Recreation director Jobs in Ontario, CA

Salary : $18.56 Hourly

Location : Hughes Center - 1700 Danbury Road Claremont, CA

Job Type : Part Time

Job Number : 2026-003

Department : Recreation and Human Services

Division : Hughes Center Operations

Opening Date : 02 / 09 / 2026

Closing Date : 3 / 19 / 2026 1 : 00 PM Pacific

City of Claremont

The Recreation and Human Services Department is currently filling seasonal roles for our summer programs : Camp Claremont, Wading Pools, and Special Events.

Are you looking for an exciting summer job opportunity? Look no further!

We are seeking enthusiastic, highly motivated, service-minded individuals with excellent public relations skills to assist with a variety of assignments associated with :

• Camp Claremont / Youth Programs
• Wading Pools / Front Counter and Facility Reservations
• Special Events

The Recreation Leader position is seasonal with limited-term employment from May 1 - August 15, 2026. The positions are part-time and, depending upon the program area, can require up to 35 hours per week. Recreation Leaders may work summer programming such as Camp Claremont or Wading Pools. Staff may be called on to work City-wide special events, including Memorial Day, Fourth of July Celebration, Monday Night Concert Series, and Movies in the Park. These special events may include some night and weekend shifts. Duties will include setting up and breaking down events, preparing and distributing marketing materials, moving tables and chairs, and setting up audio-visual equipment and organizing event supplies. In addition, Recreation Leaders may be called upon to work for other program areas within the Recreation and Human Services Department.

These positions require the availability to work a flexible schedule that may require nights, holidays, and weekend work assignments. It is mandatory that all staff work on July 4th to assist with the City's events. This is a seasonal employment opportunity, and incumbents will be separated from employment no later than August 15, 2026.

SELECTION PROCESS / REQUIRED TRAININGS :

All application materials will be thoroughly reviewed, and those applicants whose background and experience most closely match the needs of the Recreation and Human Services Department will be invited to an oral interview on April 1 or April 2 (Zoom interviews will be available for candidates unable to attend in-person. Candidates scoring 70% and above on the oral exam will be placed on an eligibility list. Placement on the eligibility list does not guarantee being hired. Successful completion of reference check, medical examination, Department of Justice check, and DMV review will be required before starting.

The Position

Youth Programs

The Youth Programs operates an 8-week summer program called Camp Claremont, for grades 1-6 and a Jr Counselors program for participants in grades 7-12. During the school year, staff work for the TRACKS Activity Center (TAC), for junior high school students, and Youth Activity Center (YAC) for high school students.

Hours : Camp Claremont's 8-week summer program's hours are from 8 : 00 a.m. - 1 : 00 p.m. Monday-Friday. The TAC and YAC hours are from : immediately after school until 5 : 00 p.m.

Duties : Each of the three programs supervises 100 - 200 participants per day while working with a team of staff members to create and implement daily activities. The successful candidate's duties will consist of supervising, mentoring, and keeping the participants safe and engaged while participating in the program. This individual may be responsible for answering phones and taking messages, having direct contact with students and parents, cash handling / food prep / restocking and taking inventory, planning, and implementing daily activities, and overseeing the volunteer program. The Youth Programs Recreation Leader will be a part of the front-line staff and have the most interaction with the youth participants daily, making sure participants are engaged, happy, and safe, feel welcomed, and are aware of all the resources offered through Youth Programs and the community.

Community Center Front Counter, Wading Pool Operations, & Facility Reservations

The Alexander Hughes Community Center is the "Hub" of community recreation and information. The City's Community Center offers a variety of services which include recreation classes and facility room rentals.

Hours : The Hughes Center is open 9 : 00 a.m. - 9 : 00 p.m. Monday - Thursday, 9 : 00 a.m. - 6 : 00 p.m. Fridays, and 9 : 00 a.m. - 2 : 00 p.m. Saturdays. Shifts outside of the hours may be scheduled to accommodate facility rentals. The Front Counter shifts generally range from 8 : 30 a.m. - 9 : 30 p.m. Monday - Thursday, 8 : 30 a.m. - 6 : 30 p.m. Fridays, and 8 : 30 a.m. - 2 : 30 p.m. Saturdays. Shifts outside of the hours may be scheduled to accommodate facility rentals. In addition to the Community Center, staff will also be responsible for the supervision of wading pools. The shifts for wading pools typically range from 9 : 00 a.m. - 2 : 00 p.m. Monday - Saturday. Some evening shifts for wading pools may be required on various days from 3 : 00 p.m. to 8 : 00 p.m.

Duties : In support of services offered at the Community Center, Recreation Leaders will provide clerical and receptionist duties, set up and tear down for facility rentals, and assist with projects as assigned. Clerical and receptionist duties include answering phone calls and taking messages, assisting the public with inquiries, handling cash, and program registration. Set up and tear down of facility room rentals including moving tables and chairs and setting up audio-visual equipment. Examples of projects as assigned include developing marketing materials for the City's Activity Guide, and assisting with park picnic reservation postings. and drafting meeting minutes.

Special Events

The Special Events team plans and implements the City's annual events such as Spring Egg Hunt, Memorial Day, 4th of July Celebration, Monday Night Concert Series, Movies in the Park, Halloween Spooktacular, Veterans Day, and the Holiday Promenade and Tree Lighting. The Recreation Leader for this program will be setting up and breaking down events, organizing event supplies, moving tables and chairs and setting up audio-visual equipment for special events.

Hours & Duties :

Monday Night Concert shifts will be from 3 : 30 p.m. - 9 : 30 p.m. The shift will consist of setting up the City booth equipment, signage, and a few stage components. The majority of the shift work will be spent either staffing the city information booth or monitoring the event on foot.

Movies in the Park shifts are from 5 : 00 p.m. - 11 : 00 p.m. The shift will consist of setting up movie equipment and city booth equipment. The city will run games and activities for the kids until it is dark enough to start the movie. After the movie begins, the remainder of the shift will be staffing the information booth or monitoring the event on foot.

Ideal Candidate

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION :

HIGHLY DESIRABLE SKILLS AND ABILITIES :

ABILITY TO :

Additional Information

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION :

The City of Claremont is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants as required by the Americans with Disability Act (ADA) and Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). Individuals with qualified disabilities who need reasonable accommodation during the selection process or in the performance of their duties must request in writing at the time the employment application is submitted.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER :

The City of Claremont is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to supporting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives to build and sustain an environment that values diversity, welcomes opportunities to engage and understand others, and fosters a sense of belonging.

01

Have you completed the 12th grade or equivalent as of June 2026?

02

Do you have a valid California Class C Drivers' License and good driving record?

03

Do you have a current CPR / First Aid AED certification?

04

Please list the first date you are available to work and the last day you are available to work, as well as any planned time off.

05

If selected for this position, a fingerprint and a physical exam are required before employment. Are you physically able and available to complete these requirements in person in Claremont between April 15 and May 29?

06

Please list the hours you are available to work each day of the week? Please also list if your availability may change during the employment term.

07

Do you understand that you will be required to work the following Special Event and Training? a. CPR / First Aid Training (May 27, 2026 or June 6, 2026)b. Recreation and Human Services Department-wide Summer Staff Training (June 2, 2026, 5 : 00 p.m. - 8 : 30 p.m.c. Fourth of July Celebration (July 4th, 2026).

08

Please select the program areas you are interested in working. Select all that apply. Please note that you may be assigned to any program area based on department needs.

09

Do you understand that this is a seasonal, part-time, limited-term of employment, and staff will be released on August 15, depending upon the area assigned.

10

This position requires weekdays, nights, weekends, and holidays. Do you understand this requirement?

11

If you were referred for this position by a City of Claremont employee, please list their name.

Required Question