Therapeutic Recreation Program Specialist

Town of Mooresville•Mooresville, NC

21h

About The Position

The Therapeutic Recreation Program Specialist oversees the planning, administration, and implementation of recreation programs and services for individuals with intellectual, physical, cognitive, and emotional disabilities. Serving residents ages two and older, the position coordinates therapeutic recreation opportunities for youth, adults, and seniors and oversees the Town’s participation in the Special Olympics Lake Norman program. Under the general direction of the Athletics Activities Manager, the specialist supervises staff and volunteers, develops inclusive programming, builds community partnerships, and ensures programs are delivered in a safe, welcoming, and accessible environment.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from a four-year college or university in Therapeutic Recreation, Recreation and Leisure Studies, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Three years of experience in recreation programming for people with disabilities, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
CPR/First Aid/AED certification within six months of hire.
Successfully complete a background check and pre-employment drug screening as a condition of hire.

Nice To Haves

Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) certification.
Certified Parks and Recreation Professional (CPRP) certification.

Responsibilities

Plan, organize, and implement a comprehensive array of therapeutic recreation programs and activities.
Oversee the day-to-day operations of therapeutic programming and services.
Manage aspects of the Special Olympics Lake Norman area programs, including registration, athletes, volunteers, and Unified Sports participants.
Develop and implement programming practices and maintenance procedures to ensure optimal safety.
Oversee the hiring and supervision of subordinate staff and volunteers, assigning and monitoring duties.
Research programs of interest and evaluate program effectiveness and viability; recommend new programs or modifications to meet residents’ needs.
Serve as a liaison for the department’s ADA and reasonable modification representative.
Collaborate with agencies to expand existing partnerships or create new ones.
Prepare monthly programming, cost recovery, and revenue reports.
Manage and monitor program finances, expenditures, inventory, and supplies.
Secure ADA-related documents required for the Department’s CAPRA accreditation process.
Meet with parents and help staff develop inclusive program participant plans for people with disabilities.
Lead or assist with training staff on working with people with disabilities in a programming setting.
Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

Town contribution of 5% to a 401(k), with no employee match required.
Choice of three medical plans, including an HSA plan with Town contributions.
Town-paid life insurance at 1.5 times annual salary.
Fully paid short- and long-term disability coverage, up to $8,000 per month.
Wellness Incentive Program, including a $240 annual medical premium discount for participation.
Employee Assistance Program offering 24/7 mental health and work-life support.
16 hours of volunteer time off per calendar year.
Starting in 2026, new hires receive 14 vacation days upfront.
Employees accrue 13–14 paid holidays per year.
New hires receive one Floating Holiday and one Wellness Day upfront each year.
Up to five days of bereavement leave per occurrence for deaths within the employee’s immediate family.
On-site clinic for eligible employees and dependents coming in 2026.
Down payment assistance.
Pet insurance.
Gym reimbursement.