Recreation Leader -Therapeutic Recreation

CITY OF WHEAT RIDGE • Wheat Ridge, CO

3d • $18 - $22 • Onsite

About The Position

GENERAL PURPOSE:
The Recreation Leader supports and leads inclusive recreational programs for individuals with disabilities. This role helps create a safe, welcoming, and structured environment where participants of all abilities can engage, learn, and have fun.
Wheat Ridge was founded during the 1859 Gold Rush as a rest stop for miners and later named for its golden wheat fields. As unsuccessful miners turned to farming, the area thrived with orchards, vegetable fields, and later, greenhouses, earning the title “Carnation City.” Incorporated in 1969, Wheat Ridge now offers a central location with easy access to Denver and the Rocky Mountains. It operates as a home-rule city with a council-manager government, where the elected council sets policy, and the manager oversees daily operations and budgeting.
CORE VALUES: The City of Wheat Ridge is committed to excellence and ACTION!:
Accountability: Employees take responsibility for their actions, decisions, and recommendations and are accountable to each other and the community
Change: Adapts to changing organizational needs, conditions, and work responsibilities.
Teamwork: Employees value teamwork as a collaborative effort, with each person contributing unique skills, knowledge, and training to achieve common goals.
Integrity: Employees uphold the highest ethical standards, recognize the importance of public and customer trust and adhere to the values of the organization.
Opportunity: Employees are empowered to grow professionally, develop best practices, and seek challenges to advance the City.
NOW!: Employees are proactive, timely, and efficient in responding to the needs of the organization and the community – NOW!

Requirements

• Experience working with individuals with physical and developmental disabilities is required.
• Maintains a demeanor and manner of interacting with other that is patient, dependable, and professional.
• Communicate effectively and diplomatically with participants, caretakers, co-workers and general public.
• Ability to react quickly and correctly in emergency situation, instruct and oversee a large group and lead games and/or activities.
• Ability to enforce safety regulations firmly, analyze situations quickly and objectively and determine proper course of action, express ideas clearly and concisely and establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• High School diploma or equivalent
• American Red Cross Adult/Child/Infant First Aid, AED, and CPR Certification or must obtain within sixty (60) days from hire.
• Valid Colorado driver's license or must obtain within thirty (30) days from hire; must aid in liability protection.

Nice To Haves

• Associate's degree in recreation or related field preferred.
• Previous experience planning activities, supervisory experience with groups of participants.

Responsibilities

• Plan and implement classes, activities, specialty classes, events as assigned for participants with disabilities.
• Develop lesson plans for activities and provide accommodations and modifications as needed
• Provide a safe and fun environment in which patrons, as well as caregivers, feel comfortable.
• Provide corrective action as needed and actively participate in activities attached to program/class.
• Maintain consistent routines and ensure participant safety.
• Develop positive relations with customers; provide information concerning facility and program(s) to participants and caregivers; help organize promotional types of activities.
• Matters that are not specifically covered in operating instructions are reviewed with the supervisor.
• Unfamiliar situations are referred to the supervisor.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED