Activities Specialist

State of Iowa • Woodward - 50276 - Boone County, IA

14h • Onsite

About The Position

The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Division of State-Operated Specialty Care, Bureau of Woodward Resource Center (WRC) is seeking an Activities Specialist to join our team! This is a full-time position with a non-fixed, variable schedule and opportunity for advancement, growth, and development. If you're passionate about making a difference and ready to take on a rewarding position, this could be the perfect job for you! As an Activities Specialist, you'll play a pivotal role in our Leisure Department. As part of the WRC team, you'll: Direct, plan, and coordinate general and specific leisure programs and goals for one-on-one projects and small group programs to develop socialization, self-expression, new skills, and abilities. Monitor on-going participation of WRC clients in the community to ensure growth and skill development. Teach individuals daily living, communication, leisure, and vocational skills by following written procedures and modeling pro-social behavior and skills. Perform all aspects of the individualized active treatment program for assigned individuals. Act as a liaison between leisure department and other Interdisciplinary Team members for the purpose of ensuring on-going programming and goal development. Attend department meetings for the purpose of communication, presenting problem areas for discussion and planning, and coordinating activities with other Activities Specialists. Maintain supply of leisure activities and materials at houses in assigned caseload. Review requests for appropriateness of activities and individuals to be involved and keep an on-going inventory of all leisure supplies/materials. Complete necessary preparations for trips (e.g. check admission prices, schedule tours, and contact agencies as necessary to obtain specific information). Determine amount of money per person to be spent on each activity, coordinate account balances for people attending with Treatment Program Managers. Coordinate with Business Office, obtain and cash checks for trips, and make funds available to accompanying staff. Turn all receipts in per guidelines. Applicants will be required to complete a background check to be considered for this position. WRC prepares and supports individuals to live in the community of their choice. This facility is a great place to develop or continue your healthcare career if you enjoy rewarding yet challenging work, supporting individuals by working as part of their interdisciplinary team, and helping to develop person-centered Individual Support Plans to meet specific support needs, preferences, and goals. The facility provides a range of services that include being an Intermediate Care Facility for Individuals with an Intellectual Disability (ICF/IID), daily supported community living, consultations/training, behavioral health services, physical nutrition management, and community residential-based guidance in learning prosocial behavior and personal accountability. For more info about WRC: https://hhs.iowa.gov/family-community/specialty-care-facilities/woodward-resource-center

Requirements

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with major course work in art, the behavioral/social sciences, industrial therapy, music, occupational therapy, physical education, recreation, rehabilitation, therapeutic recreation, or other closely related fields; OR experience at a level comparable to Activities Assistant or above may be substituted in any equivalent combination for the required education on the basis of one year of experience for each thirty-semester hours of education to a maximum of four years; OR employees with current continuous experience in the state executive branch that includes experience equal to two years of full-time work as an Activities Assistant.
• Applicants will be required to complete a background check to be considered for this position.

Nice To Haves

• Within a period of time after hire, as determined by the appointing authority, employees in this class may be required to obtain a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) and endorsements.

Responsibilities

• Direct, plan, and coordinate general and specific leisure programs and goals for one-on-one projects and small group programs to develop socialization, self-expression, new skills, and abilities.
• Monitor on-going participation of WRC clients in the community to ensure growth and skill development.
• Teach individuals daily living, communication, leisure, and vocational skills by following written procedures and modeling pro-social behavior and skills.
• Perform all aspects of the individualized active treatment program for assigned individuals.
• Act as a liaison between leisure department and other Interdisciplinary Team members for the purpose of ensuring on-going programming and goal development.
• Attend department meetings for the purpose of communication, presenting problem areas for discussion and planning, and coordinating activities with other Activities Specialists.
• Maintain supply of leisure activities and materials at houses in assigned caseload.
• Review requests for appropriateness of activities and individuals to be involved and keep an on-going inventory of all leisure supplies/materials.
• Complete necessary preparations for trips (e.g. check admission prices, schedule tours, and contact agencies as necessary to obtain specific information).
• Determine amount of money per person to be spent on each activity, coordinate account balances for people attending with Treatment Program Managers.
• Coordinate with Business Office, obtain and cash checks for trips, and make funds available to accompanying staff.
• Turn all receipts in per guidelines.

Benefits

• Health, Dental, and Vision Coverage
• Paid Time Off (vacation, sick leave, paid holidays)
• Retirement Plans (IPERS, Retirement Investors Club (RIC), Employer Sponsored Retirement Plan)
• Flexible Spending Accounts (medical and dependent care)
• Life insurance
• Long-term disability insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee Discount Programs

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level