Recreation Program Coordinator | Recreation Specialist

Salary:

• Program Coordinator, Youth and Teen Programs: $86,648.12 to $114,054.98 Annually

• Recreation Specialist, Contract Classes (Recreation Services Assistant IV): $65,424.84 to $79,523.86 Annually

Position 1: Program Coordinator, Youth and Teen Programs

This position plans, develops, and implements the City's youth and teen programming. That includes After the Bell (after school program), day camps and school break camps, the Counselor in Training, LYFE (middle school after school program), the Teen Center, Milpitas Youth Force (summer youth job program), and staff support to the Youth Advisory Commission. The Coordinator recruits, trains, schedules, and supervises part-time and seasonal staff and volunteers, assists with budget preparation and monitoring, and promotes programs, services, and events. 

The ideal candidate is energized by young people and knows how to build programs that fun, safe, and inclusive for all ages. You are comfortable running several programs at once, you keep your part-time and seasonal staff trained and supported, and you are as steady with a budget spreadsheet as you are on organizing a game with 30 kids. You listen to what Milpitas youth and families need and want from our programs, and try to create programs that serve the diverse Milpitas community.

Position 2: Recreation and Community Services Assistant IV, Contract Classes and Programs (Recreation Specialist)

Working title: Recreation Specialist. This position assists with the planning, development, implementation, and supervision of contract classes and programs across the department, including Youth, Teen and Adult Programs. It is responsible for recruiting, selecting, onboarding, and evaluating contract instructors and vendors, scheduling classes and facility space, monitoring program budgets and enrollment, preparing content for the activity guide, and resolving participant and instructor questions. 

The ideal candidate is organized, resourceful, and able to monitor multiple contracts at different stages. You can work with instructors to create a class that works for both parties. You know what types of programs and classes Milpitas youth and families need and want, and follow trends.

For the complete job descriptions, please click here: Program Coordinator | Recreation Services Assistant IV

*This posting is written notice of two permanent, vacant positions and is posted for at least 10 working days in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding between the City and the Milpitas Professional and Technical Group (ProTech). Internal applications received by August 1, 2026, will be reviewed first, and internal qualified candidates will be considered before external applicants are reviewed.

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following.

PROGRAM COORDINATOR, YOUTH AND TEEN PROGRAMS

Youth and Teen Programs

• Plans, develops, and implements classes, activities, camps, and special events for youth and teens
• Coordinates After the Bell, day camps, and school break camps
• Oversees the Counselor in Training and Leadership Academy programs
• Coordinates LYFE and Teen Center programming
• Supports Milpitas Youth Force and provides staff support to the Youth Advisory Commission
• Researches youth and teen recreation trends and conducts surveys to assess participant interests

Staff and Volunteers

• Recruits, trains, schedules, supervises, and evaluates part-time and seasonal staff and volunteers
• Develops staff training materials and program safety procedures

Administration

• Assists with budget preparation and monitoring
• Prepares reports, correspondence, and program evaluations
• Promotes programs, services, and events through the activity guide, the City website, and social media
• Builds partnerships with school districts, community organizations, and youth-serving agencies

RECREATION SPECIALIST, CONTRACT CLASSES (RECREATION SERVICES ASSISTANT IV)

Contract Classes and Programs

• Oversees contracts for youth and teen enrichment, sports and camps, adult and senior enrichment, health and fitness classes, and special needs and all-inclusive classes
• Recruits, screens, selects, onboards, and evaluates contract instructors and vendors
• Prepares and monitors instructor agreements and contract terms, and ensures proper vendor insurance coverage and City business license
• Confirms class schedules and works with administrative staff to schedule facility use
• Makes regular site visits to contract class locations
• Works with the Human Resources Department on tracking of required instructor fingerprinting and First Aid, CPR, and AED certification

Administration and Customer Service

• Monitors program budgets, revenue, and expenditures, and tracks registration and enrollment
• Prepares purchase requisitions and reconciles payments
• Maintains program records and prepares reports
• Prepares content for the activity guide and program marketing materials
• Receives and resolves participant, instructor, and vendor questions and complaints

Staff

• Directs the work of part-time staff and volunteers assigned to contract programs

PROGRAM COORDINATOR, YOUTH AND TEEN PROGRAMS

Education

• Graduation from a four-year college or university with major coursework in recreation, public administration, or a closely related field.
• The education requirement may be substituted for relevant work experience on a year-for-year basis.

Experience

• Two (2) years of full-time experience coordinating recreation program(s), including the supervision of part-time or seasonal personnel.

License or Certificate

• Possession of a valid California Driver's License.
• Certification in First Aid, CPR, and AED from the American Red Cross within 90 days of appointment.

The following are not required but are desirable and will be considered.

• Experience with registration systems such as RecTrac
• Program and activity design and implementation
• Program evaluation and modification
• Conversational fluency in Mandarin, Vietnamese, or Spanish

RECREATION SPECIALIST, CONTRACT CLASSES (RECREATION SERVICES ASSISTANT IV)

Education

• Equivalent to an Associate's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in recreation, public administration, or a closely related field.
• The education requirement may be substituted for relevant work experience on a year for year basis.

Experience

• Two (2) years of full-time experience in recreation, local government, or a related field, including the supervision of part-time or seasonal personnel.

License or Certificate

• Possession of a valid California Driver's License.
• Certification in First Aid, CPR, and AED from the American Red Cross within 90 days of appointment.

The following are not required, but are desirable and will be considered.

• Experience with program budgeting and program marketing
• Experience using recreation registration software
• Experience supervising, training, or directing the work of part-time staff, volunteers, or contract instructors
• Experience working with school districts, community organizations, or contract vendors
• Bilingual ability reflective of the Milpitas community

Selection Process

Applications will be screened for minimum qualifications. The most qualified candidates for each position will be invited to an oral board panel interviews, followed by a departmental interview with the hiring manager. The two positions are screened and interviewed separately.

• Oral board panel interviews: Week of August 31, 2026

Applications must be complete. Do not write "see resume" or leave sections blank. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Where the supplemental questionnaire specifically instructs you to enter "N/A," doing so is correct and will not count against you. Candidates must submit a resume and a cover letter with the application.

Work Schedule

These are in-person positions based at the Milpitas Community Center. The Recreation and Community Services Department currently offers up to one remote work day per week, subject to operational needs and City policy.

This recruitment may be used to fill multiple positions in this, or other divisions or departments. Meeting the minimum qualifications does not guarantee admittance into the examination process. Only the most qualified candidates who demonstrate the best combination of qualifications in relation to the requirements and duties of the position will be invited to advance in this recruitment.

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City of Milpitas will provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the Human Resources Department.

The City of Milpitas is an Equal Opportunity Employer.