Recreation Aide 1

If you are an Internal City Employee, Retiree or Dependent/Survivor of a City Employee please apply internally via Career Icon in your Workday account.

Make a difference in the community you live in! As a Community Builder—an employee with the City of Gainesville— you will have a direct hand in building and improving your community and making a visible impact on the lives of your neighbors. Working for local government is more than a job, it’s a chance to contribute to community success and to help enhance the Gainesville way of life.

Department:

GG_Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs: Wild Spaces

Salary will be based on qualifications.

Closing Date:

11/09/2026

Job Details:

This position provides on-site support for daily operations at Northside Park and serves as a primary point of contact for park users. Responsibilities include assisting patrons with questions and facility needs, checking out recreational and sports equipment, monitoring park use, tracking and reporting participation numbers, and identifying and reporting maintenance, safety, or facility concerns. The position also performs light cleaning, trash pickup, and general upkeep to help maintain a safe and welcoming park environment.

This position works with limited supervision and requires the ability to work independently, interact professionally with the public, and respond appropriately to issues as they arise. Work is primarily performed outdoors and from a non-climate-controlled park facility and may include evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Job Description:

SUMMARY

This is routine work of limited variety and complexity in recreational programs and activities at City-owned recreational facilities.

Positions allocated to this classification report to a designated supervisor and work under limited supervision.  Work in this class is distinguished from other classes by its limited responsibility and lack of complexity.

EXAMPLES OF WORK*

*This section of the job description is not intended to be a comprehensive list of duties and responsibilities of the position.  The omission of a specific job function does not absolve an employee from being required to perform additional tasks incidental to or inherent in the job.  Performance of lower level duties may be required.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Depending on area of assignment:

Assists in conducting activities. 

Distributes equipment for programs and events. 

Records attendance and participation for facility programs and events.

Assists in maintaining order and discipline. 

Checks equipment to assure that it is clean and in proper working order.

Assists in instructing sewing, ceramics, arts and crafts, dancing, and games.

Attends work on a continuous and regular basis.

NON-ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Depending on area of assignment:

Performs related clerical work; including copying facility schedule for distribution to the administrative office, answering telephone and providing information on facility activities and schedules.

Conducts routine maintenance and custodial tasks at parks facilities and buildings.

Prepares recreational facilities for classes, meetings, events and activities, may include setting up chairs and tables, moving furniture and equipment.

Performs other related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job function satisfactorily. Below are the required education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Graduation from high school or possession of an acceptable equivalency diploma and one (1) year experience in recreation work.

CERTIFICATIONS OR LICENSES

Licenses

Depending upon area of assignment:

Valid Florida Driver License is required within thirty (30) days of appointment.

Certifications

General (all areas):

American Red Cross certification (or equivalent) in First Aid, Automated External Defibrillator (AED), and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) are required within six (6) months of appointment.

Aquatics:

American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor (WSI) is required upon appointment.

American Red Cross Lifeguard (LG) Instructor is required upon appointment.

Athletics:

National Alliance for Youth Sports certification as a Certified Youth Sports Administrator (CYSA) is required within one year of appointment.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

General (all areas):

Knowledge of one or more activities involved in a community recreation program or event.

Knowledge of the goals of a community recreation program or event.

Knowledge of personal computers and related software.

Ability to instruct program participants in varied recreational activities.

Ability to work effectively with co-workers and the general public.

Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

Aquatics:

Knowledge of principles and methods of water safety and aquatic recreation programming.

Knowledge of swimming pool maintenance practices and methods, including water chemistry applications.

Athletics:

Knowledge of athletic rules and regulations.

Nature:

Knowledge of animal husbandry and plant cultivation.

Knowledge of Florida natural and cultural history

PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must possess certain physical abilities and be able to withstand work related environmental conditions.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

General (all areas):

Work requires physical strength and agility sufficient to safely perform all essential job functions, including the ability to lift, carry, push, or pull 50 pounds without assistance.

Work requires the ability to work safely with hazardous chemicals, including but not limited to:  water treatment, gasoline, motor oil, household cleaning and maintenance chemicals, fertilizers and pesticides.

Ability to climb stairs and ladders to the height of twelve (12) feet.

Must conform to grooming and dress codes (uniforms furnished).

 Aquatics:

Ability to use respiratory protection equipment, including self-contained breathing units.

Ability to pass the Pre employment Lifeguard swim test and be able to swim down to a depth of sixteen (16) feet.

Possess normal color vision, depth perception, peripheral vision, distance vision and close vision.

Athletics:

Ability to stand and work on your feet for extended periods of time.

Nature:

Ability to work with and around live animals.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work requires performance of tasks outdoors under varying climatic conditions.

Must be able to work a  varying schedule outside normal business hours, including early mornings, late nights, weekends and holidays.

Note: 

May Require Assessment(s).

May fill multiple positions.

May establish an eligibility list.

Come join our team! The City of Gainesville offers a competitive benefits package and opportunities to grow both professionally and personally. Not only do we offer traditional benefits such as health insurance, life insurance, paid leave, 11 paid a holidays a year, a pension plan and a deferred compensation plan, but we also offer great things like on-site fitness centers, tuition reimbursement, on-site medical staff and a wellness program to keep you healthy and happy.

Equal Opportunity

The City of Gainesville is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and does not discriminate in hiring. Minorities, women and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Individuals with a disability, who require special accommodations during the selection process, should notify the Human Resources Department at 352-334-5077 or TDD/TTY at 352-334-2292.

Veterans' Preference

Veterans are encouraged to apply. Veterans’ Preference ensures that veterans and eligible persons are given consideration at each step of the selection process. However, preference does not guarantee that a veteran or other eligible person will be the candidate selected to fill the position. Section 295.07, Florida Statutes (F.S.) specifies who is eligible for Veterans’ Preference. State of Florida residency is not required for Veterans’ Preference.

If you are unable to apply online due to a disability, contact recruiting at [email protected] or by calling 352-334-5077.