Amusement and Recreation Attendants Description OES Code: 680140 Perform any of a variety of attending duties at amusement or recreation facility. Schedule use of recreation facilities, allocate equipment to participants of sporting events or recreational pursuits, collect fees for games played, or operate carnival rides and amusement concessions. CA Wages/hour median range New, no experience: minimum minimum – $8.50 New, experienced: $6.00 minimum – $10.00 3 yrs+ experience: $7.50 minimum – $12.02 Earnings of Recreation Directors and others in supervisory or managerial positions can be substantially higher. Local Wages • CCOIS Survey • OES Survey Hours & Benefits Many recreation jobs are part time and work irregular hours. Workers may work days, evenings or weekends. Fringe benefits for full time workers typically include vacation, sick leave, health insurance, and retirement plans. Employment Trends Employment 1996 36,700 Projected Employment 2006 56,850 Growth Rate 1996-2006 54.9% Openings due to Separations 8,690 Employment Trends by California County The job market for full time positions is very competitive and is expected to remain so for some time. Those with part time seasonal job experience will increase their employment opportunities. Employment of Recreation Workers is expected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations through 2006. Such growth is a result of an increased interest in fitness and health, the rising demand for recreational opportunities for seniors, and the increased number of people who have time and money to participate in leisure activities. The majority of Recreation Workers in California work in local government park and recreation departments. However, the employment outlook in government agencies is directly affected by budget constraints. Few municipal recreation departments are likely to increase the number of Recreation Workers on their staffs. Therefore, most government job openings will be due to workers leaving the occupation or retiring. Opportunities tend to vary by region. Others are employed by non-profit organizations, private businesses, hospitals, and federal or state agencies. Opportunities in membership organizations, the travel industry, amusement parks, resorts, private athletic clubs, and cruise ship lines are expected to increase. Employment opportunities are also available in large condominium and apartment complexes and large corporations with employee recreational facilities. Advancement Qualified Recreation Workers can become Recreation Supervisors as openings occur. Administrative opportunities may be available for qualified Recreation Supervisors and Therapists. Getting the Job & Other Information Because of the surplus of Recreation Workers in some areas, jobs may be difficult to find. Those who develop expertise in a particular craft or sport while still in school will have an advantage when seeking work Employers may promote qualified part time Recreation Workers to full- time positions when vacancies occur. Accepting a part time or seasonal position may eventually lead to full time employment. Many employers fill positions with student interns. For current job listings, browse CalJOBS or America's Job Bank.

Click arrow at bottom left of image to begin. Requires QuickTime Education and Training Full-time Recreation Worker and supervisory jobs require a Bachelor's degree in parks and recreation or leisure studies. A master's degree may be required for administrative positions. Specialized training or experience in a particular field, such as art, music, drama, or athletics, is an asset for many jobs. Some recreation jobs require certificates, such as a life-saving certificate if teaching water- related programs. Graduates of two-year Associate of Arts (AA) programs in recreation can enter some career positions, but usually only work part time. Most hospitals require a Bachelor's degree with specialization in therapeutic recreation for Recreation Therapist jobs. Preparation should begin early. Participation and leadership experience in Scouting, 4-H Clubs or neighborhood center activities (YWCA and YMCA) provides valuable skills and experience. Many community colleges offer an AA degree in Recreation Leadership or in the specialty of Recreation Therapy. Many state universities and colleges offer a Bachelor's degree in Recreation Administration. To find these courses, contact colleges or universities directly. The local public library may keep college catalogues on file. Skills & Other Requirements Individuals planning careers in recreation should be outgoing, good at motivating people, sensitive to the needs of others and possess good health and physical stamina. Activity planning requires creativity and resourcefulness. Willingness to accept responsibility and the ability to exercise good judgment are also essential qualities. Individuals interested in supervisory positions should develop managerial skills. Although it is not generally required, possession of a certificate of competence granted by the California Park and Recreation Society can help an applicant secure employment. A Bachelor's degree in recreation and successful completion of an examination are minimum requirements for certification. Student membership in this organization can be advantageous in preparing for a professional career. WORKING CONDITIONS The surroundings of Recreation Workers vary. Some Recreation Workers work indoors in a gymnasium or a recreation room. Others work outdoors in places such as playgrounds or campsites. Since most spend a lot of time outdoors, they are subject to weather conditions. Recreation Workers should be in good physical shape and are responsible for the safety and discipline of participants. Recreation Leaders and Supervisors usually spend much more time in an office setting. References Note: The references below (and/or on other parts of this page) will link to pages on the internet outside the Career Video system. California Occupational Guide: Recreation Workers #357 Related Occupation: Social Workers #122, Park Rangers #232 Training: California State Training Inventory   © State of California EDD/LMID, US Department of Labor Unless indicated otherwise, wage data is based on Statewide aggregated CCOIS survey responses between 1995 and 1997. Questions or Comments? Contact us.