Careers in Community Recreation
Job roles in the community recreation sector include:
- Recreation Officer
- Aquatic Leisure Centre Assistant/Manager
- Activity Assistant
- Activity Instructor
- Program Administrator
- Pool lifeguard
Recreation Officer
Recreation officers plan, organise and coordinate recreation facilities and programs. These can range from sporting events and tournaments, to school holiday programs to arts and crafts activities. Their tasks can include developing proposals, applying for funding, finding venues, coordinating volunteers and running programs on the day. Recreation officers also work with community groups to help them to develop their own skills in these areas. Recreation officers are often employed by community recreation centres and local councils.
Recreation officers may:
- Plan, organise and promote local sporting and recreational events and activities such as community functions, school holiday programs, cultural activities and sporting competitions
- Develop and/or administer recreational policy
- Prepare and administer budgets and resource allocations
- Coordinate and arrange meetings and venues
- Recruit, train and/or supervise recreation leaders and volunteers
- Coordinate facility and equipment purchasing and maintenance
- Work with key members of the community
- Write proposals, evaluations, correspondence and prepare submissions and reports for government bodies and other agencies
- Assist clients in identifying their recreational needs, and encourage and support them to participate in activities suited to their needs and interests
- Provide information on available resources within the local community
- Support, develop and evaluate strategies to encourage community participation in activities
- Monitor, evaluate and recommend changes to community development programs, policies, practices and budgets
- Collect and analyse data associated with projects undertaken, and report on project outcomes
- Resolve problems concerning services or programs provided or persons affected Advise senior management on matters requiring their attention, and implement their decisions.
- Plan, organise and promote local recreational and sporting events such as sporting competitions, cultural activities, school holiday programs and community functions
- Liaise with various members of the community
- Provide information on available resources within the local community and from associated agencies
- Develop strategies that encourage community participation in recreation activities
- Monitor, evaluate and recommend changes to community development programs, policies, practices and budgets
- Collect and analyse data from projects and report on the project outcomes
- Advise management on matters requiring their attention, and implement their decisions
Aquatic Leisure Centre Assistant
Aquatic leisure centre assistants work in aquatic leisure centres, where they deal with clients and contribute to the planning, promotions, maintenance and operation of the activities and facilities of an aquatic leisure centre. They may be involved in determining and scheduling the range of activities and classes offered by the centre. Aquatic leisure centre assistants also provide customer service and often lead training sessions or fitness classes.
Aquatic leisure centre assistants:
- Maintain safety standards
- Ensure equipment and facilities are well maintained
- Promote the activities and facilities of the centre to existing and new customers
- Contribute to the development and implementation of the activities offered by the centre
- Contribute to the schedule of activities and take bookings
- Take payments and assist in cash management
- Handle enquiries and serve customers, both in the centre and catering facilities
- Assist in the facilities management and stand in for the manager when appropriate
- Set up and take down equipment and activities
Community Recreation Centre Manager
Community recreation centre managers plan, promote and manage the activities, facilities and resources of a community recreation centre. They work with the community to develop a range of programs, and often lead them. They are also responsible for the day to day business of running the centre including staff and budget management.
Community recreation centre managers may perform the following tasks:
- Work with the community and conduct research to determine clients needs
- Develop programs and services that meet those needs
- Consult widely to develop short and long-term business plans for the centre
- Supervise the design, planning and maintenance of sport and recreation facilities
- Ensure facilities conform to fire and other safety standards
- Plan, organise and lead sport and recreation events
- Develop and implement publicity campaigns for the centre and its programs
- Select and train staff, and identify staff training needs
- Supervise office, facility and/or program staff
- Coordinate the business activities of the centre
- Report to stakeholders including government agencies
- Prepare, implement and monitor budgets
Pool Lifeguard
Pool life guards ensure the safety of the public when swimming or bathing at pools or the beach. They perform patrols, provide safety information, run educational sessions on water safety, and rescue those in need. They also perform first aid when required. They are often involved in other tasks that support the running of the pool or surf club, such as selling tickets and maintaining pool chlorine levels and cleanliness. Pool life guards may perform the following tasks:
- Supervise swimmers and bathers to prevent accidents and ensure they follow safety regulations
- Rescue swimmers in difficulty and provide first-aid treatment if required
- Educate the community in water safety and respond to queries
- Place signs or barriers to warn of dangerous conditions or areas, and make sure users are aware of potential dangers
- Warn people behaving in an unsafe manner and remove those who refuse to cooperate
- Report incidents to management and other authorities
- Implement emergency procedures
- Maintain and clean rescue equipment and facilities
- Perform basic administrative duties
What training do you need?
Certificate II in Community Recreation is designed to reflect the role of entry level employees working in the community recreation industry under direct supervision. Likely functions at this level include assist with coordination of recreation events, activities and promotion, set-up equipment, welcome clients, operate retail equipment (cash register, handle money), cleaning of equipment, assist recreation officer.
Certificate III in Community Recreation is designed to reflect those who work autonomously within a defined routine. Likely functions at this level include organising and conducting activities, operate equipment, supervise other colleagues, facilitate recreation initiatives, plan and conduct programs.
Certificate IV in Community Recreation is designed for those wishing to develop skills and knowledge to work as a recreation officer, instructor in charge, and duty manager. Likely functions at this level include supervise staff, organise recreation programs and activities, plan and conduct events, activities and promotions.
Certificate II in Community Activities is designed to reflect the role of entry level employees working in the community recreation industry under direct supervision. Likely functions at this level include assist with coordination of recreation events, activities and promotion, set-up equipment, welcome clients, operate retail equipment (cash register, handle money), cleaning of equipment, assist recreation officer.
Certificate III in Community Activity Programs provides training to those who work autonomously within a defined routine. Likely functions at this level include organising and conducting activities, operate equipment, supervise other colleagues, facilitate recreation initiatives, plan and conduct programs.
Certificate III in Aquatics is designed for those who wish to work autonomously within an aquatic environment. Qualification outcomes will depend on the specialisation chosen and include swimming teaching, pool lifeguard and pool operations. Work would be undertaken in locations such as aquatic facilities or environments and indoor recreation facilities under some supervision.
Certificate IV in Recreation provides training for those wishing to develop skills and knowledge to work as a recreation officer, instructor in charge, and duty manager. Likely functions at this level include supervise staff, organise recreation programs and activities, plan and conduct events, activities and promotions.
To be awarded with the Royal Life Saving Society of Australia pool lifeguard award you need to achieve the following:
- Bronze Medallion
- Senior First Aid
- RLSSA Resuscitation Award
- Pool Lifeguard
Individuals being assessed under statutory licensing and industry requirements must comply with training and experience requirements additional to the minimum requirements. These additional requirements are:
Licence/Registration
- Pool Lifeguard
Award Jurisdiction
- Accreditation for pool lifeguard’s in all state and territory of Australia.
- Administered by Branches of the Royal Life Saving Society Australia.
Requirements
- Competence in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation needs to be assessed for currency on an annual basis
- Professional development system requiring updates in accreditation annually.
More information
Download The Job I Love, our careers guide to the service industries
Royal Life Saving Society of Australia (RLSSA) is the leading organisation for the pool lifeguard and water education industry. They are a useful point of contact for further information, and their website provides information on programs and education, information and resources, sport and participation, aquatic industry services and community development. More information can be found at: http://www.royallifesaving.com.au/www/html/7-royal-life-saving-website-home-page.asp
AustSwim Australia is ‘the Australian Council for the Teaching of Swimming and Water Safety’ and is affiliated with Swimming Australia, The Royal Life Saving Society of Australia (RLSSA), Surf Life Saving Society of Australia, YMCA and the Australian Leisure Facilities Association. The AustSwim website has information regarding prospective teachers, current teachers, swim schools and information about the organisation. More information can be found at: http://www.austswim.com.au/pages/aboutus.htm
The Aquatic and Recreation Institute (ARI) is a professional association in NSW for aquatic and recreation practitioners. The ARI website is a useful website which provides information on industry positions, relevant links, who they are and what they do and industry news. More information can be found at: http://www.aquaticinstitute.com.au/
The YMCA is a community based organisation who delivers and run community based programs. Their website provides a number of useful links and information about careers and programs. More information can be found at: www.ymca.org.au
