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Recreation Co-ordinator

Recreation co-ordinators administer and oversee recreation programs, leisure services, and routine facility maintenance.

Also Known As

Community Recreation Co-ordinator, Program Leader, Recreation Guide

NOC Codes

In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.

The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used.

Here is how this occupation has been classified over time.

2006 NOC

  • 4167.5: Recreation and Sports Program Supervisors

2006 NOC-S

  • E036: Recreation, Sports and Fitness Program Supervisors and Consultants

2011 NOC

  • 4167: Recreation, sports and fitness policy researchers, consultants and program officers

2016 NOC

  • 4167: Recreation, sports and fitness policy researchers, consultants and program officers

2021 NOC

  • 41406: Recreation, sports and fitness policy researchers, consultants and program officers

2023 OaSIS

  • 41406.03: Recreation, sports and fitness program supervisors
Duties
Updated Mar 31, 2020

Recreation co-ordinators plan, organize, and supervise recreational programs to meet community needs. They assess program success and advise groups and organizations on how to make the most of programs. They take part in many aspects of recreation, including:

  • Leadership training
  • Staff training
  • Sporting, cultural, and physical fitness activities
  • Outdoor recreation
  • Parks management
  • Recreation for specific populations, such as children or seniors
  • Monitoring budgets and planning capital spending
  • Routine and preventive facility maintenance

In general, recreation co-ordinators:

  • Work with community groups to develop and implement programs
  • Advertise programs
  • Implement fundraising projects
  • Research and evaluate programs
  • Prepare budgets for departments, facilities, or programs
  • Prepare grant applications, write reports, and develop long-range plans
  • Interview and hire staff and volunteers who operate courses, programs, and facilities
  • Supervise and train staff and volunteers
Working Conditions
Updated Mar 31, 2020
  • Strength Required Lift up to 20 kg

Recreation co-ordinators often work from an office. At times they work weekends and evenings at meetings or events. They may need to travel, such as if they oversee programs in multiple locations.

Setting up recreational activities sometimes requires lifting heavy items.

Interests & Abilities

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2006 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Recreation and Sports Program Supervisors

2006 NOC: 4167.5

Interest Codes

Interest Codes for This NOC Group
SOCIAL

Interest in consulting to provide recreational and sports information to community groups and the media; may instruct in recreational and sports activities

DIRECTIVE

Interest in co-ordinating the activities of leaders and instructors to implement training programs and workshops; and in recruiting volunteer and paid program leaders and instructors

INNOVATIVE

Interest in developing sports, fitness and recreational programs for leaders and instructors

Your Interest Codes

To identify or change your interest codes, complete the Interests Exercise in CAREERinsite.

Reading Interest Codes
A Quick Guide

The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation. 

It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective, and Social.

Each set of 3 interest codes for this NOC group is listed in order of importance.

A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.

A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.

Learn About Interests

Abilities

Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities

To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Exercise in CAREERinsite.

Mental Abilities

General Learning Ability

Verbal Ability

Numerical Ability

Visual Abilities

Spatial Perception

Form Perception

Clerical Perception

Physical Abilities

Motor Coordination

Finger Dexterity

Manual Dexterity

Understanding Abilities

A Quick Guide

You are born with abilities that help you process certain types of information and turn it into action. These abilities influence which skills you can learn more easily.

The abilities or aptitudes shown for this NOC group come from the General Aptitude Test Battery (GATB). The GATB measures 9 aptitudes. It groups them into 3 categories: mental, visual, and physical.

The abilities scores range from 1 to 5, with 5 being stronger.

Learn About Abilities

Traits & Skills
Updated Mar 31, 2020

Recreation co-ordinators need:

  • Oral and written communication skills
  • The ability to establish rapport with people of all ages and backgrounds
  • Organizational and leadership skills
  • Accounting skills

They should enjoy consulting with people, directing and co-ordinating activities, and developing innovative programs.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Top 10 Skills Employers Are Looking For

Recreation, sports and fitness policy researchers, consultants and program officers

2016 NOC: 4167

This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 24 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Apr 28, 2022 and Oct 01, 2024.

Review these skills to learn:

  • Whether or not this occupation matches your skill set
  • What training you may need to get these skills
  • What skills to highlight in your resumé, cover letter, and interview.
Tasks: Co-ordinate special events
Tasks: Perform administrative tasks
Tasks: Supervise professional staff, program leaders and instructors and volunteer staff
Tasks: Provide expert advice and consulting services in the design, development and administration of sports, fitness and recreation programs and activities
Tasks: Prepare research papers, educational texts or articles
Tasks: Write proposals and press statements for corporations, industry and the fitness community
Tasks: Conduct research and develop government policies related to recreation, sports, fitness and athletic safety and standards
Experience: 1 year to less than 2 years
Personal Suitability: Organized
Personal Suitability: Excellent oral communication
Educational Requirements
Updated Mar 31, 2020
  • Minimum Education 2 years post-secondary

Recreation co-ordinators must have a university degree or college diploma in a related discipline. This could include recreation, physical education, or management. Employers prefer applicants with a recreation-related university degree or experience in the recreation field. Some positions require candidates to understand community development principles and organize community-wide festivals and special events.

Required Education

The following schools offer programs and courses that meet this occupation’s educational requirements. Other eligible programs and courses may be available.

Robertson College - Calgary
Robertson College - Edmonton

To expand or narrow your program options, visit Post-Secondary Programs and start your search with:

Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.

Certification Requirements
Updated Mar 31, 2020
  • Certification Not Regulated

There is currently no provincial legislation regulating this occupation in Alberta.

Employment & Advancement
Updated Mar 31, 2020

Recreation co-ordinators work for:

  • Health-care institutions
  • Municipal governments
  • Not-for-profit sport and recreation groups, such as the YM / YWCA and Boys and Girls Clubs
  • Post-secondary schools
  • Private recreation and fitness facilities
  • Tourism and entertainment businesses and organizations

Work in smaller centres may offer a broader range of experiences. Larger centres tend to be more diverse and offer the option to specialize.

Experienced co-ordinators may move into consulting or administrative positions. For more information, see the Recreation and Sport Administrator occupational profile.

Industry Concentration

This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

Recreation, sports and fitness policy researchers, consultants and program officers
2016 NOC: 4167

84.4% of people in this occupational group work in:

NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.

3-Year Job Market Forecast

This section shows the short-term demand forecasted for this occupation in Alberta over a 3-year period. It also shows the number of people employed in the occupation.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

Recreation, sports and fitness policy researchers, consultants and program officers
2021 NOC: 41406
Medium
Demand
< 1500
Employed

Source: 2023-2025 Alberta Short-Term Employment Forecast

NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.

To see data for all occupations, visit Occupations in Demand.

5-Year Job Market Forecast

This section shows the employment outlook for this occupation in Alberta over a 5-year period.

Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

  • Time of year (for seasonal jobs)
  • Location in Alberta
  • Employment turnover (when people leave existing positions)
  • Occupational growth (when new positions are created)
  • Size of the occupation
  • Trends and events that affect overall employment, especially in the industry or industries from the previous list

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

Recreation, sports and fitness policy researchers, consultants and program officers
2016 NOC: 4167
2.4%
Annual Growth
(Average)
30
New Positions

Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook

Annual growth is from 2021 to 2025. New positions created each year are in addition to job openings created by employment turnover.

NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.

Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.

Wage & Salary
Updated Mar 31, 2020

Salaries for recreation co-ordinators vary. Factors include location, responsibilities of the position, and the co-ordinator’s qualifications.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Recreation, sports and fitness policy researchers, consultants and program officers

2016 NOC: 4167
Average Wage
$32.26
Per Hour
Average Salary
$58,132.00
Per Year
Average Hours
33.8
Per Week
Average Months on Payroll
11.9
Survey Methodology Survey Analysis

Source
2021 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey

NOC 4167 Wage Profile

Unless otherwise noted, the data shown here is for all industries and all regions in Alberta.

All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production), and other forms of compensation.

To see the full survey data for this NOC group, visit the wage profile.

Other wage sources
To make an informed wage and salary decision, research other wage sources [pdf] to supplement this data.

B: Good Reliability
Data Reliability Code Definition

Good Reliability, represents a CV of between 6.01% and 15.00% and/or fewer than 30 survey observations and/or if survey observations represent less than 50% of all estimated employment for the occupation.


Hourly Wage

For full-time and part-time employees
  • Low
  • High
  • Average
  • Median
Starting
Overall
Top

Hourly Wage

For full-time and part-time employees
Wages* Low (5th percentile) High (95th percentile) Average Median
Starting $16.00 $40.05 $26.98 $23.13
Overall $17.50 $53.55 $32.26 $28.57
Top $20.00 $53.55 $34.45 $32.97

Swipe left and right to view all data. Scroll left and right to view all data.

* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.

Pay brackets for hourly wages

  • Starting pay: average pay offered for entry-level positions
  • Overall pay: average pay across all employees in this occupation
  • Top pay: average pay offered to top-paid employees

Industry Information

ALL INDUSTRIES
Information, Culture, Recreation
Educational Services
Health Care & Social Assistance
Public Administration

Skills Shortage

Employers that Recruited in the Last 2 Years
41%
41%)
Recruiting Employers that Experienced Hiring Difficulties
7%
7%
Employers with Unfilled Vacancies of over 4 Months
1%
1%
Vacancy Rate
N/A
Related Post-Secondary Field of Study
  • Business, Management and Administrative Studies
  • Physical Education and Recreation

Updated Mar 31, 2020. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.

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