Recreational Specialist

Job Title: Recreation Specialist
Reports to
:
Pines Director
Department: Pines
Compensation
: $65,000-$85,000

Shrub Oak International School (SOIS) is a private, special education boarding and day school preparing students on the Autism Spectrum to lead more independent and meaningful lives. We serve the sophisticated needs of a domestic and international co‑ed population. Our innovative relationship‑based model grounded in evidence‑based principles, builds on students' strengths and interests, maximizing therapeutic and learning opportunities. Our renowned experts work with students to individualize life and development paths based on each student’s specific needs and interests.

Each student’s team of clinicians, teachers, and residential staff collaborate closely to address the student’s issues quickly and reinforce therapies and learning paths, so that the student progresses more rapidly. Our modern, technology‑infused facility is set on 127 acres of agriculture and farmland where students learn in a natural environment full of sensory experiences.

The Pines at Shrub Oak is a 24‑bed, co‑educational, interim residential placement for students on the autism spectrum who may need significant psychiatric support and stabilization before transitioning to a less restrictive environment. Students at the Pines receive psychiatric services in addition to the academic and life skills instruction in a safe, supportive environment with a 2:1 student‑to‑staff ratio.

The Recreational Specialist will report directly to the Pines Clinical Team Lead and is a professional with experience and expertise in creating and executing meaningful recreational programming. This individual will be responsible for providing individual and group recreational activities tailored to the individualized needs of The Pines students, with the goal of enhancing holistic functioning and well‑being. The Recreational Therapist will be a part of The Pines transdisciplinary team and will work collaboratively with clinical and other providers to provide comprehensive support and treatment to all students.

The Recreational Specialist will also work with and conduct trainings with Direct Service Providers (DSP’s) to enhance their ability to support and facilitate meaningful recreational programming. Due to the nature of this position, the Recreational Therapist will work evening and weekend hours as part of their regular weekly full‑time schedule. Having access to confidential information, discretion and independent judgement is required.

• Conducts comprehensive assessments and reassessments of a student's recreational and functional needs within the approved parameters of their expertise
• Provides recreational activities & programming to individuals and groups to support skill development and overall wellness
• Oversees the development and execution of a comprehensive recreational schedule for all students at The Pines
• Provides support and training for Youth Care Specialists (YCS) around providing meaningful and intentional recreational engagement and programming
• Meets with and supports parents around how to provide meaningful recreational engagement for students in the home/ community environment
• Provides crisis management and/or classroom push‑in/pull‑out support as necessary
• Works evening and weekend shifts as part of regular schedule to support comprehensive recreational programming throughout the day/ week
• Functions as a member of an interdisciplinary team to support the comprehensive treatment of students in The Pines
• Is a member of The Pines DBT consultation team
• Collaborates with Mental Health Clinician to engage students and families in treatment planning to set achievable and measurable goals and supports the identification and execution of interventions designed to support the attainment of those goals
• Completes accurate and timely documentation around treatment planning, progress noting, and others as required
• Performs any other responsibilities as needed and required

• Bachelor's Degree or higher in Recreational Therapy or related field preferred. 5+ Years of Experience in a role…