The Position
Recruitment may close at any time. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply immediately.
2026 OAKLAND PARKS RECREATION & YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
PART-TIME EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
The City of Oakland is an equal opportunity employer that values workforce diversity inclusion and equity. Oakland has a long history of activism around issues of justice and equity. Both oppression and this resistance to oppression have shaped the citys historical roots and the lives of its residents to this day. As public servants in one of the most diverse cities in the nation we strive to develop employees who understand the harm and impacts of systemic inequity to create lasting
meaningful outcomes for everyone. Oakland strives to establishan environment that embraces the richness of culture community and individualism of employees.
Why Join the Oakland Parks Recreation & Youth Development Department
With an emphasis on Oaklands youth Oakland Parks Recreation & Youth Development and its partners will provide best-in-class relevant and equitable programs and services while meeting the specific needs of people and communities both at the neighborhood level and regionally throughout the City of Oakland. We achieve this mission through intentional engagement and by removing the barriers that prohibit equitable opportunities for all. Oaklands Parks Recreation and Youth Development (OPRYD) Department believes that communities thrive when they play with a purpose. Our purpose is to Expose Enlighten Empower and Encourage Educational Excellence through recreational experiences.
We are currently hiring for our Youth Summer programs in the following areas :
Nature : Naturalists and Field Biologists
Fitness : Personal Trainers Water Aerobics Instructors Nutritionists Yoga Instructors andSports Coaches
Visual Arts : Photography Digital Arts Jewelry Design Glass Arts and Ceramics
Performing Arts : Drama and Dance
Aquatics : Boat Operators Aquatics Specialists
Culinary Arts : Chefs and Cooks
We are looking for someone who is :
What you will typically be responsible for :
Read the complete job description by clicking here.
A few reasons you might love this job :
A few challenges you might face in this job :
The competencies required to be a successful Recreation Specialist I are :
Click on the link below to see a video on what its like to work for the City of Oakland!
Working for the City of Oakland
Minimum Requirements for Application
This is a public contact position. The City highly encourages all bilingual candidates to apply! Some positions may require bilingual skills in Spanish Cantonese or Mandarin. Under the authority of Civil Service Rules Section 5.03 if a position requires bilingual language skills only those candidates who have indicated they are bilingual in the required language(s) will be referred. Bilingual candidates will be required to successfully pass a language proficiency test if selected for hire.
Any combination of education and experience that is equivalent to the following minimum qualifications may be acceptable.
Education :
High school diploma or equivalent.
Experience :
A minimum of one (1) year of professional level experience paid or volunteer and demonstrated teaching skills in some specialized area of interest. Areas can include art dance drama music and sports.
Candidates must be at least eighteen (18) years of age to apply
Additional Qualifications :
Bilingual skills in Spanish Cantonese and Mandarin are highly desirable for certain positions.
License / Other Requirements : Depending on the nature of the assignment candidates who receive conditional offers of employment will be required to submit fingerprints undergo a criminal record clearance and have a physical examination including a TB screening.
Supplemental Information
The Selection Process
This is an at-will position exempt from the provisions of the City of Oakland Civil Service Rules per Charter Section 902. All applications received will be forwarded to the Oakland Parks Recreation & Youth Development Department for further consideration.
Applications received by the dates below will be reviewed for any vacancies open at that time. Meeting the minimum qualifications does not guarantee further consideration only the candidates whose skills and experience match the needs of the department will be contacted for interviews. All invitations to interview will be sent through and may be received weeks or months after the initial application date based on OPRYD seasonal programming. Please ensure that you are routinely checking for emails from .
Round 1 : Applications submitted by 1 / 5 / 2026
Round 2 : Applications submitted by 3 / 5 / 2026
Round 3 : Applications submitted by 5 / 7 / 2026
The City of Oakland reserves the right to modify the selection process and date of examination as necessary to conform to administrative or business necessity. The information contained in this announcement is subject to change and does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.
Disaster Service Workers
All employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.
How to Apply
Apply prior to the closing time of the job announcement and allow at least two to three hours to submit your application if you are a new user of the system. APPLICATIONS ARE ACCEPTED ONLINE ONLY. You may apply and view current openings by visiting our employment opportunities webpage at : you do not have access to a computer there are computer stations available at any City of Oakland Public Library. There are also workstations at the Human Resources Management Department 150 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza 2nd Floor Oakland CA 94612. Workstations are available during regular business hours (normally 9 : 00 a.m. to 5 : 00 p.m.) .
Our online application system is provided by Government Jobs . If you have problems while applying online please contact Government Jobs Live Applicant Support at between 6 : 00 AM and 5 : 00 PM Pacific Time Monday - Friday . You may also call the City of Oakland Human Resources Management Department during regular business hours at for information; however we are unable to provide technical support for the online application system. For recruitment-specific questions please contact Jasmine Bellow at
Required Experience :
IC
Key Skills
Physical Education,Microsoft Publisher,Van Driver,Behavioral Therapy,Commercial Driving,Computer Literacy,Website Maintenance,Recreational Therapy,Experience with Children,Program Design,PTSD Care,Writing Skills
Employment Type : Part-Time
Experience : years
Vacancy : 1
Hourly Salary Salary : 23 - 28
Recreation Specialist • Oakland, California, USA