Recreational Specialist

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Full Time Hamden, CT, US

The Children’s Center of Hamden is seeking a passionate and creative Recreation Specialist to join our Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility (PRTF). In this role, you’ll design and facilitate therapeutic recreation experiences that help children build emotional regulation, social skills, confidence, resilience, and healthy leisure habits. Through engaging individual, small group, and large group activities, you’ll create meaningful opportunities that support each child’s individualized treatment goals while promoting physical, emotional, and social well-being.

Working collaboratively with our Recreation Supervisor, Cottage Managers, Direct Care team, and multidisciplinary treatment team, you’ll play a vital role in helping children discover their strengths, develop new skills, and experience success through recreation.

At The Children’s Center of Hamden, you’ll be part of a collaborative, mission‑driven team where recreation is recognized as an essential component of treatment. We provide the support, resources, and professional development you need to make a meaningful impact every day.

• Make a Difference Every Day – Help children develop coping skills, confidence, social connections, and healthy leisure interests through therapeutic recreation.
• Collaborative Treatment Team – Partner with clinicians, Direct Care staff, Cottage Managers, and other professionals to support individualized treatment goals.
• Variety in Your Day – Facilitate activities in recreation spaces, cottages, outdoor environments, and approved community outings that keep every day engaging and rewarding.
• Professional Growth & Training – Receive ongoing training, mentorship, certification opportunities, and professional development to strengthen your therapeutic recreation skills.
• Comprehensive Benefits – Medical, dental, vision, life, disability, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), and wellness programs. On one of our medical plan options, The Children’s Center covers 90% of the employee premium and contributes to Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), making quality healthcare affordable and accessible.
• Retirement & Financial Security – Access to a 403(b) retirement savings plan and Social Security benefits to help you build a secure future.
• Generous Paid Time Off – Enjoy vacation, sick, and personal time to support a healthy work‑life balance.
• Mission-Driven Culture – Join a compassionate organization committed to helping children heal, grow, and thrive.

As a Recreation Specialist, you will:

• Plan, implement, and evaluate therapeutic recreation activities that support individualized treatment goals.
• Assess each child's recreational interests, strengths, abilities, and developmental needs.
• Facilitate engaging recreational activities through individual, small group, and large group programming.
• Provide leadership and coaching to Direct Care staff in the planning and facilitation of therapeutic recreation activities.
• Educate staff on the therapeutic purpose of recreational interventions and strategies that maximize each child's participation and success.
• Gather feedback from staff regarding children's participation and use that information to strengthen future programming.
• Coordinate and supervise approved community recreation outings in accordance with agency policies and treatment plans.
• Maintain accurate documentation and complete required records within established time frames.
• Collaborate with the Recreation Supervisor to maintain recreational supplies, equipment, and program resources.
• Ensure recreational environments and equipment remain safe, organized, and well maintained.
• Promote a safe therapeutic environment by maintaining required certifications, participating in mandatory trainings, and following agency policies and procedures.
• Maintain professional boundaries and contribute to an…