Activities Assistant

Activities Assistant, PRN

Position Summary

The Activities Assistant is responsible for supporting diverse and creative education, skill development, and recreational activities. This includes delivery of recreation, socialization, enrichment, and wellness programs for seniors/persons with disabilities (aged 18+) in a variety of in person and community settings. This is a PRN assistant position for four to 12 hours per week, primarily on weekday evenings with the occasional, optional, Friday night or Saturday morning work.

This position will teach and engage participants who want to enhance their lives by developing healthy habits and relationships. This position requires commitment to engaging participants to reduce loneliness and social isolation and helping people live fuller lives. 

Essential Job Functions

• Facilitate daily, weekly, and monthly events in the community to encourage socialization, relaxation, and recreation. 
• Help deliver activities that:
  • accommodate those with cognitive and physical disabilities
  • facilitate skill attainment and development 
• Observe and engage participants at events and provide participants with necessary instructions and directions.
• Ensure that all programs are operated such that participant health and safety is a priority. Adhere to and enforce all safety procedures. Report any safety, behavioral, and/or medical issues promptly and according to established policy.
• Monitor and manage activity program equipment, materials, and supplies.
• Keep records regarding participant interest, and other notable information, such as injuries or behavioral incidents.
• Comply with all agency, funder, and legal guidelines regarding privacy and confidentiality, including the need for written authorization from the participant and/or legal guardian, prior to any release of confidential information.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities*

• Ability to relate effectively to diverse groups of people from all social and economic segments of the community.
• Patience and compassion when dealing with others, especially those with cognitive and/or physical limitations, or from different backgrounds.
• Ability to work well with people of all backgrounds, incomes, ages, races and abilities (i.e. mental health, physical, cognitive, sensory issues)
• Must adhere to and enforce all safety policies and procedures.
• Passion for helping people achieve their health and wellness goals with the ability to keep participants motivated and on track to overcome challenges.
• Excellent resource management, record keeping, interpersonal, decision making, and verbal and written communication skills.
• Learn, support, and adhere to the Independent Living philosophy.
• Able to solve problems and demonstrate clear boundaries.
• Knowledge of ADA, accommodations, and modifications.
• Knowledge of issues and needs of persons with disabilities/seniors and related resources.
• Articulate LEAP’s overall mission, and this position’s role, in enhancing, protecting, and removing the barriers to the full exercise of the civil rights of persons with disabilities.
• Understanding of adaptive recreation opportunities and requirements.
• Ability to ensure all activities are safe as well as enjoyable.
• Broad knowledge and experience of and with community recreational resources.
• Must be available for weekday evenings, and occasional weekend activities
• Must have reliable transportation 
• Must pass criminal background checks.

*NOTE: The individual must possess these skills and abilities or be able to explain and demonstrate that he/she can perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation, using some other combination of skills and abilities.

Qualification Standards

• High school diploma, general education diploma (GED), or at least two years of relevant, supervised work experience providing personal care, activities, or assisting with activities in a public health, human services, or other community service agency, and experience advocating on behalf of individuals with chronic illnesses, behavioral health conditions, physical disabilities, or developmental disabilities.
• Minimum of two years’ experience working with older adults/persons with disabilities is strongly preferred; experience in adult education activities, adaptive and social recreation or therapeutic recreation for older adults and individuals with disabilities is preferred
• Current Certification in First Aid and CPR (required within two months of employment) and MUI training.