Intern - Special Recreation SEA

Waukegan Park District•Waukegan, IL

11d•$15 - $16

About The Position

Special Recreation Services of Northern Lake County (SRSNLC) and the Waukegan Park District offers an excellent opportunity for students pursuing a career in Therapeutic Recreation and as required by the National Council on Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC). The internship focuses on therapeutic recreation in a community setting. Our agency is one of many Illinois Special Recreation Associations. The candidate will have many opportunities to practice and apply TR knowledge and methods. Interns will observe and lead programs, drive pick-up and drop off routes and fieldtrips, assist in children's camps or leisure education activities in special education classrooms, complete assessments and one case study, and complete a major project. Interns work with individuals with a variety of disabilities, and will be part of Special Olympic events within a sports season. Knowledge of basic behavior management with children and adults with a disability. Understanding of disability specific characteristics of, but not limited to: Autism, Oppositional Deviant Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Down Syndrome, and Developmental Delays. Assist with planning, organization, implementation and oversight of recreational/general interest programs and special events within area of responsibility in the Special Recreation department. Provide direct leadership and supervision to all assigned recreation programs and services. Provide developmentally appropriate activities that meet the needs and interest of participants. Assist in the development and implementation of long-range plans and strategies. Assist in the development and implementation of goals and objectives specific to area of responsibility. May develop and implement an intern project. Assist in evaluating effectiveness and efficiency of programs and services. Assist in the development and implementation of a marketing strategy for recreation programs, services, and facilities consisting of appropriate pricing and promotional efforts. Assist in the development and implementation of specific program details consistent with recreation marketing strategy. Assist in the recruitment, selection, training, supervision, and evaluation of assigned staff and volunteers. Contract with independent contractors and vendors for programs and services as needed. Assist staff and volunteers in the performance of their duties. Assist securing alternative funding through grants, sponsorships, and fund raising. Assist in the purchase, distribution, and maintenance of proper inventory of all supplies and materials. Turn in appropriate receipts as required. Prepare and maintain management reports and records regarding programs and services. Prepare and submit reports and projects as required by sponsoring university. Accompany participants on field trips. Transport program participants and supplies using park district vehicles. Assist in scheduling facility rental and program use. Assist with management of facilities as needed. Assist in the preparation of program budgets. Establish a cooperative planning and working relationship with coworkers, parents, community agencies and organizations. Attend pertinent departmental/park district meetings and in-house training sessions. Conduct self in accordance with the policies and procedures as established by the park district. Participate in park district safety and training program to ensure that work performed and services provided are implemented in a safe manner.

Requirements

Age: 18 years and older
Education: Registered as a student at a four-year university
Meet university requirements for senior student status
Majoring in Recreation Administration, Therapeutic Recreation, Sports Management, Social Work, or related field
Experience: Minimum six (6) months experience in a recreational setting, preferably in a recreation department, school district, social services agency or non-profit organization. May be obtained through a combination of volunteer, seasonal, part-time or temporary positions
Has acquired necessary special competencies in the field of specialization for doing fieldwork
Must have completed all university requirements for internship placement
Knowledge: General knowledge of recreation, parks, and leisure service field
General knowledge of recreation principles and philosophy within specific area of responsibility
Specific knowledge of recreation programs and services for assigned area of responsibility
Knowledge of basic behavior management with children and adults with a disability
Understanding of disability specific characteristics of, but not limited to: Autism, Oppositional Deviant Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Down Syndrome, and Developmental Delays
License/Certification: Valid driver's license required

Nice To Haves

CPR, AED, and First Aid certificate preferred

Responsibilities

Observe and lead programs
Drive pick-up and drop off routes and fieldtrips
Assist in children's camps or leisure education activities in special education classrooms
Complete assessments and one case study
Complete a major project
Assist with planning, organization, implementation and oversight of recreational/general interest programs and special events within area of responsibility in the Special Recreation department
Provide direct leadership and supervision to all assigned recreation programs and services
Provide developmentally appropriate activities that meet the needs and interest of participants
Assist in the development and implementation of long-range plans and strategies
Assist in the development and implementation of goals and objectives specific to area of responsibility
May develop and implement an intern project
Assist in evaluating effectiveness and efficiency of programs and services
Assist in the development and implementation of a marketing strategy for recreation programs, services, and facilities consisting of appropriate pricing and promotional efforts
Assist in the development and implementation of specific program details consistent with recreation marketing strategy
Assist in the recruitment, selection, training, supervision, and evaluation of assigned staff and volunteers
Contract with independent contractors and vendors for programs and services as needed
Assist staff and volunteers in the performance of their duties
Assist securing alternative funding through grants, sponsorships, and fund raising
Assist in the purchase, distribution, and maintenance of proper inventory of all supplies and materials
Turn in appropriate receipts as required
Prepare and maintain management reports and records regarding programs and services
Prepare and submit reports and projects as required by sponsoring university
Accompany participants on field trips
Transport program participants and supplies using park district vehicles
Assist in scheduling facility rental and program use
Assist with management of facilities as needed
Assist in the preparation of program budgets
Establish a cooperative planning and working relationship with coworkers, parents, community agencies and organizations
Attend pertinent departmental/park district meetings and in-house training sessions
Conduct self in accordance with the policies and procedures as established by the park district
Participate in park district safety and training program to ensure that work performed and services provided are implemented in a safe manner