Important Information about Applying for Recreation Jobs

Types of Positions

Positions available in recreation include jobs working with children, youth, adults and seniors. You can work in various program areas, including aquatics, arts and culture, camps, pre-school, community programs, fitness and wellness and sports. Jobs are located across the city in community centres, parks, pools, arenas and city-owned museums and cultural centres.

Not all positions are available in each district or every season.

A complete list of job opportunities is available online. You can also search by job category:

• Adapted & Inclusive
• After School Recreation Care
• Aquatics
• Arts & Culture
• Camps
• Community Gardens
• General Interest
• Leaside Gardens
• Museums
• Recreation Support
• Skate, Ski & Snowboard
• Sports & Fitness

The City of Toronto may offer opportunities to teach and deliver a range of Virtual Recreation Programs. Staff will instruct programs online from a City of Toronto community centre; locations to be confirmed.

Jobs That Hire at 14 & 15 Years of Age

For most positions, you must be at least 16 years old. The following positions are also available for 14 and 15 year olds.

• Aquatics Program Assistant
• Assistant Sports Instructor
• Gatekeeper
• Lifeguard (must be 15 years or older)
• Rink Guard
• Skate Program Assistant Instructor
• Ski/Snowboard Assistant Instructor
• Swim Instructor (must be 15 years or older)
• Wading Pool Attendant (certain locations only)

Mandatory Certifications & Qualifications for All Recreation Staff

The qualifications and certifications required to work for Parks, Forestry and Recreation (PFR) vary depending on the job. Ensure you list the qualifications you have on your resume and bring a copy to your interview. All positions require a first aid and CPR certification. Review the list below for specific requirements. Following the mandatory qualifications, is a list of training that can enhance your application.

First Aid Certification

Applicants currently registered to take a first aid course, can still apply, but will be required to have this certification before beginning work.

Note: Having your first aid certification at the time of applying, may allow you to score higher when your application is being screened for employment.

Principles of Healthy Child Development (PHCD) Certification

This is a mandatory course that will be provided to you at no cost upon obtaining a conditional offer of employment. You will be provided with course dates and details at that time.

Vulnerable Sector Check

One of the requirements for working with children and vulnerable adults is for applicants to provide the results of a Vulnerable Sector Check (VSC). Once a candidate completes online onboarding documentation, candidates that reside in the City of Toronto (postal code starts with “M”) will be sent an email with a voucher code to complete an online VSC application with Toronto Police at no cost. Applicants who reside outside of the City of Toronto will need to obtain a Vulnerable Sector Check from their local Police Service at their own cost.

For further information on the vulnerable sector screening, please contact your local Police Service.

Training That Can Enhance Your Application

• HIGH FIVE Principles of Healthy Child Development Certificate
• Play It Fair
• Food Handling
• Driver’s Licence
• Fitness Certification
• Propane Handling

Mandatory Certifications & Qualifications for Aquatic Staff

In addition to the certifications and qualifications listed above, Aquatic staff are also required to have completed the following certifications before starting work and certifications must be current and cannot be expired. Review the list for each program and job title and its mandatory qualifications.

Aqua Fitness Instructor

Aquatic Fitness Certification in one of the following

• WaterArt – Aquafit Instructor
• Canadian Aquafitness Leaders Alliance Inc. – Aquafitness Leader
• Equivalent certification as reviewed by Aquatic Committee

and possess

• Standard First Aid and CPR-C certifications

Aquatic Program Assistant

• Lifesaving Society Bronze Cross certification
• Standard First Aid and CPR-C certifications

Note: Before being eligible to attend Bronze Cross certification, you must have completed

• Lifesaving Society Bronze Medallion certification

Lifeguard – Pool

• Lifesaving Society National Lifeguard (NL) pool certification
• Standard First Aid and CPR-C certifications

Note: Before being eligible to participate in NL certification, you must have completed

1. Lifesaving Society Bronze Medallion certification
2. Lifesaving Society Bronze Cross certification

Lifeguard – Waterfront

• Lifesaving Society National Lifeguard (NL) pool certification or National Lifeguard Waterfront certification
• Standard First Aid and CPR-C certifications
• Pleasure Craft Operator card
• Must be able to obtain and maintain the National Lifeguard Waterfront certification within the first year of employment and continue to meet the certification standards

Note: Before being eligible to participate in NL certification, you must have completed

1. Lifesaving Society Bronze Medallion certification
2. Lifesaving Society Bronze Cross certification

Swim Instructor

• Lifesaving Society National Lifeguard (NL) certification
• Lifesaving Society (LSS) Swim Instructor, Lifesaving Instructor, and Emergency First Aid Instructor certifications
• Standard First Aid and CPR-C certifications

Note: Before being eligible to participate in NL and Instructor certifications, you must have completed

1. Lifesaving Society Bronze Medallion certification
2. Lifesaving Society Bronze Cross certification

Wading Pool Attendant

• Lifesaving Society Bronze Cross or Lifesaving Society Wading Pool Attendant Certification
• Standard First Aid and CPR-C certifications

Note: Before being eligible to attend Bronze Cross certification, you must have completed

• Lifesaving Society Bronze Medallion certification