Recreation Leader

Hillcrest Health & LIving • Papillion, NE

5d

About The Position

Hillcrest Health & Living is seeking a creative, compassionate Recreation Leader for Hillcrest Shadow Lake in Papillion, Nebraska. The role supports residents’ interests, abilities, social connections, and quality of life by planning and leading therapeutic recreation programs and individualized activities. It combines hands-on activity leadership with assessments, documentation, resident transportation, volunteer coordination, and recreation planning. The role also works with nursing, clinical, and other community team members to support residents’ individual needs.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent preferred.
• One year of experience providing recreational programming for aging adults or in a similar setting preferred.
• Previous experience in recreation, activities, senior living, healthcare, hospitality, education, childcare, or a similar people-focused environment.
• Strong communication, relationship-building, organization, and time-management skills.
• Ability to lead group activities and one-on-one programming and prepare activity spaces, materials, schedules, and documentation.
• Ability to attend to residents’ preferences and individual needs and encourage participation without pressuring residents.
• Calm, flexible, professional approach when plans or resident needs change, including in stressful or emotional situations.
• Strong teamwork and willingness to collaborate across departments.
• Comfort using technology and completing required documentation.
• Ability to speak, read, and write English.
• Ability to independently lift up to 35 pounds and perform repetitive sitting, bending, standing, walking, reaching, lifting, and movement as needed.
• Ability to assist residents safely to and from recreation programs as appropriate.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with strong attention to detail and use technology, documentation systems, and recreation resources efficiently.
• Possible exposure to communicable diseases and bodily fluids.

Nice To Haves

• Experience developing or leading recreational programs for aging adults.
• Recreation therapy certification.
• Music background or ability to play a musical instrument.
• Valid driver’s license.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and lead group and individual recreation programs based on residents’ interests and abilities.
• Create engaging activities that encourage residents to stay active, social, creative, and connected.
• Complete initial leisure assessments and assist with MDS documentation, interdisciplinary team summaries, and care planning as needed.
• Provide one-on-one recreation programming and sensory enrichment activities based on individual resident needs.
• Assist with planning and scheduling recreation programming, including weekly planning sessions.
• Encourage residents to participate while respecting their choices, preferences, and abilities.
• Assist residents to and from scheduled and spontaneous recreation programs using safe transportation procedures.
• Set up materials and spaces for daily programs and independent activities, then clean and organize them after programming.
• Document resident participation after group and individual recreation sessions.
• Direct, encourage, mentor, and support volunteers; build positive relationships and help coordinate volunteer schedules.
• Maintain recreation supplies and assist with purchasing and inventorying supplies when needed.
• Put up and take down seasonal and holiday decorations while following applicable fire-safety requirements.
• Partner with nursing, clinical, and other community team members to support residents’ individual needs.
• Assist with additional recreation programs, special events, and community activities as needed.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation.
• Multiple health insurance plan options for eligible team members.
• Vision, dental, and life insurance.
• Professional development support, including tuition reimbursement, certifications, and career-growth programs.
• Dayforce Wallet, allowing team members to choose when they get paid.
• Gym membership reimbursement and partner discounts.
• Supportive leadership and a collaborative community team.
• Opportunities to grow within a mission-driven senior care organization.

What This Job Offers

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