Certified Activity Director

Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans•New Orleans, LA

26d•Onsite

About The Position

Plans, directs, implements, and evaluates an individualized activity program for PACE participants to support quality of life, social engagement, cognitive stimulation, emotional well-being, and functional abilities. Collaborates with the interdisciplinary team (IDT) to address participants’ interests, preferences, abilities, and care plan goals. Ensures activities are safe, inclusive, age-appropriate, and respectful of participant choice and dignity. The role includes developing activity calendars; assessing participant interests, strengths, abilities, communication needs, and barriers to engagement; contributing to care planning; adapting activities to individual needs; documenting services and progress; and reporting changes or safety concerns. It also coordinates outings, events, entertainers, and volunteers; provides direction and coaching to assigned activity staff and volunteers; manages approved supplies and expenditures; and follows participant rights, confidentiality, infection prevention, emergency, and incident-reporting procedures. The director participates in quality improvement, audits, training, competency validation, and program evaluation. Work occurs primarily in the PACE day center and may include community outings and travel between program locations. Duties involve periods of standing, walking, sitting, reaching, bending, and handling activity materials. Exposure to communicable illness and behavioral challenges may occur. Participant assistance must follow training, care plans, and safe handling procedures. Essential functions may be performed with reasonable accommodation; specific lifting and mobility requirements should be confirmed for the assigned position.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Current Activity Director Certified (ADC) credential through the National Certification Council for Activity Professionals (NCCAP), or another activity director certification accepted by PACE GNO.
At least one year of experience working with a frail or elderly population. Applicants with less than one year may be considered if otherwise qualified and provided appropriate PACE training upon hiring, consistent with applicable requirements and agency policy.
Ability to assess activity needs, plan adapted programs, document services, and work effectively with older adults, including people living with dementia.
Ability to meet required position competencies before working independently and complete ongoing orientation, training, and certification renewal requirements.
Satisfactory completion of required background checks, screenings, and medical clearance for communicable diseases before direct participant contact, in accordance with agency policy and applicable requirements.
CPR and first aid certification as required by agency policy.
A valid driver's license and authorization to drive for the agency are required if driving is assigned as an essential duty.
Knowledge of aging, dementia, participant engagement, adapted activities, and safe group facilitation.
Strong communication, organization, leadership, and problem-solving skills, including the ability to respond calmly to changing needs.
Ability to maintain professional boundaries and confidentiality, respect diverse backgrounds, and collaborate with participants, caregivers, and staff.
Ability to use electronic documentation systems, email, calendars, and standard office software.

Nice To Haves

Associate or bachelor's degree in recreation, gerontology, human services, or a related field.
Experience in PACE, adult day health, long-term care, or another setting serving older adults.
Experience supervising activity staff or volunteers, coordinating community resources, and managing activity budgets.

Responsibilities

Develop and maintain daily and monthly calendars of group, individual, and adapted activities, including music, arts, movement, games, sensory activities, cultural celebrations, and outings.
Complete activity assessments and reassessments within required timeframes.
Identify participant interests, prior routines, strengths, cognitive and physical abilities, communication needs, and barriers to engagement.
Represent the activity coordinator on the interdisciplinary team when assigned; participate in care planning and develop measurable activity goals and interventions with participants and the team.
Implement and revise activity interventions based on participant response, changing needs, and team recommendations.
Provide alternatives for participants who decline group activities or need individual engagement; adapt activities for dementia, sensory impairments, limited mobility, and other disabilities.
Coordinate with nursing, therapy, social work, and dietary staff on precautions and accommodations.
Document assessments, interventions, attendance, participant responses, and progress accurately and promptly in approved records.
Report changes in condition, behavior, participation, or safety concerns to the appropriate team member.
Coordinate community outings, entertainers, special events, and volunteer involvement; arrange approved transportation, staffing, accessibility, and safety measures before outings.
Provide daily direction, scheduling, orientation, and coaching for assigned activity staff and volunteers; participate in performance evaluations and personnel decisions within delegated authority.
Manage approved activity supplies and expenditures, maintain equipment and inventory, and keep activity spaces organized and accessible.
Follow infection prevention procedures, emergency plans, confidentiality requirements, and participant rights policies; promptly report incidents and suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation through established channels.
Participate in quality improvement, audits, required training, competency validation, and program evaluation.
Perform other related duties within training and assigned responsibilities.