Activities Coordinator

Santa Cruz, CA

📍 Location: Santa Cruz, California
📅 Schedule: Full-Time | Non-Exempt
💼 Department: Residential
📈 Reports To: Core Program Manager

💰 Pay Range: $26.00-$28.00/hr 

🎁 Bonus: $150 Sign-On Bonus & $150 Retention Bonus

✨ Make a Meaningful Impact

Aspiranet, one of California’s leading nonprofit organizations supporting children, youth, and families, is seeking an enthusiastic and dedicated Activities Coordinator to join our Santa Cruz team.

In this vital role, you will create engaging, safe, and therapeutic recreational experiences that support youth in their growth, development, and healing. If you enjoy planning meaningful activities, mentoring youth, and contributing to a mission-driven team, this is an opportunity to make a lasting difference.

❤️ About Aspiranet

Founded in 1975, Aspiranet is a mission-driven organization dedicated to helping families thrive. We provide a continuum of care across California through six service divisions: Foster and Adoption, Transitional Aged Youth, Residential, Intensive Home-Based Services, Behavioral Health, and Family and Community. Every role at Aspiranet contributes to something greater: building a future where every child is loved, every family supported, and every individual equipped to succeed.

📝️ Position Summary

The Activities Coordinator is responsible for supervising, protecting, and caring for youth individually and in group settings. This role develops, organizes, and evaluates recreational activities that promote positive development, skill-building, and emotional wellness.

Major responsibilities include activity planning, youth supervision, documentation, safety monitoring, and collaboration with program staff to ensure youth receive high-quality support.

🔍 Key Responsibilities

Recreational Planning & Coordination

• Develop monthly recreational activity plans within assigned budget limits.
• Organize and secure resources needed to carry out approved activity plans.
• Evaluate the success of activities, incorporating youth and staff input, and submit plans for approval.
• Ensure adequate staffing and supervision for all activities.

Youth Supervision & Support

• Provide consistent supervision during all recreational activities.
• Set clear boundaries and limits to support safe and appropriate behavior.
• Note youth progress, identify needs for professional services, and communicate findings to staff.
• Maintain safe environments and ensure adherence to safety and regulatory standards.

Documentation & Compliance

• Document incidents and interventions using staff logs and incident report forms.
• Maintain confidentiality of youth and case information in accordance with licensing and agency standards.
• Report violations of State or Agency regulations, including mandated reporting of suspected abuse.

Professional Collaboration & Conduct

• Attend required staff meetings, trainings, and briefings.
• Demonstrate cultural sensitivity and responsiveness.
• Maintain professional boundaries with staff, clients, and community partners.
• Represent Aspiranet with professionalism at all times.
• Perform additional duties as assigned by the Core Program Manager.

✅ Qualifications

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in a Community Care Licensing–approved discipline preferred (equivalent training/experience considered).
• Two years of experience planning and supervising recreational activities required.
• Fifteen units of college coursework in child development and/or behavior management.
• Ability to actively participate in youth activities, lift up to 25 lbs, walk up to one mile, and respond safely to emergencies.
• Ability to implement non-restraint safety interventions and support youth in crisis situations.
• Meets all state-required employment conditions, including:
  • DOJ fingerprint and Child Abuse Index clearance
  • TB/Health physical
  • Valid CA Driver’s License, acceptable driving record, and proof of insurance

💻 Work Environment & Schedule

• Work occurs in residential and recreational environments with typically quiet noise levels.
• Must be able to bend, reach, sit, stand, supervise youth, and respond quickly to emergent situations.
• Requires the ability to drive agency vehicles (cars, vans, etc.).

❤️ Why Aspiranet?

• Competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits package, and a 403(b) retirement plan with employer matching.
• Access to the free Aspiranet Employee Perks Program. Enjoy exclusive discounts on entertainment, travel, wellness, pet care, gym memberships, theme parks, and more
• Flexible paid time off including 11 paid holidays, 10 vacation days, 10 sick leave days, two diversity days, and paid birthday time off.
• Access to our employee assistance program including 24/7 crisis line; up to 6 counseling sessions per issue.
• Training opportunities are available to support your ongoing development and career aspirations.
• Collaborate in a supportive, inclusive, and mission-aligned culture.
• Opportunity to lead meaningful initiatives that support employee wellbeing.

🏋️Physical Demands

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

This position typically operates in a standard office environment. The noise level is generally quiet and remains within OSHA’s established safety levels at all times.

⚖️ Equal Employment Opportunity

Aspiranet is an equal opportunity employer that recognizes the value of diversity. We believe a diverse workforce within a culture of Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access (IDEA) increases creativity, innovation, problem-solving, and teamwork for the youth and families that we serve and the organization as a whole.  Aspiranet strives to provide our employees with a workplace that is welcoming, inclusive of differing world views, cultures, and lived experiences.

📝  How to Apply

Join us in building brighter futures.

Apply today through our career portal:

✨ Click here to apply: www.aspiranet.org/careers

✨ Pro Tip: Once you’re in the portal, be sure to create an account to get started on your application! It’s quick, easy, and the first step to making a difference.