Recreation Specialist, Bronx (DV)

AFRICAN AMERICAN PLANNING COMMISSION INC • New York, NY

1d

About The Position

The Recreation Specialist is responsible for the overall management of the Recreation Department to meet the goals of the organization within its policies and procedures; develops and implements recreation programs appropriate to the client population and supportive of efforts to return clients to the community. He/she is responsible for expanding their project for the benefit of residents (i.e., assisting with responding to RFPs, grants, etc.). The Recreation Specialist must plan, develop, and implement a broad range of educational, recreational, and cultural activities for children, for adults and for families as a whole. Some activities are one-time events, some are periodic, and some are on-going. The Recreation Specialist, therefore, must be innovative, flexible, extremely well organized, and sensitive to the changing needs of a population always in flux. Because the clients served are all coping with crisis associated with domestic violence problems, they sometimes find it difficult to function cooperatively in large groups, and this presents a special challenge to workers. Furthermore, although the Recreation Specialist provides both children and adults with important opportunities for growth and development, parents who feel themselves to be in dire situations and suffused with helplessness may not readily see the value of the program, and staff must often work hard to help clients recognize its importance. Finally, the Recreation Specialist, perhaps more than any other staff member, has the opportunity to interact with clients in informal settings. Thus, they have a unique opportunity to observe clients interacting as individuals and as families. The information gained from these interactions can be invaluable to the facility’s interdisciplinary approach. Just as important, the Workers have the opportunity to serve as role models. Sometimes it is in just such settings that staff can demonstrate to clients the efficiency of cooperative, positive interactions.

Requirements

• Associate Degree or the equivalent in physical and health education, home economics, fine arts or sociology, or High School Diploma/GED.
• At least two (2) years’ experience in a recreational or Social Service Setting.
• The incumbent must have experience working with children and adults.
• Food Safety Certification.
• Strong verbal and interpersonal communication skills with focus on providing excellent client services.
• Strong written communication skills and ability to complete reports, as assigned
• Demonstrate ability to interact effectively and collaboratively with a diverse community of residents, program staff and external vendors.
• Ability to exercise good judgment and apply problem solving skills.
• Experience working collaboratively in a team oriented and outcomes focused environment.

Responsibilities

• Provide school-age children with tutorial and remedial assistance including homework assistance and library skills.
• Provide recreational opportunities for young adult population.
• Register youth for summer youth employment and camping programs.
• Facilitates weekly parent/child interaction sessions.
• Maintains a list of names, ages, interests of all resident children and informs parents of any activity that might serve an interest or meet the needs of the child (ren).
• Informs parents of any limitations, both physical and emotional that might interfere with a child's participation in planned activities.
• Primarily responsible for designing and implementing new programs enhancing clients' motivation through socialization processes and development of leisure time skills.
• Guards and maintains all agency recreational equipment and spaces.
• Prepares monthly statistical reports.
• Plan and organize weekend activities which will provide opportunities for families to recreate together and with other families.
• Assisting with overseeing the food program and kitchen.
• Performs such other related duties as requested.

Benefits

• Health and Welfare Benefits: Medical (including prescription coverage), Dental & Vision
• Commuter Benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Paid Holidays, Annual Paid Time Off (23 days)
• Life Insurance
• Long Term Disability
• Retirement Benefits Plan (403B)
• You may also get your college student debt forgiven tax free on Federal Direct Loans created under the College Cost Reduction and Access Act of 2007, PSLF, if you work full-time and after making 120 qualifying monthly payments under a Qualifying Repayment Plan.

What This Job Offers

• Education Level: Associate degree
• Number of Employees: 11-50 employees