Childrens Recreation Therapist

Little City Foundation•Palatine, IL

6d•Onsite

About The Position

Provides individual and group recreation and fitness programming for youth served by Little City. The Recreation Therapist coordinates on-campus and community activities that develop fitness, recreation, and leisure skills to support independence and preparation for adulthood. The role serves youth in children’s residential and school programs, collaborating with youth, families, residential staff, and other agency stakeholders. It includes assessment and person-centered planning, therapeutic recreation and fitness activities, staff training, supervision of recreation spaces, progress documentation, and promoting health and wellness. The position requires a bachelor’s degree in Recreation Therapy, CTRS certification, and required clearances and certifications. The posted salary is $43,000–$50,000 per year, depending on experience.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Recreation Therapy.
Certified Recreation Therapy Specialist (CTRS) certification from the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification.
Meet DCFS and DHS background and driver’s clearance requirements.
Professional Rescuer/Lifeguard certification, or ability to obtain it during the first year of employment.
Valid driver’s license and auto insurance.
Ability to perform CPR and CPI.
Ability to assist with and lift up to 50 pounds, with varying amounts of assistance, on a recurring basis.
Corrected vision and hearing within normal range and ability to operate a motor vehicle.

Nice To Haves

One year of experience working with children with autism and intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Responsibilities

Develop and facilitate programs using interventions and therapeutic techniques to address the physical, cognitive, emotional, social, and leisure needs of youth in residential and school settings.
Work with youth and their family members, and train staff, to improve individuals’ overall health and develop daily living and community involvement skills, knowledge, and behaviors.
Develop, plan, and implement summer camp, afterschool, and weekend recreation and leisure activities in coordination with the residential management team.
Assess clients’ needs, abilities, and interests using standard measures; develop person-centered recreation and fitness plans; and use assessments to track health, psychosocial, cognitive, and leisure-skill progress.
Direct and guide youth and supporting staff during recreational activities.
Train residential staff in fitness techniques and recreation activities to use outside the recreation schedule.
Supervise the Center for Recreation and gymnasium when youth are present.
Support youth in Special Olympics programming and develop athletes’ participation in a variety of sports.
Prepare timely individual and summary reports documenting participation and progress, including activity type, time, duration, location, and engagement; enter fitness and recreation activity hours into the agency case management system.
Work with home staff to develop and demonstrate strategies that motivate residents to participate as fully as possible in recreation and fitness programs.
Complete required documentation, including Unusual Incident Reports and Non-Violent Physical Crisis Intervention Reports, in a timely manner.
Maintain current knowledge of fitness innovations, research, equipment, and recreational interventions, particularly those relevant to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Promote health and wellness in all environments and with all stakeholders.
Protect the confidentiality of people served by the agency.
Represent the agency positively in the community and interact cooperatively and constructively with staff and residents.
Take responsibility for workplace safety and immediately report accidents and safety hazards to a supervisor.
Maintain American Heart Association First Aid and CPR certification.
Complete required Little City Foundation training, retraining, and any additional assigned training.
Perform other duties as assigned by a supervisor.