Principal Recreation Leader

CITY OF ESCONDIDO, CA
Escondido, California United States  View Map
Posted: Feb 27, 2026
  • Salary: $17.77 - $22.19 Hourly USD Hourly
  • Salary Top:22
  • Part Time
  • Parks and Recreation
  • Planning and Development
  • Job Description

    Summary

    This position is budgeted to start at $17.77 per hour.

    Escondido Community Services Department is looking for dynamic individuals that are passionate about working with youth in the City’s Youth Camp Programs, Special Events, and Mobile Recreation Programs. The Principal Recreation Leader is responsible for the overall operation, planning, and implementation of a youth camp program, special event activity, and/or mobile recreation program location. Available openings include multiple positions for shifts during the program hours of 7:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m., Monday - Friday, nights, and weekends depending on the programmatic and operational need of the department.

    Key Responsibilities:
    • Prepares and develops daily program plans and activities
    • Procures the necessary supplies for the operation of the program activity
    • Coordinate activities, location assignments, and special requests
    • Creates a positive environment including decor and incentive programs
    • Leads and oversees program staff in an encouraging, cooperative, and team-orientated atmosphere
    • Serves as the onsite primary point of contact for program operation
    • Supervise program participants and maintains a participant to staff ratio of 20:1
    • Takes primary responsibility for the health, well-being, and happiness of program participants
    • Communicates regularly with the program staff, the public, and supervisors
    • Prepares reports and information in accordance with City policies and procedures
    • Assist at various citywide community outreach and special events as needed
    • All other duties as assigned

    The Ideal Candidate for this Position Will:
    • Be organized and create structured, and engaging activities for participants
    • Be able to effectively plan, lead, and execute daily activity plans
    • Have the ability to work with a diverse group of participants
    • Take initiative and work with minimal direction
    • Be energetic, self-motivated, and team orientated
    • Have excellent oral and written skills to communicate with staff and the public
    • Have a passion for working with youth and the public in a recreation setting
    • Provide strong customer service skills in working with participants, public, and staff

    Minimum Requirments:
    • 18 years of age at the time of employment
    • First Aid and CPR Certification within 30-days of employment
    • Reliable transportation to and from the assigned program site
    • Bilingual in English and Spanish communication skills are highly desirable

    NOTE: The City of Escondido is committed to a drug and alcohol-free workplace. A medical examination, along with a DRUG SCREEN will be conducted following a conditional offer of employment.
    COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT
    201 NORTH BROADWAY, ESCONDIDO, CA 92025
    TELEPHONE (760) 839-4691

    ONLY APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED THROUGH THE CITY’S WEBSITE WILL BE ACCEPTED

    Supplemental Information

    NOTE: For a complete listing of job duties and qualifications, please refer to the corresponding job description, which can be obtained from the Human Resources Department or downloaded from the City's web site. The City of Escondido is committed to a drug and alcohol free workplace. All applicants will be subject to fingerprint investigation before a conditional offer of employment is extended. A pre-employment medical examination will be conducted following a conditional offer of employment for all positions. Safety sensitive positions will include a pre-employment drug screen. Positions subject to the Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations will be subject to DOT pre-employment drug testing and random drug and alcohol testing.

    SELECTION PROCEDURE

    Applications will be screened and the most qualified candidates will be invited to appear for testing. All positions require the ability to read, write and speak English. Types of tests may include written and/or oral examination, physical agility, practical exam or other appropriate job-related selection process. When testing is completed, candidates will be ranked on an eligibility list in the order of their test score. Selection for appointments is made from names certified on the eligibility list.

    All appointments are subject to the successful completion of background investigation including LIVESCAN fingerprinting, and will be required to submit verification of the legal right to work in the United States. Qualification by a medical examination will be required at the time of appointment. After appointment, classified employees must satisfactorily complete a probationary period to be eligible for regular status. In accordance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, all new employees must produce proof of eligibility to work in the United States within the first three days of their employment. The City of Escondido participates in E-Verify®.

    The Loyalty Oath will be administered to all new employees on their first day of hire. New employees hired into positions that require a driver's license must provide proof of a valid California Driver's License of the appropriate class level on their first day of employment.

    Additional information regarding the essential functions and physical, environmental and communication demands of the position may be obtained from the Human Resources Department. If you require reasonable accommodation in the testing process, such as an alternate means of testing, you must contact the Human Resources Department by the final filing date to complete a Request for Reasonable Accommodation form. The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an express or implied contract. Any provision contained in this bulletin may be modified or revoked without notice.

    Note: Pursuant to California Civil Code section 1786.53, the City of Escondido shall provide to all job candidates a copy of any records of arrest, indictment, conviction, civil judicial action, tax lien or outstanding judgment which was obtained in the course of conducting an evaluation for employment, assignment, and/or promotion. A copy of this information, if received by the City, will be given to candidates within seven days of the City's receipt.

    VETERANS' PREFERENCE

    Eligible individuals are those who meet the following criteria:
    • Served in the U.S. armed forces
    • Received an honorable discharge
    • Did not retire from military service
    • Seeking employment with the City of Escondido for the first time.

    Guard and Reserve active duty for training purposes does not qualify for veterans' preference. Proof of eligibility (copy of DD-214) must be submitted at time of application, or later if the promulgation of the eligibility list will not be delayed. Veterans' preference credit will only be applied to eligible applicants who attained a passing grade (total score exclusive of credit) on the final open examination.

    ABOUT OUR CITY
    The City of Escondido is a prominent agricultural, commercial hub and residential center of North San Diego County. Located a short 30-minute drive from the beach, the mountains or downtown San Diego, Escondido residents enjoy the pleasure of a rural lifestyle with all the benefits of suburban living. Escondido is a diverse, vibrant community with many amenities. The city offers attractive homes in a wide range of prices, two lakes, several parks, a sports center, golf courses, restaurants, wineries, shopping centers, a variety of art galleries, entertainment venues, and a state of the art hospital. Established in 1888, the city's rich past brings charm and stability to the community; yet integrated with Escondido's treasured heritage is a progressive future, bright and brimming with promise.

    EOE The City of Escondido does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, disability, sex, age, national origin, or sexual orientation. We will attempt to reasonably accommodate applicants with disabilities upon request.

    For a more detailed overview of this benefits package, please visit the Part-Time Benefits and Compensation Plan Summary.

    Closing Date/Time: Continuous
  • ABOUT THE COMPANY

    • City of Escondido
    • City of Escondido

    Settled in a long valley in the coastal mountains of Southern California, Escondido, which means "hidden" in Spanish, lies about 18 miles inland, 100 miles south of Los Angeles, and 30 miles northeast of San Diego. Surrounded by avocado and citrus groves, our award-winning City is a diverse, vibrant community with just the right mix of small-town friendliness and big-city buzz.

    More and more people are making Escondido their "City of Choice." As the heart of San Diego North, it is one of the few remaining communities where people of all income levels can enjoy the Southern California lifestyle. We offer attractive homes in a wide range of prices, two lakes, several parks, a sports center, golf courses, restaurants, wineries, shopping centers, comprehensive healthcare, and the nearby San Diego Zoo Safari Park. In addition, the California Center for the Arts, Escondido, brings world-class entertainment to the area along with Queen Califia's Magical Circle, a sculpture garden in Kit Carson Park donated by late internationally renowned artist Niki de Saint Phalle. In recent years Escondido was named by Money Magazine as the Best Place in the West in which to retire and, at the other end of the spectrum, was named a Kid-Friendly City for our broad range of youth programs. Ladies Home Journal also ranked Escondido number eight among the Top Ten Cities for Government.

    Established in 1888, the city's rich past brings charm and stability to the community. You can see it in the historic homes of Old Escondido or experience it in the thriving downtown area and the weekly blast to the past, "Cruisin' Grand." Yet integrated with Escondido's treasured heritage is a progressive future, bright and brimming with promise. New jobs, new cultural amenities, new entertainment venues, new choices for residential living, and a new vision for Escondido's future, make Escondido a city to watch.

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