Recreation Attendants

At a Glance

Work at amusement parks, golf courses, beaches, and ski areas
Spend most of their time helping customers
Often wear a uniform
May work evenings, weekends, or holidays
Train on the job

Career summary

Recreation attendants keep things running smoothly at places where people go to have fun.

#No alternate titles CJ

Recreation attendants work at:

Amusement parks
Beaches
Golf courses
Health clubs
Ski areas
Swimming pools

Recreation attendants collect money or fees and give change to customers. They provide information about the recreation facility and the services provided. They schedule special events, such as tennis matches or swim meets.

Some recreation attendants rent or lend equipment to customers. They may also explain how the equipment is used. They make sure equipment is in good working order and keep track of who has borrowed it.

Some recreation attendants keep locker rooms clean. They may also sell food, drinks, or gifts.

Some recreation attendants work with horses and other animals. They feed, groom, and saddle horses so that people can ride them.

Other recreation attendants work at lakes, beaches, and places where people rent boats, canoes, or rafts. They keep track of when boats are borrowed and when they are due back. They also make sure people use life jackets and other safety equipment.

Recreation attendants who work at amusement parks perform many tasks. They may sell tickets to customers, lead tours, and answer questions about activities and attractions. Other attendants operate rides. They also keep the rides clean and inspect each ride to make sure that it is operating correctly and safely.

Related careers

This career is part of the Hospitality and Tourism cluster of careers.

Related careers include:

Job duties

Task list

The following list of tasks is specific to recreation attendants.

Keep equipment in working order.
Announce amusement park attractions to customers.
Explain how to use equipment safely.
Provide information about rules, rides, and other attractions.
Record details of attendance, sales, receipts, reservations, and repair activities.
Make sure that people follow rules.
Sell tickets or collect fees from customers.
Keep informed of shut-down and emergency evacuation procedures.
Clean equipment, rides, and facilities.
Operate rides at amusement parks and carnivals.
Rent or sell equipment and supplies.
Collect tickets before allowing customers to enter amusement parks and rides.
Attend to amusement park and carnival booths and award prizes to winners.
Direct customers to rides, seats, or attractions.
Help passengers get on amusement park rides.
Sell food and drinks.
Schedule use of recreation facilities.
Record who borrowed equipment and when it is due.

Common work activities

Recreation attendants perform the following tasks. These tasks are common to many careers.

Perform for or work with the public
Communicate with supervisors, peers, or subordinates
Get information needed to do the job
Handle and move objects
Establish and maintain relationships
Assist and care for others
Perform activities that use the whole body
Communicate with people outside the organization
Use computers
Identify objects, actions, and events

Work requirements

Working conditions

In a typical work setting, recreation attendants:

Interpersonal relationships

Have a high level of contact with other people. They spend most of their time helping customers.
Are often placed in conflict situations.
Often deal with unpleasant, angry, or discourteous customers.
Are responsible for the health and safety of others. They must be sure that equipment is used in a safe manner.
Are responsible for work outcomes and results of other attendants.
Communicate with coworkers and customers daily by telephone or in person.
Work in a group or as part of a team.
May on occasion deal with aggressive customers.

Physical work conditions

Usually work outdoors at amusement parks. However, attendants at bowling alleys and other recreation facilities work indoors.
Are often exposed to sounds and noise levels that are distracting and uncomfortable.
Are sometimes exposed to very bright or very dim light.
Are sometimes exposed to hazardous situations that may produce cuts. Attendants can reduce the risk by following safety procedures.
Work very near customers. They often work within inches of other people.

Work performance

Must be fully exact in their work. Errors could endanger the safety of customers.
Make decisions on a daily basis that affect customers. They rarely consult a supervisor before making a decision.
Are able to set most tasks and goals for the day without talking to a supervisor. This is because they do many of the same tasks with each patient.
Repeat the same physical and mental tasks throughout the day.

Hours/travel

Generally work an irregular schedule. More recreation attendants are needed during peak vacation times.
May work part time or full time, but most work less than 40 hours a week.
May work evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Physical demands

Recreation attendants frequently:

Stand for long periods of time.
Repeat the same movements.
Walk or run for long periods of time.
Use their hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls.

It is important for recreation attendants to be able to:

Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
Understand the speech of another person.
See details of objects that are less than a few feet away.

It is not as important, but still necessary, for recreation attendants to be able to:

See details of objects that are more than a few feet away.
Move two or more limbs together (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while remaining in place.
Make quick, precise adjustments to machine controls.
Hold the arm and hand in one position or hold the hand steady while moving the arm.
Use one or two hands to grasp, move, or assemble objects.
Use stomach and lower back muscles to support the body for long periods without getting tired.
Use muscles to lift, push, pull, or carry heavy objects.
Be physically active for long periods without getting tired or out of breath.
Focus on one source of sound and ignore others.
Use fingers to grasp, move, or assemble very small objects.
Choose quickly and correctly among various movements when responding to different signals.
React quickly using hands, fingers, or feet.
Move arms and legs quickly.
Bend, stretch, twist, or reach out.
Coordinate movement of several parts of the body, such as arms and legs, while the body is moving.
Use muscles for extended periods without getting tired.
Determine the distance between objects.

Skills and abilities

Recreation attendants need to:

Communicate

Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
Understand spoken information.
Listen to others and ask questions.

Reason and problem solve

Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.
Use reasoning to discover answers to problems.

Work with people

Look for ways to help people.
Be aware of others' reactions and understand the possible causes.

Education and training

Educational programs

The programs of study listed below will help you prepare for the occupation or career cluster you are exploring.

Programs of study to consider

Training

To work as a recreation attendant, you typically need to:

complete short-term, on-the-job training.

On-the-job training

Almost all recreation attendants learn their skills on the job from an experienced worker. During training, you learn:

customer service;
recordkeeping; and
policies and safety procedures.

Training lasts up to one month.

Helpful high school courses

You should take a general high school curriculum that meets the state's graduation requirements. You will be required to take both math and science classes to graduate.

Helpful electives to take in high school that prepare you for this career include:

Hospitality
Office Procedures
Physical Education

The courses listed above are meant to help you create your high school plan. If you have not already done so, talk to a school counselor or parent about the courses you are considering taking.

You should also check with a teacher or counselor to see if work-based learning opportunities are available in your school and community. These might include field trips, job shadowing, internships, and actual work experience. The goal of these activities is to help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.

Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organization that interests you. By participating in activities you can have fun, make new friends, and learn about yourself. Maybe one of them will help direct you to a future career. Here are examples of activities and groups that may be available in your high school or community.

Things to know

Employers look for applicants who are pleasant, physically fit, and neat in appearance. They also look for punctual and reliable workers. The ability to work well with the public is very important. Knowledge of a sport, such as golf, tennis, or bowling, may be helpful for some positions. Attendants must be at least 18 years old in jobs where they serve alcoholic beverages.

High school education is preferred but usually not required. Applicants should have a basic understanding of safety and liability issues. Computer literacy is also important as attendants use automated systems to track orders and print receipts for customers. Some employers also look for applicants who have first aid and CPR training, AED (Automated External Defibrillator) certification, and a clean police record. A criminal background check may be required. Drug testing may also be required.

Tips

Demand for attendants rises during the summer and holidays which offers applicants an opportunity to seek part-time or internship positions. An outgoing personality is an asset.

Job listings

Listed below are links to job categories from the National Labor Exchange that relate to this career. Once you get a list of jobs, you can view information about individual jobs and find out how to apply. If your job search finds too many openings, or if you wish to search for jobs outside of Washington, you will need to refine your search.

Amusement and Recreation Attendants

To get a listing of current jobs from the WorkSource system, go to the WorkSource website (external link) .

Wages

The minimum wage for Washington State as of January 1, 2020 is $13.50 per hour. Some areas of the state may have a higher minimum wage.

Amusement and recreation attendants (SOC 39-3091)

Location	Pay Period
Location	Pay Period	10%	25%	Median	75%	90%
Washington	Hourly	$11.69	$11.98	$12.75	$15.28	$18.98
	Monthly	$2,026	$2,076	$2,210	$2,648	$3,289
	Yearly	$24,310	$24,920	$26,530	$31,780	$39,470
Bellingham	Hourly	$12.00	$12.19	$12.51	$12.89	$13.70
	Monthly	$2,080	$2,113	$2,168	$2,234	$2,374
	Yearly	$24,969	$25,360	$26,013	$26,803	$28,478
Bremerton-Silverdale	Hourly	$11.99	$12.16	$12.49	$12.94	$14.95
	Monthly	$2,078	$2,107	$2,165	$2,243	$2,591
	Yearly	$24,936	$25,287	$25,977	$26,914	$31,099
Clarkston-Lewiston	Hourly	$8.12	$8.65	$9.52	$12.51	$17.44
	Monthly	$1,407	$1,499	$1,650	$2,168	$3,022
	Yearly	$16,904	$17,983	$19,783	$26,012	$36,277
Kennewick-Richland	Hourly	$12.00	$12.19	$12.60	$15.04	$18.90
	Monthly	$2,080	$2,113	$2,184	$2,606	$3,275
	Yearly	$24,959	$25,359	$26,214	$31,275	$39,301
Longview	Hourly	$11.99	$12.18	$17.28	$19.92	$27.04
	Monthly	$2,078	$2,111	$2,995	$3,452	$4,686
	Yearly	$24,946	$25,329	$35,943	$41,436	$56,252
Mount Vernon-Anacortes	Hourly	$12.04	$12.30	$12.77	$13.81	$15.76
	Monthly	$2,087	$2,132	$2,213	$2,393	$2,731
	Yearly	$25,051	$25,583	$26,565	$28,728	$32,791
Olympia-Tumwater	Hourly	$12.01	$12.25	$12.72	$13.71	$15.43
	Monthly	$2,081	$2,123	$2,204	$2,376	$2,674
	Yearly	$24,985	$25,473	$26,457	$28,507	$32,088
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue	Hourly	$12.11	$12.47	$13.69	$16.20	$20.12
	Monthly	$2,099	$2,161	$2,372	$2,807	$3,487
	Yearly	$25,172	$25,922	$28,469	$33,710	$41,830
Spokane-Spokane Valley	Hourly	$12.03	$12.26	$12.82	$14.79	$17.44
	Monthly	$2,085	$2,125	$2,222	$2,563	$3,022
	Yearly	$25,021	$25,499	$26,663	$30,753	$36,290
Vancouver	Hourly	$10.91	$11.50	$12.33	$14.06	$18.00
	Monthly	$1,891	$1,993	$2,137	$2,437	$3,119
	Yearly	$22,681	$23,904	$25,653	$29,239	$37,447
Walla Walla	Hourly	$11.97	$12.12	$12.55	$14.10	$15.19
	Monthly	$2,074	$2,100	$2,175	$2,444	$2,632
	Yearly	$24,905	$25,201	$26,095	$29,329	$31,601
Wenatchee	Hourly	$11.98	$12.17	$12.85	$15.35	$18.77
	Monthly	$2,076	$2,109	$2,227	$2,660	$3,253
	Yearly	$24,933	$25,312	$26,728	$31,929	$39,055
Yakima	Hourly	$11.99	$12.17	$12.57	$15.51	$18.72
	Monthly	$2,078	$2,109	$2,178	$2,688	$3,244
	Yearly	$24,940	$25,301	$26,146	$32,263	$38,937
United States	Hourly	$8.45	$9.24	$10.70	$12.19	$14.95
	Monthly	$1,464	$1,601	$1,854	$2,113	$2,591
	Yearly	$17,570	$19,230	$22,260	$25,350	$31,100

The amount of pay depends on the worker's responsibilities and the size of the facility. The area of the country may also affect wages.

Recreation attendants who work full time may receive benefits. Typical benefits include health insurance, paid vacation, and sick leave. They may also receive free admission and discounts on food and merchandise. Employers usually provide uniforms if they are needed.

Employment and outlook

Washington outlook

The table below provides information about the number of workers in this career in various regions. It also provides information about the expected growth rate and future job openings.

Amusement and Recreation Attendants (SOC 39-3091)

		This occupation	All occupations
Location	Current employment	Growth over 10 years		Annual openings
Washington	5,902	17.5%	16.1%	1,658
Adams, Chelan, Douglas, Grant, and Okanogan Counties	206	17.5%	13.4%	57
Asotin, Columbia, Ferry, Garfield, Lincoln, Pend Oreille, Stevens, Walla Walla, and Whitman Counties	101	7.9%	8.6%	25
Benton and Franklin Counties	172	19.8%	15.0%	49
Clallam, Jefferson, and Kitsap Counties	111	14.4%	11.9%	29
Clark, Cowlitz, and Wahkiakum Counties	380	16.8%	15.2%	105
Grays Harbor, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, and Thurston Counties	253	36.0%	14.1%	88
Island, San Juan, Skagit, and Whatcom Counties	260	12.3%	14.6%	68
King County	2,936	16.3%	19.6%	812
Kittitas, Klickitat, Skamania, and Yakima Counties	104	12.5%	13.8%	27
Pierce County	540	19.8%	15.2%	155
Snohomish County	424	19.1%	12.4%	121
Spokane County	365	16.7%	13.9%	102
United States	338,600	7.6%	5.2%	83,500

National employment

Major employers:

Golf courses, country clubs, and other recreational centers
Amusement parks
City government recreation programs
Civic and social associations such as the YMCA

National outlook

Demand for this occupation will be strong. Retiring baby boomers are expected to have more money and time to spend on leisure activities. In addition, the growing interest in physical fitness and travel will increase demand for recreation services. Jobs will also be created by the growing popularity of theme parks and cruise ships.

Recreation attendant jobs may be seasonal. Students fill many of these jobs during the summer. Hours can be long and pay is generally low. Many job openings occur as people leave the occupation to find better paying jobs.

Other resources

National Recreation and Park Association
22377 Belmont Ridge Road
Ashburn, VA 20148
800.626.6772
703.858.0784

Washington Recreation and Park Association
2150 North 107th Street, Suite 205
Seattle, WA 98133
888.459.0009
206.367.8777

References

Career cluster

Hospitality and Tourism

Career path

Enterprising (Business Communications)

O*Net occupation

Amusement and Recreation Attendants (39-3091.00)

O*Net job zone

Job Zone 1 - Little or no preparation needed. No previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations.