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!
CLICK HERE TO APPLY
Application Deadline: February 21, 2025
Area: Adventure Programs
Pay Rate: $16.50 / hour
Expected Hours: 5 - 12 hours / week
Contact: mbouchet@ucsb.edu
UCSB Adventure Climbing Center (ACC) exists to positively improve campus and community life by providing educational and recreational experiences which promote responsible climbing behavior, safety awareness, physical and mental strength, and teamwork in a supportive environment that has an acceptable level of risk.
Full job description can be found here.
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: Aquatics
Contact: rick-vh@ucsb.edu
Positions include Lifeguard, Swim Instructor, Jr. Lifeguards Beach Instructor, Beach 'n Surf Camp Instructor, and Pool Maintenance.
CLICK HERE TO APPLY
Application Deadline: May 15, 2025
Area: Aquatics / Youth Programs
Pay Rate: $17 - 19 / hour
Expected Hours: M - F, 12:00 - 5:00pm
Contact: Rick Van Hoorn rick-vh@ucsb.edu
Beach 'n Surf Camp Instructors help supervise, lead activities, and ensure safety for Beach 'n Surf Camp participants.
Must be Red Cross LG certified and comfortable working with youth. We will run you through a paid USLA Open Water Training.
Camp runs June 15 - August 8, 2025.
EMAIL TO APPLY: Contact Christine Burleson at cmburl@ucsb.edu
Application Deadline: Open Until Filled
Area: Fitness & Wellness
Pay Rate: $16.75 / hour
Contact: cmburl@ucsb.edu
The Get Up GAUCHOS! Fitness Specialist is experienced and knowledgeable in all fitness class operations, procedures, and practices. They assist the Instructional and Enrichment Coordinator in preparing fitness program offerings, hiring instructors, and stewardship of class equipment. The Get Up GAUCHOS! Fitness Specialist contributes to policy decisions, staff training and development, administrative responsibilities, and program assessment. They provide overall development and promotion of fitness classes and contribute to the overall goals and values of the Fitness and Wellness Team and the Department of Recreation.
Full job description can be found here.
CLICK HERE TO APPLY
Application Deadline: Ongoing
Area: Facilities
Pay Rate: $16.50 / hour
Expected Hours: 6 - 10 hours / week
Contact: bahans@ucsb.edu
The UCSB Recreation Department is hiring part-time student employees to provide support for the daily operations for the Recreation Center, outdoor and indoor athletic and recreation facilities. The professional and student staff strive for superior customer service to ensure all students, faculty, staff and community members receive a safe and enjoyable experience.
Facilities Job Summary:
All team members will be responsible for supporting the daily operations of the Department of Recreation. Duties may include, but are not limited to the following:
- Assist with Summer Camp operations
- Maintain equipment and facility cleanliness
- Set up for classes, practices, and special events
- Open and close various athletic and recreation facilities
- Cleaning, lubricating, exchanging worn parts and other preventative maintenance.
- Log daily maintenance logs and communicate potential safety risks during routine checks.
Staff Members will be expected to possess the following qualities:
- Positive attitude
- Respect for others
- Strong work ethic
- High initiative
- Ability to work without immediate supervision
Minimum Requirements:
- Must be a current UCSB student
- Must be available to work 6-10 hours per week
- Must have good customer service skills
- Must have good driving record
CLICK HERE TO APPLY
Application Deadline: First Review is Tuesday, February 18 @ 5pm
Area: Fitness & Wellness
Pay Rate: $17 / hour
Expected Hours: 8 - 12 hours / week
Contact: bjl@ucsb.edu
Join our team as a Fitness Student Manager, where your vast knowledge and proficiency in fitness operations' policies, procedures, and practices will shine. Working alongside the Assistant Director of Recreation for Fitness & Wellness, you'll play a pivotal role in instructing and empowering over 100 Operations Assistants to uphold top-tier standards in risk management, customer service, and equipment and facility maintenance. From shaping policy decisions to guiding equipment selection, to designing staff training and participant fitness education your contribution will be invaluable. Contribute to the overall growth and success of our fitness operations while staying aligned with the Department of Recreation's mission, vision and values.
Full job description can be found here.
CLICK HERE TO APPLY
Application Deadline: Ongoing
Area: Gaucho R.E.C. / Get Up Gauchos!
Pay Rate: $35 / 45 min class
Expected Hours: 1 - 2 hours / week
Contact: Christine Burleson (cmburl@ucsb.edu)
UCSB Department of Recreation is searching for motivated fitness professionals in the Santa Barbara area who have a passion for fitness and a desire to share their talents with our campus community. As we reopen our facility and begin to bring back in person classes, we are looking for experienced fitness instructors of all backgrounds to teach multiple formats of fitness classes. You should excel at providing motivating, high-energy, pre-programmed classes that are appropriate for all fitness levels. Selected applicants will be invited to interview and demonstrate a fitness class with our evaluation team.
Interested in becoming a Group Cycle Instructor but need more training?
Register for UCSB Cycling Instructor Training
CLICK HERE TO APPLY
Application Deadline: May 15, 2025
Area: Aquatics / Youth Programs
Pay Rate: $18.50 - 19.50 / hour
Expected Hours: M - F, 8:00am - 1:00pm
Contact: Rick Van Hoorn rick-vh@ucsb.edu
Jr. Lifeguard Camp Instructors help supervise, lead activities, and ensure safety for our Jr. Lifeguard program.
Must be Red Cross LG certified and comfortable working with youth. We will run you through a paid USLA Open Water Training.
Camp runs June 23 - August 15, 2025.
CLICK HERE TO APPLY
Application Deadline: Ongoing
Area: Intramural Sports
Pay Rate: $16.00 / hour
Expected Hours: Flexible Hours, 6 Days / Week, Late Afternoons & Evenings
Contact: ucsbstudentmanager@gmail.com
Obtaining a position with UCSB Intramural Sports is a fun and rewarding opportunity. Intramural programming runs six days per week in late afternoon and 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 trainings. NO EXPERIENCE OR CERTIFICATIONS ARE NECESSARY TO APPLY.
INTRAMURAL ASSISTANT JOB DESCRIPTION
Responsible for: overseeing Intramural games, ensuring all participants have signed a waiver prior to play, checking identification, alerting the supervisor on duty of any emergency situations, providing First Aid/CPR and calling a paramedic if necessary. Intramural Assistants bring ice, a medical kit and a radio to each game, as well as the proper equipment for the specific sport. Report directly to Night Supervisors on shift and communicate via radio to provide updates about the sport’s status.
REFEREE/UMPIRE JOB DESCRIPTION
Responsible for: having a full understanding of the sport rules/policies, starting/ending games on time, ejecting participants, accounting for fouls, working with Operational Assistants to report scores, and maintaining order on the court/field. Report directly to the Head of Officials and Night Supervisor on shift.
CLICK HERE TO APPLY
Application Deadline: Ongoing
Area: Gaucho R.E.C. / Get Up Gauchos!
Pay Rate: $16.00 / hour
Contact: gauchorec@recreation.ucsb.edu
Click Here for Full Job Description
We are hiring Program Assistants for our Gaucho R.E.C. & Get Up GAUCHOS! recreation and exercise program. We are looking for reliable, confident, self-motivated staff with an eye for detail, who can stay focused, remain calm under pressure, and think critically if problems arise.
Our Program Assistants work with our program coordinator, student manager, instructors, and participants to create a safe, organized, and successful class experience. Staff responsibilities include but are not limited to: checking in class participants, providing customer service, assisting in room organization, completing shift reports, and relaying communication to the program administration team.
CLICK HERE TO APPLY
Application Deadline: May 15, 2025
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.
Summer season runs June 23 - August 15, 2025.
CLICK HERE TO APPLY
Application Deadline: February 14, 2025 by 11:59pm
Area: Youth Programs
Pay Rate: $720 / week for Camps; $16.50 / hour for Meetings & Trainings
Expected Hours: Varied Schedule; Full time during academic breaks; 10 hours throughout the quarter
Contact: camps@recreation.ucsb.edu
The Youth Programs Staff represent the Department of Recreation and all Youth Programs to Recreation staff, parents, participants, and the community. Youth Programs staff members are responsible for the general safety, development, and engagement of youth within our programs, ranging from ages 5-14 years old. These programs include, but are not limited to, UCSB Spring Day Camp, and the UCSB Summer Day Camp. It is important to understand the high responsibility of this role due to our program’s long standing history and the trust the surrounding community puts into the programs we provide for their children. We are looking for people who are energetic, enthusiastic, and love working with children.
Responsibilities Include (but are not limited to):
- Engage in and facilitate activities such as group games, sports, swimming, and arts and crafts.
- Assist with daily check-in to ensure that all children are in their assigned group and properly accounted for at all times.
- Maintain supervision of all children assigned to your group, and assist other staff members with other children as needed.
- Aid in the setup and breakdown of program activities in an effort to maintain organization and cleanliness of supplies.
- Be knowledgeable of all Youth Programs and Department policies and procedures, and enforce them as required.
- Provide First Aid and activate Emergency Protocols when necessary.
- Communicate appropriately and effectively with parents, community members, and department staff.
- Other duties as assigned.
Requirements:
- Must be at least 18 years of age.
- Maintain a current CPR / AED /First Aid for the Professional Rescuer certification. Classes will be provided by the department at a discounted fee upon employment.
- Complete all mandatory online child development and protection training courses.
- Be available for and attend all mandatory trainings and meetings.
- Preferred: Available to work during the summer for the UCSB Summer Day Camp Program
Pay:
- $720.00 per week for the UCSB Spring Day Camp & UCSB Summer Day Camp
- $16.50 per hour for meetings & training
OVERVIEW: Student Positions
Learn more about all of the student positions we offer at UCSB Recreation! Check the NOW HIRING section above for a list of current openings.
Adventure Programs
UCSB Adventure Programs employs well over 100 Gauchos in our various programs. Our staff get to facilitate groups on our Ropes Course, perform as a "vertical lifeguard" in the Adventure Climbing Center, and get outside as a guide after completing the Leadership Training Course (LTC). We invite you to visit our Adventure Programs Employment page to learn more about our positions.
Sport Clubs
Obtaining a position with UCSB Sport Clubs is a fun and rewarding opportunity. Most Sport Club programming runs Friday through Sunday. 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 Sport Club Student Managers at recreation-ucsbsportclub.studentmanager@ucsb.edu
Sport Club Assistant: 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.
Sport Club Supervisor: 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.
Athletic Performance Center Intern (APC)
An intern at the Athletic Performance Center (APC) will have the unique opportunity to not only learn about strength and conditioning but also develop the requisite skills to excel in professions related to these fields. Led by a Certified Strength and Conditioning Coach, interns will assist club sport athletes through their weekly workouts, and in doing so gain crucial hands-on coaching experience. In addition, during weekly in-service meetings, interns will be able to learn more about and explore their interests in strength and conditioning. If you’d like to be part of our team, we welcome any student, regardless of experience or major, to apply and join us!
Fitness & Wellness
Personal Trainers, Massage Therapists, Nutrition Educators: Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis. To apply, submit a current resume and cover letter to findyourfit@ucsb.edu.
Fitness Instructors: We are looking for certified fitness professionals to host virtual and in-person classes. To apply, submit a resume and cover letter to bjl@ucsb.edu.
Get up GAUCHOS! Class Host: Hosts work with instructors and participants to provide a successful virtual and in-person classes. To apply, submit a resume and cover letter to bjl@ucsb.edu.
Athletic Training Intern (ATI)
Student Athletic Training Internship (ATI) exposes students to a clinical experience for the profession of Athletic Trainers. Athletic Training Interns are supervised by two full-time Certified Athletic Trainers to assist Sport Club athletes with various injuries and/or conditions. We encourage all students to apply to this program regardless of experience or major.
Intramural Sports
Obtaining a position with UCSB Intramural Sports is a fun and rewarding opportunity. Intramural programming runs six days per week in late afternoon and 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 trainings. NO EXPERIENCE OR CERTIFICATIONS ARE NECESSARY TO APPLY. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Intramural Student Managers at ucsbstudentmanager@gmail.com.
Intramural Assistant: Responsible for overseeing Intramural games, ensuring all participants have signed a waiver prior to play, checking identification, alerting the supervisor on duty of any emergency situations, providing First Aid/CPR and calling a paramedic if necessary. Intramural Assistants bring ice, a medical kit and a radio to each game, as well as the proper equipment for the specific sport. Report directly to Night Supervisors on shift and communicate via radio to provide updates about the sport’s status.
Referee & Umpire: Responsible for having a full understanding of the sport rules/policies, starting/ending games on time, ejecting participants, accounting for fouls, working with Operational Assistants to report scores, and maintaining order on the court/field. Report directly to the Head of Officials and Night Supervisor on shift.
Certified Massage Therapist
To apply email your resume and letter of interest to Brenda Lear at bjl@ucsb.edu. Only certified therapists will be considered. Refer to UCSB Human Resources for all open non-student positions.
Marketing & Creative Services
The Marketing & Creative Services Team produces promotional and educational campaigns for all of the classes, programs, events, facilities, and services offered through the Department of Recreation. The team is responsible for print, web, email, social media, in-person tabling, and all other marketing efforts. Student positions include Marketing Assistant, Social Media Specialist, Graphic Designer, Photographer, Videographer, and more.
Customer Service
Customer Service Center (CSC) staff help students and the community enroll in gym memberships, recreation programs, and classes. Customer Service Assistants help register participants, answer general questions, and assist with payments.
Operations
Operations Staff: Operations staff are responsible for managing facility access, facility upkeep, opening and closing the facility, managing fitness facilities (FC1, FC2, and FC3), managing Front Desk and cashier responsibilities, and enforcing policies. They are the first responders to the majority of all medical accidents and incidents. This job requires the ability to work flexible hours including weekends and outside operating hours. Operations assistants provide quality customer service and assist patrons at all times with general inquiries about the Recreation Center.
Youth Programs
Youth Programs Staff: Youth Programs staff members are responsible for the general safety, development, and engagement of youth within our programs, ranging from ages 5-14 years old. These programs include, but are not limited to, Gauchitos Night Out, UCSB Spring Day Camp, and the UCSB Summer Day Camp programs.
Youth Programs Student Managers: The Youth Programs Student Manager is responsible for assisting the Youth Programs Coordinator with daily administrative and leadership duties and responsibilities. Additionally, the Youth Programs Student Manager will aid in the development and implementation of new programs in an effort to better serve the community.