Recreation Assistant (Fitness/Sports/Aquatics Support)

U.S. Forest Service

U.S. Forest Service

Customer Service

Panama City, FL, USA

Posted on May 7, 2026

Summary

Incumbent serves in an assistant or support capacity and may perform any or all of the following duties within either of the following sections of the Fitness, Sports, and Deployed Forces Support Branch: Fitness Support, Sports Support, or Aquatics Support. The primary function of the position is to ensure proper usage of the facility, assist in the operation of the recreation activity and provide proper collection and disposition of revenues generated at the assigned facility.

Major Duties

Administrative Support (includes but not limited to): Provides customer service to patrons using the facility, to include: greeting customers, checking identification cards to ensure only authorized users are entering facility; issuing and receiving gear/equipment; and registering patrons for facility use, events, and/or classes. Answers telephone, providing information in regard to facility hours of operation, upcoming special events and programs, etc. Completes the Daily Activity Reports, handling cash where fees apply, verifying the amount of money collected and dropping the cashier bag in the drop safe. Assists in planning, scheduling, and publicizing various activities and maintaining related supplies in order to attract and motivate participants. Oversees the sale of retail items associated with activities. Evaluates the effectiveness of ongoing Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) fitness activities from the standpoint of participants' responses, resources, and program objectives. Monitors patrons, volunteers and contractors at the assigned program/event and reports any issues to management. Assists in the selection of fitness, sports, and aquatics activities to be offered, both within the required basic program categories and additional ones possible through available resources and desirable in terms of participant's interests and needs. Instructional Support (includes but not limited to): Monitors assigned participants in indoor and outdoor activities to include intramural sporting events. Conducts instructional classes in the assigned recreational area. Performs basic fitness orientation; identifies and corrects unsafe fitness techniques. Demonstrates procedures common to the activities and instructs in the use of related equipment. Establishes/reviews the schedule of events, conducts tours, sets up/prepares gymnasiums/facilities/playing fields prior to scheduled start time for events (e.g., lap swim, lifeguard training, exercise programs, pool parties, sporting events, etc.). Ensures adherence to regulations and safety procedures. Facility/Equipment Maintenance (includes but not limited to): Ensures facility and sporting fields are open and/or closed at the posted time. Monitors and checks the security premises. Monitors activity within the facility, circulating among the patrons to assist with basic use of equipment/gear and to maintain good order and discipline. Ensures athletic playing surfaces are properly maintained, safe, and ready for play. Assist in properly cleaning and maintaining equipment/facilities, maintains inventory, performs general janitorial services to ensure interior spaces are in a clean, neat, and orderly state at all times (e.g., sweeping and mopping floors; dusting and cleaning workout areas, mirrors, bathrooms, and locker areas; straightening equipment and accessories, etc.). Makes minor repairs to facilities and equipment when appropriate and assists with outdoor maintenance. Reports maintenance problems, material deficiencies, and unsafe conditions or discrepancies that cannot be repaired in-house to the supervisor.

Education

Associate Degree or higher that includes at least 12 semester hours in courses related to recreation. Education can be substituted for experience.

Evaluations

Your experience is subject to evaluation and verification against the information in your resume. The numeric rating you receive is a self-assessment only and is based on your responses to the questionnaire. Do not overstate or understate your level of experience and capability. If a determination is made that you rated yourself higher than is supported by your resume, or if your resume lacks sufficient information, you will be rated accordingly or may be considered ineligible. All resumes will be reviewed to determine if they meet the hiring eligibility and qualification requirements listed in this announcement, and will be rated based on the information provided in the resume to determine the level of knowledge, skill, and ability, related to the job requirements. Using the qualifications of the position, a predetermined rating criterion of knowledge, skills, and abilities will be used for each resume. Best qualified applicants will be referred to the hiring manager. The selecting official may choose to conduct interviews.

How to Apply

To begin the process, click on the Apply Online button to create an account or log in to your existing USA JOBS account. Application process is submitted through your USA JOBS account. Resumes/ Applications received other than by USA JOBS will be destroyed and will not be considered. It is the applicant's responsibility to verify all the information in their resume and documents; HR will not modify documents submitted by an applicant. All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement and clearly documented in the resume. Qualifications must be clearly verifiable in your resume. Government positions must include pay plan, series, grade, to and from dates, and government agency/department. Where a first cut-off date is indicated, a selection may be made from the resumes/applications received as of the specified first cut-off date. Completed applications (resume, supporting documentation, etc.) must be received by 11:59pm Eastern Time on the cut-off/closing date. If more than one resume is received, only the last resume received will be reviewed. Please see the "REQUIRED DOCUMENTS" section and review the applicant checklist link to determine if there are other documents you are required to submit. You must submit all required documentation or you will not be considered for the position. Failure to submit all the required documentation may result in not be considered for the position. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 05/14/2026 to receive consideration. To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application. To preview the Application Questionnaire, please click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12950025 It is your responsibility to ensure your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) is complete, accurate, and submitted by the closing date. Additional information on how to complete the online application process and submit your online application may be found on the https://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php?title=Applicant To verify or check the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account. Once logged in, the Welcome screen lists your applications, your application status and the date it was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status

What to Expect Next

All applicants will be notified regarding their status by email. Applicants will either be contacted by email for an interview or sent an email of non-selection 3-6 weeks after the announcement closing date. Please notify us if your contact information changes after the closing date of the announcement. Also, note that communication is performed via email if you do not read your email, provide an inaccurate email address and/ or if your mailbox is full or blocked (e.g., spam-blocker), you may not receive important communication that could affect your consideration for this position.

Required Documents

The following documents may or may not be required. Required documents will show a red asterisk during documentation upload. Resume Include name and contact information for at least three (3) professional references in your resume Proof of education (transcripts/copy of degree/high school diploma), if applicable to position requirements. Proof of certification, if applicable to position requirements. If you are a current federal employee, submit your most recent Personnel Action Report (PAR) or SF-50. If you are a current federal employee, submit your last three evaluations. APPLICANTS CLAIMING HIRING PREFERENCE: Please ensure your status is indicated in your USAJOBS account and ALL required documents to claim preference are submitted at the time of resume submission. WHAT ARE PREFERENCES? Preferences are advantages in the candidate selection process. Individuals can claim the following preferences:1. Reemployment Priority List (RPL): Qualifying separated employees shall have priority placement in the NAF activity from which they were separated as a result of a Business Based Action (BBA), when the position has substantially the same duties as the position from which they were separated and it is not a higher grade or employment category, provided the position is not being filled by an internal candidate. To claim this preference, you MUST: Submit a copy of your BBA Separation Notification indicating eligibility for RPL. 2. Military Spouse Preference (MSP): Qualifying spouses eligible for MSP are spouses of an active duty military member of the U.S. Armed Forces, including members of the National Guard or Reserves on active duty. The marriage must have occurred before the military member received official permanent change of station (PCS) orders to the installation listed above. MSP is applicable only when applying for NAF positions at the NF-03 and below and equivalent craft and trade (CT) positions. To claim this preference, you MUST: Submit sponsor's PCS orders to installation you are applying for; AND If you are not indicated as a spouse on the PCS orders, you MUST submit proof of marriage prior to PCS. 3. Veteran's Preference/Gold Star Veteran's Preference: Qualifying military veterans, and spouses/parents of deceased veterans shall be given employment preference over non-preference applicants if they are equally qualified. Preference applicable for positions open to external candidates. To claim Veteran's preference, you MUST: Submit a copy of your DD-214 (member 4 copy); AND Submit completed SF15 from the Veterans Administration (VA); AND Submit any other supporting documentation (disability, official statements, proof of service, etc) To claim Gold Star Veteran's preference, you MUST: Submit completed SF-15 from the Veterans Administration (VA); AND Submit a legible copy of DD-1300; AND Submit any other supporting documentation (official statements, document of service, court decree, etc). ***Qualifying applicants with preferences are considered in the order listed above. Then all other qualifying applicants are considered.

Other Information

The Federal government offers a number of exceptional benefits to its employees. Benefits you get to enjoy while working for our TEAM include but are not limited to: Comprehensive benefits package (medical, dental, life insurance, spouse & dependent life insurance, long-term disability, retirement, and 401(k) savings plan, annual and sick leave, tuition reimbursement, etc.). Stability of Federal Civilian Service People with passion for doing work that matters Quality of Work Life Balance Some positions have special requirements- Position is a non-critical, sensitive, position requiring access to IT II system and/or access to PII. An access National Agency Check investigation (ANACI) is required via the SF 86 security form.- Required to submit a Financial Disclosure Statement, OGE-450. Executive Branch Personnel Confidential Financial Disclosure Report upon entering the position and annually, in accordance with DoD Directive 5500-7R, Joint Ethics Regulation, dated 23 March 2006.- Salary is dependent on experience and/or education.- For positions requiring travel more than twice per year, selectee may be required to obtain and maintain in good standing a Government-issued Travel Card for official government travel purposes. This announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies within 90 days of closing date. The Department of the Navy (DON) is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. Applicants are assured of equal consideration regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, mental or physical disability, genetic information, reprisal, marital status, political affiliation, sexual orientation, or any other non-merit factor. This agency provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. Applicants with disabilities who believe they may require reasonable accommodations should email their request to MILL_CNIC_NAF_EEO@navy.mil to ensure proper consideration is given. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be on a case-by-case basis. This activity is a Drug-Free workplace. The use of illegal drugs by NAF employees, whether on or off duty, cannot and will not be tolerated. Federal employees have a right to a safe and secure workplace, and Sailors, their family members, and all other customers have a right to a reliable and productive Federal workforce.