Recreation Program Specialist

Salary: $74,627.28 - $90,679.68 Annually
Location : San Jose
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 202501350
DEPART: Parks, Recreation & Neighborhood Services
Opening Date: 11/17/2025
Closing Date: 12/8/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

Our diverse and inclusive workforce of more than 7,000 employees play a key role in the success of San José, the heart of the Silicon Valley. All City of San José employees work together as one team to make San José a vibrant, innovative, and desirable place to live and work. Visit to learn more about our One Team Leadership Values and Expectations, including quality and excellent customer service and here to learn more about San José.

The City of San José is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants for all job openings will be considered without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status or any other consideration made unlawful under any federal, state or local laws. The City of San José is committed to offering reasonable accommodations to job applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please contact us at 408-535-1285, 711 (TTY), or via email at CityCareers@sanjoseca.gov.
About the Department
Are you ready to join the team that is "Building Community Through Fun?" Are you ready to make a difference?

The City of San José's Department of Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services (PRNS) is looking for people who want to make San José a better place to live and visit. Our mission is to connect people through parks, recreation, and neighborhood services for an active San José. ActivateSJ, PRNS's strategic plan, envisions healthy communities that inspire belonging by following the guiding principles of stewardship, nature, equity & access, identity, and public life.

The Department creates and activates thriving public places, including over 40 community centers, 10 regional parks, over 200 neighborhood parks, Happy Hollow Park & Zoo, and over 65 miles of trail. We also offer diverse programming for all ages and abilities. We take a fun approach to public service, and value the public's trust. Our team is collaborative, supportive, and innovative. We are a fast-paced organization that takes decisive action after thoughtful planning.

For more information, please visit

Family Camp at Yosemite located in the Sierras, about 10miles west of Yosemite National Park. It is a self-contained summer recreational facility run by the City of San José. The camp serves 250 to 300 campers per day. The program is geared for families by providing lodging, meal service, recreational activities and retail operations.

For more information, visit our website at .

Position Duties
The salary range for this classification is $74,627.28 - $90,679.68 annually.

This salary range includes an approximate five percent (5%) ongoing non-pensionable compensation. Actual salary shall be determined by the final candidates' qualifications and experience.

This is a temporary (Overstrength) position that is anticipated to be funded through June 30, 2026, subject to further extension as appropriate. If this position is not extended through the budget process, the City may seek to place you in other internal job opportunities based on your previous work experience.

The Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services Department is currently seeking to fill one (1) full-time Recreation Program Specialist vacancy in the Parks Division at Family Camp at Yosemite.

PRNS is currently recruiting a Recreation Program Specialist (RPS) position for Family Camp at Yosemite (FCY) in Groveland, California. The Recreation Program Specialist is responsible for developing a variety of recreation activities for guests that visit FCY and leads our Outdoor Equity Grant Program. The position requires recreation programming experience and supervision of a team of camp leaders responsible for delivering programs and activities. Other duties will include community programming in San Jose, nature programming at local parks. The successful candidate will excel at customer service, staff leadership/development, cashiering, data collection/analysis, marketing and recruitment.

NOTE: This position requires the Recreation Program Specialist to report onsite to the Family Camp Yosemite facility in Groveland, California for six months out of the year (May-October). On site living facilities are available during the peak season inclusive of meals at no expense to the incumbent.

Specific duties may include, but are not limited to:

• Planning, coordinating, conducting and evaluating the Family Camp Experience program serving San José's underserved residents in the Poco Way and Washington neighborhoods.
• Recruiting, supervising and training part-time staff support for the Outdoor Equity Grant funded program.
• Preparing instructional material and securing supplies and vendors for all program related trips and activities.
• Collaborating with residents, community groups, and internal and external agencies to identify and determine the needs of the participants being served and support with execution of the program, including partners named in the grant application.
• Planning, monitoring and maintaining records for grant related expenses including tracking staff hours for reimbursement.
• Providing information and referring the community to the opportunity to connect with nature through this program, including developing and disseminating publicity though all forms of media.
• Following the grant administration guidelines outlined by the California State Parks Department's Office of Grants and Local Services.
• Recruits, supervises, trains and evaluates camp staff.
• Seeks ways to improve the quality of the guest experience through increasing staff training, emphasizing park cleanliness, and developing programs and experiences that add value to FCY.
• Closely monitors campground safety to identify hazards and take immediate corrective action.
• Prepares and reviews various records and reports including schedules, guest comments, and incident/accident reports.
• Handles the fiscal reconciliation of bank deposits between the City of San Jose and Family Camp business operations.
• Mediates and resolves guest concerns and/or complaints.
• Works closely with administrative staff to ensure FCY's standards and policies are upheld.

Minimum Qualifications
Education and Experience

A Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university in Recreation and Leisure Services or closely related field AND one (1) year (equivalent to 2080 hours) of full-time recreation leadership or programming experience.

Acceptable Substitution

Additional years of increasingly responsible recreation leadership or programming experience may be substituted for the education requirement on a year-for-year basis for up to two (2) years. There will be no substitute for required one (1) year (equivalent to 2080 hours) of full-time recreation leadership or programming experience.

Required Licensing (such as driver's license, certifications, etc.)

• A valid First Aid certificate is required and must be maintained. Must provide proof of a valid certificate or will need to obtain a certificate within one (1) year of hire.
• A valid CPR certificate is required and must be maintained. Must provide proof of a valid certificate or will need to obtain a certificate within six (6) months of hire.

The following is a general statement for the classification. Individual positions may have additional or different physical/environmental elements.

Possess ability to:

• Move between/within work areas, including but not limited to sitting, walking, and standing on various surfaces, turning, bending, grasping, and making repetitive hand movements
• Lift, carry, push, and pull tools, equipment, and supplies weighing on average 25 pounds, or heavier weights, in all cases with the use of proper equipment
• Communicate in person and over the telephone
• Maintain professional demeanor during interactions with staff, customers, and the public.

When assigned to an office environment, possess ability to:

• Operate, access, enter, and retrieve data using standard office equipment, including but not limited to a computer or tablet
• Read printed materials and a computer screen
• Be exposed to moderate noise levels and controlled temperature conditions.

When assigned to program activities, possess ability to:

• Work in an outdoor environment with unpredictable working conditions including but not limited to exposure to loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, and odors.

Other Qualifications
Competencies

The ideal candidate will possess the following competencies, as demonstrated in past and current employment history.

Job Expertise - Demonstrates knowledge of and experience with applicable professional/technical principles and practices, Citywide and departmental procedures/policies and federal and state rules and regulations

Communication Skills - Effectively conveys information and expresses thoughts and facts clearly, orally and in writing; demonstrates effective use of listening skills and displays openness to other people's ideas and thoughts.

Computer Skills - Experienced with common business computer applications including but not limited to: MS Outlook, MS Word, MS PowerPoint, MS Access, and MS Excel.

Teamwork & Interpersonal Skills - Develops effective relationships with co-workers and supervisors by helping others accomplish tasks and using collaboration and conflict resolution skills.

Fiscal Management - Understands the relationship of the budget and resources to the strategic plan; complies with administrative controls over funds, contracts, and procurements.

Planning - Acts to align own unit's goals with the strategic direction of the organization; Defines tasks and milestones to achieve objectives, while ensuring the optimal use of resources to meet those objectives.

Reliability - Completes quality work assignments in a timely and efficient manner; fulfills responsibilities and maintains confidentiality as appropriate.

Supervision - Sets effective long and short-term goals based on a good understanding of management practices; establishes realistic priorities within available resources; provides motivational support; empowers others; assigns decision-making and work functions to others in an appropriate manner to maximize organizational and individual effectiveness.

Selection Process:

The selection process will consist of an evaluation of the applicant's training and experience based on the application and responses to all the job specific questions. You must answer all questions to be considered, or your application may be deemed incomplete and withheld from further consideration. Applicants are expected to write their own essays/responses. Please be advised that use of AI content in your responses may result in your removal from the hiring process. Only those candidates whose backgrounds best match the position will be invited to proceed in the selection process. Additional phases of the selection process will consist of one or more interviews, one of which may include a practical/writing exercise.

If you have questions about the duties of these positions, the selection or hiring processes, please contact Jaine Davies at
Additional Information:

Employment Eligibility: Federal law requires all employees to provide verification of their eligibility to work in this country. Please be informed that the City of San Jose will NOT sponsor, represent or sign any documents related to visa applications/transfers for H1-B or any other type of visa which requires an employer application.

You must answer all job-specific questions to be considered for this vacancy or your application will be deemed incomplete and withheld from further consideration. Applicants are expected to write their own essays/responses.

Please note that applications are currently not accepted through CalOpps or any other third party job board application system.

This recruitment may be used to fill multiple positions in this, or other divisions or departments. If you are interested in employment in this classification, you should apply to ensure you are considered for additional opportunities that may utilize the applicants from this recruitment.

Please allow adequate time to complete the application and submit before the deadline or the system may not save your application. If your online application was successfully submitted, you will receive an automatic confirmation email to the email address you provided. IF YOU DO NOT RECEIVE THE CONFIRMATION, please email and we will research the status of your application.

AI and the Hiring Process

We recognize that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming part of daily life and can be a valuable tool for learning, research, and professional growth. We encourage candidates to use AI responsibly as a support in preparing application materials, live assessments, and interviews. However, we value authenticity, accuracy and truthfulness. Application responses and interview answers must reflect your own knowledge, skills, and experiences. While AI can supplement preparation, it cannot replace the originality and judgment we look for in our employees. This ensures fairness, transparency, and equity for all applicants in the hiring process.
The City of San Jose offers a wide range of core health benefits including Medical, Dental, Vision, Employee Assistance Program, Life Insurance, Disability, and Savings Plans. Please visit the City's for detailed information on coverage, cost, and dependent coverage.

For information on the City's Retirement Plan(pension for full-time employees), please visit the Office of Retirement Services You will be able to view information based on different Sworn/Federated job classification.

In additional to the benefits above, there is an to explore further benefits of working for the City of San Jose like paid leave, educational reimbursements, and holiday pay are specific to the job classification and union membership.
01

What is the highest level of education you have completed?

• High School Diploma or the equivalent (GED)
• College (1 to 29 semester units/ 1 to 44 quarter units)
• College (30 to 59 semester units/ 45 to 89 quarter units)
• College (60 to 89 semester units/ 90 to 134 quarter units)
• College (90 to 119 semester units/ 135 to 179 quarter units)
• College (120 or more semester units/ 180 or more quarter units)
• Associate's Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree
• Doctoral Degree
• Other
• None of the above

02

If you have a Bachelor's Degree or higher from an accredited college or university in a related field, please specify the field of study and the issuing accredited college or university.
03

How many years of full-time recreation leadership or programing experience do you have? Please Note: One year of Full-Time experience = 2,080 Hours

• Less than one (1) year
• One (1) year or more

04

Additional years of increasingly responsible recreation leadership or programming experience may be substituted for the education requirement on a year-for-year basis for up to two (2) years. If you meet the acceptable substitution, please describe your experience. Please Note: One year of Full-Time experience = 2,080 Hours
05

The Recreation Program Specialist position requires incumbents to possess and maintain a valid First Aid certificate. Please specify the certifications that you possess.

• I possess a valid First Aid certificate and I will attach proof at the time of application.
• I do not possess a valid First Aid certificate; however I acknowledge that I am required to obtain a valid First Aid certificate within one (1) year from the date of hire.
• I do not possess a valid First Aid certificate.

06

The Recreation Program Specialist position requires incumbents to possess and maintain a valid CPR certificate. Please specify the certifications that you possess.

• I possess a valid CPR certificate and I will attach proof at the time of application.
• I do not possess a valid CPR certificate; however I acknowledge that I am required to obtain a valid First Aid certificate within six (6) months from the date of hire.
• I do not possess a valid CPR certificate.

07

Describe a time when you planned, coordinated and/or conducted a recreation program. What was the program objective? What was your specific contribution to the outcome?
08

Describe a time when you were part of an effective team. What was your role on the team and what were the factors that made the team effective?
09

Describe a time when you provided excellent customer service. What steps did you take and what was the outcome?
10

Do you have work experience developing and implementing a program budget? Please explain your role. What tools did you utilize to monitor expenses and stay within budget?
Required Question

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