are unable to accept letters of recommendation. Please refer to the requirements listed  here . 

• You are required to verify all your education (you must possess a high school degree/equivalent GED) and your qualifying experience in a written format pursuant to the City Standards.

DESIRABLE

QUALIFICATIONS

- Ability to analyze situations, plan, organize, and research

- Ability to speak and write effectively

- Ability to follow instructions and to maintain working relations with fellow employees and the public

- Note: Each individual assignment may require different knowledge, skills, and abilities

Verification of Experience and Education

Every application is reviewed to ensure that you meet the minimum

qualifications

as listed in the job ad. Please review our articles on  Employment Application and Minimum

Qualifications

and  Verification of Experience and/or Education for considerations taken when reviewing applications.

Applicants may be required to submit verification of qualifying education and experience at any point during the recruitment and selection process. Failure to provide the required verification when requested may result in rejection of application and/or appointment in this class. 

Note:  Falsifying one’s education, training, or work experience or attempted deception on the application may result in disqualification from this and future job opportunities with the City and County of San Francisco.

SELECTION PROCEDURES:

Applications are screened on an on going basis and hiring is conducted based on the needs of the Department . The selection process will include evaluation of applications in relation to minimum requirements. Applicants meeting the minimum

qualifications

are not guaranteed advancement to the interview. Depending on the number of applicants, the Department may establish and implement additional screening mechanisms to comparatively evaluate the

qualifications

of candidates. If this becomes necessary, only those applicants whose

qualifications

most closely meet the needs of the Department will be invited for an interview.

Applicants may be contacted by email about this announcement and, therefore, it is their responsibility to ensure that their registered email address is accurate, accepts emails from sfgov.org and kept up-to-date.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Additional Information

Contact :  For questions about this position or how to apply, please contact Shawnda McBeth at shawnda.turner@sfgov.org.

Application Status - this is an on going recruitment for a TEX As Needed Civil Service appointment.  This position does not offer any health or retirement benefits due to its temporary status. This position will not result in a permanent civil service appointment. This particular announcement may be subject to temporary closure/suspension for screening and hiring purposes.  

Important things to note:

1. This position works as-needed, and is a temporary exempt, as-needed/seasonal appointment without city employee benefits.

2. Exempt employees under Charter Category 16 are considered to be “at will” and serve at the discretion of the General Manager.

3. Employees may only be scheduled to work certain quarters/semesters depending on the operational needs of the Department. 

4. Work assignments may vary depending on the needs of the Department. Some positions may require working rotating shifts, evenings, weekends, and/or holidays.

5. These as-needed/seasonal, temporary exempt seasonal appointments cannot exceed six (6) months or 1,040 hours (Note: an internal departmental threshold of 960 hours will be applied).

6. Successful candidates may NOT be guaranteed specific job placements, work site locations or fixed hours.

7. The Department may determine that some candidates must call for daily assignments based on business operational needs.

8. All As-needed/seasonal vacancies in this class will include this pool of applicants.

9. Your application will remain active for one (1) year from the date that you applied with the understanding that you can periodically update your application with key relevant information such as the possession of additional certifications, experience, etc. 

10. You may also submit

additional information

via email to shawnda.turner@sfgov.org

Appointment Type
This recruitment is for a Temporary Exempt (TEX), as-needed appointment. This position is exempt from the Civil Service examination process pursuant to the San Francisco Charter Section 10.104 and shall serve at the discretion of the Appointing Officer.

Conviction History - further information 

As a  finalist  for a job, you will be fingerprinted, and your fingerprints will be sent to the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The resulting report of your conviction history (if any) will be used to determine whether the nature of your conviction (or arrest, in limited circumstances) conflicts with the specific duties and responsibilities of the job for which you are a  finalist . If a conflict exists, you will be asked to present any evidence of rehabilitation that may mitigate the conflict, except when federal or state regulations bar employment in specific circumstances, such as:

• Candidates applying for positions with the Unified School District and the Community College District may be disqualified from consideration should their conviction history not meet the standards established under the California Education Code.
• Candidates applying for positions with the Recreation and Park Department may be disqualified from consideration should their conviction history not meet the standards established under California Public Resources Code 5164.

Having a conviction history does not automatically preclude you from a job with the City.

If you are selected as a finalist, the hiring department will contact you to schedule a fingerprinting appointment.

Additional Information

Regarding Employment with the City and County of San Francisco

Candidates for positions with the Recreation and Park Department may be disqualified from consideration should their conviction history not meet the standards established under California Public Resources Code 5164.

ver 1/31/26

The City and County of San Francisco encourages women, minorities and persons with disabilities to apply. Applicants will be considered regardless of their sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition (associated with cancer, a history of cancer, or genetic characteristics), HIV/AIDS status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, or other protected category under the law.

Job Tags

Permanent employment, Temporary work, Part time, Work experience placement, Summer work, Seasonal work, Work at office, Rotating shift, Afternoon shift

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