Recreation Leader - San Francisco (including Seasonal Day Camps - Arts, Sports, Community Services (Neighborhood Camps), Waterfront (3279 TEX As-Needed) - job 1 of 2

Amid a dynamic and ever-evolving urban landscape, the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department stewards one of the premier urban park systems in America.  San Francisco recently became the first city in the United States for which 100% of its residents live within a ten-minute walk of a park.  Considered by San Franciscans to be one of the City’s most popular and effective public agencies, our Department manages and maintains more than 225 parks, playgrounds, and open spaces in San Francisco, including two outside of city limits: Sharp Park in Pacifica and Camp Mather in the High Sierras. Our 4,100- acre system includes 24 recreation centers, 9 swimming pools, 5 golf courses and numerous athletic facilities, including sports courts, ball diamonds, soccer fields and gymnasiums. Included in the department’s responsibilities are Golden Gate Park, Coit Tower, the Marina Yacht Harbor, the Palace of Fine Arts, and TPC Harding Park golf course.

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.

Race and Social Equity Statement
We believe that parks and open space in San Francisco provides the opportunity to model equitable access for all.  With this belief, San Francisco became the first city in the United States for which 100% of its residents live within a ten-minute walk of a park. The Recreation and Park Department’s goal is to close the gaps and improve equity and access to quality parks and open space, and recreation activities for historically marginalized communities.  

We envision a department that proactively infuses racial and social equity in its internal operations.  With a multi-disciplinary team of talented individuals - gardeners, recreation leaders, park rangers, custodians, craft shop personnel, park and recreation managers and more, the department is committed to doing its part to provide equitable access to parks and programs for all the communities we serve to enjoy, as well as foster a work environment where our differences are celebrated, and everyone has what they need to thrive regardless of their race, age, ability, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, or country of origin.

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! 

SF Summer Day Camps run from June to August and operate on a Monday to Friday basis. Work shifts are various, between the hours of 8am and 6pm.

Love working with kids? SF Recreation and Park offers a variety of camp activities from nature and outdoor play, to art and science, field trips, swimming, sports, and more! 

SF Recreation & Park Day Camps

Typically, Recreation Leaders assist or lead Day Camps program throughout the day in various activities ranging from hiking, storytelling, traditional skits and songs, art activities and field games. We are seeking individuals who have experience in leading games, songs, and other cultural fun activities. Each Recreation Leader will mentor camp counselors and 1 to 2 youth assistants aged 14+.

NOTE – if you are hired, you will be required to attend the New Recreation Employee Orientation which covers Department procedures and policies as well as a Unit Orientation before starting work.

POSITION DESCRIPTION: The three levels are summarized below:

Under supervision of Recreation and Park Operations staff, 

Recreation Leader  I   performs program support work, light office tasks, customer service duties, set up and take down of tables and chairs and occasional janitorial tasks; and performs related duties as required.

Recreation Leader  II is responsible for delivery of recreation programs and activities. May also be responsible for the set up and take down of tables and chairs and occasional janitorial tasks; and performs related duties as required.

Recreation Leader III Certified Program Provider is responsible for the delivery of all Certified recreation, leisure and sport programs and activities in which the Recreation and Parks Department require the employee to be certified. May also be responsible for the set up and take down of tables and chairs and occasional janitorial tasks; and performs related duties as required

Distinguishing Feature: The Recreation Leader I performs program assistance and facility monitoring, while Leaders II and III are responsible for direct instruction of recreation programs and activities. Recreation Leader III provides program instruction at a certified level of skill/expertise as deemed necessary by the Department.

Essential job duties across the board- May also be responsible for the set up and take down of facility tables and chairs and occasional janitorial tasks, administrative tasks, and perform other related duties as required, etc.

There are seven (7) areas for available assignments. The following are brief descriptions of each area and examples of the types of programming provided in each one:

• Community Services camps include Early Childhood Recreation, Neighborhood Camps(including MegaCamp), and Adaptive Recreation Camps
• Cultural Arts camps include Art & Science Camps , and large outdoor camps (Pine Lake and Silver Tree)
• Aquatics camps include a junior lifeguard camp, swim lessons for all ages, and waterfront sport camp
• Sports & Athletics includes camps focusing of various sports, including extreme and alternative sports.
• Neighborhood Enrichment Services provides camps serving the city’s most vulnerable populations, including youth living in public housing, foster care, or unhoused.
• Other areas - Support Services and Permits

A High School Diploma/GED (verified by either an official/unofficial institutional transcript or diploma/certificate) by the 1st week of June 2025; AND have at least the specific hours of qualifying experience* for each level outlined below:

Recreation Leader I  $25.37 (eff 1/4/25)
* 500 hours of qualifying recreation experience delivering instruction/programs

Recreation Leader II  $25.67(eff 1/4/25)
* 1,000 hours of direct experience delivering recreation, cultural or athletic instruction/programs.

Recreation Leader III   $34.17 (eff 1/4/25)
* 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.

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.

How to apply for the Job

NOTE: Applicants must complete the  found in the Additional Information section of this job announcement in addition to Recreation Leader 2024 Supplemental Questionnaire 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 on the Smart Recruiter platform.

Applicants will receive a confirmation email from [email protected] that their online application has been received in response to every announcement for which they file. 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:  Go to this link to describe your qualifying recreation experience.

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

- 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.

- 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.

Step 3: Provide written verification of that experience. Please note that the written documentation (emails from a formal authority are accepted) must meet the City's written verification requirements - it must include your name, agency/employer, dates and/or approximate hours of involvement (a paid job or being a volunteer time counts) and if possible, a brief description of duties. The verification must be signed or authorized by an individual with that -agency/employer.  Note it cannot be a letter of recommendation. Please refer to the requirements listed here. 

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

Notes:

• Falsifying one’s education, training, or work experience or attempted deception on the application may result in disqualification for this and future job opportunities with the City and County of San Francisco.
• Applicants must meet the minimum qualification requirement by the final filing date unless otherwise noted.

Application Status - this is an ongoing recruitment for a TEX As Needed Civil Service appointment -This job does not have any City health or retirement benefits since it is temporary in nature.   This particular announcement may be subject to temporary closure/suspension for screening and hiring purposes. 

It will never result in a permanent civil service appointment - refer to the Appointment Type information at the end of this announcement.

Selection Procedures

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 is kept up to date.

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

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.

Important information

1. These positions work as-needed, and are temporary exempt, as-needed/seasonal appointments 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 [email protected].pointment 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.

Verification of Education and Experience:
Applicants may be required to submit written verification of qualifying education and experience at any point during the recruitment and selection process.

Notes:

• Falsifying one’s education, training, or work experience or attempted deception on the application may result in disqualification for this and future job opportunities with the City and County of San Francisco.
• Applicants must meet the minimum qualification requirement by the final filing date unless otherwise noted.

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

Contact: For questions about this position or how to apply, please contact Shawnda McBeth ([email protected])

Additional Information Regarding Employment with the City and County of San Francisco

• Information About the Hiring Process
• Conviction History
• Employee Benefits Overview  
• Equal Employment Opportunity 
• Disaster Service Worker
• ADA Accommodation
• Veterans Preference
• Seniority Credit in Promotional Exams [required for Combined, Promotive, Entrance (CPE) Exams only]
• Right to Work
• Copies of Application Documents
• Diversity Statement

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.

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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.