Recreation, Sports and Fitness Policy Researchers, Consultants, and Program Officers

(NOC 4167)

in All Education, Law, Government, Social and Community Services

This group includes those who oversee and administer recreation, sports and fitness programs and activities, provide consulting services, conduct research, and develop programs and policies related to recreation, sports, and physical fitness. They work for federal, provincial, and municipal governments, recreation, sports, fitness and health care facilities, retirement homes, community centres, sports and fitness consulting firms and organizations, or they may be self-employed.

Job Outlook

Average

Read more

  • Estimate Moderate growth employment change, 2021-2023
  • Estimate 50 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
  • Estimate Moderate rate of unemployment in 2022

Compared to: All Education, Law, Government, Social and Community Services

  • Estimate 1830 employment change, 2021-2023
  • Estimate 5515 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
  • Estimate rate of unemployment not available for these occupation.

Hourly Pay

$18.00

Minimum

$27.22

Median

$50.27

Maximum

Annual Pay

$8,107

Minimum

$42,293

Median

$66,118

Maximum

Compared to: All Education, Law, Government, Social and Community Services

Hourly Pay

$16.30

Minimum

$30.00

Median

$51.30

Maximum

Annual Pay

$5,616

Minimum

$44,335

Median

$92,599

Maximum

About the job

Nature of work

This group includes those who oversee and administer recreation, sports and fitness programs and activities, provide consulting services, conduct research, and develop programs and policies related to recreation, sports, and physical fitness. They work for federal, provincial, and municipal governments, recreation, sports, fitness and health care facilities, retirement homes, community centres, sports and fitness consulting firms and organizations, or they may be self-employed.

Job duties

Recreation, sports, and fitness policy analysts:

  • Conduct research and develop government policies related to recreation, sports, fitness and athletic safety and standards.

Sports program consultants:

  • Provide expert advice and consulting services to sports associations and other organizations in the design, development and administration of sports programs and activities.

Fitness program consultants:

  • Provide expert advice and consulting services to community groups, corporations, schools and other organizations in the design and development of fitness programs and activities. They may write proposals and public relations statements for corporations, industry, and the fitness community.

Recreation program consultants:

  • Provide expert advice and consulting services to communities, corporations, institutions and other organizations in the design, development and promotion of recreation programs and activities.

Recreation, sports, and fitness program supervisors:

  • Develop, plan and coordinate sports, fitness and recreation programs, and special sporting events.

Sample job titles

  • fitness program consultant
  • leisure services coordinator
  • recreation analyst
  • recreation programmer
  • recreational activities program coordinator
  • recreational programs coordinator
  • sports and recreation counsellor
  • sports consultant
  • sports programs coordinator

Skills

  • You should be organized, resourceful, and able to cooperate with others in a team. You must be able to communicate effectively and inspire and motivate clients.

Job requirements

  • A university degree in recreation administration, sports administration, physical education, kinesiology or related discipline combined with some work experience in a related field, or a college diploma in a recreation, sports or fitness program combined with some experience in a related field is required.
  • Certification in program specialization like fitness or lifesaving may also be required.

Other considerations

  • Full-time work is typical in these jobs, however, it is often seasonal so many recreation and sports officers work for only part of each year, usually during the summer months. Recreation, sports and fitness program supervisors require experience as program leaders or instructors in recreation, sports and fitness. Mobility among recreation, sports and fitness consultants may be restricted within individual area of expertise. Recreation, sports and fitness program supervisors may progress to recreation, sports and fitness management positions with experience.

By the numbers

Quick look

355

employed in 2016

85.7%

employed full-time

4.3%

self employed

62.9%
Icons/female Created with Sketch.
37.1%
Icons/male Created with Sketch.
42.6

median age

Compared to: All Education, Law, Government, Social and Community Services

55,420

employed in 2016

76.4%

employed full-time

6.6%

self employed

64.0%
Icons/female Created with Sketch.
36%
Icons/male Created with Sketch.
43.5

median age

Where will I likely work?

47.1%

Halifax

$47,039 median annual income
14.3%

Cape Breton

$33,885 median annual income
14.3%

Annapolis Valley

$40,517 median annual income
12.9%

North Shore

$42,370 median annual income
11.4%

Southern

$39,449 median annual income

Compared to: All NS Occupations

47.0%

Halifax

15.6%

North Shore

12.9%

Annapolis Valley

12.7%

Cape Breton

11.8%

Southern

Top Industries of Employment

30.6%

Public administration

22.6%

Health care and social assistance

16.1%

Arts, entertainment and recreation

12.9%

Other services (except public administration)

8.1%

Educational services

What is the age of Employment?

30.0%

35-44

28.0%

45-54

25.0%

25-34

14.0%

55-64

3.0%

15-24

Compared to: All Education, Law, Government, Social and Community Services

24.2%

35-44

22.7%

45-54

21.4%

25-34

17.2%

55-64

8.4%

15-24

Top levels of education

47.1%

Bachelor

$42,392 median annual income
18.6%

College Diploma

$40,440 median annual income
12.9%

High school

$22,629 median annual income
8.6%

Trade Certification

N/A
7.1%

Master

N/A

Compared to: All Education, Law, Government, Social and Community Services

28.9%

Bachelor

$45,929 median annual income
21.2%

College Diploma

$35,398 median annual income
16.8%

Master

$71,043 median annual income
14.6%

High school

$29,055 median annual income
4.6%

Doctorate

$100,443 median annual income

Education & training

Health and Physical Education

College, Trades, or University Program

These programs focus on activities and principles that promote physical fitness, achieve and maintain athletic prowess, and accomplish related research and service goals. They include courses in human movement studies, motivation studies, rules and practice of specific sports, exercise and fitness principles and techniques, basic athletic injury prevention and treatment, and organizing and leading fitness and sports programs.

Institutions providing this program

Nova Scotia Community College

Various, NS

Health and Wellness

College, Trades, or University Program

These programs prepare students to assume roles as health/wellness professionals in private business and industry, community organizations, and health care settings. They include courses in personal health, community health and welfare, nutrition, epidemiology, disease prevention, fitness and exercise, and health behaviours.

Institutions providing this program

Saint Mary's University

Halifax, NS

Kinesiology and Exercise Science

College or University Program

These programs focus on the anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, and biophysics of human movement, and applications to exercise and therapeutic rehabilitation. They include courses in biomechanics, motor behaviour, motor development and coordination, motor neurophysiology, performance research, rehabilitative therapies, the development of diagnostic and rehabilitative methods and equipment, and related analytical methods and procedures in applied exercise and therapeutic rehabilitation.

Institutions providing this program

Acadia University

Wolfville, NS

Dalhousie University

Halifax, NS

St. Francis Xavier University

Antigonish, NS

Parks, Recreation and Leisure Facilities Management

College, Trades, or University Program

These programs prepare students to develop and manage park facilities and other indoor and outdoor recreation and leisure facilities. They include courses in supervising support personnel, health and safety standards, public relations, and basic business and marketing principles.

Institutions providing this program

Acadia University

Wolfville, NS

Dalhousie University

Halifax, NS

Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies

College, Trades, or University Program

These programs focus on the principles underlying recreational and leisure activities, and the practices involved in providing indoor and outdoor recreational facilities and services for the general public.

Institutions providing this program

Dalhousie University

Halifax, NS

Sport and Fitness Administration/Management

College, Trades, or University Program

These programs prepare students to apply business, coaching and physical education principles to the organization, administration and management of athletic programs and teams, fitness/rehabilitation facilities and health clubs, sport recreation services, and related services. They include courses in program planning and development, business and financial management principles, sales, marketing and recruitment, event promotion, scheduling and management, facilities management, public relations, legal aspects of sports, and applicable health and safety standards.

Institutions providing this program

St. Francis Xavier University

Antigonish, NS

Cape Breton University

Sydney, NS

Employment requirements & contacts

No regulating bodies were found under this occupation profile

Contacts

Communities, Culture and Heritage - Sport and Recreation Funding Programs
Halifax, NS
Sport Nova Scotia
Halifax, NS
Can-Fit-Pro
Toronto, ON
Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology
Ottawa, ON

Additional resources

There are no additional resources for this occupation.