First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services

Directly supervise and coordinate activities of entertainment and recreation related workers.

From people doing the work

Day-to-day, it's a lot about keeping things running smoothly, making sure staff are where they need to be, and that guests are having a good time. You're constantly problem-solving, whether it's a scheduling conflict or an unexpected issue with an activity. It can be, especially during peak hours, but seeing people enjoy themselves makes it. Communication is key, both with your team and with the public.

Drawn from National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA), r/recreation, Leisure Management International, Event Manager Blog

Attribution: Composite

Composite · Synthesised from National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA), r/recreation, Leisure Management International

A day in the life of First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services

People interaction
Extensive
Team vs solo
70% Team / 30% Solo
Client facing
Frequent
Impact visibility
High
Travel
Occasional
Schedule flexibility
Flexible
Remote work
On-site Only
Typical work hours
35-40
Stress level
Moderate

First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services salary, education and outlook at a glance

Median salary
$46,900
Entry-level
$35,000
Senior
$66,000
Growth by 2033
+6.3%
Demand
Stable
Freelance potential
Moderate
Salary growth potential
89%
Typical student debt
Moderate

Skills you need as First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services

Hard skills

  • Staff Scheduling & Coaching
  • Guest Service Standards
  • Facility Operations Management

Soft skills

  • Persuasion
  • Negotiation
  • Coordination

Technical complexity: Moderate

Tools of the trade

Core tools

  • Microsoft Excel (Software): For scheduling staff, tracking attendance, and managing budgets for entertainment and recreation activities.
  • Point-of-Sale (POS) Systems (Software): To process transactions, manage inventory for concessions or merchandise, and track sales data.
  • Workforce Management Software (e.g., When I Work, Homebase) (Software): For efficient staff scheduling, time tracking, and communication among team members.

Commonly used

  • Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Software (Software): To manage guest information, track preferences, and enhance customer service experiences.
  • Event Management Software (e.g., Eventbrite, Cvent) (Software): For planning, organizing, and executing events, including ticketing and registration.
  • Walkie-Talkies/Two-Way Radios (Hardware): For immediate and effective communication with staff across different areas of a venue.

Specialist tools

  • Project Management Software (e.g., Trello, Asana) (Software): To organize tasks, delegate responsibilities, and monitor progress of various projects or events.

How to become First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services

Minimum education
Bachelor's Degree
Licensing
No
Years to mid-career
3-5
Years to senior
8-12
Career switching
Easy

Where this career leads

How people arrive here

  • Recreation Worker: Individuals often gain experience as recreation workers before advancing to supervisory roles.
  • Event Coordinator: Experience in coordinating events provides a strong foundation for supervising entertainment and recreation activities.
  • Guest Services Supervisor: Supervising guest services in hospitality or entertainment venues offers relevant leadership and customer interaction skills.

Where you can go from here

  • Operations Manager (Entertainment/Recreation): Supervisors can advance to manage broader operational aspects of entertainment or recreation facilities.
  • Program Director (Recreation): Moving into a program director role involves overseeing the development and implementation of recreation programs.
  • Venue Manager: Supervisors with extensive experience can manage entire entertainment or recreation venues.

Typical progression

  1. First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services
  2. First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers
  3. First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers
  4. or First-Line Supervisors of Housekeeping and Janitorial Workers

First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services job outlook and future demand

Automation probability
Moderate
AI disruption risk
Low
Demand trend
Stable

Job satisfaction as First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services

Overall satisfaction
6.5/10
Meaning
7/10
Work-life balance
6/10
Prestige
4.5/10
Social perception
Low

Where practitioners gather

Professional organisations

Podcasts and media

  • Leisure Management International: A publication providing news, analysis, and features for professionals in the leisure, sport, and recreation industry.
  • Event Manager Blog: A resource for event professionals, offering articles, tips, and trends relevant to supervising entertainment and recreation events.

Reddit communities

  • r/recreation: An online community for discussions and sharing related to recreation activities, offering insights into public interest and trends.

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