Parks and Recreation Worker Jobs in Arlington, TX
Arlington runs one of the busiest parks systems in North Texas, with more than 90 parks plus River Legacy Parks, recreation centers, athletic complexes, and the Vandergriff Park area, so the City of Arlington Parks and Recreation Department hires parks workers year-round and staffs up heavily every spring and summer. Because Arlington is a warm-weather entertainment city, seasonal and full-time parks jobs here range from grounds and athletic-field crews to recreation center and aquatics staff.
Current parks and recreation Openings in Arlington, TX
Listings marked External are sponsored openings provided by the Jobs2Careers network.
Top Arlington Employers Hiring Parks and Recreation Workers
Parks and recreation jobs in Arlington are mostly public-sector, spread across the city, county, school district, and large local attractions:
- City of Arlington Parks and Recreation Department - the largest employer; grounds crews, recreation center staff, aquatics, and athletic-field maintenance across 90-plus parks.
- Tarrant County - parks and grounds maintenance at county parks and facilities.
- Arlington ISD - grounds and athletic-field crews maintaining school campuses and sports fields.
- River Legacy Parks and Nature Center - grounds, trail, and programming support along the Trinity River corridor.
- Six Flags Over Texas - park services and grounds roles at the Arlington theme park.
- Six Flags Hurricane Harbor - seasonal grounds, aquatics support, and park services staff.
Parks and Recreation Worker Salaries in Arlington
- Entry level / seasonal: about $15 to $18 per hour for seasonal grounds, recreation attendant, and aquatics roles.
- Experienced: about $18 to $23 per hour for full-time parks maintenance and recreation staff.
- Senior / lead: about $23 to $30 per hour for crew leaders, park supervisors, and specialized turf or facility techs.
These figures are estimates and vary by employer and season. Full-time City of Arlington and county roles include public-sector benefits such as health insurance, paid leave, and TMRS or county retirement, while seasonal roles are typically hourly without full benefits.
How to Become a Parks and Recreation Worker in Arlington
Most entry parks jobs require only a high school diploma or GED, and many seasonal roles will hire without one. A valid Texas driver's license helps for roles that operate city vehicles and mowers, and a commercial driver's license (CDL) opens up higher-paying equipment roles. Tarrant County College (TCC) offers coursework in turfgrass, horticulture, and CDL training that helps you advance, and aquatics roles usually require lifeguard and CPR certification, which the City of Arlington often trains and certifies for seasonal staff. There is no state license required for general parks work.
What the Job Involves
Parks and recreation workers mow and maintain grounds, prep and line athletic fields, clean and set up recreation centers and pavilions, support programs and events, and keep restrooms, trails, and playgrounds safe and clean. Work is mostly outdoors and physical, in Texas heat during the busy season, and often includes weekend and event shifts when Arlington's parks and sports complexes are in heavy use.
Skills Employers Look For
- Reliability and a strong work ethic for physical outdoor work
- Safe operation of mowers, trimmers, and small equipment
- Valid Texas driver's license (CDL a plus)
- Basic customer service with park visitors and program participants
- Ability to work weekends, events, and summer heat
- Teamwork on a crew
Career Path and Advancement
Many people start seasonal, move into a full-time City of Arlington parks maintenance role, then advance to crew leader, equipment operator, or park supervisor. Adding a CDL, a pesticide applicator license, or turf and horticulture training from TCC opens specialized and higher-paid positions. Recreation-side staff can move up from attendant to recreation program coordinator or center supervisor within the department.
Related Careers in Arlington
If outdoor and public-service work appeals to you, these related Arlington roles use similar skills:
- Groundskeeper Jobs
- Public Works Maintenance Worker Jobs
- Custodian Jobs
- Facilities Maintenance Technician Jobs
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need a license to work in parks and recreation in Arlington?
No state license is required for general parks work. A Texas driver's license is needed for many roles, a CDL helps for equipment jobs, and aquatics staff need lifeguard and CPR certification, which the city often provides.
How long does it take to get a parks and recreation job in Arlington?
Seasonal roles can be filled quickly, sometimes within a couple of weeks during spring hiring. Full-time City of Arlington positions take longer because of background checks and the public-sector hiring process.
Is parks and recreation work seasonal in Arlington?
Both. Arlington hires many seasonal grounds and aquatics workers each spring and summer, but it also keeps year-round full-time crews for parks maintenance, recreation centers, and athletic complexes.
What is the overtime and weekend pay like for parks jobs in Arlington?
Full-time city roles typically pay overtime for hours over 40 in a week, and event-heavy weekends are common in Arlington's parks and sports facilities, which can add hours during peak season.
Which Arlington employer pays parks workers the most?
Full-time City of Arlington and Tarrant County crew-leader and equipment-operator roles usually pay the most with benefits, while specialized turf and CDL-required positions sit at the top of the hourly range.
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