Therapeutic Recreation Specialist

County of Mecklenburg, NC•Charlotte, NC

23h

About The Position

Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation’s Therapeutic and Inclusive Recreation Services is excited add a Therapeutic Recreation Specialist to the team! This position will be responsible for providing community-based, goal oriented, and objective-driven recreation and leisure programs for individuals with disabilities. The incumbent will also perform individual client assessments and evaluate and assess community programming needs. In addition, this position will educate, advocate and support inclusion services across Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation. The selected candidate must currently have credentials that include Licensed Recreational Therapist (North Carolina Board of Recreational Therapy Licensure) and Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (National Council for Therapeutic Recreation) certification. This full time position will be based at Tyvola Senior Center and will work a varying schedule including days, evenings and weekends based on business needs. By applying to this position, you are eligible to be considered for a similar role, in which you meet the minimum qualifications for, at other Park and Recreation locations should they become available. If you are looking to grow in your career, or transition laterally into a new role, don't miss this opportunity to apply!

Requirements

Experience: No experience required.
Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Therapeutic Recreation or related field
Combination of relevant education and relevant experience accepted?: Yes
Licenses and Certifications: Requires a valid North Carolina or South Carolina’s Driver's License and County Driving Privileges; Current certification as a CTRS through NCTRC and current licensure as a LRT through NCBRTL; If not a current resident of NC, must have the ability to obtain licensure as an LRT within 45 calendar days of hire date; First Aid/CPR
Computer Skills: Proficient in various computer applications including Microsoft Office Suite
Knowledge: • Diagnostic-specific criteria related to disabilities served and implications for recreation and leisure involvement and participation • Physical, cognitive, developmental, psychiatric and emotional / behavioral disabilities • Stages of human development and appropriateness related to chronological or developmental age • TR modalities including but not limited to: experiential education, social skills training, communication skills training, independent living skills training, community integration and inclusion, leisure education, and motor skills development • Local, state, and national professional organizations and human service agencies related to the TR practice • Communication techniques to be used with individuals with various disabilities • Behavior management, positive behavioral support and de-escalation techniques • Therapeutic Recreation (TR) philosophy and TR APIE process (assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation). • TR program design, leadership, implementation, and documentation • Health and wellness information
Skills: • Managing multiple tasks concurrently • Organizing and presenting demonstrations in area of specialization. • Performing research to obtain pertinent information essential to job performance • The use of North Carolina Intervention (State approved standardized curriculum that teaches prevention, de-escalation and management of aggressive behaviors through the use of preventive measure and approved physical techniques) • Wheelchair transfers and tie downs
Abilities: • Adaptability: Maintaining effectiveness when experiencing major changes in work responsibilities or environment; adjusting effectively to work within new work structures, processes, requirements, or cultures • Applied Learning: Assimilating and applying new job-related information in a timely manner • Building Trust: Interacting with others in a way that instills confidence in one’s intentions and those of the organization • 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 information provided • 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 needs • 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

Nice To Haves

Minimum of 2 years’ experience in Therapeutic Recreation/ Recreation Therapy
Experience performing Therapeutic Recreation assessments

Responsibilities

Develop, implement, monitor, and evaluate therapeutic recreation programs
Develop, monitor, and evaluate participant progress in therapeutic recreation programs
Plan and conduct workshops regarding therapeutic recreation programs for organizations, agencies, and support groups
Coordinate inventory and requisitions supplies, and maintenance of equipment as needed
Trains, supervises, and evaluates Therapeutic Recreation Intern staff in accordance with regulations and guidelines established by the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC).
Develops revenue streams for programs.
Plan, implement, evaluate, and participate in leisure activities
Market programs to disability specific organizations, agencies, and support groups within the community
Responsible for the implementation of behavior management and inclusion policy and procedures in order to create a successful environment for all participants
Provide inclusion evaluations and support for members of the community who are seeking involvement in a traditional recreation setting
Respond to emergency situations as needed
Supervise volunteers, interns, and temporary staff

Benefits

medical
dental
vision
life
short term disability
long term disability
accident
cancer
critical illness
medical bridge and pet insurance
dependent care
healthcare and commuter flexible spending accounts
health savings account
paid holiday
vacation and sick days
near site clinics for preventive care and illnesses
an employee discount program which provides discounts for retail, dining, shopping, travel, tickets and more
an employee assistance program including financial and legal counseling
access to Mecklenburg County fitness and aquatic facilities
paid family leave
tuition reimbursement
a 5% employer match on retirement savings plan contributions and a defined benefit plan for retirement