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Recreation Facility Operator

Recreation facility operators maintain and supervise the use of recreational facilities. Facilities can range from ice arenas and swimming pools to sports fields and tennis courts.

Also Known As

Facility Operator, Indoor Arena Operator, Outdoor Recreation Facility Operator, Sports Field Operator, Swimming Pool Operator

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

  • 6671.2: Attendants in Amusement, Recreation and Sport

2006 NOC-S

  • G731: Operators and Attendants in Amusement, Recreation and Sport

2011 NOC

  • 6722: Operators and attendants in amusement, recreation and sport

2016 NOC

  • 6722: Operators and attendants in amusement, recreation and sport

2021 NOC

  • 65211: Operators and attendants in amusement, recreation and sport

2023 OaSIS

  • 65211.02: Attendants in amusement, recreation and sport
Duties
Updated Mar 31, 2020

Recreation facility operators are responsible for the smooth, safe, and efficient operation of recreation facilities. These can include swimming pools, arenas, velodromes, curling rinks, indoor soccer facilities, indoor courts, and outdoor facilities. They are sometimes responsible for programming as well as facility operation and maintenance. For more information, see the Recreation Co-ordinator profile.

Recreation facility operators’ duties depend on the type and number of facilities they operate. They may also depend on how involved they are in programming and maintenance. For example, in one community a swimming pool operator may:

  • Maintain water quality and mechanical operations, such as testing water and backwash filters
  • Perform building maintenance and custodial duties
  • Run swimming lesson programs
  • Be responsible for public relations and planning
  • Oversee pool administration
  • Supervise lifeguards
  • Prepare budgets
  • Handle cash

In the same community, an ice rink operator may only maintain an outdoor ice surface and supervise the rink during operating hours. Or, like the swimming pool operator, they may run programs, do custodial work, and handle public relations.

In general, recreation facility operators:

  • Perform routine maintenance or supervise general-maintenance staff
  • Supervise tradespeople, such as painters, plumbers, and electricians, as required
  • Perform specialized tasks related to the nature of the facility, such as resurfacing ice, keeping records of ice thickness, repairing rink boards, and replacing glass
  • Enforce safety regulations
  • Ensure good public relations
  • Schedule the use of facilities and collect fees

Some large complexes include ice rinks, swimming pools, and other facilities. These facility operators must manage life-cycle and risk-management issues. They must also ensure the efficient, safe operation of:

  • Building systems (boilers, plumbing, heating, and ventilation systems)
  • Architectural and structural components (door hardware, paint finishes, floor finishes, furniture, windows, and roofing systems)
  • Life, fire, and safety systems (fire panels, fire extinguishers, concession range hood systems, wet and dry sprinkler systems, and first aid stations)
Working Conditions
Updated Mar 31, 2020
  • Strength Required Lift up to 20 kg

Recreation facility operators may work indoors or outdoors depending on the facility. They often work shifts that include evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Some recreation facility operators occasionally lift heavy materials and equipment.

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.

Attendants in Amusement, Recreation and Sport

2006 NOC: 6671.2

Interest Codes

Interest Codes for This NOC Group
METHODICAL

Interest in comparing to collect tickets and fees; to rent or sell sports and accessory equipment; to monitor recreational equipment to detect wear and damage; and to schedule the use of recreational facilities such as golf courses, tennis courts, bowling alleys, fitness clubs and other similar facilities

OBJECTIVE

Interest in operating recreational facility equipment such as ski lifts, ice rink equipment and snow making machines; and in securing and releasing safety belts and bars

SOCIAL

Interest in speaking - signalling to assist patrons on and off ski lifts and amusement park rides; and in attending to the requests of patrons

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 facility operators need:

  • Flexibility and a sense of humour
  • A willingness to acquire a broad range of skills
  • The ability to work in a team environment
  • The ability to work with patrons and clients
  • Time-management skills
  • Stress-management skills

They should enjoy working with people and machines. Their job descriptions may change often.

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

Operators and attendants in amusement, recreation and sport

2016 NOC: 6722

This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 79 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Nov 19, 2021 and Nov 28, 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.
Reliability
Team player
Effective interpersonal skills
Attention to detail
Excellent oral communication
Client focus
Work Site Environment: Noisy
Work Site Environment: Outdoors
Tasks: Perform maintenance on rides and equipment
Flexibility
Educational Requirements
Updated Mar 31, 2020
  • Minimum Education Varies

In the past, many facility operators worked their way up. This is becoming difficult as the job requires more specialized skills, training, and education. Some employers require at least a high school diploma.

  • Indoor ice arena operators must know how to make and maintain artificial ice to a safe and efficient standard. They must make minor repairs to ventilation and refrigeration systems. They also must do minimal custodial work. A minimum Arena Operator Level 1 certificate from the Alberta Association of Recreation Facility Personnel (AARFP) is recommended. An Arena Operator Level 2 or Building Maintenance Level 1 or 2 certificate may be required.
  • Swimming pool operators must know how to operate low-pressure boilers and filtration systems. They must maintain the water and facilities to meet health regulations and understand chlorine safety and water testing. They also must clean facilities. A minimum Swimming Pool Operator Level 1 certificate is required.
  • Outdoor facility operators are responsible for sports fields, tennis courts, playgrounds, and parks. They must know how to maintain sports fields, playgrounds and courts, irrigation systems, plants, and equipment. A Park and Sports Field Operator Level 1 certificate is recommended.

The Alberta Association of Recreation Facility Personnel (AARFP) offers short courses related to operating and maintaining swimming pools, arenas, buildings, parks, and sports fields. These courses can be taken at locations throughout the province. Course graduates receive Level 1 or Level 2 certification.

Related Education

The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.

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

Most municipalities in Alberta employ facility operations personnel. Some require candidates to pass an alcohol and drug test. Some positions, such as arena or parks operator, are seasonal.

Advancement depends on the nature of the employing organization and the operator’s qualifications.

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.

Operators and attendants in amusement, recreation and sport
2016 NOC: 6722

81.9% 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.

Operators and attendants in amusement, recreation and sport
2021 NOC: 65211
Lower
Demand
6,500
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.

Operators and attendants in amusement, recreation and sport
2016 NOC: 6722
2.7%
Annual Growth
(Above Average)
221
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.

Related Alberta Job Postings
Wage & Salary
Updated Mar 31, 2020

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.

Operators and attendants in amusement, recreation and sport

2016 NOC: 6722
Average Wage
$17.62
Per Hour
Average Salary
$17,696.00
Per Year
Average Hours
27.4
Per Week
Average Months on Payroll
7.9
Survey Methodology Survey Analysis

Source
2021 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey

NOC 6722 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 $15.00 $25.03 $16.33 $15.00
Overall $15.00 $27.50 $17.62 $16.00
Top $15.00 $31.12 $19.37 $17.50

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
Accommodation & Food Services
Other Services (Repair, Personal Services and Related)
Public Administration

Skills Shortage

Employers that Recruited in the Last 2 Years
59%
59%)
Recruiting Employers that Experienced Hiring Difficulties
19%
19%
Employers with Unfilled Vacancies of over 4 Months
8%
8%
Vacancy Rate
2%
Related Post-Secondary Field of Study
  • Business, Management and Administrative Studies
  • Physical Education and Recreation
  • Trades, Industrial and Related Training
Other Sources of Information
Updated Mar 31, 2020

Alberta Association of Recreation Facility Personnel (AARFP) website: www.aarfp.com

Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.

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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