UC Santa Barbara Department of Recreation is one of the largest employers on campus with over 600 student positions. Students work in a fast-paced, professional environment, directly with career staff mentors, and many Recreation programs are heavily student-run.
Student development is very important to UCSB Recreation. Students have the opportunity to develop management, organization, and leadership skills, build positive relationships, and gain first-hand experience in a variety of areas. We pride ourselves on extensive training, both within the different Recreation areas and department wide.
NOW HIRING: Student Positions
Click below to learn more about our current openings and apply!
Calling all outdoor enthusiasts and adventurers!
Visit our Adventure Programs Employment page to learn more about our positions and the annual Leadership Training Course (LTC) info meetings.
CLICK HERE TO APPLY
Application Deadline: Ongoing
Area: Customer Service Center
Pay Rate: $16.90 / hour
Expected Hours: 8 - 10 hours / week
Contact: desiree_mendez@ucsb.edu
The Customer Service Assistant (Customer Service Center) provides exceptional customer service to our students, staff/faculty, and community members. The primary role of this position is to process membership and registration cash, check, and credit card transactions. This position is responsible for answering patron questions and disseminating information regarding Rec Cen Memberships, Recreation Programs, and the Recreation Center, both in person and over the phone. This position will aid in the development of exceptional interpersonal and customer service skills. Customer Service Assistants must have the ability to work flexible hours, including holidays and occasionally special events (weekends). This is a year-round position for UC Santa Barbara students.
Application Deadline: Ongoing
Area: Get Up GAUCHOS!
Expected Hours: 1 - 2 hours / week
Contact: Christine Burleson (cmburl@ucsb.edu)
CLICK HERE FOR FULL JOB DESCRIPTION
The Department of Recreation at UCSB is seeking motivated fitness professionals in the Santa Barbara area who are passionate about fitness and eager to share their skills with our campus community. We are looking for experienced fitness instructors from various backgrounds to teach a variety of fitness class formats. Ideal candidates will excel in delivering high-energy, motivating, pre-programmed classes suitable for all fitness levels. Selected applicants will be invited for an interview and asked to demonstrate a fitness class for evaluation by our team.
To apply, please email Christine Burleson at cmburl@ucsb.edu with your teaching resume and a cover letter explaining why you believe you and your experience would be a good fit for our program.
Interested in becoming a Group Cycle Instructor but need more training?
Register for UCSB Cycling Instructor Training
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Application Deadline: Ongoing
Pay rate: $16.50 / hour
Expected Hours: Flexible Hours, 6 Days / Week, Late Afternoons & Evenings. Schedules will vary weekly to help accommodate your classes and commitments. In addition to your regular duties, you will be required to attend bi-weekly meetings and quarterly training.
Contact: ucsbstudentmanager@gmail.com
Intramural Assistants (IAs) play a key role in creating a safe, fun, and inclusive environment for all participants. They are responsible for overseeing games, ensuring participants have completed the required waiver, and verifying identification prior to play. During events, they monitor safety, respond to emergencies, and provide First Aid/CPR or contact emergency personnel when necessary. IAs also prepare for each game by bringing the appropriate equipment, medical kit, ice, and radio to the field or court. Throughout their shift, they report directly to the Night Supervisor, using radio communication to provide updates and ensure smooth operations. We do not require any experience or certifications to apply.
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Application Deadline: Ongoing
Area: Intramural Sports
Pay Rate: $16.50 / hour
Expected Hours: Flexible Hours, 6 Days / Week, Late Afternoons & Evenings. Schedules will vary weekly to help accommodate your classes and commitments. In addition to your regular duties, you will be required to attend bi-weekly meetings and quarterly training.
Contact: ucsbstudentmanager@gmail.com
Intramural Officials are responsible for enforcing the rules of play, making judgment calls, and managing the overall flow of the game. Strong communication and conflict-resolution skills are essential, as Officials help create a positive and enjoyable experience for all participants. We are currently seeking Officials for basketball, flag football, soccer, and softball. Training will be provided, but prior officiating or playing experience is a plus. Officials work closely with the Intramural Supervisors and Assistants to set up equipment, maintain a safe playing environment, and support participants throughout the game. This is a great opportunity to develop leadership, teamwork, and decision-making skills in a fun and active setting. We do not require any experience or certifications to apply.
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CLICK HERE TO APPLY Responsible for the general supervision and safety of pool patrons by preventing and responding to emergencies. Participates in ongoing paid safety training. Must be available to work Summer 2026 (mid-June through mid-August). |
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Application Deadline: Ongoing
Area: Operations
Pay Rate: $16.90 / hour
Expected Hours: 10-15 hours / week
Contact: staracena@ucsb.edu or chrisclontz@ucsb.edu
The Operations team is responsible for managing facility access and activity spaces, maintaining facility upkeep, cleaning fitness equipment, opening and closing the building, enforcing policies, and serving as the face of the facility. Additionally, team members are the first responders to most medical incidents or emergencies that occur within our facility.
This position requires flexibility, including the ability to work weekends, holidays, and special events such as Rec Fest, Hallowheels, Open House, Turkey Trot, Dodgeball Tournament, and Rec Cendoff. Some of these events may run as late as 2:00 a.m. This is a year-round position exclusively for UC Santa Barbara students, with a starting hourly rate of $16.90 (effective January 2026).
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Application Deadline: Wednesday, February 4, 2026 @ 11:59PM
Area: Marketing & Creative Services
Pay Rate: $17.15 / hour
Expected Hours: 8-12 hours / week
Contact: Amanda Hackelton (ahackelton@ucsb.edu)
Responsible for creating lasting and meaningful content to shape the visual evolution of Recreation’s brand. Photographers oversee all aspects of photography, from pre-planning and scheduling shoots, to editing and final distribution. Photographers also recommend photos for marketing content and promotion.
PLEASE NOTE: This position is primarily a Photographer role and photography experience will be prioritized. For the right candidate, a combo Photographer/Videographer position will be considered. In that case, applicants should have experience with both photo and video shooting/editing practices and both photo and video work should be showcased in their portfolio.
Read the full job description here!
HOW TO APPLY: Email Charlie Coupal (ccoupal@ucsb.edu) for more information.
UCSB Adventure Programs is looking for part-time sailing instructors with a passion for sharing their love of the ocean and sailing. Do you enjoy sharing your knowledge with others? Do you like to be a positive influence on others? We have a fleet of 6 RS Quest dinghy sailboats stored at “Gaucho Landing” in the Santa Barbara Harbor.
Hours & Pay
- Weekend availability is preferred
- Teach a 4-week session, consisting of one 3-hour class meeting each week (total of 12 hours of class time)
- Pay: $140 per week
Requirements & Responsibilities:
- Applicants should be at least 18 years of age at the time of appointment
- Must be well versed in all fundamentals of sailing.
- Already possess a California Boaters Card or be willing to acquire within the first month of employment.
- Experience with power boats. We use an 18’ Zodiac RIB support boat and a 15’ Boston Whaler.
- Able to plan an instructional curriculum for basic sailing for participants of varying experiences age 18 and up.
- Able to work independently, be timely/ prompt, and professional.
- Able to make quick assessments on risk management, think on their feet, and make good decisions in a dynamic environment
Application Deadline: Ongoing (based on the needs)
Area: Sport Clubs
Pay Rate: $16.50 / hour, $16.75 / hour
Expected Hours: 8 -12 hours / week
Contact: Sport Club Student Managers recreation-ucsbsportclub.studentmanager@ucsb.edu
Obtaining a position with UCSB Sport Clubs is a fun and rewarding opportunity. Most Sport Club programming runs Friday through Sunday, with our Athletic Performance Center open during weekdays. Schedules will vary weekly to help accommodate your classes and commitments. In addition to your regular duties, you will be required to attend bi-weekly meetings and quarterly trainings. NO EXPERIENCE OR CERTIFICATIONS ARE NECESSARY TO APPLY. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact our Sport Club Student Managers at recreation-ucsbsportclub.studentmanager@ucsb.edu.
SPORT CLUB ASSISTANT JOB DESCRIPTION
Responsible for: overseeing Sport Club games, provide setup and takedown, ensuring all participants have signed a waiver prior to play, enforcing Sport Club policies, and alerting the supervisor on duty/athletic trainers of any emergency situations. Report directly to Sport Club Supervisors on shift and communicate via radio to provide updates about the sport’s status. Supervisory role over daily operations of the Athletic Performance Center during the week. The pay rate for Sport Club Assistants will be $16.50.
SPORT CLUB SUPERVISOR JOB DESCRIPTION
Responsible for: having a full understanding of the Sport Club policies and procedures, supervising Sport Club Assistants, coordinating emergency response and submitting shift reports. The Sport Club Supervisor position works closely with the Student Managers and Sport Club Coordinator to support our Sport Club teams during home games and tournaments. Supervisory role over daily operations of the Athletic Performance Center during the week. The pay rate for Sport Club Supervisors will be $16.75.
Application Deadline: June 1, 2026
Area: Aquatics
Pay Rate: $20 / hour
Expected Hours: 9:45am - 12:15pm & 3:45pm - 7:15pm
Contact: Rick Van Hoorn rick-vh@ucsb.edu
Swim Instructors teach swimming skills to youth and occasional adult lessons. WSI or LG certification desired. Experience desired. Must know all swim strokes and be comfortable working with youth. We will train you on our program.
Must be available to work Summer 2026 (mid-June through mid-August).