JOB SUMMARY:

The Recreation Specialist develops and participates in programs involving art, music, dance, sports, games, crafts and exercise for residents to help to prevent or to alleviate stress related to physical, mental, and social challenges. Such activities are designed to improve self-confidence and self-control and relieve depression and anger. This position will help assure that time spent in the facility by the residents is directed in a manner with safe leisure time activities designed to engage the residents.

ESSENTIAL TASKS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty listed satisfactorily.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions unless this causes undue hardship to the agency.

Provide and structure leisure time onsite activities in the evening, weekends, and on holidays to foster a healthy cohesiveness among residents, Plan activities to increase the focus on mainstream interests such as interactive table games, sports, music, and movies that encourage social integration rather than isolation, Plan and provide activities that strengthen cognitive abilities such as concentration and reasoning e.g. current events. Oversee the exercise area and use of exercise equipment and weights. Provide skills development sessions instructing residents how to use low cost NYC resources for recreational purposes and to plan leisure time outside the residence. Create a weekly schedule of activities. Whenever possible, seek to make community recreational resources available onsite and assist residents in gaining access to external community resources. Responsible for the ongoing development of linkages with community recreational/exercise and entertainment facilities and businesses that will allow Transitional Residence for Veterans residents free or discounted access. Monitor use of computers that provide the availability of recreational software. Creates, submits and files all required documentation of activities. Immediately reports serious incidents, allegations of abuse, incidents, or sensitive situations and completes incident reports in accordance with agency policy. Comply and promote compliance with all applicable laws, regulations and agency policies helping to strengthen and maintain an ethical organizational culture. Obtains and maintains CPR and First Aid certifications. Attends scheduled supervision, training and staff development meetings or assigned case conferences.

Complies and promotes compliance with all applicable laws, regulations and agency policies helping to strengthen and maintain an ethical organizational culture.

Performs other job-related duties that may be assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

Basic knowledge of the benefits that participating in recreational or exercise activities can provide people with cognitive disabilities Effective problem-solving skills Effective interpersonal skills Ability to work with diverse individuals Ability to effectively and efficiently respond to questions from persons served Ability to present information to persons served and other employees Ability to work with residents and staff in a caring and respectful manner, and with due understanding of and consideration for cultural differences Ability to serve as a role model to residents including modeling appropriate interpersonal interactions, appearance, demeanor Ability to effectively use recreational computer software Willingness to continually learn and apply knowledge and willingness to participate in in-service training and development activities Ability to function as an effective team member, including performing share of work, cooperating with coworkers,  and securing cooperation, and maintaining professional relationships and boundaries  with co-workers, supervisors and residents Ability to use sound judgment in identifying and solving problems, and knowing when to seek assistance. Ability to learn, understand and comply with all regulations, policies and procedures Ability to organize time effectively to accomplish all tasks in a timely way and meet deadlines without prompting. Ability to develop, evaluate, implement and modify recreational/exercise activities as needed Ability to prepare accurate and timely documentation, reports and other written material as assigned Ability to be empathic, actively looking for ways to help people, to be compassionate and hopeful and to believe and help others work toward recovery Ability to engage in active listening—attending to what other people are saying and asking questions as appropriate.

MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE QUALIFICATIONS:

Bachelor’s degree in a relevant human services area (preferably recreation therapy, creative arts therapy or related) plus two years experience in recreation/therapeutic recreation programming or closely related.   Veteran preferred