Recreation Leader

Hillcrest Health • Papillion, NE

4d • Onsite

About The Position

Hillcrest Health & Living is hiring a Recreation Leader at Hillcrest Country Estates Cottages in Papillion, Nebraska. The Recreation Leader helps elders stay connected and involved through activities and experiences that reflect their interests, abilities, and preferences. The role involves planning and leading group and individual recreation, supporting elders’ well-being, and helping create a home-like environment centered on relationships, independence, choice, and connection.

The Recreation Leader works with nursing, dining, social services, volunteers, and other team members to support elders’ overall experience. The position also includes assessments, care-planning support, activity documentation, event coordination, maintaining recreation supplies and spaces, and communicating changes in participation, behavior, or needs. The role requires creativity, dependability, organization, adaptability, strong interpersonal skills, and a genuine interest in working with aging adults in a fast-paced senior living environment.

Requirements

• Warm, outgoing, and engaging personality.
• Creativity and ability to develop new activity ideas.
• Confidence leading group and individual activities.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Dependability and consistent follow-through.
• Ability to stay organized and manage multiple activities and priorities.
• Strong attention to detail and documentation.
• Ability to adapt activities to different physical or cognitive abilities.
• Positive, encouraging approach.
• Strong teamwork and collaboration skills.
• Genuine interest in working with aging adults.
• Comfort working in a fast-paced senior living environment.
• Ability to speak, read, and write English.
• Ability to safely assist with recreation programs, events, and activities.
• Ability to perform repetitive standing, walking, bending, reaching, lifting, and movement throughout the day.
• Flexibility and calm when responding to elder, family, or team needs.
• Ability to utilize technology and available resources efficiently and effectively.

Nice To Haves

• High school diploma or equivalent preferred.
• Previous recreation, activities, senior living, healthcare, hospitality, education, or similar experience preferred.
• Experience working with aging adults preferred.
• Experience planning or leading group activities, events, or recreational programming is helpful.

Responsibilities

• Plan and lead group and individual activities based on elders’ interests and preferences.
• Create opportunities that promote socialization, connection, movement, creativity, and enjoyment.
• Complete recreation and leisure assessments to understand individual interests and needs.
• Support care planning and required activity documentation, including MDS-related recreation documentation as needed.
• Develop activity calendars and keep recreation opportunities fresh and engaging.
• Provide one-on-one activities and companionship for elders who prefer individualized experiences.
• Create sensory and enrichment activities for elders with different cognitive or physical needs.
• Coordinate parties, celebrations, special events, and seasonal activities.
• Decorate community spaces for holidays, events, and special occasions.
• Encourage participation while respecting each elder’s choices and preferences.
• Maintain activity supplies, equipment, and recreation spaces.
• Assist with volunteers and community involvement as appropriate.
• Collaborate with nursing, dining, social services, and other team members to support the whole elder experience.
• Communicate changes in participation, behavior, or needs to the appropriate team member.
• Help create meaningful moments throughout the Cottages.
• Set up, move, and organize activity supplies and equipment as needed.
• Follow established infection-control, safety, and resident-care procedures.

Benefits

• Multiple health insurance plan options for eligible team members.
• Vision, dental, and life insurance.
• Supportive leadership and a collaborative team.
• Professional development and career-growth opportunities.
• Dayforce Wallet, allowing team members to choose when they get paid.
• Gym membership reimbursement and partner discounts.
• Opportunities to build experience in senior living and recreation programming.
• Opportunities to grow within Hillcrest Country Estates Cottages and Hillcrest Health & Living.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Education Level: High school or GED