Occupation
Recreation programmer
Recreation programmers design and run the classes, camps, leagues, and drop-in activities offered by a municipality, community centre, or leisure trust. The role combines programme design and scheduling with hiring instructors, managing registrations, and keeping activities safe. Evenings, weekends, and seasonal peaks around school holidays are normal.
Also known as: Recreation coordinator · Community recreation programmer · Leisure programmer · Sports development officer
Occupation content
Part of Community, social and public services
What the work involves
- Design seasonal programme schedules for facilities, fields, and community spaces
- Hire, schedule, and supervise instructors, coaches, camp staff, and volunteers
- Manage registrations, waiting lists, and participant enquiries
- Complete risk assessments, equipment checks, and safety and supervision plans
- Monitor participation and feedback and adjust the programme mix accordingly
- Coordinate bookings and partnerships with schools, clubs, and community groups
How people commonly enter
- A college diploma or degree in recreation and leisure studies, sport management, or kinesiology
- Progression from instructor, lifeguard, camp leader, or facility attendant roles
- Activity-specific certifications such as first aid, lifesaving, or coaching awards, which employers commonly require
Typical training: Certificate or college diploma
Licensing: Certification common, not usually required
Typical work context
Public facing · Varied work · Physically active · Team based · Shift work
Related interests
Social (helping) · Enterprising (leading) · Artistic (creative)
Related aptitude preparation
These are preparation links only. They do not measure eligibility for this occupation and no score here qualifies or disqualifies anyone.
Skills to practise
Practice suites
Related learning
Family-level learning links for Community, social and public services.
Official sources
Labour-market facts such as pay and employment projections are not reproduced here. Open an official source below for figures, with its own geography and reference period.
- O*NET OnLine — occupation search: recreation worker · United States
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- UK National Careers Service — Sports development officer job profile · United Kingdom
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- Canada Job Bank — Career planning and occupation exploration (ESDC) · Canada
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Labour-market context (not part of exploration match)
This is broad family-level context for Community, social and public services in Canada, not a figure for Recreation programmer. It does not affect matching scores and is not an eligibility determination.
This is a broad Community, social and public services family. Explore the official profile for the chosen occupation; entry education and training can differ within the family.
Canada Job Bank Career Planning · Canada · Current official profile; consult source for its release period
Community, social and public services: education pathways
Some roles in Community, social and public services may be regulated. Confirm whether the specific role requires registration, certification, or a jurisdiction-specific licence.
Canada Job Bank Career Planning · Canada · Current official profile; consult source for its release period
Community, social and public services: licensing
Find jobs
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- Search Canada Job Bank · Canada
- Search USAJOBS · United States federal
- Search EURES · European Union / EEA
- Search Indeed · International (choose location on Indeed)