Recreation Therapy Specialist

Our Recreation Therapy Specialists work with young people in a residential setting to develop their abilities to interact with others in a team and increase their self-esteem. An ideal Recreation Therapy Specialist is creative, enthusiastic and can come up with new and innovative games and activities to keep the residents engaged, all while building confidence in their abilities and promoting their teamwork skills. Recreation Therapy Specialists facilitate groups with the youth on a daily basis and coordinate additional activities for the campus.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

The Recreation Therapy Specialist:

• Develops and facilitates recreation programs (including but not limited to music, dance, arts and crafts, cultural arts, nature study, swimming, social recreation and games, camping, etc.)
• Promotes life skills training through therapeutic activities
• Promotes and coordinates participation in clubs and organizations (including but not limited to student council, intramural sports leagues, other volunteer activities, etc.)
• Works with the residential treatment team to ensure that recreation is well-balanced, scheduled appropriately, and integrated with special services
• Maintains recreation equipment and consults with leadership for replacement of depleted equipment
• Oversees the use of canoeing and high ropes courses equipment and resident participation on applicable campus
• Oversees initial recreational assessment upon intake (within 14 days)
• Introduces and trains Youth Villages staff on new program activities, equipment, and materials
• Completes daily documentation (such as contact notes, milieu notes, and precautionary notes) in an electronic medical record system (EMR)
• Performs other duties as assigned

Additional Information:

• The supervision and treatment of youth requires prolonged periods of walking, standing, running, climbing stairs, and physical agility. 
• Applicants must be able to participate in physical interventions when necessary and frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds, occasionally more than 100 pounds.
• Applicants are required to complete Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) and CPR trainings and pass an agility and strength evaluation.
• Applicants must possess a current, valid driver’s license.
• Schedule is flexible and may require some weekend hours.

Salary:

$50,000-57,000 per year based on education and certification 

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Recreation Therapy (required)
• Must have or be eligible for CTRS certification (required)
• Experience working with at-risk youth (preferred)
• Experience working with youth (required)
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Excellent written, verbal, and oral skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously
• Basic computer knowledge
• Ability to maintain a flexible schedule

Youth Villages Benefits

Medical, Dental, Prescription Drug Coverage and Vision

401(k)

Time off:

2 week paid vacation (full-time) / 1 week paid vacation (part-time)

12 paid sick days per year

11 paid holidays

Paid Parental Leave

Mileage & Cell Phone Reimbursement (when applicable)

Tuition reimbursement and licensure supervision

Growth & development through continuous training

Clinical and administrative advancement opportunities

*Benefits are excluded for variable status employees.

Youth Villages is an equal opportunity employer and provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

Youth Villages is committed to not only advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace but also in our work with children and young adults. We know that children, families and young people of color can face inequity in child welfare and justice systems, and we train our employees to build the skills they need to work with the communities that we serve, as well as, other employees from different cultures and backgrounds. Youth Villages is opposed to racism in any of its forms and is committed to inclusion, equity, and diversity. We believe that respect for each other is crucial in the work that we do each day.