Recreational Therapist, South County Academy

FAMILY SERVICE OF RHODE ISLAND INC•Dallas, TX

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

South County Academy is an educational and therapeutic community dedicated to helping adolescents learn, grow, heal, and thrive. At South County Academy, you will be part of a team that focuses on promoting and recognizing positive behaviors, while building self-worth. As a member of the dedicated South County Academy team, you will provide guidance, support, and supervision to adolescents aged 13-18 in a school and residential setting. Provide a trauma informed approach implementing and maintaining Trauma Systems Therapy (TST) and other evidence-based practices. You will assist each student to make decisions about daily life and conduct within the boundaries of the agency, programs policies, and the requirements of the contractual agreement with the Department of Children, Youth and Families. Whether in the classroom, the residential dorm, or during recreational activities, you will promote safety, well-being, self-expression, learning, and positive decision making. The recreational therapist plays a central role in using leisure-based activities to improve social, emotional, cognitive, and physical functioning. The recreational therapist will develop, implement, and facilitate goal-directed, purposeful activities that promote engagement and skill development. The recreational therapist will work collaboratively with team members, teachers, outside providers, families, etc. The recreational therapist will have the ability to adapt activities to meet the needs of a diverse population with differing needs and capabilities while promoting accessibility and inclusion. The recreation therapist will have the ability to think outside the box and meet each student where they are at.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in recreational therapy or significant therapeutic recreation experience in a residential setting required.
Willingness and capability to work flexible hours including evenings, weekends, and holidays as scheduled.
Knowledge of and sensitivity to cultural, ethnic, racial and socioeconomic issues.
Excellent communication skills and team-oriented mindset.
Capabilities to implement appropriate child management techniques, which may include use of passive physical restraint.
Reliable transportation, valid driver’s license, proof of automobile insurance, registration, inspection and driving record.
Ability to travel to and from community locations, FSRI main sites, and the school/residential location.
Ability to lift up to 20 lbs.
Ability to push or pull 10 lbs. or more.
Ability to perform restraint techniques if needed and work with physically aggressive students.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual/ASL skills are compensated by an additional 6%, above base pay.
Multilingual skills are compensated by an additional 8%, above base pay.

Responsibilities

Provide guidance, support, and supervision to adolescents aged 13-18 in a school and residential setting.
Implement and maintain Trauma Systems Therapy (TST) and other evidence-based practices with a trauma-informed approach.
Assist each student in making decisions about daily life and conduct within agency boundaries, program policies, and contractual requirements.
Promote safety, well-being, self-expression, learning, and positive decision-making in classroom, residential, and recreational settings.
Use leisure-based activities to improve social, emotional, cognitive, and physical functioning.
Develop, implement, and facilitate goal-directed, purposeful activities that promote engagement and skill development.
Work collaboratively with team members, teachers, outside providers, and families.
Adapt activities to meet the needs of a diverse population with differing needs and capabilities, promoting accessibility and inclusion.
Think outside the box and meet each student where they are at.