Working Part-Time for Oakland Parks, Recreation & Youth Development

Working for Oakland Parks, Recreation & Youth Development as a Part-Time Employee

Oakland Parks, Recreation & Youth Development (OPRYD) hires people with recreation experience ages 16 and older to provide programs and services at City Recreation Sites throughout Oakland.  People with American Red Cross lifeguarding certification can be hired at age 15 and up.

OPRYD has year-round programming at City Recreation Sites including Recreation Centers, Pools, Boating Centers, Sports Centers, Rental Facilities, and more.  Summer brings extended program hours with summer camps and longer days.

Takes several months to go through the hiring process.  Apply by February 7^th, 2027 to work during Summer 2027.

Determine what you are qualified for and interested in and the best fit for your availability, skills, and interest by looking at the table and position information lower down on this page.

What to do to get hired:

Apply by 2/7/2027 to start summer 2027 or 8/8/2027 to start fall/winter 2027-28.  

Application Link

Note the likely interview dates and make sure that you are available.

After the apply by date passes, look for an email from governmentjobs.com with a link to provide your interview availability for a video interview (Recreation Aide, Leader I, Leader II, Specialist I, Specialist II) or with information on the date and time of your in person  interview (Recreation Attendant, Sports Official, Lifeguard, Water Safety Instructor, Pool Manager).  Check your Junk or Spam folders as these emails sometimes end up there.

Respond right away with your availability or note the interview time.

For Recreation Aide, Leader I, Leader II, Specialist I, Specialist II, after you fill out your interview availability, look for a Microsoft Teams Meeting link to your interview sent from a City staff @oaklandca.gov address.

Prepare for your interview by reviewing the job class spec/description and reviewing your skills and experience.

After your interview, look for an email from governmentjobs.com or from a City staff via Adobe Acrobat Sign with information about signing the Conditional Offer Letter.

NOTE:  You need a social security number to work for the City of Oakland.  You will need to bring in your social security card to complete the hiring process.  If you don’t have yours, you can apply with social security for a replacement card.  You should find your card or apply for a replacement card right away.

Look for an email from a City staff @oaklandca.gov address with forms and information about completing the fingerprinting background check, TB test and test read, and providing required pre-employment information.  Your hiring site manager will be copied on the email.  You can communicate with them if you have questions.

Schedule your fingerprinting appointment and go to begin your TB test and then get the test read and complete all of the forms.  Then schedule an appointment to turn in the packet and bring your social security card and ID.

Once your hire is processed and an employee number is issued, it will be provided to your hiring manager who will reach out to you with information about training and scheduling.

OPRYD Part-Time Positions Available

*Labor agreements may add additional premiums for some or all positions.  Currently $2.90/hour health and welfare premium is paid for all of the above positions.

Positions- click on the colored link to go to the application.

Recreation Aide

Recreation Aide is an entry level position.  Pay is $17.65/hour.  Applicants need to be 16 years old or older at the time the application is submitted and must have participated in organized recreation activities and demonstrated an interest in the leadership of children in play activities.  We have the most hours available for Recreation Aides during the summer camp season and some available during the school year for after school programs.

Recreation Leader

Recreation Leader I is the next level position.  Pay is $20.08/hour.  Applicants need to be 18 years old or older at the time the application is submitted, have completed twelfth grade or the equivalent, and must have one (1) year of experience participating in a wide variety of recreation activities in sports, arts and crafts, and/or other organized activities or one (1) year as a Recreation Aide with the City of Oakland.  We have the most hours available for Recreation Leader I during the summer camp season and some available during the school year for after school and some other programs.

Recreation Leader II requires experience and additional education.  Pay is $23.10/hour.  Applicants need to be 18 years old or older at the time  the application is submitted, demonstrate completion of two (2) years of major college coursework from an accredited college or university leading to a degree in recreation, physical education, kinesiology, dance, art or a closely related field,  and must have two (2) years of full-time experience (equivalent to 4160 part-time hours) participating in a wide variety of recreation activities including sports, arts and crafts, and/or other organized activities.  Limited hours are available for qualified Recreation Leader IIs.

Recreation Specialists

Recreation Specialist I requires experience in a specialized area.  Pay is $23.54/hour.  Applicants need to be 18 years old or older at the time the application is submitted, have[CB1]  completed twelfth grade or the equivalent, and must have a minimum of one year professional level experience, paid or volunteer, and demonstrated ability to teach skills in some specialized area of interest. Areas can include: art, dance, drama, music, and sports.  Recreation Specialist I staff are hired based on program need and work limited hours providing specialized programs.

Recreation Specialist II requires additional education and experience in a specialized area.  Pay is $30.37/hour.  Applicants need to be 18 years old or older at the time the application is submitted, have a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in recreation or related field, and must have a minimum of two years professional level experience, paid or volunteer, and demonstrated ability to teach advanced skills in the specialized area of interest. Specialized areas can include art, dance, drama, music, nature and sports.   Recreation Specialist II staff are hired based on program need and work limited hours providing specialized programs.

Recreation Attendant I

Recreation Attendant I is an entry level position. Pay is $18.07/hour. Applicants need to be 18 years old or older at the time the application is submitted and have completed twelfth grade or the equivalent.  This position can work at a variety of sites including cashiering at the pools, on the dock or cashiering at the boating center, front desk at the sports center, supporting rental events at recreation centers or enterprise rental sites and other locations.  We have the most hours available for Recreation Attendants during the summer, with sustainable hours available year round.

Sports Official

Sports Official is an entry level position. Pay is $26.79/hour. Applicants need to be 16 years old or older at the time the application is submitted, have successfully completed the eighth grade, and have at least one year of experience officiating or playing in the assigned sport. We have a few positions available and Sports Officials work limited hours based on the game schedule for the specific sport season.

Lifeguard

Lifeguard is an entry level position that requires certifications. Pay is $21.70/hour. Applicants need to be 15 years old or older at the time the application is submitted, must have current Red Cross certifications in CPR, Lifeguard Training, Standard First Aid, Basic life Support, and all guidelines outlined in Title 22 of the State Code. We have many hours available for lifeguards year-round at our multiple pool sites. 

Water Safety Instructor (WSI)

Water Safety Instructor (WSI) requires experience and certifications. Pay is $25.23/hour. Applicants must be 17 years old or older at the time the application is submitted, must have one (1) year experience in aquatics, have current Red Cross certifications in Water Safety Instruction, CPR, Lifeguard Training, Standard First Aid, Basic Life Support and all guidelines outlined in Title 22 of the State Code. Water Safety Instructors work limited hours based on the needs year-round at our different pool sites.

Pool Manager

Pool Manager requires experience and certifications. Pay is $26.31/hour. Applicants must be 18 years old or older at the time the application is submitted, completed high school or its equivalent, have two years of experience in aquatics, must have current Red Cross certifications in Water Safety Instruction, CPR, Lifeguard Training, Standard First Aid, Basic Life Support and all guidelines outlined in Title 22 of the State Code. We have very few positions that are based on the program needs year-round. 

Facility Security Assistant

Facility Security Assistant requires experience working with the public. Pay is $30.13/ hour. Applicants must be 18 years old or older at the time the application is submitted, have completed the twelfth grade or equivalent, have one year of general work experience working with the public and be able to perform physical tasks. Building maintenance and light security experience preferred. We have few positions available and shifts are variable year-round.

Van Driver

Van Driver requires a valid Class B Driver's License w/ passenger endorsement and larger vehicle driving experience. Pay is $20.73/hour. Applicants must be 21 years old or older at the time the application is submitted, must have completed the twelfth grade or equivalent, must have a Class B driver's license with passenger endorsement, and you must provide your DMV Diving record within the last 30 days. Airbrakes Certification is preferred.  We have several positions available year-round, with the most hours available during the summer season.