Therapeutic Recreation Intern (Spring 2027)

County of Mecklenburg, NC•Charlotte, NC

13d•Onsite

About The Position

Mecklenburg County is seeking a Therapeutic Recreation Intern (Recreation Assistant) for its Therapeutic and Inclusive Recreation Services (TIRS) department. This is a temporary, 14-week minimum internship designed to provide cross-training and develop essential job skills in both Therapeutic Recreation and Inclusion Services. The intern will assist in organizing, instructing, and facilitating therapeutic and adapted recreation and leisure programs, activities, and events for diverse age groups. These programs span various categories including Adapted Sports and Recreation; Aquatics, Health & Wellness; Community & Life Skills; Summer Camp / School Day Out / Afterschool / SPARK DAY; and Special Events and Holiday Programming. The internship requires 560 hours of work, including daytime, evening, and weekend hours based on business needs. This position offers an opportunity to gain experience and potentially be considered for similar roles within other Park and Recreation locations.

Requirements

High School Diploma or equivalent
General knowledge of applicable computer programs including Microsoft Office Suite
Requires a valid North Carolina or South Carolina Driver’s License and County Driving Privileges
CPR/First Aid certification
Therapeutic recreational programming and instruction
Recreational Therapy (APIED) Process that includes Assessment, Program and Treatment Planning / Activity Analysis; Program Facilitation / Group Management techniques; Documentation; Modification and Program Adaptations; Evaluation
ATRA Standards of Practice / Code of Ethics
Modalities appropriate for a municipal, community based Therapeutic Recreation program.
Applying therapeutic recreation knowledge and education through hands-on activities
Developing and enforcing classroom rules and safety procedure
Managing multiple tasks concurrently
Organizing and presenting demonstrations in area of specialization
Building Trust: Interacting with others in a way that gives them confidence in one’s intentions and those of the organization.
Applied Learning: Assimilating and applying new job-related information in a timely manner.
Communication: Clearly conveying information and ideas through a variety of media to individuals or groups in a manner that engages the audience and helps them understand and retain the message.
Customer Focus: Ensuring that the customer perspective is a driving forces behind business decisions and activities; crafting and implementing service practices that meet customers’ and own organization’s besoins.
Initiating Action: Taking prompt action to accomplish objectives; taking action to achieve goals beyond what is required; being proactive.
Safety Awareness: Identifying and correcting conditions that affect employee safety; upholding safety standards.
Adaptability: Maintaining effectiveness when experiencing major changes in work responsibilities or environment; adjusting effectively to work within new work structures, processes, requirements, or cultures.

Nice To Haves

Previous experience in an educational, adapted sport, recreational therapy or working with a therapeutic population or setting highly preferred
Current enrollment in a Therapeutic Recreation or Recreational Therapy graduate or undergraduate degree program
Experience in facilitating adapted sports, fitness or aquatics, creative / expressive arts, outdoor adventure and life skills a plus

Responsibilities

Observe, assist, plan, and facilitate Therapeutic and Inclusive Recreation Services programming in a recreation center or park facility with participants with diverse abilities, life situations, diagnoses and disabilities.
Assist with facilitation of Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation programming modifications and / or facilitation of programs across the entire department, including settings that include community recreation centers, regional recreation centers, nature centers, aquatic centers, athletics programming and park-based special events and programs.
Complete assessments, program planning and modifications, program facilitation, evaluation and documentation and other essential Therapeutic Recreation / Recreational Therapy job functions as directed by TIRS staff per department processes, policies and procedures.
Assist in supervision of Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation participants and monitoring of recreation equipment, facilities, supplies and materials.
Provide excellent customer service and information about facilities and programs in a recreation center or park facility through professional customer interactions on the telephone, via email and in person.
Ensure safety of participants/spectators and follow county risk management processes and procedures when necessary.
Assist in enforcing TIRS program guidelines, rules and regulations.
Assist in set up and light maintenance of activities within facilities and recreational areas.
Supervise and provide personal care assistance to participants with disabilities involved in TIRS programming – this may include assistance with personal care and/or hygiene.
Handles inquiries and complaints from public.
Performs assigned related work tasks as required.