Description
The Department:
The Parks & Recreation Department is responsible for managing and maintaining the City's beautiful park system, recreation facilities, pools, and cemeteries and providing programs, services and activities that enhance residents’ lives and contribute to the health and wellness of the community. Santa Clara embraces parks, activities, and events that make our city a fantastic place to live, work, and play. The Recreation Division provides classes and programs for all ages and abilities for over 200,000 registrants per year.
The Position:
This recruitment is for two Recreation Coordinator positions.
Recreation Coordinator, Performing Arts Unit, Community Recreation Center
The Performing Arts Unit offers year-round programming in theater, dance, music, and choir, led by a team of contract instructors and part-time staff. One of our cornerstone offerings is the Youth Theater Program—now in its 55th year—which stages four full-scale productions annually. We’re looking for a passionate, organized, and collaborative recreation professional who shares our love for theater and the performing arts. This role is key to delivering high-quality, inclusive, and engaging programs, classes, and performances. Our ideal candidate brings strong project management skills and thrives in a team environment, working closely with staff, volunteers, and contractors. Most importantly, they are committed to inspiring and supporting youth of all ages as they explore and grow their artistic talents in a welcoming and creative space.
Recreation Coordinator, Active Older Adults, Senior Center
The Senior Center serves a thriving community of over 1,000 members and welcomes hundreds of visitors each day for both drop-in and fee-based programs. With a wide range of offerings—from fitness and nutrition to travel and enrichment—the Center is a vibrant, highly valued resource with something for everyone. We are seeking an enthusiastic, dedicated, and compassionate recreation professional who enjoys working with older adults. The ideal candidate is excited to join a dynamic team that honors longstanding traditions while innovating for the future. Together, we aim to create inclusive programs and a welcoming environment that support residents through all stages and levels of life.
This classified position is responsible for coordinating programs within a specific recreation program (Performing Arts; Youth Development; Sports & Aquatics; Older Adults & Special Populations, Enrichment, or Marketing & Communications). The position may also be responsible for conducting administrative and promotional duties for community-wide activities or events in a specific recreation program. The incumbent may be required to oversee a specific recreation facility, perform routine program development or oversight, and take specific responsibility for the coordination of as-needed staff and contract employees. Performs related work as required.
Additional Information:
Applications must be filled out completely (e.g. do not write “see resume, NA, or personnel file.”). To receive consideration for the screening process, candidates must submit a 1) Complete City Application, 2) Cover Letter, 3) Resume, and 4) Supplemental Questions. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Application packets may be submitted online through the “Apply Now” feature on the job announcement at www.santaclaraca.gov. Applications must be submitted by the filing deadline of June 20, 2025 at 4:00 PM.
THIS RECRUITMENT MAY BE USED TO FILL MULTIPLE POSITIONS IN THIS, OR OTHER DIVISIONS OR DEPARTMENTS BESIDES THE POSITIONS LISTED BELOW. 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.MEETING THE MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS DOES NOT GUARANTEE ADMITTANCE INTO THE EXAMINATION PROCESS. ONLY THE MOST QUALIFIED CANDIDATES WHO DEMONSTRATE THE BEST COMBINATION OF QUALIFICATIONS IN RELATION TO THE REQUIREMENTS AND DUTIES OF THE POSITION WILL BE INVITED TO TEST OR INTERVIEW.
The annual salary range for this position is $98,134.56 - $125,115.24. This position may be filled at or near the minimum of the salary range.
Typical Duties
Follow this link to view the entire Class Specification, which includes more information on Typical Duties and Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities.
Minimum Qualifications
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Minimum Requirements:
- A Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university with a degree in Recreation, Recreation & Leisure Studies, Tourism, Leisure & Event Planning, Social Science, Kinesiology, or closely related field; and
- Two (2) years of full-time paid experience coordinating a recreation program, including the supervision of recreation leadership personnel. These two (2) years may be a combination of full-time, part-time, or internship experience (2,000 hours of part-time and/or internship experience are equivalent to one (1) year of full-time work experience).
For Aquatics Program:
- Minimum of two (2) years of experience in various aquatics programs and in aquatic environment emergency response.
Possible Substitution for Education:
- Graduation from high school or possession of a G.E.D. and five (5) years of additional paid full-time experience in the supervision of recreation personnel in a public recreation setting may be substituted for the college graduation requirement.
Desirable Qualifications:
- Experience with program budgeting and program marketing is highly desirable; and
- Experience using recreation registration software program is desirable.
LICENSE(S) AND/OR CERTIFICATION(S)
- Possession of a valid California Class C driver's license is required at the time of appointment and for the duration of employment; and
- CPR and First Aid is required within six (6) months of appointment and for the duration of employment.
For Aquatics Program:
- Title 22 First Aid and CPR certification are required at the time of appointment and for the duration of employment; and
- Lifeguard Training Certificate and Lifeguard Training Instructor Certificate are required at the time of appointment and for the duration of employment.
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience with program budgeting and program marketing is highly desirable;
- Experience using recreation registration software program is desirable; and
- When assigned to the Aquatics Program, Water Safety Instructor Certifications or other recognized Swim Lesson Instruction Certification is desirable.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS
- May be required to work evening shifts, weekends, and unusual hours to meet program and event requirements; and
- Must be able to perform all of the essential functions of the job.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
The Recreation Coordinator is an advanced journey level classification responsible for coordinating programs for a specified recreation program or recreation facility. Incumbents regularly work on complex tasks that require discretion and independent judgement. Assignments are given with general guidelines and incumbents are responsible for establishing objectives, timelines, and methods to deliver services. The Recreation Coordinator differs from the lateral classification of Recreation Coordinator - Therapeutics in that the lateral classification specializes in therapeutics programs, whereas, the Recreation Coordinator performs general recreation work. The Recreation Coordinator is distinguished from the higher-level classification of Recreation Supervisor in that the later primarily performs supervisory functions over recreation programs, facilities, events, and/or parks and supervises full-time personnel.
Candidates must attain a passing score on each phase of the examination process to qualify for the Eligible List. A department interview may be required prior to appointment.
Federal law requires all employees to provide verification of their eligibility to work in this country. Please be informed that the City of Santa Clara will not sponsor, represent, or sign documents related to visa applications/transfers for H1B or any other type of visa which requires an employer application.
PERMANENT CITY EMPLOYEES PREFERENCE POINTS:
Current permanent employee candidates who receive a passing score on the examination will have an additional five (5) points added to their final score.
The City of Santa Clara 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 Santa Clara 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) 615-2080 or HumanResources@santaclaraca.gov.
