Game Room and Recreation Specialist

Riverside Health and Rehabilitation Center•Trenton, NJ

10d

About The Position

The Game Room & Recreation Specialist oversees the facility’s game room and creates an active, welcoming, and enjoyable recreational environment for residents. This hands-on role focuses on resident engagement, game room supervision, and recreational programming. The specialist interacts directly with residents, encourages participation, organizes games and events, and develops programming around resident interests. The goal is to make the game room a vibrant gathering place where residents can socialize, compete, have fun, and participate in meaningful recreational activities. The specialist works collaboratively with facility leadership and the Activities Department while maintaining primary responsibility for game-room-focused programming. Success is measured by creating a game room residents want to visit and developing recreational opportunities that increase participation, socialization, and enjoyment.

Requirements

Energetic, outgoing, and comfortable engaging with residents individually and in groups.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
Creative and able to develop new activities, competitions, and events.
Able to motivate and encourage resident participation.
Organized and capable of independently managing recreational programs and events.
Patient and comfortable working with elderly residents and individuals with varying physical or cognitive abilities.

Nice To Haves

Experience in recreation, activities, hospitality, senior living, skilled nursing, entertainment, or a related setting.
Knowledge of common games, sports, cards, pool, dominoes, or similar recreational activities.

Responsibilities

Oversee the day-to-day operation of the facility’s game room.
Maintain an active presence in the game room and engage directly with residents.
Welcome residents and encourage participation, including among residents who may be less socially engaged.
Develop relationships with residents and learn their recreational interests and preferences.
Organize and facilitate pool, card, domino, chess, checkers, board, and video games, along with other recreational activities.
Organize resident leagues, tournaments, competitions, and ongoing game-room programs.
Plan and conduct special recreational events, including tournaments, leagues, dance parties, music and entertainment events, resident competitions, and holiday or themed events.
Develop new recreational ideas based on resident interests and participation.
Encourage residents to socialize and build relationships through recreational programming.
Assist residents with learning games or using game-room equipment when needed.
Monitor the game room to promote a safe, respectful, and positive environment.
Keep games, equipment, furniture, televisions, gaming systems, and other recreational items organized and in appropriate condition.
Identify damaged or missing equipment and report concerns to the appropriate department.
Help establish reasonable rules and expectations for use of the game room and its equipment.
Provide appropriate supervision during organized events and periods of high game-room usage.
Promote upcoming leagues, tournaments, parties, and other recreational events to residents.
Track resident interest and participation and adjust programming based on what residents enjoy most.
Collaborate with facility leadership and the Activities Department while retaining primary responsibility for game-room-focused recreational programming.
Support the facility’s goal of improving resident quality of life, socialization, engagement, and enjoyment.