Recreation Therapy Specislist

Position Overview

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.

• 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

• 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.

$50, per year based on education and certification

• 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

• 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.